[DallasLife345M]

I need some input and advice… I've been on the fence for the last year debating on my next ride. I love the look of the 5 series but I am concerned about the handling, specifically the steering feedback. I have a 335i coupe with the sport package now, the car feels like its on rails and I love the tight heavy steering. However, I am very tired of the rough ride that comes along with it, I want something bigger and more luxurious but I still want to maintain some level of fun and excitement when driving. Handling and steering feedback are very important to me. About 8 months ago I drove a 2013 550i (non m-sport) and was very disappointed – it felt like a boat, fast but entirely disconnected from the road I HATED IT. My questions is does the M-sport with the dynamic handling and integral active steering feel more connected to the road? Would I find the car exciting to drive like my 335i or would it just be a boring sedan? I was hopeful when I read that for 2014 the LCI 5 series was getting reworked steering, however the Edmunds review said that they couldn’t really tell any difference, BUT that test car wasn’t a M-sport either. Any advice is greatly appreciated I HAVE to make a decision soon or I’m going to drive myself crazy. Thanks!

[Catfish454]

I had the exact same question last year when I decided I needed to upgrade my 335i with sport package and manual transmission for something a little more "refined". I settled on the 535i and will tell you right now that it (or a 550i) will NEVER handle and feel as attached to the road as a 335i. That said, and having lived with it for eight months now, I don't regret my decision one bit. True, road feel is substantially muted but the overall driving experience blows the 335 into the weeds. I've also come to love the 8-speed sport automatic…something I never thought I'd admit. All-in-all, I've never looked back and really don't miss my previous ride at all.

[Mbbrewer]

A 5 series wll never handle like a 3 series. They are very different cars. I have a 2013 M sport with the passive suspension and I'm very happy with it. I would suggest that you try one as I would imagine a '14 would feel very similar.

[igom3]

535 M sport and you should be good to go. IMO
I drove 2013 550I and it was a disappointment. The only thing on 2014 model engine is more powerful than one on 2013 550I but is still heavier than 535I engine and handling will be affected for sure. Again this is JMO.

[DocOct]

I agree with the above. I came from a e90 that had much stiffer suspension and tighter steering feel. I felt the ride much softer and the car substantially bigger when I moved to the 5 series. That being said I don't regret my decision at all as the luxury and features this car have are great.

[Sjoerd]

A 550i with m-sport suspension and IAS will get as close to a m-sport 3 series as it can get. If you are looking for something more comfortable that the 5 series is the one to go for.

Don't go for the x-drive; the steering IMHO is horrible.

What you can consider as well is safe a bit more money and take the M5.

[K-A]

M Sport with standard-to-'13+ passive suspension is a must. Avoid all the Active stuff. The passive M suspension feels like a "BMW" whilst still introducing levels of luxury typical to the F10 chassis that previous BMW's couldn't get near. I also has a lower/sportier ride height and stance, and its fundamental simplicity makes it far more reliable than an Active setup.

Also, the 535i with its 50/50 weight distribution will feel more balanced, nimble and better handling than the heavier/front heavy 550i.

[Sjoerd]

K-A, I don't agree with you. My F10 535 M/6 only had M-sport suspension. My current (temp) F11 530d has M-sport suspension with IAS. It makes a huge difference. The ride is significant better.

Adaptive drive I agree; if you would like to drive more comfortable pick it otherwise stick to the standard M-sport suspension (with IAS )

[K-A]

I've driven 2011 M Sports which come with DHP (not sure about IAS) and found the ride to be significantly softer and less sporty-dynamic. Pretty much everyone who's gone from an '11 M Sport with all the Active suspension gizmos to a '13 M Sport report significant suspension improvements with the actual (new) M suspension.

Can you get IAS on the passive M suspension? Or if you get IAS do you have to get the full Active suspension with it?

[Sjoerd]

K-A,

that's the beauty of configuring a car over here! You can do whatever you want. So yes I have a M-sport suspension with IAS and without full active suspension and/or Dynamic Damper Control

[K-A]

Holy crap I never knew you could get that?! I don't think we can in the States?? That would be kind of the best of both worlds I'd assume.

[Surly73]

Question directly relating to steering feel:

I've seen conflicting information about which models are "terrible", "mediocre" and "feel like a BMW".


1/ I've seen electric steering criticized and traditional hydraulic steering praised. Though a 2012 comprehensive software updated changed the "steering" for some (perhaps reports from people who don't know which system they have, and the software improved electric steering?)

2/ I've seen information that X-Drive models have hydraulic steering and RWDs have electric

3/ I've seen posts saying basically, if you think the hydraulic steering feel sucks, don't even drive the electric

4/ I've seen posts saying avoid X-Drives because the steering feel is horrible (directly contradictory since supposedly all X-Drives have hydraulic steering which is superior to electric)

5/ I've seen posts indicating that 2013 passive MSport dramatically improves steering feel and dynamics, but to my knowledge the steering system is not directly affected by this package, and 2013 MSports come in both RWD and AWD, which would mean some have electric and some have hydraulic, so how could the 2013 MSport be universally accepted as "the way things should be" if "electric sucks" and "hydraulic is OK"?

6/ Following the comprehensive software update to the pre-LCI cars, how much of the steering feel is from components which can be fixed (sways, springs, shocks) and how much road feel is lost forever in the design of X-Drive front end geometry and steering pumps or racks?

Can anyone sort out the truth in this conflicting information? It may go a long way to help both the OP and I.

[K-A]

Re: #6: I feel the beefed up sway bars, stiffer/lower springs and upgraded shocks on the passive M Sport suspension have to do with what feels like improved steering.

Also keep in mind XDrive M Sports DO NOT come with the M suspension, they only are available with the base F10 suspension as standard with no option to upgrade to the lower and sportier M suspension.

[bubbahead]

Essentially if I'm getting a 550ix with just msport, I do not get the passive suspension. I would need to get adaptive drive package (in Canada) for $3500.
Well since I'm looking at a 2014, I'm hoping they did some inprovements as they promised they did for a better road feel. Time will tell!

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by K-A

Holy crap I never knew you could get that?! I don't think we can in the States?? That would be kind of the best of both worlds I'd assume.

Have you ever compared the European price with the US one? It's 30% more expensive. Yes, you can configure the sh!t out of it, but this ability comes at a huge price.

[DallasLife345M]

Thanks everyone for your input it has helped me greatly. I have decided to move forward and order a 2014 550i M Sport. I feel much better since I have made this decision and am no longer on the fence. On another note.. My dealer sent me the 2014 Order and Pricing guide and I am having a few issues…

The order guide does not list the M Suspension, Active Roll Stabilization, Active Drive and Dynamic Damper under the M Sport Line (ZMM, formally ZMP in 2013). I am assuming this was left out on accident as adding the Dynamic Handling Package deletes option 704 (M Suspension) from the ZMM package. Below is the config I put together from the 2014 Order and Price guide, I added the Dynamic Handling Package but left out the cost as I assume I will not need it because these items should already be included in the M Sport Line package, can anyone confirm this? Also, is there no black Nappa leather offered? I did not see it as an option.

Option Code Price
2014 550i $62,890
Dakota Black Leather LCSW $0
Jet Black 668 $0
M Sport "Line" ZMM $3,050
Cold Weather Package ZCW $950
Dynamic Handling Package ZDH $0
Executive Package (With Harmon Kardon Surround Sound) ZEC $4,300
Lighting Package ZLP $1,900
Sport Automatic Transmission with Shift Paddles 2TB $500
Intergal Active Steering 2VH $1,750
Piano Finish Black Trim XE7 $1,080
Destination and Handling $925
Total $77,345

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by Brian75025

Thanks everyone for your input it has helped me greatly. I have decided to move forward and order a 2014 550i M Sport. I feel much better since I have made this decision and am no longer on the fence. On another note.. My dealer sent me the 2014 Order and Pricing guide and I am having a few issues…

The order guide does not list the M Suspension, Active Roll Stabilization, Active Drive and Dynamic Damper under the M Sport Line (ZMM, formally ZMP in 2013). I am assuming this was left out on accident as adding the Dynamic Handling Package deletes option 704 (M Suspension) from the ZMM package. Below is the config I put together from the 2014 Order and Price guide, I added the Dynamic Handling Package but left out the cost as I assume I will not need it because these items should already be included in the M Sport Line package, can anyone confirm this? Also, is there no black Nappa leather offered? I did not see it as an option.

Option Code Price
2014 550i $62,890
Dakota Black Leather LCSW $0
Jet Black 668 $0
M Sport "Line" ZMM $3,050
Cold Weather Package ZCW $950
Dynamic Handling Package ZDH $0
Executive Package (With Harmon Kardon Surround Sound) ZEC $4,300
Lighting Package ZLP $1,900
Sport Automatic Transmission with Shift Paddles 2TB $500
Intergal Active Steering 2VH $1,750
Piano Finish Black Trim XE7 $1,080
Destination and Handling $925
Total $77,345

You'll gonna have LOTS of scratches, swirls and web with that Jet Black. I would run away from it. It's the softest BMW paint and the worst.

[DallasLife345M]

Originally Posted by metrathon

You'll gonna have LOTS of scratches, swirls and web with that Jet Black. I would run away from it. It's the softest BMW paint and the worst.

Yeah, that is a concern of mine but I love how menacing black looks, I don't think anything beats a clean black BMW. My 335i is Sapphire Black and I really like the look - I would go Sapphire Black but it's not offered on the M-Sport

I mean look at this car..

[Boulder Bill]

Don't forget the B&O audio upgrade!

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by Brian75025

Yeah, that is a concern of mine but I love how menacing black looks, I don't think anything beats a clean black BMW. My 335i is Sapphire Black and I really like the look - I would go Sapphire Black but it's not offered on the M-Sport

I mean look at this car..

Beautiful, but that's Sapphire Black which is a very different animal. There is no "clean black BMW" in Jet Black Jet Black and "clean" just don't go together, regardless what the detailers are telling you.

[Atl550]

Originally Posted by Brian75025

Yeah, that is a concern of mine but I love how menacing black looks, I don't think anything beats a clean black BMW. My 335i is Sapphire Black and I really like the look - I would go Sapphire Black but it's not offered on the M-Sport

I mean look at this car..

I agree with you 100%. That car is fantastic!! I would have ordered the Sapphire Black (only due to the metallic handling scratches better) as well but hit the road block with the m-sport. I also wanted nappa black but couldn't do that as well. Side-by-side (I actually had my SA park them side-by-side), the jet black is just a classy color that beats out all others (in my opinion)!

And metrathon is correct, no doubt the jet black will be harder to take care of. But if you can manage to do so, it will stand out over the other colors by leaps and bounds (once again, in my opinion).

[metrathon]

You guys show me a Jet Black that looks good after a year of normal washes.

ALL my Bimmers were black, so I have a bit of experience with this color. Just the last one is Jet Black and it's a nightmare. Not just slightly worse, but a real nightmare. This is my last Jet Black, no matter what, I won't buy again.