[philipm785]

There's a lot of great information sharing on these boards, and especially a lot of great threads where we as fellow enthusiasts can help each other solve problems. So while the bulk of forum posts will tend to relate to helping with issues, I thought I'd make a quick post when I don't have any issues to say how much I really enjoy this car.

I had an F30 335i 6MT before getting my 2016 550i and was a little apprehensive about the increased size and missing third pedal. However, I have truly enjoyed every moment of owning this thing. It's gorgeous to look at, incredibly comfortable, crazy fast, has great technology which is well thought out even by 2020 standards, one of the best looking instrument clusters I've ever seen, and is just really fun to drive. The last point has been the nicest surprise to me. My LCI MSport suspension delivers a very competent handling experience that allows me to push the car a little and have a lot of fun without too much pucker factor. It'll never drive like a Miata, but that's not what this is meant to be. For me, it's been an incredible balance of fun, speed, confidence inspiring handling, and a great place to spend time on commutes.

Other than a leaky oil pan - it's pretty much a requirement in any BMW to have at least one thing leaking oil at any moment in time - it's given me very little trouble and I've never worried about it getting me to where I was going. The cherry on top is > 21 mpg long term average for 50/50 city and highway driving in a 445hp super sedan.

I know there have been some frustrating experiences for some, but I hope that by and large the rest of you guys are enjoying your cars as much as I enjoy mine.

Happy driving,
Philip.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by philipm785

...but I hope that by and large the rest of you guys are enjoying your cars as much as I enjoy mine.

Happy driving,
Philip.

I'm enjoying the daylights out of my 535i! Just got back from a 3Kish mile trip to Texas and back; gone 6 days, 4 on the road. My 535 is such a joy to drive I can't wait for another road trip! On our way back a semi decided he wanted to share the left lane with me. I punched it to keep from ending up in the center median and when I was past him and started to slow I was going through 105!

[AussieBob]

Yes the F10 is a keeper. I've had nothing but BMWs for the last 28 years in my garage spaces, other than an Audi and VW Golf for the wife, but I and she will never own either of these brands ever again, she now has a F25 X3 3.0-litre diesel ROCKET.

If the BMW products did not handle and feel as powerful and sporty as they do, I would probably never own them, but I got hooked by my first E36 318is Coupe back in 1992. All the cars are a love-hate relationship, mainly love, except for my 1994 E36 M3 3.0L S52 engined masterpiece, which is purely love. It is still in my garage and still putting smiles on my face.

I still remember the marketing brochure in 1992 using the word "cockpit" in reference to the driver's seat, the F10 still has this feeling and therefore is a keeper, the exterior and interior designs also look very good to my eye.

"Freude am Fahren" as the German's say, sheer driving pleasure (despite the odd hate bits here and there).

[masterseung]

21mpg.. I'm getting that in my 535i.

[JDMSteven]

I've had my 535i a little over 2 years and it went from daily driver to a weekend cruiser, just to try and keep the miles low. It's a 2011 and now has 44k mi, picked it up with 19k and it has been dead reliable even with fbo and JB4

[philipm785]

Beautiful car, JDMSteven.

Originally Posted by masterseung

21mpg.. I'm getting that in my 535i.

I've been surprised myself. It gets 23-25 mpg on my commute to work and back, depending on traffic, and about 18 mpg for stop start local cruising. My F30 335i got about 26 mpg average over the same duty cycle, and I was expecting this to be sub-20. For all their issues, BMW engines do an incredible job of delivering performance with a high level of fuel efficiency.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by JDMSteven

I've had my 535i a little over 2 years and it went from daily driver to a weekend cruiser, just to try and keep the miles low. It's a 2011 and now has 44k mi, picked it up with 19k and it has been dead reliable even with fbo and JB4

Nice

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Nice

Loving my VSRF Catless Downpipe I ordered from your store! Shipped super quick and I got a great deal! I wanted one for so long but it was way cheaper through your store

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by JDMSteven

Loving my VSRF Catless Downpipe I ordered from your store! Shipped super quick and I got a great deal! I wanted one for so long but it was way cheaper through your store

Im glad i was able to help

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by masterseung

21mpg.. I'm getting that in my 535i.

In town or 50/50? My lead-footed wife gets around 17 1/2 around town. I get 31+ on the freeway at above posted limits.

[masterseung]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

In town or 50/50? My lead-footed wife gets around 17 1/2 around town. I get 31+ on the freeway at above posted limits.

50/50, but lot of stop and go traffic on the hwy.. damn LA traffic

[OnlyGerman]

I love my f10 but still find myself driving the e60 more lol

[shootndrun]

Originally Posted by JDMSteven

I've had my 535i a little over 2 years and it went from daily driver to a weekend cruiser, just to try and keep the miles low. It's a 2011 and now has 44k mi, picked it up with 19k and it has been dead reliable even with fbo and JB4

What wheels are you running

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by shootndrun

What wheels are you running

666M reps from eBay for F10 chassis absolutely perfect fitment

[BMW BRAD]

In the years I've owned my 535d M Sport, I get a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel! With almost 420lb/ft torque, and 40 mpg highway. (IN ECO-PRO) I always drive in sport plus mode. It's BADAZZ! I had to search for a bit to find an M Sport, but I FREAGGIN' LOVE IT! I run 20" BBS CH-R wheels, 245/35/20 front and 285/30/20 on the rear, It handles amazing on the stock suspension.

[AussieBob]

Originally Posted by BMW BRAD

In the years I've owned my 535d M Sport, I get a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel! With almost 420lb/ft torque, and 40 mpg highway. (IN ECO-PRO) I always drive in sport plus mode. It's BADAZZ! I had to search for a bit to find an M Sport, but I FREAGGIN' LOVE IT! I run 20" BBS CH-R wheels, 245/35/20 front and 285/30/20 on the rear, It handles amazing on the stock suspension.

The M suspension is the best setup I have found over the years of BMW cars because it is designed by the factory engineers who obviously know the cars the best, and are obviously good at their jobs. The cars spend all of their time on public roads, not on a race track, so the engineers know what is required, and as far as I know no safety-recalls.

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by AussieBob

The M suspension is the best setup I have found over the years of BMW cars because it is designed by the factory engineers who obviously know the cars the best, and are obviously good at their jobs. The cars spend all of their time on public roads, not on a race track, so the engineers know what is required, and as far as I know no safety-recalls.

The standard suspension is also designed by factory engineers. Both are influenced by "bean counters" and are made for BMW style driving.

The marketing is different: standard = "classical BMW", which means an excellent balance of comfort and handling.

M-sport = "more sporty" which often means stiffer with different wheels, including staggered setup and increased speed limiter. Otherwise it is just a cosmetic option. There are some M-sport versions that have standard spring rates and brakes, some that do not.

[Surly73]

"M Sport" has become nearly meaningless, tied mostly to cosmetic options and M badges all over the place. During the entire F10 range of manufacture, not a single suspension component was any different as a result of the "M Sport" designation (though many an owner thinks it is).

The only different suspension is the "option 704" suspension, which was available for a limited run and only on RWD. If you have "option 704", your car is almost certainly labelled "M Sport", but if you have "M Sport" chances are you still don't have "option 704" unless the vehicle was very careful ordered by the original owner. You'll have "SPORT+" mode, probably a 2TB transmission option, different shift knob, thicker (and much nicer) steering wheels, nicer bumper covers, probably staggered wheels - but no suspension differences.

If you have DHP or EDC - no 704. If you have X-Drive - no 704.

And, to boot, 704 suspension is only 10mm lower on the F10. I don't believe that different sway bars were used on 704 F10s either.

[BMW BRAD]

Originally Posted by AussieBob

The M suspension is the best setup I have found over the years of BMW cars because it is designed by the factory engineers who obviously know the cars the best, and are obviously good at their jobs. The cars spend all of their time on public roads, not on a race track, so the engineers know what is required, and as far as I know no safety-recalls.

I couldn't agree more Bob! Mine was a CPO owned by a BMW executive that ordered the"option 704." I bought it from the BMW dealership with around 24,000 miles on it. The older gentleman that had special ordered the car replaced it with the same options, but White instead of Sparkling Graphite. I will never own another BMW that isn't an M Sport.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Surly73

"M Sport" has become nearly meaningless, tied mostly to cosmetic options and M badges all over the place. During the entire F10 range of manufacture, not a single suspension component was any different as a result of the "M Sport" designation (though many an owner thinks it is).

The only different suspension is the "option 704" suspension, which was available for a limited run and only on RWD. If you have "option 704", your car is almost certainly labelled "M Sport", but if you have "M Sport" chances are you still don't have "option 704" unless the vehicle was very careful ordered by the original owner. You'll have "SPORT+" mode, probably a 2TB transmission option, different shift knob, thicker (and much nicer) steering wheels, nicer bumper covers, probably staggered wheels - but no suspension differences.

If you have DHP or EDC - no 704. If you have X-Drive - no 704.

And, to boot, 704 suspension is only 10mm lower on the F10. I don't believe that different sway bars were used on 704 F10s either.

Well... My 704 equipped 535 handles significantly better than my base 535.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Well... My 704 equipped 535 handles significantly better than my base 535.

I bet it does (could also be read: "My word I hope so!") Just sayin' that "704" doesn't seem to mean as much as it used to for 5ers.

Did some digging - 704 cars do have different anti-sway bars and shocks. The parts system doesn't give diameters on front bars but the rear goes from 13mm to 14mm. The first BMW "kit" people were putting together for the F10 used a 650i rear bar which is 16mm. I'm running a 20mm from H&R on the rear now.

[EL Jeffe 5]

No better feeling than pedal to the metal in 550i