[R N M]

So I really loved the Looks (inside/out), Luxury features of my 5er but I HATED the steering and handling, esp coming from an E92. Most important - the car was not fun at all to drive aggressively. I was going nuts!!!
Here is the old thread: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745239

Then came Hurricane Sandy, my parents lost their car and I convinced them to take over my lease on the 528i.

I custom ordered a 535i RWD M-Sport in November and picked it up in late December. So I have had the car now about 4 months.
It was ordered with M-Sport pack, Luxury Seating pack, Nav, Rear Cam, PDC, heated seats, Rear shades.

One of the reasons I stuck with the 5 series is because of the passive MSport suspension being FINALLY offered in the US.
Anyone wanting a true feeling BMW needs to get this suspension.

My 2012 528i Msport was RWD and had the Adaptive Suspension - I drove it in SPORT and SPORT+ modes 100% of the time, but the steering feel sucked and it didnt give me confidence in high speed turns, lane changes, etc.
My most repeated phrase during driving it " I can't believe this is a BMW."

Moving on to the 2013 535i:
1) There are no Modes for the suspension. It rides stiffer than the 528i did in SPORT mode for sure, but much better than my E92.
2) The steering feel is 10000x better - it feels much more natural in either low or high speed driving. Its not as tight or precise as the E92 though, but for a luxury sport sedan its PERFECT.
3) Engine - N55 is great, sounds so nice when you step on the gas. The 528i's engine noise is horrible.
3) My most repeated phrase now "I can't believe this and the 528i are the same car." The handling, steering feel and Fun to Drive factor is that huge of a difference between the 2 cars.

Thank you BMW.

Here are the pics:

Dealer Prep

[mdrobc13]

Congrats...enjoy your new ride.

[K-A]

Awesome! I totally agree about the 2013 M Sport with the fixed passive suspension making this car totally complete. Never was crazy about the active F10 suspension in comparison.

Even in looks. The easiest way to tell a 2013 M Sport to a 2011/2012 is RIDE HEIGHT. The early ones with Active suspensions have huge fender gaps. The 2013's look almost slammed in comparison.

I'm in pure love with the N55. Best engine I've experienced when taken in an all-around approach. So perfect on so many levels, IMO.

[R N M]

Thanks guys!

I have ZERO complaints with this car.....truly night and day difference compared to the 2012.

Just need to get rid of those ugly reflectors.

[JermieX6]

congrats. those pics must be taken at sheepshead bay's oriental blvd :P

[Alen E90]

congrats on the new 5er!

[OzDriver]

Congrats The F10 535i is a great car to drive in any form

[Jagu]

Nice. Just curious, why did you go back to Alpine white?

[R N M]

Thanks everyone!

[R N M]

Originally Posted by JermieX6

congrats. those pics must be taken at sheepshead bay's oriental blvd :P

Yep on the bay in manh beach.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by sholaesq

Nice. Just curious, why did you go back to Alpine white?

The 528i was not a custom order, and Black was def not my first choice - The M-Sport doesnt look good in Black to me bec there is no contrast with the black rear diffuser and window surround.

For the 535i, I was contemplating on Space Gray, Titanium Silver or AW.
AW just looks so awesome with the Msport it was too hard to pass up.
The only problem is lots of people have it.

[BimmerGuyFL]

I too have a 2013 BMW 535i M-sport with the passive M-Sport suspension. I agree it is a world of difference between it and the Active suspension. We also have a 2013 535i Non M-sport but with the active shocks. The two cars feel totally different. The M-sport with the passive M-Sport suspension feels like a bargain M5 that is very powerful for everyday but gets great gas mileage and handles fantastic with very good steering. Mine is also Alpine White and this has been my favorite 5-series to date. I've also had a 1995 E34 525i, a 2001 E39 530i, a 2005 E60 530i Sport, and now the 2013 F10 535i M-sport. LOVE IT!!!

[JamRWS6]

Originally Posted by K-A

Awesome! I totally agree about the 2013 M Sport with the fixed passive suspension making this car totally complete. Never was crazy about the active F10 suspension in comparison.

Even in looks. The easiest way to tell a 2013 M Sport to a 2011/2012 is RIDE HEIGHT. The early ones with Active suspensions have huge fender gaps. The 2013's look almost slammed in comparison.

I'm in pure love with the N55. Best engine I've experienced when taken in an all-around approach. So perfect on so many levels, IMO.

I've had my 2012 M Sport (w/ dynamic dampers) sitting next to my sister's 2013 M Sport (w/ base suspension) and my dad and I could tell absolutely no difference in ride height or fender gap. Does anyone have a link to specs that would indicate otherwise? This seems to be an urban myth permeating these forums. Having driven both the dynamic dampers are a must IMO. DDC in sport mode is every bit as 'Sporty' as the base suspension except you have the option to turn it to a Comfort setting and reduce all of the harshness if needed.

Great looking car in AW!

[K-A]

Originally Posted by JamRWS6

I've had my 2012 M Sport (w/ dynamic dampers) sitting next to my sister's 2013 M Sport (w/ base suspension) and my dad and I could tell absolutely no difference in ride height or fender gap. Does anyone have a link to specs that would indicate otherwise? This seems to be an urban myth permeating these forums. Having driven both the dynamic dampers are a must IMO. DDC in sport mode is every bit as 'Sporty' as the base suspension except you have the option to turn it to a Comfort setting and reduce all of the harshness if needed.

Great looking car in AW!

Maybe it's due to your dampers? A guy posted somewhere a comparison pic of 12 and 13 cars and the 13 was definitely lower. It's prevalent enough to me where I can usually tell a 12 and 13 apart even on the roads based on how high the car sits. However, if a certain option controlled lowered the pre-13's then maybe I'm seeing those as well when I think I'm seeing 13's.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by JamRWS6

I've had my 2012 M Sport (w/ dynamic dampers) sitting next to my sister's 2013 M Sport (w/ base suspension) and my dad and I could tell absolutely no difference in ride height or fender gap. Does anyone have a link to specs that would indicate otherwise? This seems to be an urban myth permeating these forums. Having driven both the dynamic dampers are a must IMO. DDC in sport mode is every bit as 'Sporty' as the base suspension except you have the option to turn it to a Comfort setting and reduce all of the harshness if needed.

Great looking car in AW!

Thanks!

This only applies to 2013 Msport RWD models without DDC. Does she have xdrive?

The car is def lower as the springs themselves are lower as per BMW, so its definitely not a myth. Also the steering feel never really becomes loose or firm based on the speed like it does with DDC cars. Its more linear and direct like my E92 was, not speed sensitive.

Also if you drive both cars you will feel the difference right away in steering feel and ride harshness, even if ur 2012 is in Sport+ mode, the 2013 will be firmer.
The difference is very significant.

[JamRWS6]

Originally Posted by R N M

Thanks!

This only applies to 2013 Msport RWD models without DDC. Does she have xdrive?

The car is def lower as the springs themselves are lower as per BMW, so its definitely not a myth. Also the steering feel never really becomes loose or firm based on the speed like it does with DDC cars. Its more linear and direct like my E92 was, not speed sensitive.

Also if you drive both cars you will feel the difference right away in steering feel and ride harshness, even if ur 2012 is in Sport+ mode, the 2013 will be firmer.
The difference is very significant.

Neither cars have Xdrive. I agree that the steering feel is different although I felt my car in Sport+ was firmer than the passive suspension. Comfort and Comfort + are definitely softer.

Curious if you have any interior pictures. Would love to see some.

[Vinfast]

RNM, I am planning on getting my 2014 550i M-Sport w/o DDC as opposed to my 2011 550i M-Sport w/DDC. How is the steering different if it's the same electronic setup? It should still be speed sensitive. I'm hoping the passive suspension will come lower than my 2011 so I won't have to lower it. I'm also hoping that BMW has fixed the steering feel with the 2014 models. Does your car feel like it leans too much without the Adaptive Drive (Anti-roll stabilization)?

[R N M]

Originally Posted by JamRWS6

Neither cars have Xdrive. I agree that the steering feel is different although I felt my car in Sport+ was firmer than the passive suspension. Comfort and Comfort + are definitely softer.

Curious if you have any interior pictures. Would love to see some.

I didnt take any interior pics other than the ones I posted, what would u like to see - I will take them.

Not sure why u don't notice the difference as I have though. It really is NIGHT and Day between the 2 cars, and i last drove my old 528i a few weeks ago so its fresh in my memory. Have u driven the your sister's car aggressively on the highway or backroads?
As I said before, my old 528i DDC setup was driven in either Sport or Sport + all the time, its the first button i would press. To me it was still unstable at high speed lane changes or cornering. The 535i on the other hand begs to be pushed and the limits are much higher.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by Vinfast

RNM, I am planning on getting my 2014 550i M-Sport w/o DDC as opposed to my 2011 550i M-Sport w/DDC. How is the steering different if it's the same electronic setup? It should still be speed sensitive. I'm hoping the passive suspension will come lower than my 2011 so I won't have to lower it. I'm also hoping that BMW has fixed the steering feel with the 2014 models. Does your car feel like it leans too much without the Adaptive Drive (Anti-roll stabilization)?

Correct its the same electric setup BUT it is always firm and you will need to use ur hands to steer even at low speeds. The 528i felt like a Lexus LS at low speeds - I can practically steer it with 1 finger and it would tighten as u increase speed on the highway, which never felt natural or precise even then.

The steering is comparable to my E92 honestly, its THAT GOOD!
Its not as firm or direct but it gives me 95% of the feeling i had with the e92.

Basically I can be going 85-95mph on the highway and cut between lanes/cars and have full control/confidence of the car and where its going.
I can take the same highway on ramp at 10-20mph faster than with the 528i.

From my understanding, the Passive M-Sport suspension comes with stiffer/lower spings, stiffer shocks, thicker Anti-roll bars, and to me obviously reprogrammed steering setup.

[JamRWS6]

Originally Posted by R N M

I didnt take any interior pics other than the ones I posted, what would u like to see - I will take them.

Not sure why u don't notice the difference as I have though. It really is NIGHT and Day between the 2 cars, and i last drove my old 528i a few weeks ago so its fresh in my memory. Have u driven the your sister's car aggressively on the highway or backroads?
As I said before, my old 528i DDC setup was driven in either Sport or Sport + all the time, its the first button i would press. To me it was still unstable at high speed lane changes or cornering. The 535i on the other hand begs to be pushed and the limits are much higher.

Sounds like how my 535 feels. It is extremely planted at highway speeds during lane changes. Did your 528 also have the 19" staggered setup the 535i does? If not that can also play a big role in how the car feels.

Interior wise I was just looking for some shots showing your color combo. I have black with aluminum hexagon in mine and my sisters is black/oyster with wood.

[Yolo360]

Looks fantastic! But you didnt get the Black Panel on the dash I feel its such a must!

[hyperboost]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

I too have a 2013 BMW 535i M-sport with the passive M-Sport suspension. I agree it is a world of difference between it and the Active suspension. We also have a 2013 535i Non M-sport but with the active shocks. The two cars feel totally different. The M-sport with the passive M-Sport suspension feels like a bargain M5 that is very powerful for everyday but gets great gas mileage and handles fantastic with very good steering. Mine is also Alpine White and this has been my favorite 5-series to date. I've also had a 1995 E34 525i, a 2001 E39 530i, a 2005 E60 530i Sport, and now the 2013 F10 535i M-sport. LOVE IT!!!

is passive M-sport suspension standard with M-sport package, or simply it's just M sport suspension? i have the 535xi Msport. my car doesnt have the Dynamic Damper Control or Adaptive Drive.

I just reazlized that 528i with Msport don't have M suspension.

OP. the 528i rwd is much lighter than the 535i rwd, like 270lbs lighter. with the increased weight, you don't feel any downside on how the car drives?