[Drunk Monkey]

I've had the chance to drive both the e90 335xi and f10 535xi (without adaptive suspension).

There's no question that the e90 is a much more sporty car, but the f10 offers a more luxurious (albeit less involving) drive.

The steering is very, very very light in the f10 (almost akin to the Audi B8 platform) and it's a much bigger car than what you would be used to in the e90. The trade-off is that you are getting a beautiful and very comfortable car. It's like others have said: it's not bad, it's just different.

An extended test drive (highway and local) should help to address any major concerns you have.

[konasunset]

Originally Posted by JSH3

I am looking to lease an F10 and read article after article about how bad the steering is... from lack of feedback to no on-center feel. Is it really that bad? I currently own an E90 and the steering is tight, but I need more room. (I'd hate to sacrifice the tight steering to get more room.) Thanks.

My 535 has active steering and I love it. But then, I moved to this from a Lexus GS.

[sieben1973]

I went from E90(328) to F10(528) 2 months ago
You will definitely loss the tight feeling and the sporty feel of the 3 series
but if you need the space its awesome change,
Thats the reason i upgraded and i am loving it
Although i would buy the E90 again in a second, just so i can have both cars

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by '11 Bimmer

Don't know if you'll like this analogy but i have a 550i with M sport package. I drive in sport mode and the steering feels very similar to an E63 I used to lease.

I agree with that assessment. I have a 2009 (W211) E63 and went to my BMW dealer to consider trading it in for a new 550i. But driving them back to back, the 550i didn't give me any better steering or handling than the E63 (I also think the air suspension has better overall road comfort in the end.) I have an E46 and was thinking to get back into typical BMW handling in a larger car.

The 550i didn't really offer me anything more than I already have (and with less torque and hp, and less braking performance.) Although I liked the new interior a lot better, and iDrive is better than COMAND, plus it's just a newer car. Instead I'm going to wait for the M5 next year and see what they've done with it. Hopefully it'll have the traditional BMW handling characteristics..... we'll see. But the new 2012 E63 5.5TT will be a big competitor, I think. However, I personally like the interior and exterior design of the F10 a lot more than the current W212 E-Class. That alone keeps me away from a new E63.

[Seattle135is]

I had a 2009 335 X-drive - definitely tighter feel and more 'tossable' than the 550, but thats where it ends - the 550 is superior in every other way - I just drive in Sport mode - I got into a friend's 2010 328 and I felt crammed in the passenger seat and I'm only 6', medium frame...

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

...Instead I'm going to wait for the M5 next year and see what they've done with it...

I'm also following the M5 with keen interest, particularly with regard to the steering.
Last week the BMW USA website clearly stated that the car will have Hydraulic Power Steering with M Servotronic, but the M5 specification list has mysteriously disappeared from the site and the only info currently available is their press release, in which the only reference to the steering is this: "M-specific Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering."
The BMW UK website states that it has "Electric Power Steering (EPS) with M Servotronic steering" and BMW Germany only mentions "M Servotronic".
If it does have electric steering, BMW will have to drastically improve on the current F10 setup, otherwise I think they'll lose a lot of traditional M Car customers.