550i versus 535
#131
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Hormazd' post='435677' date='Jun 14 2007, 03:10 PM
I understand that in Europe and even Canada the Msport suspension has been available for a while. In the US it was not available pre-LCI and is only available on the 550.
I sit to be corrected.
ABC
#132
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO USA
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Hormazd' post='435677' date='Jun 14 2007, 09:10 AM
For US buyers this suspension makes the main difference between the two cars. The handling comfort and ride is far superior to what I used to drive and better than that of an LCI no Msport car.
From my persepective, given my mostly in-city commuting and occasional highway driving, the extra acquisition and operating cost of the 550 just to get to the M-sport suspension didn't seem appropriate. Without inviting a debate, my impression after having driven both cars is that the 535 offers pretty close-in performance when compared to the 550. If the runflats become an issue, they can be changed to 18'" (or 19" with different wheels) non-runflats for far less than the acquisition cost spread between the two cars.
Lou
#133
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by BMWSTL' post='435700' date='Jun 14 2007, 04:08 PM
the extra acquisition and operating cost of the 550 just to get to the M-sport suspension
"Tuned" Sport Suspension is not the same as MSport suspension AFAIK. Surely if it were, BMW wouldn't be so "careful" in avoiding the "M-word".
Surely the "///M" branding would have given more kudos.
ABC
#134
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles. CA
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 spd Sports Package | NAV | PDC | Logic 7 | BT retrofit | SW V13.3
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by aybeesea' post='435704' date='Jun 14 2007, 08:15 AM
Would it be possible link to a reference which confirms that the 550i has MSport suspension?
"Tuned" Sport Suspension is not the same as MSport suspension AFAIK. Surely if it were, BMW wouldn't be so "careful" in avoiding the "M-word".
Surely the "///M" branding would have given more kudos.
ABC
"Tuned" Sport Suspension is not the same as MSport suspension AFAIK. Surely if it were, BMW wouldn't be so "careful" in avoiding the "M-word".
Surely the "///M" branding would have given more kudos.
ABC
#135
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO USA
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by aybeesea' post='435704' date='Jun 14 2007, 10:15 AM
Would it be possible link to a reference which confirms that the 550i has MSport suspension?
"Tuned" Sport Suspension is not the same as MSport suspension AFAIK. Surely if it were, BMW wouldn't be so "careful" in avoiding the "M-word".
Surely the "///M" branding would have given more kudos.
ABC
"Tuned" Sport Suspension is not the same as MSport suspension AFAIK. Surely if it were, BMW wouldn't be so "careful" in avoiding the "M-word".
Surely the "///M" branding would have given more kudos.
ABC
I looked at the available literature on the US version of the 550, and all references talk about a "modified-calibration Sport suspension" (2008 LCI Press release) or "Retuned sport suspension calibration" (2008 Sales Brochure, bmwusa.com). There is no reference to an "M-Sport suspension."
The 550i's ZSP package lists "704 Sport Suspension" as part of that package. The 535/528 ZSP lists "226 Sport Suspension." If the "704" code is the code BMW uses for the M-Sport suspension, then that ought to confirm it.
If the 550 ZSP suspension is "retuned" and not the M-Sport suspension, how is it "retuned," is the "retuning" just settings or different components, and might the ZSP suspension on the 535/528 be similarly "retuned?"
![Think](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/think.gif)
Lou
#136
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles. CA
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 spd Sports Package | NAV | PDC | Logic 7 | BT retrofit | SW V13.3
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by BMWSTL' post='435700' date='Jun 14 2007, 08:08 AM
This may be difficult to answer, but can you quantify the differences? Is it more the fact that regular sport suspension car has runflats and the M-Sport suspension car has non-runflats, or something else? And where do the differences show up? Solely in aggressive driving, or in the usual daily commuting to and from work?
From my persepective, given my mostly in-city commuting and occasional highway driving, the extra acquisition and operating cost of the 550 just to get to the M-sport suspension didn't seem appropriate. Without inviting a debate, my impression after having driven both cars is that the 535 offers pretty close-in performance when compared to the 550. If the runflats become an issue, they can be changed to 18'" (or 19" with different wheels) non-runflats for far less than the acquisition cost spread between the two cars.
Lou
From my persepective, given my mostly in-city commuting and occasional highway driving, the extra acquisition and operating cost of the 550 just to get to the M-sport suspension didn't seem appropriate. Without inviting a debate, my impression after having driven both cars is that the 535 offers pretty close-in performance when compared to the 550. If the runflats become an issue, they can be changed to 18'" (or 19" with different wheels) non-runflats for far less than the acquisition cost spread between the two cars.
Lou
#137
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO USA
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550i ZSP with Style 167 wheels
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Hormazd' post='435718' date='Jun 14 2007, 10:44 AM
I cannot comment because I haven't driven a 535 without RFs.
Lou
#138
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC , Canada
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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........
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Hormazd' post='435712' date='Jun 14 2007, 10:39 AM
Perhaps
Cheers
#139
Senior Members
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by aybeesea' post='435704' date='Jun 14 2007, 08:15 AM
Would it be possible link to a reference which confirms that the 550i has MSport suspension?
"Tuned" Sport Suspension is not the same as MSport suspension AFAIK. Surely if it were, BMW wouldn't be so "careful" in avoiding the "M-word".
Surely the "///M" branding would have given more kudos.
ABC
"Tuned" Sport Suspension is not the same as MSport suspension AFAIK. Surely if it were, BMW wouldn't be so "careful" in avoiding the "M-word".
Surely the "///M" branding would have given more kudos.
ABC
Good point: I think you are right.
Main difference between the two cars is 19" non RF tires and "feel of the suspension-ride-aerodynamics". When I drove them I just felt a stiffer/stronger ride in the 550i. The acceleration to me is still noticeably different from the V-8 to the TT V-6. I live in So Cal in Eaton Canyone and good low end off the line pull is essential as a "daily driver".
This has been a good debate. I hope that I will stand corrected so I can get the Dinan treatment ASAP. ;-)
So Cal
#140
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='435730' date='Jun 14 2007, 05:10 PM
If you check the BMW Canada site and check the 535 option list you will see the MSport Option with the" MSport" Suspension, additionally you will see that the Sport option just has "Sport" suspension. Then check out the 550 and it will list the MSport suspension as a standard feature. I'll bet the US BMW Marketing guys are simply using different terms to describe the same thing.
If the marketing guys are not using this term (for the same thing) in USA the I wonder if you agree that they are mad and should be fired.
ABC