[335IAF]

Hey all. I'm seriously contemplating stepping out of my E90 and into an F10. I've loved the look of these cars for several years and I think i've outgrown my E90 honestly. I thought I was completely sold on an F10, until I got to sit in a 550 at the dealership and was just taken back by how much bigger it seemed. I realized it's not that much bigger of a car, but everything felt so much further away for some reason. Assuming i can get over that, How much different is a 535 from a 335? Does it really take away from the drivers experience? Does it drive like a Camry or equivalent? Trying to find what i don't know. If anyone has moved from an E90 to an F10, I'd be especially interested in your thoughts. I've had an E46 330 and now this E90. Barely been in a 5 series. Thanks for any input.

[Stück]

E90's are a childs car.

Welcome to adulthood.

[krautmeister]

There won't be a great "yes it handles like a 3 series" feedback.

It's a larger car and handles as such. In the world of larger cars.... I think it probably is one of the better handling options out there. At stock for stock, 704 sport suspension is adequate for me... I've whipped my heavy ass 550 around turns and it is ok... you won't be autocrossing slalom courses with ease.

But what you get in exchange for the last fractions of nimbleness, you get superb highway manners, good handling, good riding, and more room.... and maybe some street cred with any business passengers.

[Chad20]

Originally Posted by 335IAF

Hey all. I'm seriously contemplating stepping out of my E90 and into an F10. I've loved the look of these cars for several years and I think i've outgrown my E90 honestly. I thought I was completely sold on an F10, until I got to sit in a 550 at the dealership and was just taken back by how much bigger it seemed. I realized it's not that much bigger of a car, but everything felt so much further away for some reason. Assuming i can get over that, How much different is a 535 from a 335? Does it really take away from the drivers experience? Does it drive like a Camry or equivalent? Trying to find what i don't know. If anyone has moved from an E90 to an F10, I'd be especially interested in your thoughts. I've had an E46 330 and now this E90. Barely been in a 5 series. Thanks for any input.

I had an e92 335i sport pack, jb4 dci e85 . Also still have an e60 535i tuned as well every option , and a 2004 545i sport pack. I sold my e92 335i for an f10 535i with m sport, DHP/EDC, I can say I’m still adjusting . The 535i is not as insane as the on rails 335i is. I have not done any mods to my f10 yet but I’m happy with my purchase . It really is luxurious , you can almost forget about the 335i . I’ll wait and see when I do the dinan shockware EDC flash, as well as flashing the ecu through MP . But overall I would not switch back into the 335i right now even if I could . Oh and I’ll add . I now feel like a millionaire driving in this 535i and not a kid anymore lol

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by 335IAF

Hey all. I'm seriously contemplating stepping out of my E90 and into an F10. ....

... Trying to find what i don't know. If anyone has moved from an E90 to an F10, I'd be especially interested in your thoughts. I've had an E46 330 and now this E90. Barely been in a 5 series. Thanks for any input.

I moved from the E91 (330d) wagon to the F11 (535i) wagon, so in many ways the same comparison criteria applies.

No regrets at all, but don’t expect the move to be simply to a bigger 3-Series. The Five is a much more ‘mature’ car. It is a smaller Seven, rather than a bigger Three. Better refinement, a comfort bias, more insulated from the road, etc.. The drive will depend on the specification, suspension options being critical to get the best driving feel and handling balance. Many users will want the M-sport (704) suspension. I wanted Adaptive Drive (DHP) to get the best compromise for my needs. I find AD shrinks the size of the Five, gives a good blend of driving rewards with excellent comfort and refinement.

Depends on what you want from the car, I owned an E39 540i before my 3-series, which was a superb blend of all I want from a BMW. So my thoughts are slightly biased to the Fives being better all-round BMW models, even if they have grown a bit too big in size.

[DDD31]

F10 is a definite step up from the E90 in luxury, refinement, quality of materials, and build quality. That being said, the F10 has nowhere near the driving dynamics of the E90 (especially if you have the sport package). As other posters have stated, the F10 is geared more towards mature buyers (age wise not necessarily mentally).

[kinerin]

The F10 is not a LARGER E90, it's a slightly SMALLER 7 series.

We made the same realization (note: realization, not mistake).

My wife had nothing but 3 series for 20yrs. Loved every one of them. But we wanted a larger car for road trips. Purchased a 2014 535 xdrive new and have loved every minute behind the wheel. Comfortable, quiet, decent handling for a 4000lb+ car, but definitely NOT a 3 series.

As the old saying goes, "try it. You'll like it."

[_BSMM5]

Is the F10 535i a different body than the 550i? I thought they were the same size.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by DDD31

F10 is a definite step up from the E90 in luxury, refinement, quality of materials, and build quality. That being said, the F10 has nowhere near the driving dynamics of the E90 (especially if you have the sport package). As other posters have stated, the F10 is geared more towards mature buyers (age wise not necessarily mentally).

+1

But this is also true for most configurations available on current 3 series as well, so might as well go one up in luxury.
Fit and finish - a lot better in 5 series, cabin and road noise insulation is far superior, and not just "everyone and their neighbor" has one.
Also, friend of mine, previous E90 owner and currently in 335 claims 5 has by far more comfortable seats (I don't have enough long term experience, but do trust his judgement).

Originally Posted by jbharshman

Is the F10 535i a different body than the 550i? I thought they were the same size.

They are but the weight is not the same.

[neverdone]

I had a 2011 e90 335 SE and I absolutely miss that car all the time. The driving dynamics were far better than the 2014 535 I have.

However, everyone is right. I feel less boy racer-ish in the 5, as the design fit and finish and comfortabitlity are way ahead of the 3 series.

If you mod the suspension properly, I think it will be a very good mix of the 2, albeit, still not as good handling as the 3 series, but very good nonetheless.

[whinojosa]

I recently went from an E90, 2006 325i, to a 535i in March. First thing I noticed of course was like you, how big it felt. I had the opportunity to pick up the car in Sacramento, CA and drive home to Los Angeles. Honestly after a couple of hours behind the wheel, I felt right at home again as at speed, it really "shrinks" around you. The cockpit is really set up for the driver and makes it feel smaller after some time. The other major difference is (and I think someone mentioned it) the seating! It is ridiculously comfortable! I do have the comfort seats option though.

I was fortunate enough to grab one of a few manual transmission cars for sale at the time - while the throw is pretty long and standard to stock bmws, no short shift kits exist for the car. I had installed an OEM short shifter lifted from another model so I can't speak to the shifter feel.

As far as handling/suspension, I installed ISC coil overs on my E90 but drove the E90 for a number of years with stock sport suspension. The F10 is larger and is not as agile it seems as my old E90. However, the suspension on the F10 is not all bad at all. It is confidence inspiring, firm yet compliant and smooth. My particular model doesn't have sport suspension but it does feel stable at speed, while being sporty when needs be. I agree with another that upgraded sway bars and a slightly lower stiffer spring shock combo, it would be perfect. I mentioned I road-tripped from Sacramento to Los Angeles and if I had made the trip in the E90, my body would have been tired and sore by the end, keep in mind I'm only 35 but it still would been a tiresome road trip. In the F10, I felt refreshed and not sore at all!

I've had an E36, E46, E90 the latter two of which had modified suspensions. I'd have to say the F10 is the best feeling of them all from quality, finish and refinement. I don't feel the trade off in suspension is a deal breaker at all.

As others have stated as well, there is a different feeling being in an F10 than in the 3-series. You're in a different segment and find yourself being a better more mature driver as a result, if that makes any sense.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by neverdone

If you mod the suspension properly, I think it will be a very good mix of the 2, albeit, still not as good handling as the 3 series, but very good nonetheless.

Sums it up... "a very good mix of the 2".

The challenges to make it handle and drive like the 3-series, include having to accommodate extra weight, longer wheel base, steering ratios, etc.. All strongly influence the outcome, however we try and sort the chassis.

[krautmeister]

Originally Posted by jbharshman

Is the F10 535i a different body than the 550i? I thought they were the same size.

Same car. Better weight distribution. I had my 550 serviced and got a 535 loaner... seemed a bit sharper on the front end.

[335IAF]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. If I were going to go buy a car right now I think a 535 would fit the bill. I need to go drive one and get a real feel, but you guys answered what I was looking for. It's just not going to drive like the car I'm in now and I believe it would help me lose some of those poor driving habits like taking corners as fast.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by 335IAF

Thanks guys for all the feedback. If I were going to go buy a car right now I think a 535 would fit the bill. I need to go drive one and get a real feel, but you guys answered what I was looking for. It's just not going to drive like the car I'm in now and I believe it would help me lose some of those poor driving habits like taking corners as fast.

Oh, it's not taking corners fast that'll go away, if anything, you'll get a lot more confidence in (properly built) 535, but it'll only be "as fun" as E90 was when you get to very illegal speeds (not that I would try or endorse that kind of thing of course), otherwise 535 will just "go through those corners" with poise

It's "switchbacks" and tight corners where you'll miss E90, that nimble feel is just not there with 535, but everything else is "better", (do note the quotation marks please) but, better.....in a mature way. You also won't get your teeth fillings rattled in 5 series, E90 can be a bit on the rough side on the long drives.

Think of E90 as that girlfriend you really liked in your 20s, and 535 as her, now a woman that's matured really well and still goes to gym regularly, but prefers wine to beer, high heels and nice dresses to jeans and flip flops. (I'm going to hell for this right?? - and yes, I'm exaggerating, but all in good fun, to make a point).

Again, your "problem" in my view is not that 5 series is not E90, it's more that current 3 series isn't E90 either.
When it comes to driving dynamics, if you want to keep the same feel you have today, you probably want to give 2 series a try.

Just my $0.02 of course.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by 335IAF

Thanks guys for all the feedback. If I were going to go buy a car right now I think a 535 would fit the bill. I need to go drive one and get a real feel, but you guys answered what I was looking for. It's just not going to drive like the car I'm in now and I believe it would help me lose some of those poor driving habits like taking corners as fast.

From what I've read, you may also want to look at a 435/440i Grand Coupe - it should handle more like an E39, available with MT and a comprehensive M Performance package (that isn't just cosmetics), and still four doors.

[Pierre Louis]

My 2016 535d standard suspension with 18 inch wheels is better in almost every way than my previous car, a 2011 335d with sport package. The 335d had better throttle response but a lesser transmission. The 8 speed ZF automatic in the 5 is quite good.

I don't miss the harsher ride and there is almost no compromise to true handling (it feels heavier and bigger but when taking fast turns etc. the 5 does quite well or better). I agree with most of the previous posts - the seats are worth it just by themselves, and I have the standard sport seats.

The problem I have with the 5 is the RFT all season tires that are, IMO, sub-par. I am stuck with having a lease so I will need to replace with similar tires. While I'm sure the M-sport package will have a slightly sportier suspension, the better tires would attract me to it. For 2016, the sport transmission and "sport" steering wheel with paddle shifters was standard. I don't think the thicker M-sport steering wheel is that good - it is too thick and not really a racing wheel either.

Best to test drive and pick the car with the right options/features you like.

Cheers,

PL

[Keyser Soze]

At first you are going to be charmed by the exterior styling (still holds up!) and interior quality comforts, but that will fade once you feel the steering in the F10, especially at highway speeds. The F10 suspension will be much more forgiving than the E90, but you'll find it still can handle corners just fine.

Eventually, after a few years, you'll start forgetting about the fabulous E90 steering, but you will never come to love the F10's.

Also the F10 will need an exhaust upgrade so you can hear the engine growl properly.

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

At first you are going to be charmed by the exterior styling (still holds up!) and interior quality comforts, but that will fade once you feel the steering in the F10, especially at highway speeds. The F10 suspension will be much more forgiving than the E90, but you'll find it still can handle corners just fine.

Eventually, after a few years, you'll start forgetting about the fabulous E90 steering, but you will never come to love the F10's.

Also the F10 will need an exhaust upgrade so you can hear the engine growl properly.

To the best of my knowledge, the f10 LCI model year 2014 BMW at least partly "fixed" the steering feel. Mine has started to be excellent at around 30,000 miles - it feels "broken in" and the original tires have minimal tread making them handle better.

My 2011 e90 sport package 335d steering was nice but was definitely not "fabulous" - it felt artificially heavy. I am comparing it to my e30 318is, my Carrera 3.2 with sport suspension, my NB Miata SE, and my 1986 Porsche 944. The e90 is nothing to brag about.

PL

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by Pierre Louis

To the best of my knowledge, the f10 LCI model year 2014 BMW at least partly "fixed" the steering feel. Mine has started to be excellent at around 30,000 miles - it feels "broken in" and the original tires have minimal tread making them handle better.



PL

Is there any consensus on how they achieved that with the LCI? Is it just the hydro bushings or is there more? I'd love to update my pre-LCI to functionally better steering.

[Bmw doubles]

I miss my 335 and if you do your 335 right it doesn't have to look like immature car. See below. That car was stupid fast with a BEF from BMS with superior handling.

The f10 Msport is a not as tight as an e90 msport in regards to handling. The 535 n55 is not as quick as the e90 n55 and cant even touch the e90 n54 stock to stock. That said the f10 with the n63 motor can put it down on the e90 n55, but not by much. There are a few of us now moving towards pure stage 2 and some that already have producing substantially more power that an e90 with jb4's.

Bottom line; if you're not getting the M5, get the 550 Msport.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Pierre Louis

My 2011 e90 sport package 335d steering was nice but was definitely not "fabulous" - it felt artificially heavy.

E9x model's steering was good, but personally I think it is over-rated. My E91 steering was heavy, (non servotronic) and like many BMW models very tire/pressure/alignment sensitive for feel and precision.

My F11 (2011 build) is pretty good for an early EPS system. I don't understand all the harsh criticism in the F10/11. I think many find it hard to adapt to a lighter steering weighting. Particularly if previously driving BMW's without the servotronic system. As BMW HPAS systems, EPS is tire/pressure/alignment sensitive. EPS does require accurate calibration to ensure best feel. If the steering wheel is in any way slightly off centre, when driving straight, it takes the edge off the precision and feel.