[TheBingoBalls]

The G6X 5er has started to make its rounds around Canada. Pre-production models of the i5 and 530i will be on display in dealerships for a couple of days at a time. Brief walkthrough at one of the dealerships in the link.

NOTE: these are not my videos and I’m not narrating in them. I just work closely with various dealerships in the Greater Toronto Area to be aware of these events.

BMW i5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IXr...el=BumperMedia

BMW 530i

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38UyyeZ3Ag0&t=22s

[spatel19]

Can you please attach the link.

[TheBingoBalls]

Doing this through the app. Should be there now. Sorry.

[TheBingoBalls]

Added 530i video.

[Sequence001]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Added 530i video.

Wait so is that sunroof the panoramic version or the standard option? I was under the impression that the panoramic came without the sunshade curtain?

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Sequence001

Wait so is that sunroof the panoramic version or the standard option? I was under the impression that the panoramic came without the sunshade curtain?

Pre-production builds sometimes have options that you typically can’t combine on the production version only to show what can be optioned.

For Canadian builds, panoramic roof includes an electric sunshade. Could be different for U.S. builds.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

The G6X 5er has started to make its rounds around Canada. Pre-production models of the i5 and 530i will be on display in dealerships for a couple of days at a time. Brief walkthrough at one of the dealerships in the link.

Do US dealers get these preproduction display models as well? Would like to see the car sooner rather than later. If not, will be in Munich in September so will hopefully see it then.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Do US dealers get these preproduction display models as well? Would like to see the car sooner rather than later. If not, will be in Munich in September so will hopefully see it then.

Not sure how BMW USA rolls out model releases. There have been thread posts of something similar with new model releases but they seem to be dealer-specific so you’ll have to reach out to your local dealer and see how they’re going to launch the new 5er.

[wagonallterrain]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Pre-production builds sometimes have options that you typically can’t combine on the production version only to show what can be optioned.

For Canadian builds, panoramic roof includes an electric sunshade. Could be different for U.S. builds.

US also has the shade. Description from bmwusa.com

Bathe the cabin in light with the Sky Lounge Roof. Its extra-large glass panel includes a power sunshade to shield passengers from excessive glare and heat.

[Deho]

Thanks OP for the videos! I enjoyed the detailed views of the exterior and interior of the cars.

HOWEVER the guys is obviously selling these for a living; I chuckled when he tried to operate the "buttons" on the screen and said that is was "easier" than the physical buttons on the G30. He had to press a few times for the screen to react, it was awful.

I really want a G60 but these screens might be a dealbreaker for me, we'll see. A low miles used G30 might be in my future instead.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Deho

Thanks OP for the videos! I enjoyed the detailed views of the exterior and interior of the cars.

HOWEVER the guys is obviously selling these for a living; I chuckled when he tried to operate the "buttons" on the screen and said that is was "easier" than the physical buttons on the G30. He had to press a few times for the screen to react, it was awful.

I really want a G60 but these screens might be a dealbreaker for me, we'll see. A low miles used G30 might be in my future instead.

I sat in one and it really feels like a BMW so in terms of layout and ergonomics, BMW nailed it. The iDrive knob still being present is a huge plus and appreciated. I haven’t played around with iDrive 8 too much so I don’t know how reliant someone would need to be with the touchscreen.

I don’t think the touch controls will be a huge deterrent, for me it will likely come down to how the new 5er drives and obviously price as well. But as far as current BMW’s go, the 5er looks to be as BMW as we can get today.

[Deho]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

I sat in one and it really feels like a BMW so in terms of layout and ergonomics, BMW nailed it. The iDrive knob still being present is a huge plus and appreciated.

Yes, I also appreciate that. I currently drive a MINI Countryman and although the screen is a touchscreen I reach for the iDrive knob 100% of the time.

Happy that you liked your first impression! I'll of course be reserving my own final judgment for when I'll be able to experience the car myself. Just bummed that the overall experience seems less luxurious than what we got with the G30, but that's from pictures and videos.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

I sat in one and it really feels like a BMW so in terms of layout and ergonomics, BMW nailed it. The iDrive knob still being present is a huge plus and appreciated. I haven’t played around with iDrive 8 too much so I don’t know how reliant someone would need to be with the touchscreen.

So how did you like the exterior design, front/rear, etc? Better than photos or about the same?

As for current G30 HVAC knobs, it’s so intuitive to just reach for the knob and turn it a click or two to adjust the temperature without even looking at it. Touch screen will be an adjustment.

[Deho]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

As for current G30 HVAC knobs, it’s so intuitive to just reach for the knob and turn it a click or two to adjust the temperature without even looking at it. Touch screen will be an adjustment.

Yeah, intuitive and in the case of the G30 with the ceramic controls, the experience of using the knobs felt luxurious. I can't even imagine the downgrade that it will be to push a screen.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

So how did you like the exterior design, front/rear, etc? Better than photos or about the same?

As for current G30 HVAC knobs, it’s so intuitive to just reach for the knob and turn it a click or two to adjust the temperature without even looking at it. Touch screen will be an adjustment.

I would say better than the pictures but the rear is still awkward.

Originally Posted by Deho

Yes, I also appreciate that. I currently drive a MINI Countryman and although the screen is a touchscreen I reach for the iDrive knob 100% of the time.

Happy that you liked your first impression! I'll of course be reserving my own final judgment for when I'll be able to experience the car myself. Just bummed that the overall experience seems less luxurious than what we got with the G30, but that's from pictures and videos.

Don't let the lack of buttons and curved screen fool you, the 5er interior is still of very high quality and you still feel like you're in a luxury vehicle. I don't think you or anyone will be disappointed in the quality of the interior.

[DK5erAus]

A pre-production M60 arrived at my local dealership last week. I was asked if i wanted to give some feedback so i went to take a look.

Initial impression when i sat in it was..... Cheap. The plastics on the doors, dash, trims just felt hard and cheap.

Coming out of a 2023 G30 LCI 530D MSport it felt like a step down.. Dealer said that was the general response.

The front seat backs with their solid "shell" like design reminded us of a local taxi No map pockets?

The info screen/instrument cluster is very one dimensional and doesn't do the interior any favors. The upper dash speaker grille is a mess as well as the lower door speaker covers. Its a backward step from the G30.

Copious amounts of cheap feeling plastic. Window switches felt flimsy.

The lack of tactile buttons is a let down. Not enough touch feedback on the functions especially on the wheel. It means you need to look down to find the touch area you want to press. There needs to be physical controls for basic climate functions like temp and fan speed.

The touch screen is a mess of icons and not very intuitive. (i have a tech background and have never had trouble picking up any OS/ HMI device) - this was not great.

In Australia for safety reasons its illegal to pickup or touch your mobile phone whilst driving. Its a big fine. I feel like the combination of instrument cluster, main screen design, and overloaded Head up display is more dangerous than a mobile phone. It all just felt distracting.

We could see the 0 - I touch areas on the touch bar - couldn't work out the function. After 15 mins playing with the AC control and vent direction control we worked out these opened and closed the vents. I guess given time we would learn all this but really i would expect that any person should be able to get in the car and work the basic functions.

It had a lot of bugs and issues with the LED touch strip around the dash, speaker lighting, ambient lighting, head up display to name a few - hopefully a pre-production thing.

Disappointing that the roof is solid glass and not a regular sunroof. Australia gets hot and it was good to be able to vent the car by opening the roof. This just seems like a pointless feature that allows more heat into the car..

Can't get past the boot lid droopy design, not a fan of the gloss black lower bumper diffuser on the rear. The shape is odd.

The other issue is model lineup. Hope they bring additional ICE models out.

Currently the most popular variants here are 530D M sport and M550.

They are priced at around $145 and $165k respectively.

We are looking at new G60...

520 - underperforms the 530D and 550 by a significant margin - $120k? (under $100k for a g30)

i5 - electric still underperforms compared to 530D, M550 - $190k?

M60 - Great performer but $240k approx. puts it out of daily driver pricing reach.

They are missing a model in their most popular price bracket. Which has ruled out a lot of buyers.

According to the dealer there has been rushed interest in orders for a new G30 LCI 530D before production ends....

I'm a little disappointed.

[Deho]

Originally Posted by DK5erAus

Initial impression when i sat in it was..... Cheap. The plastics on the doors, dash, trims just felt hard and cheap.

Coming out of a 2023 G30 LCI 530D MSport it felt like a step down.. Dealer said that was the general response.

The lack of tactile buttons is a let down. Not enough touch feedback on the functions especially on the wheel. It means you need to look down to find the touch area you want to press. There needs to be physical controls for basic climate functions like temp and fan speed.

The touch screen is a mess of icons and not very intuitive.

It had a lot of bugs and issues with the LED touch strip around the dash, speaker lighting, ambient lighting, head up display to name a few - hopefully a pre-production thing.

Those are all things that worried me and problems that you seem to confirm. OP seems to think the quality is great and of course I'll need to try it for myself before I pass judgment. But BMW seems to be cutting a lot of corners and charging us more for a lesser product.

[MikeElmendorf]

Agree completely, Deho.....

[AP]

Each to their own of course but I’ve not been a fan of the g60 , I. Fact there is not a single thing that aopeals to me over the g30 with the exception of perhaps a few enhancements to the semi autonomous no ous driving

I’m off the Munich early September for the motor show so will be keen to see the g60 hopefully at the show and the welt.
I’ve seen some videos and the really big turn off are these touch controls. I really feel these are not the most appropriate technology to be used here along with the cosmetic issue of finger prints everywhere

The last few years it does feel like bmw are on a cost cutting strategy and the g60 may be a product of that. I felt the same when the e60 came out. Styling is subjective but I felt the interior just didn’t feel as good as quality as the preceding e39

Be interesting nine the less to have a look at the g60 and other new BMWs in a few weeks

[AP]

Are there any pictures of the head up display, wondering what they had made if this.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by AP

I’m off the Munich early September for the motor show so will be keen to see the g60 hopefully at the show and the welt.

I'll be in Munich after the motor show and hoping to see the car as well. But the current Welt display does not include the i5/5 series according to the website. Maybe that will change by mid-September.

Like you, there are several things about the G60 I'm not a fan of, one of which is the lack of dash buttons that the G30 got just right. I've had my G30 coming up 5 years and it's been a fantastic car, but I'm getting the new car bug. Have started looking at Porsche and 8 series if I don't like the new 5er but would prefer to stick with the 5 series.

edit...just found on the Welt website they have updated the display list of i models to include the i5.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Do US dealers get these preproduction display models as well? Would like to see the car sooner rather than later. If not, will be in Munich in September so will hopefully see it then.

I too am curious to know if U.S. dealers will get any of these models to display.

I haven't heard or read anything but a poster on a Lexus forum said he saw them on display in LA about a month ago. Not sure how accurate or not though.