[S4CH]

Hi all, I am about to pull the trigger on a 2014 535i xDrive with MSport and Sports Automatic Transmission (2TB), but without DHP. There are quite a few threads on this, but the responses do not seem consistent and nor is the website.

My question is, without DHP, does changing from Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ do anything to the suspension or damping?

The sales person said no.

So then do you need the need the Dynamic Handling Package (with ARS) to get Damper control?

I'll be going from a 2008 535i with Sports Package and Sports Auto, so i'm hoping not to lose too much of the sportiness in the handling. But I like the idea of having something thats better on bumpy roads when you aren't driving like The Stig. Any feedback from those who have made a similar switch would be appreciated. Thanks!

[The X Men]

No DHP = no adjustable suspension.

[Alan l.]

On the 2014's you need DHP to have any damper control.

My old 2013 had DDC (dynamic damper control) as a standalone option without the need for the full DHP. BMW changed it in 2014.

Basically from 2011 - 2014 they change all of their options/packages around mostly with the cars suspension

[BimmerGuyFL78]

Dynamic Damper Control was standard with the sports package and M-Sports package for model year 2012 and available without those packages as a stand alone option for $1,000. For 2013 they dropped the Sports package and offered only the M-Sports package. M-sports for 2013 got rid of the dynamic damper control and came with the 704 M-Sports suspension. You could still get with or without M-sports for 2013 the dynamic damper control as a stand alone $1,000 option. For 2014 and 2015 dynamic damper control came bundled only with the Dynamic Handing Package for $3,500 but also included Dynamic Drive which are the active front and rear antiroll bars.

[S4CH]

Thanks everyone ... is the consensus then that without the current DHP, the drive of the standard suspension you get with a 535i xDrive is very 'floaty' and much less sporty than an E60 with sports package?? It would be great to hear from those who have made a similar change.

[The X Men]

If you like the suspension on a E60 with SP, you will hate the standard suspension on the F10.

[Sum1.]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

Dynamic Damper Control was standard with the sports package and M-Sports package for model year 2012 and available without those packages as a stand alone option for $1,000. For 2013 they dropped the Sports package and offered only the M-Sports package. M-sports for 2013 got rid of the dynamic damper control and came with the 704 M-Sports suspension. You could still get with or without M-sports for 2013 the dynamic damper control as a stand alone $1,000 option. For 2014 and 2015 dynamic damper control came bundled only with the Dynamic Handing Package for $3,500 but also included Dynamic Drive which are the active front and rear antiroll bars.

Quite possibly the best, most concise answer to this question ever posted.

[ezmaass]

As everyone has already clearly pointed out, you'll need the DHP to have dynamic dampers on a 2014. However, as also pointed out, it'll also give you ARS (Active Roll Stabilization), which is very, very nice on a car of this size. ARS will actively control the body roll in corners by dynamically stiffening the roll bars to keep the car flat - works beautifully.

If you want to retain a sport ride but also deal with the bumpy roads at times, the Dynamic Handling Package is wonderful. I'm in the same boat, and I'm so glad I opted for it. You can put it into Sport or Sport+ and get a perfectly stiff ride, which will feel much like any passive BMW sport suspension. In Comfort (default mode when you turn the car on), it'll feel a bit stiffer than the otherwise floaty "standard" suspension, and in Comfort+ you'll have the urge to wear 1970's era giant-collar shirts, smoke a cigar, and float down the highway. Well, hopefully not... but you get the point... it's soft.

DHP is well worth the price.

[geminiys]

Originally Posted by Sum1.

Quite possibly the best, most concise answer to this question ever posted.

How one can tell if car has one or the other option? I got mine used and still failed to figure it out what option I have that are not clearly spelled out. Mine is 2013, 09/2012 production 535XDrive.

Thanks

[Bimmer5]

I have the DHP on mine, order the DHP it's worth the money.

[S4CH]

Thanks again, sounds like its a must-have option. That's exactly what I want, to be able to switch between sporty and comfort. From the few dealers I've spoken to, none seem to have it in stock.

[BimmerGuyFL78]

geminiys:.......What's the last 7 of your VIN and I can tell you which suspension your 5 has.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by geminiys

How one can tell if car has one or the other option? I got mine used and still failed to figure it out what option I have that are not clearly spelled out. Mine is 2013, 09/2012 production 535XDrive.

Thanks

There are a few ways to tell:

1. You can feel it - if your car has variable dampers, when you switch the rocker mode on the center console (dynamic drive), you'll very clearly feel the suspension getting firm in Sport/Sport+ and softer in Comfort/Comfort+. Some people may not be as "in tune" with the ride feel as others, but I'd contend that anyone should be able to tell the difference if you take the car over a bumpy road and try this out.

2. VIN lookup - there are a number of sites that will allow you to plug in your VIN, and they'll display all of your car's equipment.

3. iDrive setup - in the setup screens, you should be able to find a setting that allows you to tick a box for dynamic drive and choose whether the drivetrain and/or the chassis is adjusted in different modes. I can't recall the exact screen but can find it for you if necessary. Only cars with variable dampers will have the option to tick the chassis adjustment.

[SoDigito]

EZ, I've been wondering if my 2011 535xi with non-M sport has the dynamic damper control. In the iDrive setting I can configure sport mode to both drivetrain and chassis or each seperately. I know that you only get that option with dynamic damper control on the F25 X3, but I was not sure if that was necessarily true for the 2011 F10s. Thanks for pointing that out.

[SoDigito]

I did perform a vin lookup a while back, but I don't remember seeing dynamic damper control as a listed option.

[SoDigito]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

Dynamic Damper Control was standard with the sports package and M-Sports package for model year 2012 and available without those packages as a stand alone option for $1,000. For 2013 they dropped the Sports package and offered only the M-Sports package. M-sports for 2013 got rid of the dynamic damper control and came with the 704 M-Sports suspension. You could still get with or without M-sports for 2013 the dynamic damper control as a stand alone $1,000 option. For 2014 and 2015 dynamic damper control came bundled only with the Dynamic Handing Package for $3,500 but also included Dynamic Drive which are the active front and rear antiroll bars.

What about MY 2011 F10s?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by SoDigito

EZ, I've been wondering if my 2011 535xi with non-M sport has the dynamic damper control. In the iDrive setting I can configure sport mode to both drivetrain and chassis or each seperately. I know that you only get that option with dynamic damper control on the F25 X3, but I was not sure if that was necessarily true for the 2011 F10s. Thanks for pointing that out.

Here in the UK, early models would have the iDrive option to check chassis or drivetrain, or both, even without the dynamic damper control. The selectable option also came with the sport auto transmission.

You could be correct, not listed when you check the VIN, but still have the screen option.

HighlandPete

[BimmerGuyFL78]

Originally Posted by SoDigito

What about MY 2011 F10s?

SoDigito:.....What's the last 7 of your VIN # and I can tell you.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Here in the UK, early models would have the iDrive option to check chassis or drivetrain, or both, even without the dynamic damper control. The selectable option also came with the sport auto transmission.

You could be correct, not listed when you check the VIN, but still have the screen option.

HighlandPete

Pete - OK, that's good to know - maybe this changed in later software versions? So maybe only first two points are valid.

[SoDigito]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

SoDigito:.....What's the last 7 of your VIN # and I can tell you.

I tried to send you a PM, but I keep getting an application error message. Anyone else having problems both with the iPhone app and the website? I'll try again later.

[BimmerGuyFL78]

SoDigito:......Just checked and no your 535i does not have the Dynamic Handling Package which means it doesn't have the dynamic damper control or adaptive drive.

[RSBro]

I have DDC on my 550 M-Sport. I absolutely love being able to go from completely relaxed and laid back going 90 on the freeway in Comfort+ to going balls-out on some rural country roads in Sport+.
I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but obviously the ride and throttle response sharpen up but I feel like the braking does too.