Pics: 2011 BMW 550i

[kahmed79]

Personally I like Bangles work and I think BMWs best ever designs were during 2002-8; particularly the 5 series (E60), 3 series (E46) and 7 Series (E65-8). This 2011 5 sure is beautiful, but the E60 is much bolder and really one of my all time favorite sedan designs. Ill have to see this in person, but the pics tell me it is for sure an incredible design, but not as good as its predecessor.

Anyhow, i love BMW no matter what

The 1998-2005 E46 was gorgeous but that was when Bangle had less of an input in the design. It's only when he had more control over the design (E60) that he started to screw things up real bad.

[kahmed79]

If that is the case, I hope these spy photos are fake, because they sure don't live up to your words.

These spy pics aren't fake but they sure as hell aren't the final product. I'd wait till the car is revealed in production trim before making a final judgement.

[HumanGenius]

@kahmed
Actually Ive found ALL BMWs of the last decade to be incredibly beautiful, including the current F01/2 and this F10, so I dont really get how people criticize Bangle if he was pivotal in the designs of the cars for the past 10 years because I love them all.

Regardless, now I remember, the rear lights of this car is very similar to the rear of the Infiniti G am I right?

[Tayyab95]

whoa !!!
lo0ki HOT
POST SOME INTERIOR PICS TOO

[kahmed79]

@kahmed
Actually Ive found ALL BMWs of the last decade to be incredibly beautiful, including the current F01/2 and this F10, so I dont really get how people criticize Bangle if he was pivotal in the designs of the cars for the past 10 years because I love them all.

Regardless, now I remember, the rear lights of this car is very similar to the rear of the Infiniti G am I right?

I hope the best designs are still to come and personally view the Bangle cars as a grim part of BMWs history. The rear lights have a bit in common with the G but that's where all similarities end. Thankfully the design is much more resolved and agressive.

[lotus]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[saad02]

luks like a 7 now...

[Bilaltq]

It's weird how they've increased the overhang at the front in the new 3 series, and decreased it in the 5. I realize that the wheelbase increase probably makes the car more spacious, but the proportions look a bit funky.

In any case, this design won't take too long to get used to. It's subtly moving into the future. The E60 was a change that happened WAYYY too fast after the E39. Had it been a bit more progressive, people would have liked it/not bitched about it that much.

Waiting for the interior pics!

[sami_voodoo]

Kamran

Great coverage as always! I've got a few questions, notable about the transmission. how does it feel? Does it feel as if it's got one or two too many gears? In that it never stops changing in automatic mode? What about the ride comfort?

I've seen one in the flesh, and I have to agree, it looks quite nice. It's not quite as understated as the E39, but it's got a reserved modern look to it that should age well. The E60 was always rather too flashy. Who did the E90 coupé? That I consider to be one of the beautiful BMWs, regardless of age.

[virtual_law]

I think the upcoming M5 will be the most agressive looking M5 to date, even surpassing the mighty E39.

I wholly agree. An M body kit would complement those droopy eyes PERFECTLY.

[kahmed79]

Kamran

Great coverage as always! I've got a few questions, notable about the transmission. how does it feel? Does it feel as if it's got one or two too many gears? In that it never stops changing in automatic mode? What about the ride comfort?

I've seen one in the flesh, and I have to agree, it looks quite nice. It's not quite as understated as the E39, but it's got a reserved modern look to it that should age well. The E60 was always rather too flashy. Who did the E90 coupé? That I consider to be one of the beautiful BMWs, regardless of age.

The transmission felt pretty good, I didn't get the feeling that it was shifting all the time. But then again I was mostly in manual mode. The ride comfort was excellent, not harsh at all. Bangle did the E90 coupe if i'm not mistaken and yes I have to agree that it is indeed a great design.

[levin]

if we all were attracted to the same cars, people, women, men, jobs, food, and on and on what a boring little place this would be.

I still like the previous BMW shapes better than newer ones, my recent fav E38, i just had to buy one to chk it out for a while

[kahmed79]

I drove the M-B E350 and BMW 535i last weekend at the BMW Ultimate drive event. BMW was so confident that they brought out one of their main competitors...and it backfired on BMW.

The M-B E350 was very smooth, everything from the transmission to the linear response from the V-6. The handling was excellent with pretty much no roll.

I tested out the handling on a long turn which was almost a full circle. The M-B cornered flat and predictable, even when I floored the throttle mid-corner. In the BMW there was tons of understeer through the same corner. BMW is really losing sight of its core competencies which made their cars so much fun to drive. M-B on the other hand is starting to make some incredible drivers cars.

I still prefer the exterior of the BMW 5 over the E-Class.

[Zeeshan6]

To me bangle's 5 series was much better looking.

[sami_voodoo]

I drove the M-B E350 and BMW 535i last weekend at the BMW Ultimate drive event. BMW was so confident that they brought out one of their main competitors...and it backfired on BMW.

The M-B E350 was very smooth, everything from the transmission to the linear response from the V-6. The handling was excellent with pretty much no roll.

I tested out the handling on a long turn which was almost a full circle. The M-B cornered flat and predictable, even when I floored the throttle mid-corner. In the BMW there was tons of understeer through the same corner. BMW is really losing sight of its core competencies which made their cars so much fun to drive. M-B on the other hand is starting to make some incredible drivers cars.

I still prefer the exterior of the BMW 5 over the E-Class.

MB does seem to be on a roll. Back when the C class came out, some editors at EVO took part in a tire test by Hankook or Continental and they had C350s. Without the stability control and ABS, the cars were reputed to handle a bit like the old E30 M3s. No faint praise that.

Also, if the E63 is anything to go by, the base E class should be pretty accomplished in the body control department.

Was it the 7 speed in the E350?

[AmmarFaiz]

Salam Kamran,
I can see why people would think its doesnt look as mean in the pictures. The front does look very subtle for a 550, maybe there was more expected since not everyone can go out there for the M5. I did see illustrations of the M5 and it does look sick. The rear is the strong point of the car, kinda see G35 sedan goin on in the back, in a good way. Its like the new Sonata, that car looks amazing from all angles until you get to the front, and oh boy, does that need work. Heck they could have slapped the genesis sedan front and called it a day but i personally am not a fan of it. Lastly, those kinda wheels shouldnt even be offered on the 550, just kills the whole look

i agree with you about the rims.. WHAT THE hell are those? lol hopefully they look better in person ...

[ateekt]

One sweet-looking car indeed. Performance, great-looks, awesome interior, attitude & sleekness, she's got it all in her profile!

[ateekt]

you see,.. they get rid of that moron chris bangle and BMW start producing real good looking cars again.

He might not be a comfortable personality in the eyes of many, but significant jobs done by him for the Bavarian homes are undeniable.

E65, E46 & E53 were among best & served their purpose to keep the brand alive in a needy time! Bangle's team made that happen.

[kahmed79]

One sweet-looking car indeed. Performance, great-looks, awesome interior, attitude & sleekness, she's got it all in her profile!

The Merc actually was a better driving car. My bro currently has an E60 and he said the same thing.

[salman_ksa]

I drove the M-B E350 and BMW 535i last weekend at the BMW Ultimate drive event. BMW was so confident that they brought out one of their main competitors...and it backfired on BMW.

The M-B E350 was very smooth, everything from the transmission to the linear response from the V-6. The handling was excellent with pretty much no roll.

I tested out the handling on a long turn which was almost a full circle. The M-B cornered flat and predictable, even when I floored the throttle mid-corner. In the BMW there was tons of understeer through the same corner. BMW is really losing sight of its core competencies which made their cars so much fun to drive. M-B on the other hand is starting to make some incredible drivers cars.

I still prefer the exterior of the BMW 5 over the E-Class.

You, sir, just got couple of stars on this thread.

On a serious note: I'm surprised to say the least. I think BMW gave up driving dynamics for the the luxury this time?