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MINUTES
Falling in love only takes
Forming a deep, lasting friendship
takes
minutes and
IN THE
What do the rst ve minutes in the new
BMW
Series Saloon feel like? BMW
Magazine researched the issue and
BMW
documented the results. (The most important
result was that they didn't really want to get
out of the BMW Series Saloon again.)
SERIES
SALOON.
:
Operating the door handle is the
rst indication of things to come. The door
opens with that satisfying "clunk" that is the
unmistakable sign of rst-class materials and
precise workmanship. You take a seat behind
the steering wheel and immediately feel at
home. Every detail is where you expect it to
be. You close the door; the last couple of
inches, the door moves by itself, pulling itself
shut with hardly a noise.
seconds.
seconds longer.
:
The clear cockpit layout with its
characteristic four circular dials in the
instrument cluster seems pleasantly familiar.
High-quality materials make for a superb look
and feel. Your ngertips caress the different
types of surfaces. Your thumbs touch the ten
buttons on the steering wheel, the cruise
control toggle and the little wheel for
selecting telephone numbers or radio
stations. Ergonomics meet perfect
workmanship.
:
It's so quiet, almost as though the world
had been wrapped up in cotton wool. Your
senses become more acute. Everything is
focused on the driver; the centre console and
gear selector lever are inclined towards you.
You touch the buttons with the tips of your
ngers, feel how precisely they click home.
The forward rotation of the shoulder feels
familiar: it is just like trying on a tailored suit.
:
Press the Start button, and the vehicle's
controls, dials and displays come to life. As
you touch the iDrive Controller, you realise
how precise and logical its operation is. Exact
instructions on the brilliant display help you
connect your mobile phone and MP player
to your car in next to no time. Everything
works perfectly, like a well rehearsed
ensemble.
:
It is fun, getting to know this car. A little
exciting, too, inspiring, like the rst day at a
job that you have long looked forward to. And
then: the rst press of the accelerator pedal.
Still in idle. You hear the power of the engine,
feel its dynamic potential, can't wait to get
going. The accelerator pedal communicates
the enjoyment of motoring in the most direct
way imaginable. And you already know that
you won't want to stop again.
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