Gymkhana Quattro

Hello happy dippers! It's that time again for seeing our favorite super hero tear it up in a new off-the-walls-bananas driving video. Mr. Ken Block is back in his Ford Fiesta doing his best Homer Simpson impression "mmm donuts". This time he is on the back lots of Universal Studios, with a little bit of Hollywood special effects, delivering another entertaining demo of his skill and creativity. Enjoy!

2011 BMW 535i and 528i

The BMW 5-series, in my mind, have always been the quintessential sports sedan. I mean, sure, the 3er probably offers more driving performance since it is a smaller package, but the 5 has always managed to combine the driving dynamics expected from something with a BMW badge along with real usable space to be legitimately called a family sedan. Needless to say, many other car manufacturers have followed the recipe and produced, on paper at least, similar cars, such as the Audi A6, the Lexus GS series, the Mercedes E-class (ok this one has been around for a while), Jag XF, to name a few.

Honestly, while all those cars were and are wonderful machines, in the past, each have fallen just a bit short in trying to out-do the 5er. The previous generation 5 series, while a bit polarizing in terms of exterior styling, was still the benchmark. Actually, as far as driving dynamics go, even a 20 year old 5 series still gives a very satisfying drive.

But the competition has steadily been improving and now there is, inevitably, a brand-new 5. Is it any good?

I’ve heard some say that the new 5 is too bland, too much like a 3 series. But yet some say it’s the best looking BMW in quite some time. So I guess the polarizing views still stick. It definitely is less edgy than the last version.

More concerning for me though, is that some say the 5 has lost its versatile and engaging driving feel. Of course, I hesitate to believe everything I hear, so now that I have a chance to live with one for a few days, I can discover first hand if the new 5 has the charm of the lineage.

Personally, I like the looks. The interior is also very nice, with just that bit extra space to be really comfortable. The ride is marvelous actually, and the cabin is incredibly quiet. Both have the 8-speed (!) automatic. Talk about too many! But actually, it works rather nice, allowing the car to waft along effortlessly. The headlights are spectacularly bright, and the fit and finish is spot on. Even the materials are very nice. The electronic interface is much improved and easier to learn.

I got to try out both the 535 and the 528, the former w/ the “Twin-Power” turbo (as BMW like to call it). And yes, the 535 is quite the beast with something like 300hp and 300+lbs of torque. In all honesty, the 528 is probably all you’ll ever need though. But both cars averaged a good 26+mpg in mixed driving, with highway mileage at more than 30mpg easily. The impressive mileage probably is down to the 8-speed auto and regenerative braking, where the car uses the slowing down process to charge the battery, not unlike a hybrid. Both cars will cruise at very high speed without drama.

There’s the problem, however. Honestly, despite the fact that I am an avid BMW fan, the driving dynamics lets me down. Oh, for sure it’s not a bad drive. But the steering feels a bit too artificial; the body control isn’t what I’m used to coming from a history of 5 series. In fact, in the 528, maybe because of the particular car’s lack of a sport suspension, it was so vague that I almost crashed. As much as it pains me to say, I think BMW has actually taken a step backwards in terms of driving feel with this new 5. It has become much more isolated and dull… dare I say this, it has started to feel like I’m driving a Lexus… (no offense to Lexus owners).

I’m writing this in a café, and looking out the window, I have already seen many new Fives since I started. Undoubtedly, the new quiet and upscale cabin will appeal to more of the public in the market for a luxury sedan, and undoubtedly, this direction will bring BMW more profit. But I can’t help but feel that if I bought this car, I will feel a faint hint of disappointment each time I take it out for a drive, knowing that, though comfortable, it is now more of a machine to waft you from place to place, rather than a machine where you feel the drive is part of the destination.

12/20