550i Sport vs. 535i Sport - took both home for a night
03-03-2008 | 02:53 PM
#41
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach, CA & Scottsdale, AZ
Originally Posted by graffarid' post='539220' date='Mar 3 2008, 03:18 PM
I wish I knew that 550i has M tuned suspension... before I got my 535i. I was under impression that suspensions are the same. Now I'm not really happy with my Sport Package suspension on my 535i.. and thinking of modifying it.
They good thing about 535i is that you can update your ECU and your turbo will give you a lot more HP than 550i.
They good thing about 535i is that you can update your ECU and your turbo will give you a lot more HP than 550i.
The 135i comes with M-sport suspension, but it doesn't touch a M3.
03-03-2008 | 03:00 PM
#42
Contributors
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, California, USA
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by HotLap' post='539237' date='Mar 3 2008, 03:51 PM
I don't think that's accurate jspira...the only difference in suspension was the larger tires and added weight...even the brakes are the same? Can anyone in the know - post the actual specs on the suspension of the '08 535iSport/550iSport? Thought I had read they were the same?
03-03-2008 | 03:03 PM
#43
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach, CA & Scottsdale, AZ
Originally Posted by swajames' post='539245' date='Mar 3 2008, 04:00 PM
The 550 Sport has M-Sport suspension (which I understand to be identical to the M-Sport suspension available in other markets) plus ARS which isn't standard on ROW M-Sport cars. BMW USA notes that there are suspension differences in the technical data (550 is shown as having "recalibrated" sport suspension) and the dealer briefing materials highlighting what was new on the LCI models noted that the suspension for the 550 was unique and was the M-Sport setup. The dealer materials are available on Bimmerfest.
Basically it has a little tighter feeling.
M-sport is great BMW marketing.
03-03-2008 | 03:20 PM
#44
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: New York und Wien
Originally Posted by HotLap' post='539237' date='Mar 3 2008, 06:51 PM
I don't think that's accurate jspira...the only difference in suspension was the larger tires and added weight...even the brakes are the same? Can anyone in the know - post the actual specs on the suspension of the '08 535iSport/550iSport? Thought I had read they were the same?
03-03-2008 | 03:25 PM
#45
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: New York und Wien
Originally Posted by swajames' post='539245' date='Mar 3 2008, 07:00 PM
The 550 Sport has M-Sport suspension (which I understand to be identical to the M-Sport suspension available in other markets) plus ARS which isn't standard on ROW M-Sport cars. BMWUSA notes that there are suspension differences in the technical data on the US website (the 550 Sport is shown as having "recalibrated" sport suspension) and the dealer briefing materials highlighting what was new on the LCI models noted that the suspension for the 550 was unique and was the M-Sport setup. The dealer materials are available on Bimmerfest.
03-03-2008 | 03:46 PM
#46
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach, CA & Scottsdale, AZ
Edmunds Test Numbers
535i - Test
Slalom (mph): 65.3
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.89
550i - Test
Slalom (mph): 67.5
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.88
I guess it comes down to feel, because their numbers are very close. 535i has the better skidpad and 550i has the better Slalom.
Its the same story for the 135i, it has the recalibrated M-sport suspension.
535i - Test
Slalom (mph): 65.3
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.89
550i - Test
Slalom (mph): 67.5
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.88
I guess it comes down to feel, because their numbers are very close. 535i has the better skidpad and 550i has the better Slalom.
Its the same story for the 135i, it has the recalibrated M-sport suspension.
03-03-2008 | 04:55 PM
#49
Members
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by JSpira' post='539232' date='Mar 3 2008, 03:44 PM
Ja, it?s amazing how many people just blurt out ,,oh, it?s the same car...`` when esp. with the suspension, it has very different and noticeable handling characteristics.
Definitely! I wonder if I can install 550 suspension on my 535 or better to go with something different? I do like the fact that 550 is soft and not very bumpy but has great handling at the same time.
03-03-2008 | 04:58 PM
#50
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC , Canada
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Originally Posted by graffarid' post='539305' date='Mar 3 2008, 08:55 PM
Definitely! I wonder if I can install 550 suspension on my 535 or better to go with something different? I do like the fact that 550 is soft and not very bumpy but has great handling at the same time.
JK of course !