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Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
I actually like the GT interior a lot but I don't like the back design of the GT. It is true, the GT is very spacious inside, perfect for a family.
Performance is impressive. Even the 245 HP Diesel does 0-100 kph in 7.1 seconds (latest AMS review). VERY impressive.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
RC:
I actually like the GT interior a lot but I don't like the back design of the GT. It is true, the GT is very spacious inside, perfect for a family.
Performance is impressive. Even the 245 HP Diesel does 0-100 kph in 7.1 seconds (latest AMS review). VERY impressive.
--RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
but also so heavy car...530d is over 2tons in ita magazines
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Dedi La vita è troppo corta per non guidare italiano.....
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
I have absolutely no Idea how much space it hast got inside more than a 5 Series (wide, lenght), the only thing that I guess is really segnificant is the head room and maybe the loading capacity, but cmmon, at the end of the day we are all still sitting in a car, right?! Of course its all also the matter of taste, I just think that this car doesnt fit (designwise) in the current BMW models. They make them all so nice looking, but this car (the back) is a mix between X6 and 5 Series. I like a good Cognac, but I also like good Wine, but you really cant mix them together. So I'd rather take X6 with 5 seats option (if really possible), or a 5 Series. So Way, you have a good car taste, so you must help your brother to make the right decissions. ;-)
.Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
Avoe:
I have absolutely no Idea how much space it hast got inside more than a 5 Series (wide, lenght), the only thing that I guess is really segnificant is the head room and maybe the loading capacity, but cmmon, at the end of the day we are all still sitting in a car, right?! Of course its all also the matter of taste, I just think that this car doesnt fit (designwise) in the current BMW models. They make them all so nice looking, but this car (the back) is a mix between X6 and 5 Series. I like a good Cognac, but I also like good Wine, but you really cant mix them together.
You are right, this car does not follow the common direction of BMW cars. I do believe however that this car is primarily aimed at customers that like BMW as a brand (and its image) but are looking for something more comfortable. Those customers have been adressed by MB with the A- and B-class and by Volkswagen with the Golf Plus. These people still have the money and demand a particular lifestyle but want a higher seating position and more spacious interior feel.
On other markets, e.g. in the US, it would offer a solution between a limousine and van with both concepts´ advantages. To me, this idea is fortified by the size, dimensions and engine choices.
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
You make good points, but lets not forget that MB made the R-Class out of the same reasons, and it was a complete fail. Although I actually liked the looks (for a VAN) and the Concept, and I was pretty sure that it will be a huge success in the "VAN" market, and many people would love the Idea of a "luxery" VAN-like car for the Family. Time has told a different story, and now BMW is comming with the same Idea, but a much less refined Concept, when it comes to space and usuability compared to the R-Class, and lets don't say anything regarding looks.
Bottom line, I am sure the 5GT will fail, since its not really a Van, its just a more expensive, little more roomy 5 series, and the looks?! 
The trunk can't be the argument, since If I need more loading space, I would buy a 5 Touring, and here it comes again the look.
What I would really wish is that car manufacturors would start offering is a 5-series Long version (E-Class/ A6). I see a huge market for such cars. Its must be little shorter as a compared 7 Series. Of course, a compared 7 Series would be more roomy cause this car is little wider, higher, and the luxery and status/statment is different, I dont see any risk of canibalism. And the success for those cars would be huge only because of the fact that understatment is getting more and more important over here in europe. Not everybody wants do park a 7 series infront of the house/office. And price will also be a argument in some point.
Well ok, the Idea is not really new for some Brands, as Audi is quite succesfull in China with this concept of the A6L. They are selling the Long version since 5 years over there. So why doesn't this car make it to the rest of the world?
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
Avoe:d price will also be a argument in some point.Well ok, the Idea is not really new for some Brands, as Audi is quite succesfull in China with this concept of the A6L. They are selling the Long version since 5 years over there. So why doesn't this car make it to the rest of the world?
BMW E60 Li 
(offered in China)
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
Those Chinese think the the A8, 7 Series and all Mercedes are quite excessive for governmental use now, unlike quite a few years ago all the officials are rolling around in big Mercs and Bimmers. (most of those are stolen from HK btw).
So they stepped down to A6 and 5s to be more anonymous but asked and gotten the LWB versions.
Not just officials, but a lot of well off people are following that lead and stepping down, creating a market for LWB midsize cars.
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
Avoe:
Well ok, the Idea is not really new for some Brands, as Audi is quite succesfull in China with this concept of the A6L. They are selling the Long version since 5 years over there. So why doesn't this car make it to the rest of the world?
Short answer: There wouldn't be much of a market for chauffeur-driven Audi A6s in western countries.
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fritz
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
As far as I know, most of the L version in Europe (USA?) are sold to "private" costumers, who dont really have a chauffeur. In my close circle of friends there are 3 S-Class Long, and they all drive by themself. Its all about the extra comfort you get for the rear passengers.
Of course in China, the case is different, where even business man with oldest cars, have drivers, but this has also to do with the fact, that most of them don't really know to drive, since they dont have a license, or just recently got one. I am often in China, and trust me, I have good driving skills, but I would not want to drive a car overthere.
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
Avoe:
You make good points, but lets not forget that MB made the R-Class out of the same reasons, and it was a complete fail. Although I actually liked the looks (for a VAN) and the Concept, and I was pretty sure that it will be a huge success in the "VAN" market, and many people would love the Idea of a "luxery" VAN-like car for the Family. Time has told a different story, and now BMW is comming with the same Idea, but a much less refined Concept, when it comes to space and usuability compared to the R-Class, and lets don't say anything regarding looks.
Bottom line, I am sure the 5GT will fail, since its not really a Van, its just a more expensive, little more roomy 5 series, and the looks?!
The dilemma the R-class, in my eyes, is facing is that the design does not reflect the price region the car is located in. On top of that, I ask myself if the unique concept itself wouldn´t have been enough already and if that "odd" styling has refrained or boosted the car´s acceptance. At its debut, I ´ve read and heard a lot of complaints about the front and rear design, both in isolation and in relation to the car´s price and market point. If one sees the success of the B-class (derivative of the A-class) and Golf Plus (derived from the reg. Golf) one sees that one does not need a fancy concept to sell cars, actually the plain approaches sell quite well... 
Having said that, I do agree with your considerations but I still believe that that type of car will attract certain groups of buyers, especially if one considers the success some controversial cars, such as the Mercedes S-class (W140) or BMW 7-series (E65), have had outside of Europe.
I´d be curious if the LWB versions of A6 and 5-series will make it to Europe, I agree that these cars could have quite some success around here.
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
Avoe:
I am often in China, and trust me, I have good driving skills, but I would not want to drive a car overthere.
I know what you mean. 
I have never seen as many roadside wrecks anywhere as I did in China - and broken down domestic-make trucks! But that was over 10 years ago and I would guess that those models will now have been replaced by foreign brands.
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fritz
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
China "resistant" SUV:
Oshkosh M-ATV
375 HP Diesel engine, bullet-proof, heavily armored (can withstand a landmine and a rocket attack), weight is 11 tons (should be sufficient to run over cars driving too slowly in front of you 
). This "thing" is going to replace the Humvee in combat situations, the US Army has ordered more than 2000 pieces of this baby.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
RC:
China "resistant" SUV:
Oshkosh M-ATV
375 HP Diesel engine, bullet-proof, heavily armored (can withstand a landmine and a rocket attack), weight is 11 tons (should be sufficient to run over cars driving too slowly in front of you
Errr... no...
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FERRARI RULES!!!
Re: BMW 5 GT xDrive
R-class' problem is that while the car is huge on the outside, the interior space is tiny. The rear seats are useless and there is no trunk space if those seats are used. While the R63's performance is good, the poor execution of the interior is too big a deficit to overcome. It tried to be a a roomier station wagon while is the preferred choice of Europeans but it's too long and big to the Europeans. It's also too small for the North American market.
5GT learned that mistake, so instead of cramming 6 seats, it offers 4 or 5. Instantly the interior feels bigger already, couple with a longer wheelbase, higher roofline, it's a much better people mover than the R-class. The trunk treatment could be better, but it's no worst than most of the station wagons.
Mercedes already had a good base to build on, the Viano, it's the right size for the North American market but curiously that's the only place Mercedes don't have it for sale.
I keep dreaming of a V63 with awd, now that's a minivan that I would buy. The Brabus Viano 6.1 comes close, but it has no awd and only has 420hp.
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