[EdM5]

My friends,

I am about to order a F10 535d M-sports (should be an awesome ride, JOY).
In Holland the M-sports car comes automatically with the M sport suspension.
Now, I love the classic direct and sporty feel of my current e92 330d and 130i cars, both are on the M sport suspension.
Every now and then however I could use a more comfy ride, especially when driving the Missus and the kids around town.

So adaptive drive (= dynamic damper control + dynamic ride) seems like a pretty cool option, as you can select different drive modes.

So, I asked 3 different BMW dealership the following questions:

• (1) The M suspensions lowers the ride, but when you add adaptive drive, is the ride still lower? The BMW configurator visually implies otherwise.
• (2) Is the Sport or Sport+ mode within adaptive drive the same as the regular M suspension. If so, why not drop the M suspension?
• (3) Does adaptive drive affect the direct and sporty feel in all 4 modes?

To add to the confusion:
- In the UK configurator, M suspension cannnot be combined with adaptive drive.
- In the dutch configurator, M suspension can be combined with adaptive drive, but only for 535i/550i/530d/535d, not for the other types.
- On the german BMW site there is not a single "Gebrauchtwagen" f10 who has both options.

As you might guess the dealerships were clueless, so some advice of you guys would be great!

Thanks, E.

[carl_d]

Originally Posted by EdwinF10

My friends,

I am about to order a F10 535d M-sports (should be an awesome ride, JOY).
In Holland the M-sports car comes automatically with the M sport suspension.
Now, I love the classic direct and sporty feel of my current e92 330d and 130i cars, both are on the M sport suspension.
Every now and then however I could use a more comfy ride, especially when driving the Missus and the kids around town.

So adaptive drive (= dynamic damper control + dynamic ride) seems like a pretty cool option, as you can select different drive modes.

So, I asked 3 different BMW dealership the following questions:

• (1) The M suspensions lowers the ride, but when you add adaptive drive, is the ride still lower? The BMW configurator visually implies otherwise. Configurator is correct see below.
• (2) Is the Sport or Sport+ mode within adaptive drive the same as the regular M suspension. If so, why not drop the M suspension? Midway I think? Lower centre of gravity
• (3) Does adaptive drive affect the direct and sporty feel in all 4 modes? YES

To add to the confusion:
- In the UK configurator, M suspension cannnot be combined with adaptive drive. Correct -same on bmw.de Are you mixing up M-Sport Pack and Suspension as they are different
- In the dutch configurator, M suspension can be combined with adaptive drive, but only for 535i/550i/530d/535d, not for the other types. Seems incorrect!
- On the german BMW site there is not a single "Gebrauchtwagen" f10 who has both options. ????

As you might guess the dealerships were clueless, so some advice of you guys would be great! Yeah. Try emailing your local bmw customer service desk (check bmw.nl for address)

Thanks, E.

You cannot combine M-Sport suspension with Adaptive Drive! However, you can order the M-Sport Pack and replace the M-Sport suspension with Adaptive Drive but the car will sit 10mm higher!

The F10 on M-Sport suspension will ride better than you're 330d and 130i - perfect!

[topologe]

I don't understand why BMW did not lower the F10 tad bit with the sports package. My 07 550i with sports package was lowered a bit and came with active roll reduction.

I am picking up my F10 550i tomorrow and the only thing that is not making me happy is the distance between the fender lip and tires. A little too much for me for a 19 inch tire

[carl_d]

Originally Posted by topologe

I don't understand why BMW did not lower the F10 tad bit with the sports package. My 07 550i with sports package was lowered a bit and came with active roll reduction.

I am picking up my F10 550i tomorrow and the only thing that is not making me happy is the distance between the fender lip and tires. A little too much for me for a 19 inch tire

Truth is the Sport pack is historically a US only thing and M-Sport has been in Europe for 5+ years now. Seems BMW has ended the US Sport (which lowerd the car but was not full M-Sport tuned) in favour of Variable Damping which is not lowered. If you want the lowered look you must go for M-Sport. BMW USA marketing have been playing their own game for too long with the SPort pack! BMW could have had four suspension set-ups to engineer, standard, sport, VDC and M-Sport - too many and too costly so Sport has gone! There are some Sport packs/models (lowered only) set-ups in the UK but only on cheaper entry level 4-cylinder 1's and 3's ... M-Sport is where its at and has been for 5+ years.

[EdM5]

Thanks for the advice,

I ordered the 535d yesterday, m-sport suspension, active steering and 19" M wheels (351 M style).
I dropped the adaptive drive. Main reason: the car sits higher and I don't like that at all.

Delivery is scheduled for december 2010. Incredible but true: my 535d M (lots of options, I have to admit) costs in the netherlands EUR 114.000 (about $ 138 k, or GBP 95 k). About EUR 40 k taxes is included!

Now, the long wait will start....

[carl_d]

Originally Posted by EdwinF10

Thanks for the advice,

I ordered the 535d yesterday, m-sport suspension, active steering and 19" M wheels (351 M style).
I dropped the adaptive drive. Main reason: the car sits higher and I don't like that at all.

Delivery is scheduled for december 2010. Incredible but true: my 535d M (lots of options, I have to admit) costs in the netherlands EUR 114.000 (about $ 138 k, or GBP 95 k). About EUR 40 k taxes is included!

Now, the long wait will start....

Perfect. Planning on doing the same with a 535i very soon.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by EdwinF10

Thanks for the advice,

I ordered the 535d yesterday, m-sport suspension, active steering and 19" M wheels (351 M style).
I dropped the adaptive drive. Main reason: the car sits higher and I don't like that at all.

Delivery is scheduled for december 2010. Incredible but true: my 535d M (lots of options, I have to admit) costs in the netherlands EUR 114.000 (about $ 138 k, or GBP 95 k). About EUR 40 k taxes is included!

Now, the long wait will start....

Gefeliciteerd. But 114,000 euros!!!!???

Mine was 86k (535iA HE with some goodies), but WTH 114k?
A 550i starts from 94k in NL.....
Anyway it's your choice, no problem

What's the base price of the 535d HE? And the M sports package?

Mvrgr
Robin

[Whteverjklasdf]

forgive my ignorance, but what is "M sport suspension"? are they just lower and stiffer coils? or the whole shebang with different struts & springs?

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Gefeliciteerd. But 114,000 euros!!!!???

Mine was 86k (535iA HE with some goodies), but WTH 114k?
A 550i starts from 94k in NL.....
Anyway it's your choice, no problem

What's the base price of the 535d HE? And the M sports package?

Mvrgr
Robin

Baseprice of the 535d M-sport in Holland is EUR 77.200, when you include the (essential) "high executive" package (airco, PDC, satnav, leather) it is EUR 85.777. Metallic paint NOT included.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by EdwinF10

Baseprice of the 535d M-sport in Holland is EUR 77.200, when you include the (essential) "high executive" package (airco, PDC, satnav, leather) it is EUR 85.777. Metallic paint NOT included.

Way too expensive imo for the amount of kms I drive. But a great dieselengine I know. A 530d already costs a few thousand euros more than a 535i. I sometimes don't get it, the dutch (fuel)tax system....

Anyway, cheers
Robin

[carl_d]

Originally Posted by Sealobo

forgive my ignorance, but what is "M sport suspension"? are they just lower and stiffer coils? or the whole shebang with different struts & springs?

Its tunned by M and the sits 10 mm lower with the following standard parts upgraded when the car is made:- lower springs, better dampers, improved bushing, stronger roll-bars, lighter wheels and tyres. This not an after market lowered spring option as the whole set-up is tuned by M!

The full M-Sport package also has comsetic tweeks
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showpost...37&postcount=3

[bimmernic]

Originally Posted by carl_d

Its tunned by M and the sits 10 mm lower with the following standard parts upgraded when the car is made:- lower springs, better dampers, improved bushing, stronger roll-bars, lighter wheels and tyres. This not an after market lowered spring option as the whole set-up is tuned by M!

[/url]

carl_d, would you be able to elaborate on the difference(s) in the dampers and bushings between the standard and M-sport suspension? Also, do you know if the lowered springs are linear or progressive? Many thanks.

[pharding]

I have the adaptive drive package on my F10 550i which I picked up doing BMW Euro Delivery. Ihave driven it for 600 iles thus far. Sport+ rides firm as I desire. Unfortunately it drives down the gas mileage so you do not want to use that for extended periods of time. The car does sit too high in my opinion without the M-Sport Suspension. I had the M-Sport Package on my 2008 550i. I like the F10 but I wish that I had the M-Sport suspension. I prefer the firm ride and lowered look of that suspension system.

[bm323]

Originally Posted by pharding

I have the adaptive drive package on my F10 550i which I picked up doing BMW Euro Delivery. Ihave driven it for 600 iles thus far. Sport+ rides firm as I desire. Unfortunately it drives down the gas mileage so you do not want to use that for extended periods of time. The car does sit too high in my opinion without the M-Sport Suspension. I had the M-Sport Package on my 2008 550i. I like the F10 but I wish that I had the M-Sport suspension. I prefer the firm ride and lowered look of that suspension system.

Hi pharding maybe the gas mileage would be good if in sport+ mode with the iDrive adjusting only the chassis but not the drivetrain?

[535daHEfan]

Originally Posted by EdwinF10

Thanks for the advice,

I ordered the 535d yesterday, m-sport suspension, active steering and 19" M wheels (351 M style).
I dropped the adaptive drive. Main reason: the car sits higher and I don't like that at all.

Delivery is scheduled for december 2010. Incredible but true: my 535d M (lots of options, I have to admit) costs in the netherlands EUR 114.000 (about $ 138 k, or GBP 95 k). About EUR 40 k taxes is included!

Now, the long wait will start....

Hi EdwinF10,

I also ordered a 535d yesterday (and also in the Netherlands, also with lots of options and also paying those taxes)!

My info also suggests that Adaptive Drive (2VA) cannot be combined with M Sportpakket (337) if you want to retain the 10 mm lower M sportonderstel (704). In combination the Adaptive Drive options is EUR 3.174 instead of EUR 3.691 (when you don't have M Sportpakket, as I do). The difference in price is exactly the price of the M sportonderstel option (704)! The car-configurator on de BMW-site also opts-out 704 when you select 2VA and vice-versa.
Here is the reason why you desalniettemin might consider Adaptive Drive (especially because you also chose the 19" wheels):

It also more or less answers your original questions, especially the second:

Originally Posted by EdwinF10

(2) Is the Sport or Sport+ mode within adaptive drive the same as the regular M suspension. If so, why not drop the M suspension?

So no, it's not the same. But by now you already know that.

Now, for me also, the long wait will start....
__________________
2003 E60 530dA E
2010 F10 535dA HE (coming up)

[EdM5]

Yeah, thanks 535daHEfan for the vid., it clarifies things indeed from a technical perspective.

Still, I'm happy with my choice. As I love the ride with my current 130i/330cd, both on M-sport suspension, i expect the M-sport suspension in the F10 to be a little less brutal.
Besides, IMO the car needs the lowered ride.

By the way, I did some research on several german (language) blogs/forums. Obviously, it is hard to tell a conclusive trend but somehow I got the impression that a lot of our german friends think the adaptive drive seems a bit artificial or synthetic. Perfect for relaxed cruising but not for uncompromised sporty cornering. Remarkably, Aktivlenkung (= integral active steering) gets a lot of praise, as it makes the F10 feel a class smaller at low speed (steers like a 3-series innercity). This feedback was quite important to me because I rate the expertise of german BMW addicts very high.

[pharding]

Originally Posted by bm323

Hi pharding maybe the gas mileage would be good if in sport+ mode with the iDrive adjusting only the chassis but not the drivetrain?

You can do that in Sport Mode only.

[bm323]

Originally Posted by pharding

You can do that in Sport Mode only.

sorry, yes only in sport mode

ps I didn't quite understand your earlier answer on how is the sport mode with chassis ticked (or chassis and drivetrain ticked) compared to sport+ mode?

[icecold601]

Does the M Sport Suspension have the Sport & Sport + button?

[Begood]

icecold601

It`s possible to have a Sport button with M Sport Suspension as this button is incorporated into Driving Dynamic Control. But I don`t know exactly about Sport+. The latter can be a part of AD.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by icecold601

Does the M Sport Suspension have the Sport & Sport + button?

Depends what other options you have. As an example, if you have the sport auto, then yes you do, as that has DDC as part of the sport auto package.

HighlandPete

[icecold601]

Thanks a lot for the info guys :-)