F10 Impressions (530d)

J-Raid · 04-20-2010, 11:09 AM

Hi, had some impressions...actually not mines, but from the chief editor of the mag I work at. Unfortunately I won't have the chance to get behind the wheel of the F10 until July, but till then his feedback is more than valid (and not as PR filtered as something published on the/a magazine).

To put it in short, the highlight is that BMW has tried to create an Audi. Wait don't shoot me, he said the car is awesome, but that it has clearly lost sportiness, and it's now clear the 5er is "just" a small 7 series.

The car tested was a 530d with Active steering and VDC.

In Comfort it was really conformable, in Normal it went great, in Sport and Sport+ it was clearly stiff but still bearable and ok.

He did notice certain lack of communication/feedback, not only from the steering but also the chassis in general. The feel is a bit more artificial than the E60. Though it is important to note that most of his driving was during a rainy day, he warned me, so the artificial thing can't be complete judged. Most likely he will driving it again, so hope I an get more dry feedback.

He encouraged the Active steering, and especially the active stabilizers (included in the Dynamic Drive package) for those really willing to keep the car in the BMW sporty tradition. Said Active steering felt a bit strange at first, but it is just matter of time to get used.

Basically, if you aren't going to be "racing" through a mountain twisty road this car will please you. Though he expected the BMW purists to complain about the tendency of getting closer to an Audi (aka less sportiness), but in exchange it would open to a bigger, new, market of potential buyers.

Now I can't wait to get my own impressions!

PS: I think the car was with 18" rims. Forgot to ask if it was with RFs

bm323 · 04-20-2010, 11:19 AM

Thanks, good info. When the F10 was in sport mode and the ride was stiff, was it not the usual sporty BMW, with communication and feedback?

HighlandPete · 04-20-2010, 12:14 PM

What auto gearbox did the car have? Standard or sport?

HighlandPete

sfbayguy · 04-20-2010, 07:44 PM

Perfect for me...a smaller 7 is what I wanted!

04-20-2010, 11:09 AM	#1
J-Raid Private 12 Rep 71 Posts Drives: E46 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: All around Europe iTrader: (0)	F10 Impressions (530d) Hi, had some impressions...actually not mines, but from the chief editor of the mag I work at. Unfortunately I won't have the chance to get behind the wheel of the F10 until July, but till then his feedback is more than valid (and not as PR filtered as something published on the/a magazine). To put it in short, the highlight is that BMW has tried to create an Audi. Wait don't shoot me, he said the car is awesome, but that it has clearly lost sportiness, and it's now clear the 5er is "just" a small 7 series. The car tested was a 530d with Active steering and VDC. In Comfort it was really conformable, in Normal it went great, in Sport and Sport+ it was clearly stiff but still bearable and ok. He did notice certain lack of communication/feedback, not only from the steering but also the chassis in general. The feel is a bit more artificial than the E60. Though it is important to note that most of his driving was during a rainy day, he warned me, so the artificial thing can't be complete judged. Most likely he will driving it again, so hope I an get more dry feedback. He encouraged the Active steering, and especially the active stabilizers (included in the Dynamic Drive package) for those really willing to keep the car in the BMW sporty tradition. Said Active steering felt a bit strange at first, but it is just matter of time to get used. Basically, if you aren't going to be "racing" through a mountain twisty road this car will please you. Though he expected the BMW purists to complain about the tendency of getting closer to an Audi (aka less sportiness), but in exchange it would open to a bigger, new, market of potential buyers. Now I can't wait to get my own impressions! PS: I think the car was with 18" rims. Forgot to ask if it was with RFs
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04-20-2010, 11:19 AM	#2
bm323 Captain 194 Rep 850 Posts Drives: 12.2 E92 M3 ZCP; 12.7 C63 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sg iTrader: (0)	Thanks, good info. When the F10 was in sport mode and the ride was stiff, was it not the usual sporty BMW, with communication and feedback?
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04-20-2010, 12:14 PM	#3
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6659 Rep 15,858 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	What auto gearbox did the car have? Standard or sport? HighlandPete
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04-20-2010, 07:44 PM	#4
sfbayguy Private 4 Rep 86 Posts Drives: Coming in June: F10 535i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Perfect for me...a smaller 7 is what I wanted!
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