acorradi87

Looked quickly but didn't think this had already been posted...

By their initial description for getting the car I'm glad they went with the 528i and it sounds like the main reason they're testing it is to see if it can live up to its reputation as an agile luxury sport sedan. Looks as though they're skeptical about its weight already. I don't think these guys are the most impartial but it should still be interesting!

F1- 528i - Edmunds InsideLine Long Term Test Link

acorradi87

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtest...2011-bmw-528i/

... and there's already a problem. The car has 1,100 miles on it and there's a leak from the fuel filler neck with parts on backorder. They don't seem to be too impressed with the service experience either.

acorradi87

Track tested.

Here's the exerpt I found most important:
"Handling Comments: More difficult to access off-throttle rotation than 535i, but the effect is minimal in both cars. Not nimble or quick to respond, but entirely controllable. Slalom: Feels fairly soft in rapid transitions-- even in Sport Plus. Is well mannered, however. Chassis isn't snappy like an Infiniti. BMW is showing a change of direction here.

See full test here

bm323

The car tested is the 528i in standard suspension, which does not come with anti-roll or adaptive drive.


For this 528i tested,
Tire Size (front): 245/45R18 96Y
Tire Size (rear): 245/45R18 96Y
Tire Brand: Dunlop
Tire Model: SP Sport Maxx GT
Tire Type: Asymmetrical Summer Performance
Wheel Size: 18-by-8 inches front and rear
Slalom (mph): 67.6 stability off (66.8 on)
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.84 stability off (0.84 trac on)


For the 328i,
Tire Brand:BridgestoneTire Modelotenza RE050A (front); Potenza RE050AII (rear)Tire Type:All seasonWheel Size:17 X 8.0 front - 17 X 8.5 rearSlalom (mph):68.5Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g):0.88
http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3series/2008/testdrive.html

bm323

ps For the 328i above, quote "What really set our 328i tester apart was its optional sport package, which provided a magical mixture of handling and compliance. We were treated to the best of both worlds, with a ride that was never harsh, and cornering capabilities that were downright exhilarating. You'd never guess that our 328i had the sport package from its supple composure over bumps and ruts, yet it carves through the canyons at a pace that would put some purpose-built sports cars to shame. Few vehicles at any price can match the all-around excellence of this sport-tuned chassis.... It's on twisty two-lane roads that the sport-packaged 328i really comes into its own. The car is simply a peerless handler among compact sport sedans, from its ultra-communicative and perfectly weighted steering to its supremely balanced and unruffled character in tight corners. Weighing in at 3,424 pounds ? nearly 200 pounds lighter than a comparably equipped 335i ? our 328i felt, if anything, a smidge more tossable than its turbocharged counterpart. At the track, the 328i snaked through the slalom cones at 68.5 mph, a few tenths quicker than a 335i sedan we tested recently, and braked from 60 mph to zero in 110 feet, 6 feet shorter than that 335i's best stop.Happily, the 328i's outstanding all-around performance doesn't come at the expense of efficiency. We averaged a respectable 22.5 miles per gallon over 1,030 miles of mostly enthusiastic driving, against EPA estimates of 18 mpg city, 28 highway and 21 combined. Our 328i even managed 31.2 mpg during a 213-mile freeway slog ? frugal enough to give some four-cylinder econoboxes a run for their money."


Transmission Type:6-speed Manual

Handling Comments:So much info through steering! Even the entry-level 3 Series has it. Excellent grip, too. So much compliance combined with sharp steering response and body control, the 3 Series is truly a class leader when it comes to handling.

acorradi87

They state that "Slalom: Feels fairly soft in rapid transitions-- even in Sport Plus". The Sport Plus indicates that it does have adaptive drive.

And this picture they took of their 528i indicates that as well:

bm323

You are mistaken, sport plus does not mean that it has adaptive drive. The 528i does not have adaptive drive as an option.

They chose the 528i to test, and quote "We loaded it with every option under the sun, inflating the price to $60,050 and essentially equaling the starting MSRP of a 550i." Not quite brilliant.

bm323

And quote "Comfort is important to us" for choosing all the options. Funny how people want all the options for the comfort/luxury but at the same time complaining about weight.

acorradi87

If an F10 is not equipped with adaptive drive, then what else does 'sport plus' refer to? That must be a typo on their part...

I'm now realizing that the adaptive drive equipped 535 they tested had the words "comfort/sport" on the rocker switch next to the shifter, whereas this 528i says "sport/normal". It was my understanding that any F10 without adaptive drive would not have this rocker. Now I'm just confused. =/

bm323

A F10 can have the rocker without adaptive drive or dynamic damping. Sport plus mean limited stability control. It's not a typo. Their 528i has the rocker because it has sport automatic transmission.