[exo-ak-dk]

hey people!

Does all the 520d 8-speed auto, have the sport and normal button as standard?

I test drove it and read some reviews afterwards. I noticed those buttons in the video reviews but i didn't notice them when i testdrove the car...

[remmib]

If there's sport and normal button, it's got the 8-speed sport auto.

[BMWMB]

Exactly. With the standaard 8 speed automatic transmission, you don't have that button. If you choose the 'sport' automatic, you have that button that can change steering, throttle response and gearshifts, and you have paddles behind the steering wheel. In Belgium this option is only €150,- , so don't hesitate and go for that option.

[exo-ak-dk]

thanks for the answers guys.

I've heard that it's a must for the 5 series if you want it to handle well or get the proper feeling when driving the car fast at twisty roads.

hehe BMWMB, they should just add it as standard in belgium! It would be stupid to buy such a expensive car and not add a such feature when it only costs 150 euro.

[Albert R]

The Sport/Comfort button is now standard on all 5 series I think (at least it is in the UK), regardless of whether it has manual/auto/sport auto. It's now called Drive Performance Control and on my manual 520d there are three modes - Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport.

The throttle response becomes noticeably sharper in Sport mode, but I can't tell a great deal of difference with the steering. Maybe I need to drive it fast round some bends...

[mrashton]

You would need to specify VDC on the 520d or Adaptive Drive on the larger engined models to get better handling. Without these options, the dynamic drive control button sets the gearbox into sport mode so revs are held longer in each gear and only the first 7 ratios are used. The steering is slightly heavier giving a little more feedback. I have to say that my 530d F11 is generally quick but put it into sport mode, floor it and the car becomes a very different, quicker beast. (Up to legal speed limits of course. )

Originally Posted by exo-ak-dk

thanks for the answers guys.

I've heard that it's a must for the 5 series if you want it to handle well or get the proper feeling when driving the car fast at twisty roads.

hehe BMWMB, they should just add it as standard in belgium! It would be stupid to buy such a expensive car and not add a such feature when it only costs 150 euro.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Albert R

The Sport/Comfort button is now standard on all 5 series I think (at least it is in the UK), regardless of whether it has manual/auto/sport auto. It's now called Drive Performance Control and on my manual 520d there are three modes - Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport.

The throttle response becomes noticeably sharper in Sport mode, but I can't tell a great deal of difference with the steering. Maybe I need to drive it fast round some bends...

Remember there's two different buttons;
sport/normal if you only have the sport auto, and sport/comfort if you have VDC or Adaptive Drive.

[BMWMB]

Originally Posted by Albert R

The Sport/Comfort button is now standard on all 5 series I think (at least it is in the UK), regardless of whether it has manual/auto/sport auto. It's now called Drive Performance Control and on my manual 520d there are three modes - Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport.

The throttle response becomes noticeably sharper in Sport mode, but I can't tell a great deal of difference with the steering. Maybe I need to drive it fast round some bends...

OK, but this button does nothing with the suspension.

[BMWMB]

Originally Posted by exo-ak-dk

thanks for the answers guys.

I've heard that it's a must for the 5 series if you want it to handle well or get the proper feeling when driving the car fast at twisty roads.

hehe BMWMB, they should just add it as standard in belgium! It would be stupid to buy such a expensive car and not add a such feature when it only costs 150 euro.

As i allready mentioned in my last post, this button does nothing with the suspension. You have to order 'adaptive drive' so you also have 'dynamic damping control'. Than you have it all, but this option costs a lot more than €150,-.

[Albert R]

Originally Posted by remmib

Remember there's two different buttons;
sport/normal if you only have the sport auto, and sport/comfort if you have VDC or Adaptive Drive.

That's not strictly the case with the 2012 models. My 520d manual has sport/comfort (+ Eco Pro) and it doesn't have VDC or Adaptive Drive.

As to whether the 2012 sport autos without VDC/AD will now have sport/comfort instead of sport/normal, I don't know. I'll tell you tomorrow.

Originally Posted by BMWMB

OK, but this button does nothing with the suspension.

Yep, aware of that, which is why I mentioned only steering and throttle.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Albert R

That's not strictly the case with the 2012 models. My 520d manual has sport/comfort (+ Eco Pro) and it doesn't have VDC or Adaptive Drive.

As to whether the 2012 sport autos without VDC/AD will now have sport/comfort instead of sport/normal, I don't know. I'll tell you tomorrow.

Looking at the configurator and the 2012 pricelist, it's seems that your right. All F10 except 550i gets the Driving Experience Control.