lee1224

Dealer has a car on ship arriving soon, I am interested in it. My question is that my current 08. 550 has the m sport pkg which includes active roll. The new 2012 550 has sport m pkg and all wheel drive but no active roll. I love the handling of the 2008 550 (amazing). How is the handling of 2012 550 without ars? My wife has a 2012 535xi with msport, no ars, I really don't like the handling, too much body roll. I am planning to lower car and dinan stage 2. How comparable in handling are the 2 with some suspension work on the 2012. Please let me know your experience. Thanks...

crypto

Not to thread jack but how do you like the everything else besides the handling of your wife's 2012 535xi? I read a lot of E60 owners complain about the boat feeling and lack of handling and then I see new F10 owners talk about how it's so much better than the E60. Seems both sides of the house are pretty biased and of course everyone has their opinions -- but as someone who kind of has both at the same time still -- what are your thoughts?

lee1224

The 535 feels a lot lighter for sure. Without a tune on the engine, there is turbo lag off the line. It takes a little bit of time before the turbo kicks in. Of course my 08 550 has the v8 so the acceralation to me is more linear. Not really a fair comparison between the 2 engines. The 535 being all wheel drive sits quite a bit higher, which I don't care for. Hoping to lower the new 550. The 535 also does not feel solid planted to the road like the 08 550, this may be due to the ars. My wife drove my car the other night, her comment was your car feels a lot tighter and more solid, exactly my point. I believe the all wheel drive does not offer active steering which I love on the 08 550. The new 2012 will not have active steering. The styling of the f10 takes time getting use to. The e60 with m sport stands out much more. These are my opinions.

Ricracing

Dear lee1224.

You'll be first stunned and doubtful and lost and then a bit disappointed.
But in a few days or weeks you will love your brand new car

Congrats and good luck

lee1224

thanks....i think

now to clearify your comments.

first, why will i be stunned?
2nd, why will i be lost and a bit disappointed?

thanks

kscarrol

Wow! Makes me want to rush out and buy a new F10...

Ricracing

You tell me when you get your new car! You'll find out all I said.

After a E60 the changes are huge!

550isport

I had a 550i sport. Incredible car, almost as incredible as the 740i sport I had prior to that (making an adjustment for the age of the car). Point is, BMW has been moving in the comfort direction for a long time now.

My wife's X5 was off lease in MArch and she wanted a new 535 Msport b/c she loved my 550. After 2 test drives and having a 535i and 535xi loaner for a few days she simply said no thanks. It was too boring. Not to insult those that love their cars, but they have become swiss army knives vs. the switch blades that the E60 and E39 were. We got a 13' X6 35i M performance pack. Ride is very old school "BMW" without the adaptive drive. Stiff but compliant.

The problem I fear will get worse. The F10 5er is selling in droves. Most people want a cruiser ride with a badge on the hood that screams performance - same thing with Cayennes and Panameras and those are selling like hotcakes as well. Most people don't like driving sports cars. Period. They just want to be perceived as driving one!!??
Bon chance BMW


DRP

TexaZ3

Agree 100%. Just drove F10 535 for a few days, and I don't think I will be buying it. It felt like a Buick compared to my E60. I think I will be getting F30 335 instead. MUCH better car, and looks better IMO too.