[HighlandPete]

The context in which I wrote the comments, 'Bob' is wanting, if possible, to stay with 17" wheels to keep the cost down. My concern is standard suspension and 17" wheels may be too soft and/or bouncy for the drive he's after, if past experience with standard suspension 3's and 5's is anything to go by. I know that the sport suspension does more to control the smaller wheels with RFTs fitted, from driving 3-series, where as the bigger wheels with RFTs seem to run a bit better on standard suspension.

It is as if the suspension either works more efficiently on the lower profiles, so controls some of the bounce, or the suspension is stiffer, (sport setup) and the tyres have to work harder and don't bounce as much. I'd love to have all the setups and sets of different wheel sizes and experiment and get some real data. I sense soft suspension and the higher profiles get out of harmony on some of our roads, and we get the strange feedback some of us find just doesn't ride well.

Also remember BMW does setup the cars, to offer the best set of compromises on the standard fit wheel and tyre sizes.

There are several places I've read the comments on the M-sport setting, including the comments on here, also applies to other model ranges which use VDC I understand.

I'm still not sure which wheel sizes will prove to be best, until we get more feedback from more UK users.

HighlandPete

[bm323]

Thanks carl_d and HighlandPete

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by carl_d

Autocar confirmed M-Sport is between Normal/Sport in the printed magazine (not online).

I would not assume 17" wheels are better as its likey M-Sport is tunned for 18" wheels - we have yet to get clear position on this?

If that's 'true' I 'm very happy I chose the 19" 331s. Because I hate a soft ride. But we'll see.

Cheers
Robin

[Erasmus]

ok guys, here it is ... I've driven mine 528i now for 1 week (1,500 km - extra's rides in the evening and weekends ) .... The manual says that I have to drive it carefully till 2000km's (Dutch: inrijden), but now and then I floor it (not kick-down)...

The car is a 528i automatic, 18inch RFT, High Executive, Sport seats, Prof Nav., Veneto Beige, Spacegrau .. STANDARD suspension, no switch button.

Impressions (in brief):
- it is not at all comparable with a E60 or an E61;
- the interiour is way better built than the E60 (as I can see so far);
- the prov.navigation is beautiful;
- the automatic gearbox is something you have to get used to. It is all aimed at driving economical. It shifts up (with normal pedal pressure) at around 1600 rpm. So you can drive very economical (6,5 - 7,0 l/km 110 km/h). Sport mode DS is better for the less serious trips...;
- the car is a knock-out, the lines are absolutely beautiful. I can't tell how many people had stared or turned there head to take an extra look at the car ;
- it is stiffer;
- the wind noise is ok, but not like a 'safe'.

THEN the handling:
As I said, this car (with the standard suspension, 18RFT) is in NO way like the E60. The only comparisment is the BMW badge on the front / back. The new chassis (wishbone etc) is purely made for the comfortable ride. The ride is absolutely beauftiful. I've tested all kind of roads, and it is way better then my E61 with nonRFT (I've got ridd of the RFT's). With better I mean: comfortable. It gives you the smooth and relaxed feeling of driving without thinking how long you've already driven.
The only minus is that you've reached your destination, and you have to get out of the car. The cornering is ok. The E60 handling was better with that respect. I must say, that the E60 was like glue on the road in the corners, this F10 with standard suspension and 18-RFT is more designed for comfortable, executive cruising. But said that, I've just rounded my favorite corner with warning signs for 80km/h with 110 km/h. (E60 120 km/h). So it does it cornering taks not as well as the E60 / E61, but it is still dynamic and gives you the urge to throw it through any corner you see

If you feel like the cornering ability of the E60/E61 is a must have, than you should think about ordering the extra's I think.

To be short: I am absolutely in love with this car. It is amazing. You want to drive it more and more. It is not as harsh as the former cars (E61, E92).

Greetz, Erasmus

PS Please be free to ask everything you want to know ...

[sfbayguy]

Nice review, you scared me a bit with the 1st line, "not at all comparable to E60/61" I thought you were going to say it was worse! :-) Glad you love it, I got dymnamic drive and sport pkg, so should be the perfect drive. I am so glad you say the lines are beautiful and the ride is great....that is what I am looking for!

[Erasmus]

Originally Posted by sfbayguy

Nice review, you scared me a bit with the 1st line, "not at all comparable to E60/61" I thought you were going to say it was worse! :-) Glad you love it, I got dymnamic drive and sport pkg, so should be the perfect drive. I am so glad you say the lines are beautiful and the ride is great....that is what I am looking for!

Absolutely, with the dynamic drive and sport pkg you have everthing you'll ever need Nice ! In my opinion: this car is a must see. In pictures it is so-so, but in real live it blows you away. This car could be a classic.

[bm323]

Thanks Erasmus for your comprehensive review. Please let us know if there's more information after 2000 km.

[Erasmus]

Originally Posted by bm323

Thanks Erasmus for your comprehensive review. Please let us know if there's more information after 2000 km.

I will do so, but first on holiday (1 week). Not by car, but by sailing yacht

[bm323]

Erasmus, that the f10 is more designed for comfortable, executive cruising but it is still dynamic and gives one the urge to throw it through any corner you see, would you say that it handles better than a Merc pls (my query with no offense to Merc owners )?

[bm323]

Interesting that the base 523i in Malaysia has dynamic damping and the base 535i has adaptive drive http://www.autoworld.com.my/v2/news/...=RT.ATC.CAR.PV

[bimmernic]

Originally Posted by bm323

Interesting that the base 523i in Malaysia has dynamic damping and the base 535i has adaptive drive http://www.autoworld.com.my/v2/news/...=RT.ATC.CAR.PV

Yes, I noticed that too. Its a pity that PML could not have made that standard here. Even the 535 does not have adaptive damping. At EUR160,000+ (at EUR1.00 = SGD1.80) for the standard package, paying EUR6,400 or thereabouts for adaptive drive is a bit rich.

Then again, given the state of the roads in KL/PJ/JB in Malaysia, where the bulk of 5 series will be bought/used, adaptive damping would be essential. When it rains, you do not know if the puddle is a really a puddle or a pothole

[Erasmus]

Originally Posted by bm323

Erasmus, that the f10 is more designed for comfortable, executive cruising but it is still dynamic and gives one the urge to throw it through any corner you see, would you say that it handles better than a Merc pls (my query with no offense to Merc owners )?

That's a difficult one, there are many Merc's with different setups. But several tests here in Holland with the new E-class, compared with the F10 on st. susp., say that the BMW is the more 'whole' car than the Merc. The Merc. is all set or comfort, the BMW still holds the dynamic feel which the Merc. misses. Hopefully, this helps.

greetz

[Robin_NL]

Hi Erasmus, any pics of your 528i yet?



Cheers
Robin

[Cees_T]

My dealer invited me to test drive the 525d automatic. The car was equipped with 19-inch RFT and sport suspension, certainly not my first choice. I took the car out for a 1-hour test drive on the highway. I focussed on assessing its cruising rather than its handling capabilities. My impressions are the following. First of all, the automatic gearbox is just marvelous: gear changes are imperceptible. Therefore I cannot understand the criticism in the Dutch car magazine "Auto Kampioen" (issue 09-10, 6 May 2010). They tested the 523i with standard suspension on 17-inch RFT. Their major negative points were: 1) changing gears is more perceptible than expected, and 2) coping with short bumps is not optimal. The sport suspension in combination with the 19-inch RFT on my test car gave a more bumpy ride than I liked. However, to my great surprise, it was about as comfortable (or sometimes even slightly more) as my E60 on 17-inch RFT.
Conclusion: the 525d is a relaxed cruiser due to its fantastic automatic gearbox and low rpm at highway speeds with more than sufficient accelarating power in daily traffic. The 525d is not the type of car for sport suspension and large wheels which spoils the ride. Personnaly I would opt for a 528i with dynamic damper control on 17 or 18-inch RFT to have the best of both worlds (fun and comfortable cruising).

[Robin_NL]

Better buy a Citroen C6 in the first place then.

Opinions, opinions, opinions.
I drove a 530dA with all the electronic suspensionsystems and on 19"RFT's. Even at sportsmode a very very good ride(almost too soft!)
The comfortmode was almost like riding a 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood.

One thing: A F10 begs for 19"wheels or bigger imo, just for the look of it.

Cheers
Robin

[bm323]

Originally Posted by Cees_T

My dealer invited me to test drive the 525d automatic. The car was equipped with 19-inch RFT and sport suspension, certainly not my first choice. I took the car out for a 1-hour test drive on the highway. I focussed on assessing its cruising rather than its handling capabilities. My impressions are the following. First of all, the automatic gearbox is just marvelous: gear changes are imperceptible. Therefore I cannot understand the criticism in the Dutch car magazine "Auto Kampioen" (issue 09-10, 6 May 2010). They tested the 523i with standard suspension on 17-inch RFT. Their major negative points were: 1) changing gears is more perceptible than expected, and 2) coping with short bumps is not optimal. The sport suspension in combination with the 19-inch RFT on my test car gave a more bumpy ride than I liked. However, to my great surprise, it was about as comfortable (or sometimes even slightly more) as my E60 on 17-inch RFT.
Conclusion: the 525d is a relaxed cruiser due to its fantastic automatic gearbox and low rpm at highway speeds with more than sufficient accelarating power in daily traffic. The 525d is not the type of car for sport suspension and large wheels which spoils the ride. Personnaly I would opt for a 528i with dynamic damper control on 17 or 18-inch RFT to have the best of both worlds (fun and comfortable cruising).

well written thanks

[SE135i]

Erasmus, what do you think of the performance of the 528i with auto?
I have driven the F10 530d and 535i both auto but no 528i yet.

So I would like to know more about what you think about the engine.

Whar do you think of the throttle response torque etc of the 528i. Does the car feel fast, ok or a bit heavy and slow? If you compare with the E60 please mention which engine/model of the E60 you compare with.

Thank you in advance

[Hoss NY]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

One thing: A F10 begs for 19"wheels or bigger imo, just for the look of it.

Cheers
Robin

+1

[sfbayguy]

Originally Posted by Hoss NY

+1

Agreed 19" are a must on this car for looks!

+1

[HighlandPete]

Big rims...

What about the drive? You guys must have good roads... My own garage who tried 20" wheels say they ruin the ride quality of the F10.

HighlandPete

[Erasmus]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Hi Erasmus, any pics of your 528i yet?



Cheers
Robin

Will do so this weekend. Been very busy (aren't we all )

greetz Erasmus

[Erasmus]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Better buy a Citroen C6 in the first place then.

Opinions, opinions, opinions.
I drove a 530dA with all the electronic suspensionsystems and on 19"RFT's. Even at sportsmode a very very good ride(almost too soft!)
The comfortmode was almost like riding a 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood.

One thing: A F10 begs for 19"wheels or bigger imo, just for the look of it.

Cheers
Robin

hahahahaha ...