After a week of having the new 5 Series BMW
in my driveway, only now do I feel I am able to do justice to
this, in many ways, very advanced motor car. The simple fact
is that the more technically advanced and more complex any
vehicle is, the longer it takes to appreciate just what that
vehicle can do. Even on the last day, I was still learning
more and discovering more features. As a couple of small
examples, it was not till it began to rain that I found that
the wiper speed was determined by road speed. Stop at the
lights and the wipers slowed and even stopped if the rain was
light. Take off again and the full sweep of the wipers began
once more. Like wise, as I drove through the hospital
multi-storey car park, the lights automatically came on,
turning themselves off as I drove outside. Small things, but
ones that show attention to detail.
Driving
the 5 Series was an exercise in appreciation of superb vehicle
dynamics. The designers and engineers in Germany show a great
understanding of what a motor car could do, and knew how to
make it happen. The initial feeling from behind the wheel is
one of solidarity, security and safety. It gives you the
impression that no matter what you do, this BMW will get you
to your destination, swiftly and safely. There are no corners
on the motorways any more. The 5 Series just sails through,
without body roll, without protests from the tyres, and
totally without fuss. It is difficult not to feel a little
smug as you leave the lesser mortals lurching along in your
wake.
Much of the superiority of the 5 Series
lies in the application of electronics to the dynamics. All
the movements and forces at the wheels are measured by
microprocessors, which are then analyzed by the central
computers. In turn, corrective influences occur, without the
need for human (driver) intervention. BMW’s microprocessors
are understanding what is going on, much faster than any
driver, no matter how sensitive the driver is in the ‘seat
of the pants’ area. Believe me.
One
example of this is what BMW call their ‘dynamic steering’.
Like the windscreen wipers, the sensitivity in the steering is
linked to road speed. At very low speed, the steering
movements at the road wheels are very rapid, compared to
steering wheel movements, but at speed, the amount of road
wheel movement relative to steering wheel input is much less.
This makes low speed maneuvering easy and high speed touring
safer.
There is no doubt about the sporting nature
of this large saloon. Almost 5 meters long and 1.8 meters
wide, it weighs in at 1.5 tonnes. This is actually lighter
than you would imagine, as BMW have used aluminium extensively
in the construction of the body and several suspension items.
The end result of all this is a car 75 kg lighter than the
previous model and a weight distribution of 49:51 percent. And
with close to 200 horsepower on tap, it gives you a good push
in the back when you floor the accelerator.
The
transmission is interesting - a six speed ZF automatic with
manual over-ride. The torque is such that the top two ratios
would normally be considered as overdrives at 0.87 for 5th and
0.69 for 6th, these making for effortless relaxed cruising
with the 3.73 fairly tall differential ratio. 120 kays is
around 2,400 RPM. This tall gearing is easily accepted by the
engine. However, the response from the kick-down is almost
instantaneous, dropping down two or three gears to give
instant punch when needed.
Another electronic aid to driving, and one
that I will sorely miss when I get back into my more humble
personal chariot was the IR reversing system. Pop it into
reverse and the on-board display becomes a mini-radar, showing
clearances front and rear, as well as an audible warning,
which gets increasingly frenetic as you get closer to another
object.
Much has been said and written about the
i-Drive system in the newer BMW series, which gives the driver
control over many functions of the car, modifying certain
characteristics to personal taste. It was labeled as
“impossibly complicated” in the 7 Series, but it has been
simplified (or made more user-friendly) in the new 5 Series.
Being someone who has problems with the remote on my TV set, I
was a little wary of the i-Drive at first, but honestly it was
not that fearsome at all. In fact, one of my computer literate
friends, John Seymour, hopped in, said, “Wow!” and in 30
seconds was navigating all its features.
The interface between wheel, seat, and
pedals is good, allowing left foot or right foot braking very
easily. The window control buttons are not ergonomic in the
fact that you push the button forward to lower the window and
pull it back to raise. Soon adjusted to, but certainly goes
contrary to what my brain expected.
Driver’s seat excellent and the range of
settings for both squab and back seem endless, and I loved the
way the sides of the seat wrapped themselves comfortingly
around me. Likewise, the rear seat passenger space is
excellent.
The sound system made the car a wonderful
mobile auditorium, but showed just how bad the local radio
stations are if you cannot understand Thai. Those who can
understand the language tell me that it makes listening even
worse. Fortunately Mr Beethoven came to my rescue with
concerto’s on CD!
And getting down to the mundane, it does
have a cavernous boot, so perhaps Mr Bangle’s disliked
bottom has some practical reasons. The elastic netting on one
side to hold small objects was also appreciated after a trip
to the market.
However, there is no car yet made that does
not have some flaws. For me it was the interior - the plastic
petrified zebra skin fascia and door panel trims were quite
horrible. Also, the silver bezels around the instruments
reflect passing street lights and this produces distractions.
My biggest gripe was the lack of usable
cubby holes. Capacious glove boxes on the passenger’s side
are no good for the solo driver. Even the door pockets are not
large. The central console has a lidded container, with yet
another inside, like a set of those annoying Russian dolls
inside dolls, inside dolls. A small space beneath the i-Drive
binnacle will take the mobile phone, but which allows ejection
with any reasonable amount of right foot. My Nokia spent the
week in a state of concussion.
In summary, a great car for the passengers,
wonderful dynamics for the driver, disappointing interior
appointments and keep your mobile phone in your shirt pocket.
This
new series kicks off this Sunday at Brands Hatch in the UK
with, I believe, around 25 countries represented. This just
could be the on track action we have been waiting for. 25
identical motor cars, representing 25 countries with 25
hot-shoes in the driver’s seats. No tyre wars and other such
rubbish. Just some good old fashioned motor racing. Let us
hope so. The series will be televised on Star Sports and (I
think) will be shown at 6.30 p.m., because the race starts at
12.30 p.m. - but check this! I will be at Jameson’s and may
as well take my bed and wait for the Grand Prix from Brazil at
midnight.
