Originally Posted by Corgidog

I do not consider the changes made to the 05 interior to be of the "minor cosmetic" variety and a 38 hp increase is not minor numerically-a 5 hp increase is- however one could argue that the hp change is, in reality, minor according to the seat of ones pants dyno. My guess for 06 is another new color and 1 or 2 truly minor cosmetic changes and for 07 there will be a major body style change to mimic on a smaller scale the design of the M and a new interior design somewhere in between the current G and the new M.

Originally Posted by GeeWillikers

Hmm. New hood. New bumpers. New lights. Completely overhauled interior.
Horsepower bump. New wheels & sizes. More optional packages make for more combos on the road. More bang for the buck on an already great value.

Compared to the previous model year "freshenings" and compared to what other manufacturers do from model year to model year, (compare an 04 TL and an 05 TL, or an 04 to an 05 330i) I'd call the 05 changes significant. If you want to compare them to a complete re-style, then you have a point when you say the changes are minor.

Originally Posted by Texan1

I still think the changes are minor overall. The HP inc. had a negligible performance enhancement. I do not consider larger bumper openings, hood creases, taillight revision, shifter handle, minor change to gauges, interior stitching very significant in the grand scheme of things. I am talking compared to new sheetmetal and all new interior and a performance enhancing hp increase.

Originally Posted by Corgidog

There is much more change to the interior besides guages and stitching- the console is aluminum instead of silver color plastic with aluminum trim on the doors and dash, the arm rests are more padded, the navi is 1/2" wider, the clock is moved, to me the interior is a MAJOR inprovement for 05.

Originally Posted by Corgidog

There is much more change to the interior besides guages and stitching- the console is aluminum instead of silver color plastic with aluminum trim on the doors and dash, the arm rests are more padded, the navi is 1/2" wider, the clock is moved, to me the interior is a MAJOR inprovement for 05.

Originally Posted by Texan1

Oh, I forgot about the clock being moved--Now I change my mind--those changes are major.

I am being facetious.

Originally Posted by Corgidog

There is much more change to the interior besides guages and stitching...

Originally Posted by ctyeh

The 05 has a completely different personality from the 04. The engine/exaust tone is different, the shifting becomes smoother, and highend/high rpm HP is noticably stronger. The change is significant.

Originally Posted by mrdwaters

but maybe my reply should be in the coupe section?

http://www.modernracer.com/spyshots/spyshots2.html

Originally Posted by mrdwaters

Thought, for whatever reason, that Website was somehow reputable. But then again, I have not seen it in the real pubs (C&D, MT)

The person who photoshopped it should put the 2005 wheels on… See, now I am a critic…..

Sorry for wasting everyone’s time, and thanks for the heads up.

Originally Posted by GeeWillikers

No waste of time - I only said that's what I remember. This could be something different and someone here could have more info than me.

And EVERYONE here is a critic, LOL! All in good fun! Welcome here by the way.