[blueridger]

Last month I traded my e93 328i Convertible for a F10 535i xdrive. I drove the new F30 3-series a number of times and really wanted to like it, but I did not care for the new generation. So I decided to go for the F10.

It's taken me a few weeks to adjust to the larger car and, in particular, the softer driving dynamics. But I'm really starting to love this car. I miss being able to toss the 3-series around and I miss some aspects of having the convertible. But the F10 is really starting to blow me away. The authoritative yet elegant way it handles most driving situations is very impressive. I wish it offered a little more feedback, especially in Sport mode. And it feels BIG! But it's scary how fast this car goes while preserving a extremely quiet cabin, meaning I often don't realize how fast I'm really going. It's a pretty awesome machine.

I should add that I'm not bashing the F30. Many folks like it and I'm glad! It's a great toss-able car, but not what I'm after.

Has anyone else gone from an e93 to an F10? Thoughts?

[itzryyster]

I jumped on the same boat you did with no regrets at all. Only thing is I kept my e93 335i. The F10 is definitely a much bigger car, something that took a bit of getting use to. Rowing through the gears is honestly pure bliss in this car. If I didn't have the HUD I would really loose track of how fast I'm going sometimes.

Congrats on your purchase btw!

[tracfour]

I have a 2007 335I and I am also thinking about going to a 535I with X drive so I can drive it all year round. I found a 2011 with 17,000 Miles on it a the dealer but it does not have the comfort /sport button. I drove a 2012 535I with X drive when I first looked. Is there a big difference without the button and is there any other differences between the 2011 and 2012. Thanks its hard to think about letting my 335I go its super clean and fun. Thanks for reading.

[jcal65]

I purchased a 2012 535i M sport in Feb. after going through a buyback on my 2011 328i convertible. I loved the 328 and hated to see it go but decided it was more practical for me to go with a 535 this time around. I considered the F30 but it was not available yet and I couldn’t wait.

While I really enjoyed the 328 I am very happy with the 5. The adjustment to a larger and much quieter car took some getting used to for me as well. Going from an E93 with sport pkg to the F10 felt very strange for the first month because I felt like I was in total isolation from the outside world. The 5 is more refined but definitely a bit softer all around. I do miss the tighter, better feedback steering of the 3 but don’t feel the steering in the 5 is bad. The handling of the 328 felt more like a go cart compared to the 5, but I find the power and balance of the 535 intoxicating. I love the ability to change the personality of the car at the push of a button and find myself driving it in sport & DS mode most of the time. The car just gets better the harder you push it. The engine has made it through the break-in period and runs and sounds great. I just achieved 32 mpg on a 435 mile trip averaging 69 mph in eco pro mode which I thought was impressive for a car this size. The comfort and ride on a long trip is fantastic and the car is effortless to drive on the highway.

I have read so many negatives about the F10 on the forums and fortunately I have not experienced any of them. It seems many of the complaints come from owners of early F10’s and perhaps my 1/12 build date fixed many of these issues. I am glad to see someone else with a similar experience and opinion.

[therealjoeyj]

I did a similar swap in Dec (E93 328i -> F10 550i). I do miss the drop top occasionally here in WA, but the 550 is much more fun to drive than my 328. It's comfortable, quiet, wicked quick and has features that I expect from a luxury car that were non existent on my vert. I haven't driven the F30, but I've sat in it and was unimpressed. My next car is going to be a difficult choice... Congrats on the upgrade!

[bubbahead]

I just sold my 2009 335i coupe msport...and now awaiting to jump into a 2011 550ix in couple days. Its has DHP with Sport-auto transmission. I'm hoping with this setup it won't make me miss the 335i as much...My 335i was on 19 RFT and when I hit some potholes, I thought car was going to split in half. Rough ride, but lets see how the f10 holds up

[jenks89]

Bought my '11 E92 335i in mid 2010 right after the LCI came out. Really did love the sharp handling and overall feel of the car. But having always owned SUVs and sedans something was severely lacking for me...SPACE!

After mulling over the 5 vs. 7 series quandary for some time I finally settled on the 535i. The look and impression of a bigger luxury sedan coupled with the sportiness and fuel economy of the 335i (though some may argue its diluted). For me it represents the perfect compromise between both worlds.

[FatTire]

You made a great choice with your F10 and I have to say I couldn't wait until my lease was up on my 09 E90 335 xdrive to take delivery of my ordered 2012 550 xdrive. Not because the E90 was a problem car, it was fantastic small car that excelled in handling and reliablity, For me it was just time to go back to the 5 series and I wanted out of that small interior and besides where I live E46's and E9x's are as common as Ford Fusions and Chevy Malibus in Livonia, Mich.

With the M sport's adaptive drive, ARS, and decent non RF rubber my F10's a absolute blast to drive up and down the canyon road that I live on. It's also is rock solid and quite at 150 mph where the E9x's get a little at floaty at high speeds and are flat out nervous in crosswinds at speed (I can't speak on the M3).

Compairing the E9x to the F10 is not Apples to Oranges it's Clementine Oranges Vs. Mandarin Oranges. Both are great, but a little different in their own way.

btw.....my 550 seem's to have a big hole in the gas tank

As I said good choice on your F10.