Was going thru my V38 software fiasco (check under beneath the bonnet) and while I was waiting- test drove a 2005 MCS.

Observations-
Color- I was driving the new hyper-blue, I honestly miss the indi blue. I think the indi blue is a great color (tho I love my electric blue too). Indi blue, you will be missed

Power-
I noticed the midrange seems a bit better, stronger and more linear. And yes... The yo-yo is still there, although less pronounced than the 2004 (so it seems). As metioned before, the EPA highway econ fell to 32MPG

Everything else-
Otherwise, seems to drive the same, no noticable changes...

Inside/Outside-
New door-arm-rests are nice, a small improvement. To retrofit, however, requires an entire new door panel (I have the schematic if anyone wants it scanned). The cost is about $500 per door after all is said and done I'll pass, thanks...

New sun-visor is nice, plus some oh s$%^ handles for the passenger

Verfied, it does play MP3 discs- I happened to have one data disc in my MCS sitting at the dealer... Honestly, tho, I think the interface is poor. Plus, I'm not sure you can use playlists or sequence the tracks. A nice feature, but I prefer my Archos recorder using the Aux in... Or the I-Pod link would suffice quite nicely. The **** is much better, doesn't feel like I'm turning a bic-pen on a stick...

I saw one with the chronopack, can't say I dislike it, but I think the center speedo is more in the character of the car. Interestingly, when I got in the center needles "jumped" about 5MM up and then back down. Not sure if this is an issue, but would seem to be an electrical anomaly...

Chrome package is nice, I'd go for it. Gives the car a classy look.

LOVE the new cloth/leather seats, if I get another MCS, I'm going this way. For sure. You still get the lumbar with it, but avoid the winkles. Speaking of which, the 2005 all leather model I drove still has wrinkled seats

The new Xenon's WOULD look neat in another car, but again- I think it's out of character for this car...

Whatever you do, please replace the rear-fog light plastic piece with a fog light. Even if you don't illuminate it, it looks better than the plastic piece. Tho I can't help but wonder, would it possible to rig something up for a bike rack or ski-rack thru this hole??? ATTN vendors???

So all in all, small improvements (overall), but nothing I'd rush out and trade my 2004MCS for. Tho I was happy to find my 2004 is worth $22,000 (3,100MI) WITH a dent in the back rear quarter Refreshing coming from GM cars, which usually have suicidal depreciation!

 

I think that 99% of the improvements made for model year 2005 are nice and do show BMW's long term commitment in keep in keeping the car fresh and interesting.

Still, not even the extra 5HP and closer ratio 6-speed in the MCS is reason enough for me to trade my solid, reliable and fun '04 MCS with 11K miles.

 

thanks for the review.... I ordered an 05 MCS and was wondering about all the new "improvements" that they've incorporated in this year model......

 

what do you think of the new tranny for the S? i was sitting in one during an convertible opening and i was really impressed with the shorter throw and the much crispier action of the new lever.. one thing i'd add to my 03 if i can make up an excuse to change it!

 

I found the new ratios to take better advantage of the car's power band. As far as "snick-snick" shifting, tho, it feels the same as my 04'... Tho I'm thinking highway econ suffers, so I guess it's a 6 and 1/2 dozen scenaio. Give a little, get a little...

 

I had heard that the interior lighting was changed up a bit for the better. Illuminated interior door opener recesses? Is this true? What to you think?

 

Well the new lights weren't too noticable (was a beautiful sunny day and was 80 degrees ), I personally DISLIKE the two map lights were the clock used to be. The trim looked cheap to me... The clock in the speedo for the chronopack was a bit hard to read, IMHO.

I did like the look of the door-bottom lights, that would be nice when stepping out of the car at night. Door handle light, might look neat- but I've never had a problem finding the door handle at night.

 

I agree on the trim around the map lights ot be very cheap. If you push on it, the whole section will move

 

Does the 2005 have a LSD standard? Or is that something for later?

 

That's in the Purple Haze version

It's slated to be available in January '05 as an option.

 

Only legal in Amsterdam I suppose...