I'm hunting a new to me 2010 535 and have some questions. opinions on xdrive. m -sport?

I live in east TN and have a little bit of winter driving. Can take the wife's suburban if 4 wheel really needed. What are your opinions on driving and handling of the xdrive versus not. and msport versus not? also in the msport how comfortableis the seating for a middle aged guy (ie 38inch waist guy). I had a 3 series before and the sport seating was not comfortable at all.

How are the auto transmissions? I've been a bmw straight drive guy for years....I haven't even looked for one in a 5 series not sure they are around anymore.

I currently drive a 2004 x3 3.0 6 speed manual which is comfortable. Wife wants me to go automatic so teenagers can drive it....which is another point for the manual.

 

You need to drive them all. My personal preference would be non-XDrive MSport. With decent all season tires you won't have problems with traction in TN. XDrive adds weight and shifts bias. MSport vs Sport adds body kit and stiffer suspension bits. Seats are the same and IMHO are the best seats around. But good luck finding '10 MSport either auto or 6 speed, these are rare.

 

5 series seats are definitely more comfortable for the expanding burgher-butt, the 7 series seats being even more commodious.

I have an '08 x-drive and would enjoy a slightly firmer ride than it provides. Handling has improved since I fitted wheel spacers to widen the track.

Transmission is a bit too soft in normal mode and a bit too harsh in Sport. YMMV

 

I have a 2010 Msport 535i. Im a 38 and the seats are great, so that shouldn't be a problem. It did take me about 2 weeks to get them in the position that worked for me.

Im not sure about Xdrive but I love this car. The only option I wish I got was Navigation. If you have the Nav option you get the newer Idrive screen and software as opposed to the old version without Nav. These e60s are rare. Happy hunting.

 

I have an 09 535i xdrive and I love it. I have nav, cold weather, premium, and sat radio. The only things I wish I had are the logic 7 and comfort access. It's almost funny that I am wishing for more as my last car didn't even have a sunroof. As for xdrive, I don't go to the track or anything, just commute and weekend fun. I like xdrive as it does help in the snow and rain. Winter tires are everything regardless of which model you pick. I got caught with all seasons in early snow this year. While I could start with no issue, stopping was heart attack inducing. Switched to the winter tires and no problems. The roads here are shit, so i am very happy with the stock suspension. it is still a firm, controlled ride relative to most mid-sized cars, especially in this class imho. Good luck on your search and you will love the car.

 

Skip Xdrive down there, especially if your wife has the Suburban. I was all ready to sign on the dotted line for an xDrive 2010 with HUD, Night Vision, etc and then the morning before signing the paperwork I found what I really wanted: an M-Tech with rear wheel drive.

The sport package really changes the dynamics of the car in a way that you won't get with the xdrive cars and while the xdrive cars are certainly competent in their own right, the E60 with the sport package and SAT transmission is about as competent a sedan as one can find and with the tune and a little E85, I don't miss my M5 at all. Oddly enough, I actually bought mine because of my wife too.

That said, to answer your specific questions... If you get the SAT transmission (sport button/ paddle shifters) you won't be disappointed at all. Shifts are lightning quick, it rev matches on downshifts, etc. It's an amazing setup for an automatic transmission. I find myself driving the car in manual mode 80% of the time.

If it were me, must have options are the Logic 7 system if you're at all into sound. Navigation you can skip because it kind of stinks. The only reason I'd get nav is because the smaller screen looks cheap and out of place. Still, I find myself using my iPhone more than my built in nav. From there, the sport package is a must and rear wheel drive is a must. I'm in Chicago and for the 3 - 5 days a year that the roads are unpassable by car I just grab my wife's SUV.

Keep in mind Msport is an appearance package. If you're not into the boy racer look you can still get the sport package which will give you all the handling benefits of that setup. Also keep in mind that sport/ Msport packages on Xdrive models are appearance only and you won't get any of the better handling characteristics.

Lastly, and arguably most importantly, Google JB4. Add 80 - 100hp, more if you run a mix of E85 fuel.

 

I am a big guy (6-3 275 40" waist) and i currently own a 2008 535i. I went through a few major snow storms last winter in chicago without much dificulty at all with all season (crappy IMO) good years. I am very happy with the interior space and there is enough room behind me for me to sit comfortably. The seats in the standard 5 are very comfortable and I would assume that the M would be just as nice once you find a sweet spot. I had an older 7 series M sport that had similar size seats an i was able to adjust them to be very comfortable and supportive.

As for options, I wish i took a little longer looking around for a car. I am still very happy with the deal i got and the car i got; however, if i could do it again i would probably go for an x-drive for the wife and nav option. Besides that, i really can't complain much about anything with my first year of ownership! Just did my second brake job and the car is fairly easy to work on. Besides brakes and oil so far no other issues to report except VANOS giving me crap once a while.