[bm323]

I've mentioned before that IAS does not bring about sharper steering response.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...62#post7459962

Dynamic handling package does.

[BMW5151]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

The model tested only had the Premium Package 1, Sport Package, Dynamic Handling Package, and Sport Auto.

Hmm. Wonder if they had the Dynamic Handling control in sport or sport+ mode. Otherwise, the steering would be Lexus or Mercedes-like.

[grasso06]

Originally Posted by Ryan335

if it feels more better then i'm sold

Haha, my thoughts exactly!

[Mr. Magic]

bm323: "I've mentioned before that IAS does not bring about sharper steering response.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...62#post7459962

Dynamic handling package does."

------------

I beg to differ here on IAS. I was quite skeptical before until I actually tried it on the new 5 series. I encourage others to as well and let them decide for themselves based on their driving situation.

The problem is, most dealers don't have IAS to try out on the new 5.

-Magic

[mlai]

I second that. I value IAS more than the Dynamic handling pkg. In fact, here in Hong Kong, I ordered my 550i with IAS but not the adaptive drive (Dynamic handling). I will probably upgrade to M Sport suspension and aftermkt anti-roll bar if needed at a later point.....

[bm323]

Originally Posted by Mr. Magic

I beg to differ here on IAS. I was quite skeptical before until I actually tried it on the new 5 series. I encourage others to as well and let them decide for themselves based on their driving situation.

The problem is, most dealers don't have IAS to try out on the new 5.

-Magic

I am interested in these views too. This point may have been missed.

Originally Posted by mlai

I second that.

Which point do you agree with, and have you test driven a f10 with IAS and dynamic handling, and one with only dynamic handling?

[mlai]

bm323:
I think having IAS for me is more useful on a day to day basis due to the noticeable smaller low-speed turning radius. I did try out one with IAS and one without IAS and with dynamic handling. The one will dynamic handling corners at high-speed may feel better. However, it makes no perceptible difference in low-speed city manuvering or regular highway traffic.

In fact, my wife liked the IAS highway ride better especially during lane changes. And she can't tell whether Dynamic handling is present or not.

For me, my target is a fun yet comfortable carrier for my family and I think I can do without dynamic handling.....

PS. For some reason, I can order IAS separately from Adaptive Drive here.......

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Magic

bm323: "I've mentioned before that IAS does not bring about sharper steering response.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...62#post7459962

Dynamic handling package does."

------------

I beg to differ here on IAS. I was quite skeptical before until I actually tried it on the new 5 series. I encourage others to as well and let them decide for themselves based on their driving situation.

The problem is, most dealers don't have IAS to try out on the new 5.

-Magic

Unfortunately for Canadian production, IAS is only available on the 550i.

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Hmm. Wonder if they had the Dynamic Handling control in sport or sport+ mode. Otherwise, the steering would be Lexus or Mercedes-like.

Since the 535i that I test drove did not have Dynamic handling Package, I can't offer any comment on the perceived changes to steering feel.
But, it irks me that one would have to spend another $3900 for this package in order to get half-decent steering feel.
By way of comparison, the 535i Canadian list price, with Sport, Dynamic and Executive Packages + heated rear seats, is $74,100 (excl. frt. & pdi). This price is just $3000 less than an E550 4Matic with Premium package !

[Robin_NL]

IAS doesn't make the car behave more agile or sporty. Au contraire it makes the steering even more remote imo. That's why I don't have it. After the testdrive with the 530dA which had IAS. Though the F10's steering via the electric way needs some time getting used to(the more remote feel) , every day it's feeling better and better and more suited to the big car the F10 is. You need to drive an F10 thousands of kilometres to let it grow on you and feel the depth of that car. and that's what I did/do.LOL

And I come from a E90 M3.

And honestly it's a big heavy car but it feels light and you can toss it around a fair bit more than an E Class/A6 etc. for sure.

A trackday with F10's would look like this. Still great fun

[CanadianGOLD2010]

I am glad to hear your comments as I am coming from an E90 M3 aswell. I pick up my 535 on Monday. i know nothing will drive like my M but with 3 kids I really need the four doors and more room....

[marcielago]

Well people who care about how a car handles will no doubt pick the sport package and dynamic handling. Personally I would always choose to buy a BMW with those two options because without them I would never feel that I am driving one

[BimmerGuyFL]

Insideline called it out back in February about the new F10 electric power steering system.

"Caveats
And yet, and yet... it is hard to work up unmitigated enthusiasm for the 2011 BMW 5 Series. One reason is the steering — an issue with which BMW must soon start getting to grips on a wider front if its claim to maker of "ultimate driving machines" is not to be increasingly called into question. It is an electrically assisted system and it does no justice to the car. It is lifeless and uninformative, particularly around the dead-ahead position. It is not as bad as BMW's Z4, when in combination with hard-sidewalled, run-flat tires the EPAS removes all precision from fast cross-country driving. But it is no coincidence that Lotus, Aston Martin and a rival of the 5 Series, the marvelously fluid-driving Jaguar XF, have tried and abandoned electric systems in favor of the precision and feel of hydraulics. Others at Inside Line have been a bit more favorably impressed with the 5 Series' electric steering."

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

Insideline called it out back in February about the new F10 electric power steering system.

"Caveats
And yet, and yet... it is hard to work up unmitigated enthusiasm for the 2011 BMW 5 Series. One reason is the steering — an issue with which BMW must soon start getting to grips on a wider front if its claim to maker of "ultimate driving machines" is not to be increasingly called into question. It is an electrically assisted system and it does no justice to the car. It is lifeless and uninformative, particularly around the dead-ahead position. It is not as bad as BMW's Z4, when in combination with hard-sidewalled, run-flat tires the EPAS removes all precision from fast cross-country driving. But it is no coincidence that Lotus, Aston Martin and a rival of the 5 Series, the marvelously fluid-driving Jaguar XF, have tried and abandoned electric systems in favor of the precision and feel of hydraulics. Others at Inside Line have been a bit more favorably impressed with the 5 Series' electric steering."

"lifeless and uninformative" certainly describes the steering of the 535i (with sport pkg.) that I tested.

[Fithian]

At the BMW event, I drove the 550i with dyn hand, act steering, sport, etc, since they didn't have a 535i equipped that way. Very nice. Especially in Sport mode. Also drove the A6 that BMW provided. They must have had to search far and wide to find an A6 that was as stripped as that; no quattro. On comparable models it would have been different. My next car will be an S5.

[carl_d]

I wonder what M-Sport will be like?

[bm323]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

Insideline called it out back in February about the new F10 electric power steering system.

"Caveats
And yet, and yet... it is hard to work up unmitigated enthusiasm for the 2011 BMW 5 Series. One reason is the steering — an issue with which BMW must soon start getting to grips on a wider front if its claim to maker of "ultimate driving machines" is not to be increasingly called into question. It is an electrically assisted system and it does no justice to the car. It is lifeless and uninformative, particularly around the dead-ahead position. It is not as bad as BMW's Z4, when in combination with hard-sidewalled, run-flat tires the EPAS removes all precision from fast cross-country driving. But it is no coincidence that Lotus, Aston Martin and a rival of the 5 Series, the marvelously fluid-driving Jaguar XF, have tried and abandoned electric systems in favor of the precision and feel of hydraulics. Others at Inside Line have been a bit more favorably impressed with the 5 Series' electric steering."

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/5-seri...rst-drive.html

Also Insideline but contrary views. Look like we have to decide for ourselves, the best test

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/5-seri...rst-drive.html

Quote "Tracking the Changes
Most of our time with this fairly heavily optioned 2011 BMW 535i involved dashing around the coastal hills in the rural region around Lisbon. We had 245/45R18 96Y Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GTs under the fenders along with most of the items from the Sport package.


The combination of BMW's new four-wheel-steer tech with electric-assist steering felt superb throughout all of the hundreds of quick left-right-left maneuvers we negotiated at speed. We preferred the Sport mode in the DDC, especially the ability to make customized modifications within that mode through the fourth-generation iDrive interface. (Portuguese roads and drivers are not of the highest quality, so a little electronic oversight is best.)"

[BimmerGuyFL]

Originally Posted by bm323

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/5-seri...rst-drive.html

Also Insideline but contrary views. Look like we have to decide for ourselves, the best test

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/5-seri...rst-drive.html

Quote "Tracking the Changes
Most of our time with this fairly heavily optioned 2011 BMW 535i involved dashing around the coastal hills in the rural region around Lisbon. We had 245/45R18 96Y Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GTs under the fenders along with most of the items from the Sport package.


The combination of BMW's new four-wheel-steer tech with electric-assist steering felt superb throughout all of the hundreds of quick left-right-left maneuvers we negotiated at speed. We preferred the Sport mode in the DDC, especially the ability to make customized modifications within that mode through the fourth-generation iDrive interface. (Portuguese roads and drivers are not of the highest quality, so a little electronic oversight is best.)"

I can tell you that after driving the 535i twice and the 550i also twice that the steering is numb and doesn't have the same confidence that were hallmarks for BMW's from the 80's and 90's. I really, REALLY like the new F10 5-series, except for the new Electric Assist power steering. It just doesn't make me want to keep driving the car any longer or just take it for a quick drive like the 1995 E34 525i and 2001 530i I used to have.

I am hoping when the lease on my 2008 E92 335i is over that BMW has addressed the issues with the steering on the F10 5-series.

[texasKA]

man i told yall the F10 is too heavy. oh yeah, no F* ckin spare tire. there's not even a place to add a spare tire if you choose to do so.

that means you're forced to buying $400/tire run-flats, which drive like sh* t and are too harsh and not very compliant. there are far better tires on the market, and they dont come as run-flats.

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

I can tell you that after driving the 535i twice and the 550i also twice that the steering is numb and doesn't have the same confidence that were hallmarks for BMW's from the 80's and 90's. I really, REALLY like the new F10 5-series, except for the new Electric Assist power steering. It just doesn't make me want to keep driving the car any longer or just take it for a quick drive like the 1995 E34 525i and 2001 530i I used to have.

You have expressed my thoughts precisely ! The F10 is a stunning looking car, but that "lifeless" electric steering is the deal breaker for me.

BMW, in their relentless drive to improve the fuel economy of the 5 Series, have eliminated one of the key features that defines the marque, exemplary steering. By replacing the former hydraulic steering (as in E39 & E60) with an electric, non-communicative system, they have made a retrograde change. Maybe after a year or so of complaints, they will address this key shortcoming in what would otherwise be a standout car.

[MikeTerp]

The non-sport, non-dynamic 535 I drove just felt "heavy". Steering seemed OK, but not as sharp as my E90, but my overall feeling walking away from the car was that it needed to lose 250 lbs or more. The N55 moves it along, but at least on the one I drove, was no hot rod. Weight is increasingly killing BMW performance. Let's hope the F30 comes in lighter than the E90, especially if they are going to put mostly four cylinder engines in it.

[bm323]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

I can tell you that after driving the 535i twice and the 550i also twice that the steering is numb and doesn't have the same confidence that were hallmarks for BMW's from the 80's and 90's. I really, REALLY like the new F10 5-series, except for the new Electric Assist power steering. It just doesn't make me want to keep driving the car any longer or just take it for a quick drive like the 1995 E34 525i and 2001 530i I used to have.

I am hoping when the lease on my 2008 E92 335i is over that BMW has addressed the issues with the steering on the F10 5-series.

Needn't convince me, mate different people finding f10 differently.

As pointed out in another forum, the same magazine Car and Driver, but different view:"Even given all the electronic nannies, the new 5 has us convinced. It's luxurious, stylish, and fantastic to drive. The car's main competitors are, naturally, the Mercedes-Benz E-class and the Audi A6. The Benz is a softer luxo cruiser in comparison, and the Audi is more parallel in mission. (A new A6 launches next year—the current car toppled the 535i in a recent comparison test, so we're already anxious to pit this new 5 against that new A6." http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

And did you adjust the dynamic drive control and chassis, as some testers didn't?

And another Car and Driver review quote "Fortunately, active steering is a stand-alone option and therefore avoidable. For comparison purposes, we drove a car without that feature and found the steering predictable, although the effort from the new electric assist in either guise is a tad light for our tastes. ...The great 5-series cars of the past have offered almost as much luxury as the 7-series but at a more manageable and sportier size. This latest iteration may have gained some weight, but it has also gained in refinement. And, despite the added mass, the sporty dynamics that have made the 5-series the sports car of its segment remain intact. BMW is back to selling its sausages in differing lengths, but damn if they aren’t tasty." http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...i-second_drive