Post by
Larz »
https://forums.nicoclub.com/larz-u216291.html
Fri Aug 23, 2013 10:34 am
I don't own one, so I have no long-term experience in one. My dealer always gives me a car whenever I take mine in for maintenance. Since nobody else replied (not many M56 members I'm guessing), I can at least give you my impression after driving one for the day on a couple of occasions.
The good bit is that it, of course, it's more powerful (not OMG what power!, but a very noticeable increase). Handling, sharp turning, and spirited driving are exactly the same as my M35, which is to say: excellent). They have finally added some sophisticated Euro touches like stitching along the leather that looks fab, but lots more plastic on the dash instead of leather or faux seude that you would expect from this level of saloon car. The interior door trims have a nice flowing, sculpted design. The over-all layout of the interior remains much the same as any other M series of the last few years. As for gas mileage, mine was getting around 16, so it's much the same as my M35, but with more power.
The not so great bit is the dash and steerring wheel. The dash has two large 'hoop' pieces that house the cluster with cheap-looking plastic buttons along the sides. These are two things you find in lots of other (cheaper) cars, and I'm not a fan of the design. They left the NAV screen up top in the center which is great, and the center stack switches are much the same as other years ... but they removed most of the buttons from the steering wheel, which is where they belong. The wood trim is quite the un-realistic colour and has a grain of almost straight lines, making it look 'manufactured' instead of natural. The 2-3 I drove didn't have the Bose surround system so the music was extremely lacking, compared to what I'm used to hearing, and it's worth mentioning that every other brand in this price range has a higher quality sound system.
As I've said in other threads, the over-all design of the body is what turns me away from owning one. It's more sedate, more curvy, and seems to want to blend into the crowd - like a pemtioner's car (which is NOT at all a bad thing). It's stance is not at all sporty or aggessive, minus the grille. M's should stand out from the crowd because they so deserve to be on another, higher level. I see so many of the new style that I am probably in the minority of peeps who feel this way. I will wait to see what they do with the new M is now Q design. The current Q50 has a great blending of the blah, curvy design with an aggressive stance. I'm hoping the Q which replaces the M will do as well or even better.