Originally Posted by 550isport' post='755538' date='Dec 29 2008, 10:40 PM

Hello Swajames. Excellent news if its true. Now you can get the best handling without the the biggest engine. But I'm still a little confused. A 540i M sport in the UK can be had without active anti roll (with good old fashion stiff mechanical anti roll bars). Is this going to be possible in the US with a 535 M sport I wonder. It makes sense that they would exclude the 550. Since the LCI update in 2007 it has had the M sport springs, shocks and bumpstops from the euro package (I checked the OEM part numbers). But its still got the hydraulic anti roll - so not quite as stiff as the euro M sport w/out dynamic drive.

I heard they are tightening up the 650 sport and M6 competition package as well. Way to go BMW!

BTW as fantastic as the 535 is, its torque curve is so flat that it lacks the gusto of the 550 IMHO. It's not even close from the seat of the pants. An F10 550xi M sport with DCT could be a candidate for the best all around car in the world irrespective of price.

Happy New Year.
DRP

Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='757110' date='Jan 1 2009, 08:42 AM

I am a fan of ARS, I like the comfortable ride but minimal lean in curves. American roads are just not smooth enough for me to tolerate an overly stiff suspension. I thought a good balance of ride/handling & spring/shock settings was the E39 M5 but it had too much lean and understeer. The e39 528i with sport package was also a wonderfully balanced car. ARS allows the E60 to have softer spring/shock settings to compensate for big rims and run flats, yet allows minimal lean. I think the 550i with the M suspension is better than the 528i/535i sport package. It is retuned because of no runflats.

I would go for M sport packages. I just can't justify $25,000 for the 140 extra HP in the M5, especially when the 550i has more torque for around town, but would want some of the goodies.