Just a thought that crossed my mind after a comment yesterday by my Brother in law on his new E60 520d M-Sport BMW.
Whilst trying to research the "Efficient Dynamics" economy features of the car (which I can't find any mention of in the handbook
) he said that he was'nt that bothered to read up on it or anything else for that matter as he "Simply sets everything to Auto and forgets about it"
Meaning that the lights come on & turn off automatically, as does the aircon, the reverse sensors, wipers etc etc.
Whilst this is all well & good, it underlines my view that technology (especially Sat-Navs but, thats another thread!) is removing a lot of the basics from driving.
He need not look at a map as the car tells him where to go, nor bother about ambient conditions as ,again, the car takes this away from him.
If he so chooses, he can reverse the car and not bother to look around him or use his mirrors as that "great" i-Drive will tell him (supposedly) when he's about to run over that child......
Sure, we can't stop progress, but I feel that progress is slowly eating away at a lot of basics of driving, people are un-surprisingly more inclined to simply operate the vehicle these days rather than actually drive it if you see what I mean.
Thank god he at least got a manual so he has at least gearchanges to concentrate on!
Thoughts?
Very impressed with the e60 520d btw, I was not expecting it to feel as lively as it did, the M-Sport package seems to really sharpen it up , its handling was very very good.
Certainly, imo, as well built as an e39 if not better (awaits Fox's opinion!) unlike an e39 however, you'd struggle to jump in it & drive off without a good browse through that phone book like handbook!
A few pics of it - typical brand new company car - its filthy!

Whilst trying to research the "Efficient Dynamics" economy features of the car (which I can't find any mention of in the handbook

Meaning that the lights come on & turn off automatically, as does the aircon, the reverse sensors, wipers etc etc.
Whilst this is all well & good, it underlines my view that technology (especially Sat-Navs but, thats another thread!) is removing a lot of the basics from driving.
He need not look at a map as the car tells him where to go, nor bother about ambient conditions as ,again, the car takes this away from him.
If he so chooses, he can reverse the car and not bother to look around him or use his mirrors as that "great" i-Drive will tell him (supposedly) when he's about to run over that child......
Sure, we can't stop progress, but I feel that progress is slowly eating away at a lot of basics of driving, people are un-surprisingly more inclined to simply operate the vehicle these days rather than actually drive it if you see what I mean.
Thank god he at least got a manual so he has at least gearchanges to concentrate on!
Thoughts?
Very impressed with the e60 520d btw, I was not expecting it to feel as lively as it did, the M-Sport package seems to really sharpen it up , its handling was very very good.
Certainly, imo, as well built as an e39 if not better (awaits Fox's opinion!) unlike an e39 however, you'd struggle to jump in it & drive off without a good browse through that phone book like handbook!
A few pics of it - typical brand new company car - its filthy!






