[Jason]

Autocar has posted their review of the F10 535d M-Sport, calling it an excellent executive all-rounder with extraordinary performance for a diesel saloon car, capable of besting the factory quoted 5.7 second 0-62mph in real world performance. Not bad for car that gets 46.3 MPG! Here is their review.

BMW 5 Series 535d M Sport First Drive

Test date 03 December 2010 Price as tested £45,320

What is it?

There are two separate pieces of 5-series news to talk about here, but unfortunately only one that we'll get to the bottom of. The first is the return of the 535d to the range, absent since the launch of the F10. The second, that it is now possible to buy a 5-series in M Sport specification.

What's it like?

Although retaining two turbochargers, the 35d engine has been comprehensively re-engineered and now produces 295bhp and 442lb ft of torque. Much as before, the car is available only with an automatic transmission, but the 'box now has eight speeds. The performance for a diesel saloon car is extraordinary; if anything, the claimed 0-62mph time of 5.7sec undersells the real-world, on-demand response.

Perhaps of more relevance, though, is that this new 535d is significantly more refined than the previous model, which could occasionally feel and sound slightly coarse. Why exactly is difficult to pinpoint; it could be the new engine and gearbox or simply because the F10 employs more sound deadening than its predecessor.

The biggest question, though, is whether you actually need the extra performance, given that the 530d is now such a competent and potent motor. For those deciding that the half-a-second gain in the 0-62mph time is worth the extra £3425, the consolation is that the 535d matches the 530d’s claimed economy figures and produces just 2g/km more CO2.

And so to the M Sport specification, which is available throughout the range at a cost of £3225 over SE trim. You can come to your own conclusions about the visual changes, which consist of new valances, sills, wheels and a bootlid spoiler on the outside and an M Sport steering wheel, sport seats, anthracite roof lining and aluminium trim inside.

As standard, M Sport also brings recalibrations to the suspension (springs, dampers and ride height). However, this is far from the end of the story, because it is possible to opt for the M Sport look but retain the SE suspension settings. And if (as here) you specify the £2220 optional Adaptive Drive pack (active dampers and anti-roll bars), the situation gets even more complicated. Because with Adaptive Drive, the suspension and ride height revert to SE specification, meaning this M Sport 535d drives no differently from a similarly optioned SE model.

So is it an option worth ticking? Sadly, that's not a question we can fully answer just yet, as we've not tried a passively damped M Sport 5-series. What we can say is that in SE trim, Adaptive Drive does improve the 5-series' composure and ride quality, and given that this is effectively what we've got here, the 535d M Sport is an extremely pleasant car to drive, if no more sporting than an SE, even if its styling might suggest it is.
Should I buy one?

With BMW offering such a broad spectrum of optional technology, selecting the optimal 5-series specification was already difficult, which the arrival of M Sport has now only made more complex. What's clear, though, is that a 535d M Sport with all the toys is an excellent executive all-rounder, if an expensive one. But it also poses yet more questions – mainly about the passive M Sport set-up. Watch this space.

Jamie Corstorphine

BMW 535d M Sport

Price: £45,320; 0-62mph: 5.7sec; Top speed: 155mph (limited); Economy: 46.3mpg (combined); CO2: 162g/km; Kerb weight: 1790kg; Engine: 6 cyls in line, 2993cc, twin-turbodiesel; Power: 295bhp at 4400rpm; Torque: 442lb ft at 1750rpm; Gearbox: 8-spd automatic

[johnbmw6]

Coming from the 2010 M3, Mine's on order 550i M Sport, NO comparison to the "Soft" SE at all. The thing is these writers have no chance of owning a decent car, and get limited time to judge any and all they drive, ignore them they are just "wan-a-bees"

[lamj]

if this were available in the US I'd jump on it in a heartbeat

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by lamj

if this were available in the US I'd jump on it in a heartbeat

+1. you get performance without the sacrifice of fuel consumption.

[indus]

Isn't the article full of mistakes?

1) The power is 299 BHP not 295 BHP as stated

2) The car does not come with a rear spoiler as standard.

[johnbmw6]

Originally Posted by indus

Isn't the article full of mistakes?

1) The power is 299 BHP not 295 BHP as stated

2) The car does not come with a rear spoiler as standard.

Yep your getting the idea, they are so pushed to get the article out, they do ever get the specs or facts right, speaks volumes does it not?.

[Terza]

Originally Posted by indus

Isn't the article full of mistakes?

1) The power is 299 BHP not 295 BHP as stated

Well, the power is actually 220KW = 299 HP (or PS) = 295 BHP.

BHP isn't the same as HP or PS.

[ppatel223]

BMW please offer this engine in more series, specially in 5 series, damn retards

[James T. Kirk]

What they're getting at is that the M-Sport package is little more than a cosmetic upgrade. It's too bad BMW so freely M's-up any of their model cars for such a small price upgrade. I think doing so diminishes the 550 and M models generally.

Once again, gosh forbid BMW leaves any money on the table for aftermarket body vendors.

[remmib]

This car must be a blast to drive,
too bad it's so expensive here with that powerful engine.

Originally Posted by Terza

Well, the power is actually 220KW = 299 HP (or PS) = 295 BHP.

BHP isn't the same as HP or PS.

Correct, but both BMW Germany and BMW Norway lists 220kW as 300HP.

[Terza]

Originally Posted by remmib

This car must be a blast to drive,
too bad it's so expensive here with that powerful engine.

Correct, but both BMW Germany and BMW Norway lists 220kW as 300HP.

Listing it as 300hp is just marketing...

Anyway, it definitely is a great car and probably my next one. And it's bloody expensive here too...

[indus]

Originally Posted by ppatel223

BMW please offer this engine in more series, specially in 5 series, damn retards

What do you mean? BMW does offer it in the 5 series, and the 7 series and the X5

[indus]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

What they're getting at is that the M-Sport package is little more than a cosmetic upgrade. It's too bad BMW so freely M's-up any of their model cars for such a small price upgrade. I think doing so diminishes the 550 and M models generally.

Once again, gosh forbid BMW leaves any money on the table for aftermarket body vendors.

What exactly are you talking about then?

How does a M Sport package diminish a proper M car? Who in their right mind thinks that a 520d with M Sport package is some kind of competitor for a 500+ BHP full M car???

And please explain why BMW should be doing favours for after market body vendors. To be honest after market kits look awful, cheap and ghetto

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by indus

How does a M Sport package diminish a proper M car? Who in their right mind thinks that a 520d with M Sport package is some kind of competitor for a 500+ BHP full M car???

And please explain why BMW should be doing favours for after market body vendors. To be honest after market kits look awful, cheap and ghetto

+1

HighlandPete

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by ppatel223

BMW please offer this engine in more series, specially in 5 series, damn retards

Amen...

Why not make this vehicle available in the US... I would love to buy this as a second car...

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by indus

What do you mean? BMW does offer it in the 5 series, and the 7 series and the X5

not in US.

[ppatel223]

535D would and will out sell 535i in US, gas is back up at $3, BMW bring this damn model in US SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!