[woderd]

Hello folks, I just took order of a 3 series sport sedan with dynamic handling package. However the ride is not as soft as I was hoping for.

How is the ride in the 5 series compared to the 3?

[AP]

How long is a piece of string?!
Many variations of wheel sizes and suspensions (passive and active)
I think it best to try yourself , would probably be difficult to describe in words and what one person describes as soft might be firm to another.

[ibimmer346]

The ride in the 5 is definitely softer than the ride in the 3.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by AP

How long is a piece of string?!
Many variations of wheel sizes and suspensions (passive and active)
I think it best to try yourself , would probably be difficult to describe in words and what one person describes as soft might be firm to another.

My thinking as well.

Definitely different according to specification.

I used to think my E39 540i wagon had a superb balance of ride and handling on M-tech suspension and 17" wheels. Some F10/11 models I tried just didn't match it. My current specification on the F11 535i has Adaptive Drive and 18" run-flats. Deliberately went for this package as the best option for the 'road feel' I was after. This matches and exceeds the way the E39 coped on poor road surfaces, both for ride and handling.

Definitely towards firm, in the mid range setting, but that is how I like it, refined and with the ability to soften or stiffen the ride modes. Suits me fine, but others have commented that even in the sport setting running with my specification, they say it is too soft.

I've chosen to run 17" winter wheels to keep the refined ride during the winter months, which it does, even with cold run-flat tires.

So yes, you need to try examples, note the exact specification, wheel size, etc., so that you can specify, to get the ride/handling balance you find best.

Whether 3 or 5-series you still need to apply the same logic, as there are still the variations. But typically the 5-series will be slightly more refined and 'grown up'.

HighlandPete

[Catfish454]

Recently sold my 335i w/ sport package and replaced it with a new 535i w/ M-Sport package. There's a world of difference between the two. The 5 has a much softer ride, but does not handle nearly as well. In retrospect, I wish I had ordered it with Dynamic Damper Control so I could somewhat adjust the shock settings.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Catfish454

Recently sold my 335i w/ sport package and replaced it with a new 535i w/ M-Sport package. There's a world of difference between the two. The 5 has a much softer ride, but does not handle nearly as well. In retrospect, I wish I had ordered it with Dynamic Damper Control so I could somewhat adjust the shock settings.

BTW, it is the ARS part of the active suspension that really helps with the handling. My first drive with DDC and ARS (Adaptive Drive), it was the ARS part that blew me away, soft damper setting and you still corner flat and controlled. On sport setting, a very refined and solid handling bit of kit, without the harshness of typical passive sport suspension.

Will never be as agile as a 3-series, but for a bigger and heavy car, does a very good job, IMO.

HighlandPete

[Alan l.]

Originally Posted by Catfish454

Recently sold my 335i w/ sport package and replaced it with a new 535i w/ M-Sport package. There's a world of difference between the two. The 5 has a much softer ride, but does not handle nearly as well. In retrospect, I wish I had ordered it with Dynamic Damper Control so I could somewhat adjust the shock settings.

I agree. I went from a 3series 335i Msport to a 535xi Msport with the DDC and the ride quality is 1000x better in the 5 for comfort. It doesn't handle as well as the 3 as expected even with DDC but the car takes on bumps like its nothing. Hitting the same bumps in my old 3 would knock the cup of coffee out of your hands

Alan

[BigKutta]

The 5 is like a boat compared to the 3

[1HOT BMR]

This IMO is what makes the perfect ride/handling combo for the 5: Make sure you order Adaptive Drive (DDC+ARS) and replace the OEM runflats with a non-runflat tire like the Conti Extreme Contact DWS or the Michelin Pilot SS. You will have a very nice and cushy ride or a firm but not harsh sporty ride at the touch of a button - two cars in one! BTW, if you add IAS (Integral Active Steering) to your order the car will feel much smaller with a tighter turning radius.

[andyrp]

Everbody who has been a passenger in mine since I got it last month has commented on how comfortable it is or how smooth it drives.

Andy

[smashhell]

There is a reason why everybody say the new 5 feels like a Lincoln.
If ride comfort is all you care about, you'll be heaven.

[woderd]

My car still had the effin shipping blocks on them. I have removed them and the car actually absorbs a pot hole now...

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13134868

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

The 5 is like a boat compared to the 3

I can go with this.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

I can go with this.

It depends on which 3 you compare it to. Compare to the base line F30 or any F30 except for the sport line, the F30 is not much better than the F10.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by The X Men

It depends on which 3 you compare it to. Compare to the base line F30 or any F30 except for the sport line, the F30 is not much better than the F10.

I actually compared it to my e46, a very different animal than the F30 I am sure. Anyway, it felt like a boat when I first got it, but now I have gotten used to it and the much more comfortable ride. This is the reason why I bought a 5 series, and I knew exactly what i was getting into. I believe that regardless of the "feel", the F10 is every bit a BMW in every way

Let me also clarify what I mean by "it feels like a boat". After getting out of an e46 and into an F10, it felt much larger, especially the hood, and the larger turning radius made it feel like a boat. Believe me, the F10 is no boat and I absolutely love it

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by The X Men

It depends on which 3 you compare it to. Compare to the base line F30 or any F30 except for the sport line, the F30 is not much better than the F10.

I was comparing against the 09 M3. But a boat is a boat. 5 series non M to me is a boat.

[arnsbrae]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

I was comparing against the 09 M3. But a boat is a boat. 5 series non M to me is a boat.

Well, I've learned something today.

Apparently a boat is er, a boat.

Occam's razor at it's finest...

[VWtoBMW]

This is a link with a few good comments

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=780853

[mdrobc13]

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

This IMO is what makes the perfect ride/handling combo for the 5: Make sure you order Adaptive Drive (DDC+ARS) and replace the OEM runflats with a non-runflat tire like the Conti Extreme Contact DWS or the Michelin Pilot SS. You will have a very nice and cushy ride or a firm but not harsh sporty ride at the touch of a button - two cars in one! BTW, if you add IAS (Integral Active Steering) to your order the car will feel much smaller with a tighter turning radius.

That's what I did. Replaced my stock shocks with H&R Sport Springs and then swapped out OEM Pirelli Run Flats with Michelin Pilot Sport AS (needs em for the winter weather up here in the Pacific NW) and add to that the M Sport package and Sport Transmission and the DDC+ARS in my car and it rides very nice and is adaptable. By habit and driving style I normally put it in Sport mode for the chassis and the leave it in Sport Transmission mode about 5 secs after pushing the start button and leave it there. Add the Dinan Stage 1 tune and an Eisenmann Race Exhaust and I am loving this car daily more and more!

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

That's what I did. Replaced my stock shocks with H&R Sport Springs and then swapped out OEM Pirelli Run Flats with Michelin Pilot Sport AS (needs em for the winter weather up here in the Pacific NW) and add to that the M Sport package and Sport Transmission and the DDC+ARS in my car and it rides very nice and is adaptable. By habit and driving style I normally put it in Sport mode for the chassis and the leave it in Sport Transmission mode about 5 secs after pushing the start button and leave it there. Add the Dinan Stage 1 tune and an Eisenmann Race Exhaust and I am loving this car daily more and more!

With all that money you threw at that car you could have been in the M5. Im just saying.

[mdrobc13]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

With all that money you threw at that car you could have been in the M5. Im just saying.

Ah urban..r u joking?
Eisennman. Race= $1900
H&R Springs= $225
Dinan Stage 1= $2450
Michellin Non Run Flats= $975
Other cosmetic mods (grille, reflectors, OEM spoler, diffuser)= $750 ish
Total mods=$6300

2012 BMW 550i sold 8/12=80,945 (discounted to $72945)
BMW discounts/incentives=$4500 off
BMW CCA rebate=$1000

2013 BMW M5=$100.975 similarly equipped as my 550i option wise(cheapest I've seen at my dealer was a stripped one for $95k)

So once again tell the the logic of how my extra $6300 would have put me in an F10 M5 under the same perameters? I could have had an M5 or M6 for that matter (none were avail at my dealerships back in Aug...he has 3 M5s now sitting free to purchase on the lot!) but I didn't want to spend that $$$ to BMW when the 550i properly "adjusted" is very close to the same car in performance which I use on a daily basis on legal streets! Now if I were tracking the car or I needed to have an M badge that's different BUT I've had 3 M cars already since 2006 and have two Porsches for track duty...so I really didn't see the need to blow an extra $30k on the at this time! Sorry but worked for me!

The M5 is a great car I just think if it is not your only car or daily/track car then other options such as the 550i may fit better at a better price point. What does BMW's website call the 550i 1/2 race car...1/2 sports sedan. Done correctly I am finding that to be quite true!

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

Ah urban..r u joking?
Eisennman. Race= $1900
H&R Springs= $225
Dinan Stage 1= $2450
Michellin Non Run Flats= $975
Other cosmetic mods (grille, reflectors, OEM spoler, diffuser)= $750 ish
Total mods=$6300

2012 BMW 550i sold 8/12=80,945 (discounted to $72945)
BMW discounts/incentives=$4500 off
BMW CCA rebate=$1000

2013 BMW M5=$100.975 similarly equipped as my 550i option wise(cheapest I've seen at my dealer was a stripped one for $95k)

So once again tell the the logic of how my extra $6300 would have put me in an F10 M5 under the same perameters? I could have had an M5 or M6 for that matter (none were avail at my dealerships back in Aug...he has 3 M5s now sitting free to purchase on the lot!) but I didn't want to spend that $$$ to BMW when the 550i properly "adjusted" is very close to the same car in performance which I use on a daily basis on legal streets! Now if I were tracking the car or I needed to have an M badge that's different BUT I've had 3 M cars already since 2006 and have two Porsches for track duty...so I really didn't see the need to blow an extra $30k on the at this time! Sorry but worked for me!

The M5 is a great car I just think if it is not your only car or daily/track car then other options such as the 550i may fit better at a better price point. What does BMW's website call the 550i 1/2 race car...1/2 sports sedan. Done correctly I am finding that to be quite true!

OK Boss. Enjoy your 1/2 race car...1/2 sports sedan...