[90rr]

Hi everyone.
My e90 328i is pretty much ready to find a new home and I started looking for 2013 335i with m sport package. Needless to say due to configuration my car discovery process is very slow and I'm taking my time until everything comes in place (price,options color etc.). lately I started looking more and more at 535i with m-sport. Much more space (I'm 6'5) and luxury for pretty much the same $$$. Didn't test drove either one yet and would like to hear form you who had a similar dilemma and went either way. I like power delivery on 335 but 5 gives you more for your buck.
Thank you in advance

[jzcrna]

I think the refinement is so much better in the 5 series. Especially if you get Nappa leather and multi contour seats.

I went from an e90 335i to an E60535i to an F30 335i and I was very disappointed with the F30 335i (but this was also in 2012).

This might sound funny but if you want fun get a two series or a VW GTI with a tune. If you want refinement and German driving get a 5 series (although the F10 is bigger, I think it's a very satisfying experience). Plus this is the last year and the car is well optioned and at the top of its fine tuning.

[visualguy]

I prefer the 5 series to the 3/4 series. More space, better materials, more comfort, better seats, better ride, quieter, feels more solid and safe. However, it is a large car, and that has some disadvantages.

The 5 series definitely provides better value for the money.

[ezmaass]

You pretty much got it - the 5 will give you more luxury and room. The 3 will give you more agility and better power-to-weight. Choose your weapon.

Most people start with 3's and enjoy them until they're married with families... and then slowly find themselves enjoying the 5's trade-offs more. While I personally love the 5 now, I wouldn't have bought one when I was younger (not that I'm an old fart now either - mid 30s)... just simply that my 20-something year-old self wanted something smaller, sportier, and more agile. Now I just enjoy the F10 for what it is - a fast, luxurious cruiser.

[chrisny]

I went from a 335 to a 550, but was really shopping for a 535 and still think I would've been plenty happy with one. Circumstances landed me in a 550 and that obviously solves the power to weight ratio, and with the ARS that comes with DHP, I actually feel like the 550xi has less body roll than my 335xi had (both m sport with their respective versions of DHP).

The leg room isn't much better if you go by the numbers, but I feel like the seats are higher in the 5, resulting in more of a bent knee, essentially creating more leg room that way.. Width is he real gain. I'm only 5'10, but my knees were always pinched in a bit in the 335 and never even close in the 5. The Nappa leather is absolutely more luxurious (though feels less durable) and the ride is too, bumps I felt with the 335 or my wife's X5 I barely feel in the F10.

All in all, exactly what it's supposed to be, more luxurious car that is still very fun to drive and handles way better than most reviews I've read (so long as you get DHP). I can also say, as soon as I got used to the bigger car, any time I even stand next to a 3, it seems so small. I can't imagine ever going back to a smaller car now.

[550Reasons]

I would go for the 535i for sure specially if you have a family.
Same engine but a bit heavier, nothing 500-800$ cant fix; Tune, Intake, ChargePipe.
I personally should have gone with a 335i sedan instead of my 550i but they were hard to find and only a few grand cheaper ... so the 550i was my choice

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by 90rr

Much more space (I'm 6'5) and luxury for pretty much the same $$$. Didn't test drove either one yet and would like to hear form you who had a similar dilemma and went either way. I like power delivery on 335 but 5 gives you more for your buck.

I'm 6'7" and fit just fine in both, front leg room is almost identical, rear leg room in both is pretty close in terms of distance between back and front seat, but rear seats in 5 are "deeper", so it's a bit misleading when you look at it, easy to assume they are the same in that aspect.

5 has more room everywhere, no doubt, especially shoulder room and trunk. It's more refined ride no doubt, if that's what you're after 5 is your car.
The fact that there's less of them on the road than various 3 series is appealing to me personally. That said, in my opinion, 335 is very impressive, I would have no issue at all buying one for myself.

They handle significantly different, 335 is more nimble and though it is slightly faster, it also gives you feeling of much faster acceleration of the line. 535 just moves effortlessly and you don't get that cheap thrill of instant acceleration or "living dangerously" in corners until you look at your speed. It will go if pushed though, but testing the grip/handling limits require you to go quite fast, so cornering at 60-80 just feels "fairly normal" and effortless, where in smaller car you will perhaps get a bit more of a thrill out of the same.

Given similar package, similar prices (they are close in pricing I think) I picked 535 for myself and would likely do the same again. One of my best friends decided to go with 335, and neither of us is wrong - I think anyway, both are great. Both are kinda tricky to buy, you really need to get your options right to get most of them.

[jzcrna]

I think if you're new to BMW, get a 3 series or even a 2 series if you don't need the extra room. I have had the belly thrills with two 335i's and my present GTI with tune to 240hp.

I'm actually looking for the refinement of a 5 series and will most likely go with the 528i. To me, this car seemed more fun to drive at lower speeds and more traffic. More than adequate acceleration and fun in sport mode.

If you really really like luxury, bells, whistles and executive feel then the 5 is for you.

[Attila7]

I just ended my 340 vs 535 dilemma a few weeks ago. I was driving an e39 540 for ten years and it was a tough choice. Ended up with a '15 demo 535ix with ~9k miles that cost the same as a comparably equipped brand new 340 would have.

The clincher was the interior. The 5 is much nicer and better quality. The 5 is a boat though - in size - compared to the 3 and even to the e39. Having surround view and rear view cameras are really nice to have.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Attila7

The 5 is a boat though - in size - compared to the 3

It definitely takes some getting used to when going from something the size of a 3 to a 5, but now that I'm used to my 5, I honestly don't feel it anymore. It's like the car kind of shrinks once you're used to the extra size and naturally compensate when making turns in parking lots etc. It truly feels much smaller to me now than when I first got it.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by chrisny

It definitely takes some getting used to when going from something the size of a 3 to a 5, but now that I'm used to my 5, I honestly don't feel it anymore. It's like the car kind of shrinks once you're used to the extra size and naturally compensate when making turns in parking lots etc. It truly feels much smaller to me now than when I first got it.

I go back and forth between a 5 and a 4, so I keep noticing the big difference... The 5 feels huge when I need to make U turns, or maneuver in tight areas. The difference those extra few inches make is really surprising. When driving, the size doesn't bother me much. The 5 doesn't handle as well as the 4 in corners, but it still handles very well.

[90rr]

thank you all for the input. I own my e90 328 for 6 years now and honestly I had very difficult time letting this one go. main reason was heavy steering and handling. I will try both,but reading all your comments I might sacrifice comfort for driving feel.

[hawkjr1]

I just bought a 2013 535i M Sport and I love the way it drives and handle. I have a 2006 E90 which I bought in 2005 and 3 years ago I leased a 2013 535i non sport which I later regretted. It drove like a big sedan and felt like one even in the sport mode. Well last week I found a 2013 535i M Sport in Alpine white and bought it. What a difference. I love it.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by hawkjr1

I just bought a 2013 535i M Sport and I love the way it drives and handle. I have a 2006 E90 which I bought in 2005 and 3 years ago I leased a 2013 535i non sport which I later regretted. It drove like a big sedan and felt like one even in the sport mode. Well last week I found a 2013 535i M Sport in Alpine white and bought it. What a difference. I love it.

This exactly is the reason for what I said in my post "....Both are kinda tricky to buy, you really need to get your options right ....."

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

This exactly is the reason for what I said in my post "....Both are kinda tricky to buy, you really need to get your options right ....."

+1. Do not buy either, or any current BMW for that matter, without its version of what is now the DHP (dynamic handling package for any that don't know by now...). Check the facts, contents changed here and there in terms of how to get it, but make sure you have all of the suspension and anti roll upgrades available. Unfortunately, you absolutely have to do that now to get a BMW that actually drives like a BMW.

[90rr]

Scheduled 535 with m sport test on Saturday... I will share my opinion after

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by chrisny

+1. Do not buy either, or any current BMW for that matter, without its version of what is now the DHP (dynamic handling package for any that don't know by now...). Check the facts, contents changed here and there in terms of how to get it, but make sure you have all of the suspension and anti roll upgrades available. Unfortunately, you absolutely have to do that now to get a BMW that actually drives like a BMW.

The passive M Sport suspension (704) is absolutely fine.

[jzcrna]

Originally Posted by 90rr

Scheduled 535 with m sport test on Saturday... I will share my opinion after

You should test drive a 528i as well just to see. I was pleasantly surprised with it and slightly disappointed with the 535i (didn't have the highway to step on the throttle a little more).

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by visualguy

The passive M Sport suspension (704) is absolutely fine.

I agree, it is great and more of a "true BMW feel" than base suspension, those coming from 3 series will likely love it. But it is also one of the options, and as far as I know, cannot be had on xDrive cars (though you can buy M sport package with xDrive). I might be wrong on this, depending on the year - someone better informed feel free to correct me. DHP gives you more less the same thing in sport or sport+ mode but also added flexibility to chose the setting based on conditions.

Never seen a brand that changes packages so much. Buyer really has to be up to date with options offered across different year/models. Quite easy to end up with car that's not exactly what you wanted.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by visualguy

The passive M Sport suspension (704) is absolutely fine.

Sure, if fine is what you're looking for, I suppose. Without ARS, it's a big car that drives like a big car. Conversation was about driving dynamics and comparing a smaller, more nimble car to a bigger one.. the current DHP (adaptive drive and ARS) bridges that gap and anyone that thinks the difference is negligible either hasn't driven one with those upgrades or doesn't care much about handling and body roll.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

I agree, it is great and more of a "true BMW feel" than base suspension, those coming from 3 series will likely love it. But it is also one of the options, and as far as I know, cannot be had on xDrive cars (though you can buy M sport package with xDrive). I might be wrong on this, depending on the year - someone better informed feel free to correct me. DHP gives you more less the same thing in sport or sport+ mode but also added flexibility to chose the setting based on conditions.

Never seen a brand that changes packages so much. Buyer really has to be up to date with options offered across different year/models. Quite easy to end up with car that's not exactly what you wanted.

Exactly. At one point, the F10 with M sport I believe gave you the Adaptive Drive then it became a separate option (DHP). You can find more specific details on this forum detailing what was available when and what packages you need to get it, etc.. but it does change within each model let alone from one model to the next. And you make a very good point that a lot of people miss regarding x-drive. X-drive in at least some cases (including my previous car, F30 335xi with DHP) removes the stiffer, lower springs that come with the sport and/or m sport lines and keeps the standard springs instead. So my F30, for example, had the active dampers, but not the stiffer springs. My 550 now has x-drive but with DHP, gives me the dampers and ARS. So the bigger car actually has less body roll, in terms of these 2 set ups. Now had my 335 been RWD with DHP, I'm sure that would have been much better.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by chrisny

Sure, if fine is what you're looking for, I suppose. Without ARS, it's a big car that drives like a big car. Conversation was about driving dynamics and comparing a smaller, more nimble car to a bigger one.. the current DHP (adaptive drive and ARS) bridges that gap and anyone that thinks the difference is negligible either hasn't driven one with those upgrades or doesn't care much about handling and body roll.

Well, let's just agree to disagree. I've driven my 2016 550i with the M Sport suspension on twisty roads like Hwy 17, Hwy 9, and Skyline Dr. in NorCal, and it handled very well. I haven't felt the roll you're talking about, or any issues with the suspension. There's no deficiency at public road speeds. It's a great balance between sport and comfort, and it's great not to have to mess with settings. I also own a Porsche Cayman GTS, so I'm very familiar with good handling.

I wouldn't bother with DHP or IAS. Use the money for a nice road trip vacation, or toward the next car...