5 Series (G30) [Official] BMW 5-Series (G30)

[Betty Swollocks]

Yes and yes

Genuine discussion point here, not trying to correct anybody.

But is this really the case? By law,speedos can overread by up to 10%, but they're not allowed to underread whatsoever. Therefore manufacturers usually calibrate them on the side of caution. Also, they have to allow for the different size wheels, and therefore some will overread more than others. So I don't see what difference it makes whether the instruments are analogue or digital. The digital display is just a different way of displaying information from the same source.

I believe digital displays are more responsive, however. Lexus used an LCD display for the LFA's rev counter because they said the engine revved SO quickly, the only display that could show it accurately enough was an electronic display.

But, I'd be happy if @Giannis or @martinbo could shed some more light on whether a digital or analogue speedo is more accurate.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

This is very similar to the following question: which is the most accurate watch the analog or the digital. I would say the digital speedometer and tachometers should be a little more accurate because they don't have to overcome the inertia of the needle.

 

[klier]

I believe digital displays are more responsive, however. Lexus used an LCD display for the LFA's rev counter because they said the engine revved SO quickly, the only display that could show it accurately enough was an electronic display.

Very true, they actually said that.
However, I always felt some marketing BS from that. It was their way of saying how incredible the engine was (and still is).

 

[Giannis]

they have to allow for the different size wheels

Actually, no.

What matters is the diameter of the wheel (rim+tyre). Manufacturer specs often allow for various rim sizes, but each one comes with a different tyre size, as to keep the wheel diameter constant. If you mess with the wheel diameter, you mess both with the speedo readings (do I need to write down the math?) and the suspension geometry.

So I don't see what difference it makes whether the instruments are analogue or digital. The digital display is just a different way of displaying information from the same source.

The difference, as you said, isn't in the medium you use to display the information, but with how you obtain it. In the digital age you measure wheel (rotational) speed using a Hall sensor, and you translate it to linear (translational) speed with some simple math (that include the wheel diameter). Now, the accuracy of a hall sensor is dependent, among other things, to the number of teeth of the gear upon it reads. The sensor then sends an electric signal to the speedometer, the dial of which is rotated by a high-accuracy stepper motor.

I understand that the question is, given a hall sensor type of speed measurement, what set-up has the quickest response time, right? Now that LCD screens are getting better and better, my educated guess is that we've reached the point where electronics (as in refresh rate and pixel clarity) have surpassed the limitations posed by the stepper motor's inertia, and are, therefore, more responsive.

They are not more accurate, though. Accuracy has to do with the sensor, not how you display the measurement.

 

[EnI]

Mind M Performance cars are more like "in-house Alpina" ... more like potent & powerful cruisers rather than true swift racers ... that's what Ms (especially CS, CSL, GTS) are all about. Different character for different customers. M Performance is not just like "M lite".

 

[Rolf]

The latest cars have much more accurate speedo readings compared to models from about 20 years ago where the over error reading could range from 3% up to 10% but nowadays most cars are approx 2 to 3% over reading. So if your speedo was indicating 100km/h then true speed would be about 97km/h.

 

[hovabongZA]

Been seeing quite a few new 5ers lately and what bugs me is that most of them don't have the iconic lights. It's a travesty not to option those in and a shame that BMW offer them as options and not as standard when they are the new look/face of BMW. It just looks low tech and old-ish without them.

 

[Rolf]

The M550i looks great in this video, I like the gun metal colour they used for grill, lower intake surrounds and the mirrors although at first glance I think they are copying Audi by using gun metal/aluminum on the mirrors.

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[hovabongZA]

///M550i

 

[Monster]

The new 5 series just arrived in the showrooms and I had a chance to have a closer look. This black color is probably not the best to show off the the sharp surfacing of the car, especially when parked next to the the white F30.

The interior looks modern and luxurious, however the little details and the surprising fit and finish problems have let it down. For example the gloss black panel on the dashboard feels too much like plastic and will probably get scratched easily, the buttons for the memory seats are placed at an odd location in the middle of the door panel, and it is surrounded by some unnecessarily wide and hard plastic. More than half of the trim on the B pillar is covered in hard thin plastic as well, which isn't really acceptable for a car at this price range.

And now, the problem with the fit and finish of this silver trim, at the leading edge of the rear door panel. There is a wide gap between the top edge of the silver trim and the upper "belt line". There seems to be scratch marks on the top of the trim as well.

 

[SKY]

I have seen several ones on the road already and it looks quite good in m eyes. However, the rear is not perfect. I don't have a problem with it yet but it is something I have heard some of my friends/family say as well.

Regarding the interior, I have not been inside one yet, but surely these problems will be fixed with the newer models? It kind of remind me to the W205 C-Class problems a couple of years ago.

 

[montana]

For example the gloss black panel on the dashboard feels too much like plastic and will probably get scratched easily,

Agreed. It was one of the first things I noticed when I sat in the G30 in Geneva. Other than that I thought the interior was sublime. Still prefer the E-Class' though.
And I think I like the rear and side profile of the F10 more than this, sadly. Seen it so many times on the road now, and while it looks good, there's something "off" about it IMO. Maybe time will change my mind.

 

[Rainer271]

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[Mars1965]

The new 5 series just arrived in the showrooms and I had a chance to have a closer look. This black color is probably not the best to show off the the sharp surfacing of the car, especially when parked next to the the white F30.

The interior looks modern and luxurious, however the little details and the surprising fit and finish problems have let it down. For example the gloss black panel on the dashboard feels too much like plastic and will probably get scratched easily, the buttons for the memory seats are placed at an odd location in the middle of the door panel, and it is surrounded by some unnecessarily wide and hard plastic. More than half of the trim on the B pillar is covered in hard thin plastic as well, which isn't really acceptable for a car at this price range.

And now, the problem with the fit and finish of this silver trim, at the leading edge of the rear door panel. There is a wide gap between the top edge of the silver trim and the upper "belt line". There seems to be scratch marks on the top of the trim as well.

I realy don't see anything that disturbes me.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Actually, no.

What matters is the diameter of the wheel (rim+tyre). Manufacturer specs often allow for various rim sizes, but each one comes with a different tyre size, as to keep the wheel diameter constant. If you mess with the wheel diameter, you mess both with the speedo readings (do I need to write down the math?) and the suspension geometry.



The difference, as you said, isn't in the medium you use to display the information, but with how you obtain it. In the digital age you measure wheel (rotational) speed using a Hall sensor, and you translate it to linear (translational) speed with some simple math (that include the wheel diameter). Now, the accuracy of a hall sensor is dependent, among other things, to the number of teeth of the gear upon it reads. The sensor then sends an electric signal to the speedometer, the dial of which is rotated by a high-accuracy stepper motor.

I understand that the question is, given a hall sensor type of speed measurement, what set-up has the quickest response time, right? Now that LCD screens are getting better and better, my educated guess is that we've reached the point where electronics (as in refresh rate and pixel clarity) have surpassed the limitations posed by the stepper motor's inertia, and are, therefore, more responsive.

They are not more accurate, though. Accuracy has to do with the sensor, not how you display the measurement.

I knew I could rely on you Giannis. Thanks for the informative post.

 

[klier]

I realy don't see anything that disturbes me.

The hard plastic in the first picture has been discussed several times already. It's like that in every Bimmer including the M760Li. It's the only area to 'fault' (in quotations because you actively have to search for this insignificant spot). And the second picture is fine. It is what it is, not meant to be a seamless fit...

 

[hovabongZA]

The best all round car right now, it's beautiful too.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

The hard plastic in the first picture has been discussed several times already. It's like that in every Bimmer including the M760Li. It's the only area to 'fault' (in quotations because you actively have to search for this insignificant spot). And the second picture is fine. It is what it is, not meant to be a seamless fit...

Of course it's not insignificant. If you're in the backseat of the car, you constantly see it. And driver's like myself see it also when sitting in the driverseat.

 

[klier]

I've never looked at it before it became a focus.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

The best all round car right now, it's beautiful too.

Not only do I not think it's the best "all round car" right now, I don't even think it's the best all round 5 Series. That would be the 530d IMHO.