Ireland Declares Climate Emergency

[CitizenKane]

Very interesting.

Slightly off topic but I would also disagree with his characterisation of the new 5 Series as a good looking car (although that’s obviously subjective).

I have been a BMW fan for a long time and I’ve always appreciated the directions they have taken their designs, even as they have become increasingly controversial since probably the G80 M3. But the new 5 Series is probably the first new BMW I’ve seen that I genuinely think just looks terrible. I saw one on the road for the first time a while ago and assumed it was some generic Korean or Japanese saloon, I couldn’t believe it when I got closer and saw it had a BMW badge on it.

I know some people will argue BMW have always pushed the boundaries with controversial designs that subsequently become revered, like the Bangle-era cars, but I think this is different. The new 5 Series isn’t controversial or out there, it’s just uninspired and boring. It’s like they’ve just completely run out of ideas and asked a generative AI model to come up with a design for what the car should look like based on the progression of previous generations and current design trends across other manufacturers.

[Big H]

I may be spoiled by a lot of years and miles in straight 6 cars

You have been. Next....

[Big H]

Slightly off topic but I would also disagree with his characterisation of the new 5 Series as a good looking car (although that’s obviously subjective)

Have to say the M5 touring is a far better looker than its saloon brother in fairness.....https://www.bmw.ie/en/all-models/m-s...5-touring.html

[dergside]

Have to say the M5 touring is a far better looker than its saloon brother in fairness...

Hmmm, I do think that the nose is still a bit challenging to the eye. TBH, the same can be said for the G30.

[Big H]

Hmmm, I do think that the nose is still a bit challenging to the eye. TBH, the same can be said for the G30.

True - at least they've finally shyed away somewhat from the grotesque grille look that is out of all proportions on the likes of the new 7 for example.....

[dergside]

The 7 really has raised the beating of a design with the Ugly Stick to an art level. Same for iX, XM, etc.

[Big H]

The 7 really has raised the beating of a design with the Ugly Stick to an art level. Same for iX, XM, etc.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...eries/36527682

And you must pay them over €200k for said ugliness (for that particular car)..........

You'd want to be some headbanger altogether.

[CitizenKane]

I saw a brand new i7 in the wild the other day and I have to say I quite liked it… It was black with all gloss black trim including the grille though, so maybe that makes it bit easier on the eye.

That is kind of the point I was trying to make though: love or hate the new 7, you have to admit it’s bold, eye-catching, etc. and I wouldn’t be surprised if people will start to like it in due course.

Whereas the new 5 isn’t, it’s just “meh”.

[Big H]

An example of the frankly insane EV market here (and probably everywhere else), my local high end car dealer has a latest model (larger battery) 2024 AUDI Q8 e-tron 50 S-Line with just 1,750km's on the clock for €69,990.

https://www.auto-point.ie/vehicle?id=Djyoj

What's wrong with that you ask ? This is a €108,000 car new (which in reality it pretty much still is) !

€38,000 depreciation in only a few months FFS.

As I have said previously here, only a headbanger pays for an EV with their own money - PCP rental type arrangement is the only way for these if you must......

[CitizenKane]

That is bonkers.