Got rid of the 2012 528i for 2013 535i M-Sport: Pics & Review
04-07-13 | 06:17 AM
#17
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
Congrats! Yup I've seen enough M-Sport F10s on the road now and it's the only way to go with them. So what makes the steering feel so much nicer on the 535? Is is still an electric power steering unit or is it hydraulic? Thought that you could still get the hydraulic steering but only on X-drives? I haven't been keeping up on the Bimmer forums. I personally like and wouldn't mind the N20 and think it's a fine engine, but completely out of place in the 5er. Perfectly good base engine for the 1-3 series including the X's, but the 5 and up definitely need at least a 6-cylinder.
Very nice! Love it in white!
Very nice! Love it in white!
04-07-13 | 02:39 PM
#19
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,205
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
04-07-13 | 04:55 PM
#20
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: California
Congrats to another fellow 5er owner in CL
I got my 13' 535i M Carbon Black Metallic in DEC as well and boy I love this car. In my view, for my "non track" driving , it is the best balance of Luxury, performance and looks car in its segment. I am about to pull the plug on some 20" staggered M5 replica rims any day.
Enjoy!
I got my 13' 535i M Carbon Black Metallic in DEC as well and boy I love this car. In my view, for my "non track" driving , it is the best balance of Luxury, performance and looks car in its segment. I am about to pull the plug on some 20" staggered M5 replica rims any day.
Enjoy!
04-08-13 | 07:38 PM
#23
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 72
From: New York
The Difference is the steering is always firm and direct and you will need to use ur hands to steer even at low speeds. The 528i felt like a Lexus LS at low speeds - I can practically steer it with 1 finger and it would tighten as u increase speed on the highway, which never felt natural or precise even then.
The steering is comparable to my E92 honestly, its THAT GOOD!
Its not as firm or direct but it gives me 95% of the feeling i had with the e92.
Basically I can be going 85-95mph on the highway and cut between lanes/cars and have full control/confidence of the car and where its going.
I can take the same highway on ramp at 10-20mph faster than with the 528i.
04-08-13 | 09:11 PM
#24
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MD
Congrats! Good to hear feedback from an owner that actually has a car with the actual MSport suspension. I hope the car mags get their hands on a '13 535 equipped like yours to see how it compares.
Do you know if the stiffer springs are on the ARS equipped '13 F10? My 650 has both and even in comfort mode it corners amazingly flat.
Do you know if the stiffer springs are on the ARS equipped '13 F10? My 650 has both and even in comfort mode it corners amazingly flat.
04-08-13 | 09:15 PM
#25
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MD
Most reviewers have stated a preference for the hydraulic unit, but C&D has been the only one to do a detailed comparison test. It's good to hear a stiffer suspension and perhaps a reprogram (?) has dialed in the electric steering.
04-08-13 | 09:31 PM
#26
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 28
From: TN
The passive Msport suspension doesn't use hydraulic steering - it is still electric.
The Difference is the steering is always firm and direct and you will need to use ur hands to steer even at low speeds. The 528i felt like a Lexus LS at low speeds - I can practically steer it with 1 finger and it would tighten as u increase speed on the highway, which never felt natural or precise even then.
The steering is comparable to my E92 honestly, its THAT GOOD!
Its not as firm or direct but it gives me 95% of the feeling i had with the e92.
Basically I can be going 85-95mph on the highway and cut between lanes/cars and have full control/confidence of the car and where its going.
I can take the same highway on ramp at 10-20mph faster than with the 528i.
The Difference is the steering is always firm and direct and you will need to use ur hands to steer even at low speeds. The 528i felt like a Lexus LS at low speeds - I can practically steer it with 1 finger and it would tighten as u increase speed on the highway, which never felt natural or precise even then.
The steering is comparable to my E92 honestly, its THAT GOOD!
Its not as firm or direct but it gives me 95% of the feeling i had with the e92.
Basically I can be going 85-95mph on the highway and cut between lanes/cars and have full control/confidence of the car and where its going.
I can take the same highway on ramp at 10-20mph faster than with the 528i.
04-08-13 | 09:55 PM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,285
Likes: 43
From: NV
I guess they just modified the steering ECU then? The difference in steering feel between my 2011 IS F (revised ECU) and my 2008 IS F was pretty large too. Too bad that BMW is moving in the wrong direction on their "base" models, but I'm glad you're enjoying your new ride.
04-09-13 | 07:15 AM
#29
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 19,951
Likes: 171
So you're telling me BMW is setting up the steering to be so light as to pinky twirl the wheel, ala old Cadillac? I'm sure its not that vauge, but seriously, I find cars with "heavy duty" power steering to be so damn vauge on turn in, even if the rack is pretty percise and doen't have any on-center slop(our family's 2000 Avalon comes to mind, very precise steering with no slop, but the effort is so light with no feedback it feels like a video game)
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