[montanaman]

Just hit the one year mark on my 2011 535i M Sport and in honor of my "anniversary" I took it out and up the Angeles Crest Hwy here north of Los Angeles. I did about 50 miles of some of the best mountain twisties available. I used every "inch" of the car for the first time. I felt like I was kind of over the excitement of having the car and was taking it for granted. I only put 4500 miles on it in the year.... mostly my boring commute on the lousy pot holed roads and freeways in LA. I read the most recent Motor Trend article comparison with the Audi the Lexus and the Infinity last night and that also made me want to take the drive today. I wanted to try and experience all the modes, the traction control, the sport suspension and to see if I could feel the "vague steering feel" that has been the one main beef with this car. So after absolutely hammering this car today for 50 plus miles on the mountain passes and then hitting the freeway home I have to say the car is a perfect 10 in my book. Yes.. the car is a much smoother ride and the steering is less connected than my 1995 540 but thats ok. It soaked up tight turns at speeds that were testing the limits of the tires and my abilities ( thank God I had some track time at Willow in a 911 a few years back). The traction control did kick in a few times when I had some wheel slip due to moist roads and over aggressive cornering. I paddle shifted that engine and found that "sweet spot" at 5000 rpm and with the window cracked that engine has a very refined growl that fits the luxury aspect of that car. I am looking forward to taking a long trip up the coast one day to experience that part of the car. I have had zero problems with the car and has only been to the dealer once due to the check engine light coming on because of the fueling issue that many had. Its not a cheap car and mine stickered at 67k but today.... it felt like every penny.

[Tuesday]

Sounds fun - I love canyons. Out of curiosity, are you still on run flats? I want to take my 535 out for some spirited driving but I do not trust these stock tires one bit. I pushed this car on an onramp with a decreasing radius and it felt like it was begging to spin out.

[Rbembas_M3]

Hey montanaman thank you for the good read. I'm also close to the one year mark and all is running well with my 535i I have taken two long road trip from Atlanta GA. to Detroit MI about 11.5 hours nonstop by myself, love the luxury, navigation to bypass accidents and when needed the torque to dart ahead. I also did Atlanta to Scranton PA. nonstop about 13.5 hours felt great was able to hit speeds 130 for a short time, got to watch out for the PA trooper, must say car hugs the road can't even tell how fast you are going. Like you i also hit the mountain roads of NEPA and opened her up, no body roll just an awsome feel in the curves. This is my first BMW love the experience saving for the M5

[montanaman]

Originally Posted by itschase

Sounds fun - I love canyons. Out of curiosity, are you still on run flats? I want to take my 535 out for some spirited driving but I do not trust these stock tires one bit. I pushed this car on an onramp with a decreasing radius and it felt like it was begging to spin out.

Stock Michelin Primacy's and I have to say they handled it well. I am not a fan of run flats and it is almost a deal killer for me with BMW but like most things in life I think they have got better with time. I'd say for a car like this where that kind of driving is not common they are fine.

[sanf]

mine's coming up in a couple of months. i will reward my f10 with a new inspection sticker. hopefully she will pass without a problem

[gatoman39]

It becomes apparent during this type of driving that this is a big arse car. You definitely need, DDC and ARS in this occasion. It's also clear that some go flat summer tires would be better than the GT summer RFT's. However, for all around driving, everything considered, it's been said before but it bears repeating, this may be the best all rounder.

[Jmo550]

Im át. 8 months with 15.5k