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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Confused about 2012 528i xDrive Sport/M-Package
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      07-13-2015, 08:49 PM   #1
wheresmy5
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Confused about 2012 528i xDrive Sport/M-Package

Hi folks. I'm in the market for a certified 2012 528i xDrive and am confused about the different sports packages available. I *have* test driven the Sport but not the M-Sport yet.

I realize the cosmetic differences between the two; M badging, thicker wheel, body kit, different wheels. But most importantly, I wonder if either package has any impact on the car's suspension/handling. I understand that the handling in the base model 528i AWD is lacking, so my questions are as follows-

1. Which of the two options provides the passive suspension upgrade? Active suspension upgrade? Neither?
2. Is Dynamic Damper Control independent of the two packages?
3. According to http://www.{{{motortrend}}}.com/cars/2012/bmw/5_series/specifications/trim/3441/ both packages include "Responsive suspensionfeatures driver selectable and electronic-control" - does this have any impact whatsoever on the handling characteristics?
4. Specifically in the xDrive (RWD is not an option for me), do either of these packages lower the car? Asking with concern for both handling and aesthetics (is the wheel gap minimized?).

Thanks in advance!
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      07-13-2015, 10:00 PM   #2
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if you dont get the car with dynamic handling package, you can always change it out to coilovers. the DHP package just allows you to change the dampening settings with a push of a button.
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      07-13-2015, 10:46 PM   #3
wheresmy5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carbonm3ny View Post
if you dont get the car with dynamic handling package, you can always change it out to coilovers. the DHP package just allows you to change the dampening settings with a push of a button.
Which is the DHP package? Is it the Sport, M-Sport, or another package/option?

And I thought that all 5 series models come with the eco/sport/sport+ toggles?
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      07-14-2015, 12:12 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
1. Which of the two options provides the passive suspension upgrade?
Neither. That came in the 2013+ M Sport (704) suspension on RWD models.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
Active suspension upgrade?
Both.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
2. Is Dynamic Damper Control independent of the two packages?
It's in both packages.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
3. According to http://www.{{{motortrend}}}.com/cars/2012/bmw/5_series/specifications/trim/3441/ both packages include "Responsive suspensionfeatures driver selectable and electronic-control" - does this have any impact whatsoever on the handling characteristics?
Equals Dynamic Damper Control - yes switch from comfort to sport shocks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
4. Specifically in the xDrive (RWD is not an option for me), do either of these packages lower the car? Asking with concern for both handling and aesthetics (is the wheel gap minimized?).
Neither lower the car. That came with the 2013+ M Sport.

Someone else mentioned DHP (Dynamic Handling Package, aka Dynamic Dampers plus ARS Active Roll Stabilization) but ARS isn't available on 528s, only 535s and 550s.

Full details are in the PDF here http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...7&postcount=34
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      07-14-2015, 01:04 AM   #5
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The most upgrade you can do to 528i xDrive suspension after having DDС oredered is: replace sway bars with H&R or M5/650 and replace the stock springs with H&R or Eibach. This will significantly improve cornering as well as overall driving and steering feel.
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      07-14-2015, 10:01 AM   #6
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Thanks all, very helpful.

So for those models without either of the sport packages or DDC, the eco/sport/sport+ toggles have absolutely no effect on the suspension/dampening settings? Just throttle mapping? Whereas on the sport/m-sport, pushing these buttons will actually change the dampening AND throttle mapping on the fly? Do I have this correct?
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      07-14-2015, 10:53 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
Thanks all, very helpful.

So for those models without either of the sport packages or DDC, the eco/sport/sport+ toggles have absolutely no effect on the suspension/dampening settings? Just throttle mapping? Whereas on the sport/m-sport, pushing these buttons will actually change the dampening AND throttle mapping on the fly? Do I have this correct?
You are righ: passive suspension has nothing to with suspension/dampening.

Don't mess sport/m sport because this is about nothing, so let me explain.

If there is no DDС or DHP (DDC + ARS) on 535/550, that means the car has passive suspension. No controlled struts (DDC), no controlled sway bars (ARS).

With passive suspension we have two options: passive standard (RWD, xDrive), passive M Sport (RWD, option 704).

M Sport suspension (704) is a part of "ZMM M Sport Line" package for RWD cars. Compared to the standard suspension, it has shorter springs (10 mm), thicker sway bars (+2 mm) and may come with different dampers. As for me, the 704 is placebo-like thing.

Now let's go back to our toggles.

Using toggles eco/comfort/sport with passive suspension all you can control is: engine and transmission (throttle response and shifting time), DSC on/ DSC off in sport mode, also steering (2 levels). Cannot impact the suspension.

Using toggles with active suspension (say DHP) the modes are switched like Eco Pro/Comfort+/Comfort/Sport/Sport+ and switching the modes makes struts and sway bars softer/stiffer (3 levels).

Hope now it's clear
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      07-14-2015, 11:01 AM   #8
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So the 528i xDrive M-Sport has DDC but not ARS, so it does not have the complete DHP (DDC + ARS).

Does the DDC alone have much of an impact on the handling? This piece seems to be the only non-cosmetic upgrade of the M-Sport for the 2012 AWD.
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      07-14-2015, 11:42 AM   #9
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Correct.
The option 229 Active Roll Stabilization (ARS) comes with ZMP or ZSP packages only to 535/550. The complete ZDH Dynamic Handling Package introduced for LCI models, only to 535/550.

The option 223 Dynamic Damper Control (DDC) will change the struts from Normal to Sport with the option 4U2 Driving Dynamics Control w/ ECO PRO (toggler).

I never tested DDC alone but heard it makes struts in "Sport" like 704 but softer than DHP's "Sport+". The last one equals in stiffness to the sway bars upgrade.

I agree, the DDC is the maximum you can order with the 528i xDrive suspension. Then you can lower it with aftermarket springs.

Last edited by valbmw; 07-14-2015 at 11:57 AM..
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      07-14-2015, 03:37 PM   #10
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Thanks.

So my options are:

528i xDrive: DDC via Sport or M-Sport Package. No ARS to complete the Dynamic Handling Package.
535i xDrive: DDC via Sport or M-Sport Package. ARS via standalone package, if Sport/M-Sport already added. DDC + ARS = DHP.

Still unclear about one detail- which of the 535i xDrive is lowered from DHP- none of them, 2013, or LCI?

Finding it very tedious finding a 535i xDrive with the complete DHP (DDC+ARS) since each VIN needs to be checked for option 229. (Wheels alone will only tell you Sport or M-Sport).

LCI is out of the question for me due to cost, and aftermarket mods are also not something I want to do with this car.
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      07-14-2015, 10:15 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
Thanks.

So my options are:

528i xDrive: DDC via Sport or M-Sport Package. No ARS to complete the Dynamic Handling Package.
535i xDrive: DDC via Sport or M-Sport Package. ARS via standalone package, if Sport/M-Sport already added. DDC + ARS = DHP.

Still unclear about one detail- which of the 535i xDrive is lowered from DHP- none of them, 2013, or LCI?

Finding it very tedious finding a 535i xDrive with the complete DHP (DDC+ARS) since each VIN needs to be checked for option 229. (Wheels alone will only tell you Sport or M-Sport).

LCI is out of the question for me due to cost, and aftermarket mods are also not something I want to do with this car.
No xDrive is lowered. The only lowered 5 is the 2013+ 535/550 RWD M-Sport (704 suspension, and without DHP). It's possible to add the DHP option to one of those, but then it replaces the 704 suspension and thus is regular ride height.

Your valid being confused. BMW changed the suspension each year 2011/2012/2013.

In 2013, Sport was dropped; M-Sport no longer includes DDC; M-Sport RWD 535/550 get 704 suspension, xDrives and 528s get standard suspension; DDC is a standalone option for $1000, and DHP (DDC+ARS) is $3500 (535/550 only).

The standalone DDC option was dropped in either 2014 or 2015.

Yes you will probably find it hard to find a car with DHP (2013+) or ARS (2011/2012). It's an expensive and not very popular option, so dealers don't order it for their inventory, it'd only likely be on a car that had been custom-ordered by the original buyer.

Note that DHP is just the 2013+ marketing term for the package of DDC+ARS, where as you know those were separate options in 2012. There wasn't a "DHP" in 2012.

Good luck!
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      07-14-2015, 10:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
Thanks.

So my options are:

528i xDrive: DDC via Sport or M-Sport Package. No ARS to complete the Dynamic Handling Package.
535i xDrive: DDC via Sport or M-Sport Package. ARS via standalone package, if Sport/M-Sport already added. DDC + ARS = DHP.

Still unclear about one detail- which of the 535i xDrive is lowered from DHP- none of them, 2013, or LCI?

Finding it very tedious finding a 535i xDrive with the complete DHP (DDC+ARS) since each VIN needs to be checked for option 229. (Wheels alone will only tell you Sport or M-Sport).

LCI is out of the question for me due to cost, and aftermarket mods are also not something I want to do with this car.
You are right about the choices. I think it will be very difficult to find 528ix with DDC (honestly I don't see 528ix having this option in any of Ordering Guides, at all). If you are focused on active suspension you should go for a decent 535ix (also the engine is way better and basic options are miles better)

I agree this is good suggestion to use online configurators and search filters. BMW may not show you a separate 229 ARS or 223 DDC but show the recent "ZDH Dynamic Handling Package" or it's only option "2VA Adaptive Drive, includes ARS and DDC, deletes 704". This is how they like to call it now in documentation. See for reference the 2014 BMW 5 series F10 Ordering Guide (http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=842774

And finally, none of stock cars are lowered (except the pathetic 704), this is totally aftermarket thing.
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      07-16-2015, 02:16 PM   #13
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Thanks, lots of good info here.

With a drop-in chip like JB4 you can bring the 528 to even better numbers than the stock 535. I've never done this before but looks easy enough. However, I don't want to compromise warranty on a certified BMW. I'm finding the 528 just a bit underpowered but am priced out of the 535 sport/m-sport, so is the chip a smart option? Or is it too risky to even factor into a pre-purchase decision?

Also, found a nice low mileage 528 xdrive M-Sport, but the grill and taillights are obviously modded and this is giving me pause. I wonder what else was tinkered with (chip, etc). http://cpo.bmwusa.com/certified/BMW/...97508d10a2.htm
It also has the subpar base stereo. Otherwise it look great on paper.

Last edited by wheresmy5; 07-16-2015 at 02:22 PM..
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      07-16-2015, 03:24 PM   #14
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Yay for 2011 full DHP!
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      07-16-2015, 09:23 PM   #15
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OP, maybe consider a Dinan tune over the jb4 of warranty is important.
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      07-17-2015, 12:43 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
Thanks, lots of good info here.

With a drop-in chip like JB4 you can bring the 528 to even better numbers than the stock 535. I've never done this before but looks easy enough. However, I don't want to compromise warranty on a certified BMW. I'm finding the 528 just a bit underpowered but am priced out of the 535 sport/m-sport, so is the chip a smart option? Or is it too risky to even factor into a pre-purchase decision?

Also, found a nice low mileage 528 xdrive M-Sport, but the grill and taillights are obviously modded and this is giving me pause. I wonder what else was tinkered with (chip, etc). http://cpo.bmwusa.com/certified/BMW/...97508d10a2.htm
It also has the subpar base stereo. Otherwise it look great on paper.
BMW engines have a lot of potential for power tuning, so I believe a good tuning box worth every penny spent on it. You may want to read this report: http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/fileadmin...t_englisch.pdf despite it is ordered/paid by one of the competitors, it provides a proper feeling of the subject.

Tuning box is a standard off-the-shell product with clear written specifications and vendor certificate, it is easy to install and remove. This is unlike the ECU software chip: if you are not in the industry, you never know what exactly the guys did to your car and how it affects. So I feel more comfort with the box.

European market has TUV-certified big brands such as AC Schnitzer, Steinbauer, Hartge and Kelleners, and also smaller ones being much cheaper but with lesser level of vendor commitment. I don't accept "garage works" on engine/ECU so leaning towards Steinbauer because this is the only box the local BMW dealer can install and support. For example, for your 528i this vendor could provide +50 hp of power and + 70 Nm of torque: http://www.steinbauer.cc/ru/products...80kw__4l6/bHg/

As for the shown low mileage 528ix, I totally agree with you it looks good on paper despite dimmed tail lights are suspicious ) maybe grills are not M Performance but wrapped etc. Don't expect a good stereo coming with this model. BMW believe: who cannot buy a 550i, he doesn't deserve 7-logic or Harman Kardon. Also head-up display, media/internet etc. Good to see the owner got the Combox: the base pre-LCI didn't have it either.

I would recommend you to drive in and check out this car. When looking for a used BMW you'd better see 5-6 of them.
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      07-17-2015, 06:30 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 493263 View Post
Yay for 2011 full DHP!
Please explain. 2011 528i/535I xdrive had full DHP?
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      07-17-2015, 11:20 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
Please explain. 2011 528i/535I xdrive had full DHP?
528i never had DHP.
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      07-17-2015, 11:33 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
Please explain. 2011 528i/535I xdrive had full DHP?
I wasn't talking about the 528 since it never had DHP and BMW is unwilling to put it on their base model.

But 2011 550 and 535 had full DHP in MSport. Not so much for 2012 and 2013.
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      07-18-2015, 01:41 PM   #20
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Interesting. So one would have to weigh the better handling of the 2011 535M against downside of initial year of generation, lack of start/stop feature (1-2 less mpg)...
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      07-18-2015, 02:32 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheresmy5 View Post
Interesting. So one would have to weigh the better handling of the 2011 535M against downside of initial year of generation, lack of start/stop feature (1-2 less mpg)...
Most people with M Sport turn that feature off if they have them.
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      07-18-2015, 06:36 PM   #22
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^agree I hate the stop/start function.
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