F10 550i has won me over

After 3000 miles , I am used to my F10 550i and am enjoying the car, I no longer miss the E60, I am used to the steering and suspension. I can feel the BMW inside this car. Now I have to refrain from driving other cars so I can keep my F10 high.

And the award for the most qualified recommendation goes to....

Originally Posted by highyo

And the award for the most qualified recommendation goes to....

Highyo, you seriously have the best car pics. Are you a photog?

Originally Posted by bavariancraving

Highyo, you seriously have the best car pics. Are you a photog?

Why thank you very much, my wife has a great camera and I love taking pics of the car, but it's all amateur stuff. Nikon d200 w a nikor lens. And I caught the car on a perfect rainy morning.

And I'm really shocked that solstice doesn't think the f 10 is fun. Really and truly.

Originally Posted by highyo

Why thank you very much, my wife has a great camera and I love taking pics of the car, but it's all amateur stuff. Nikon d200 w a nikor lens. And I caught the car on a perfect rainy morning.

Actually your wife's D200 is a very nice camera, not a consumer-grade DSLR. I have a D200 and D300. A lot of photography is not the equipment, but the "eye" of the person behind the camera. I agree, your shots of your car have been very interesting and way above average composition and technique actually. Also, the quality and capability of the lenses (and Nikon makes some very nice ones) is more important than the actual camera. Me? I'm an advanced amateur with a closet-full of top-grade Nikon gear. You might have a natural photog "eye" and not know it .

Originally Posted by markl53

Actually your wife's D200 is a very nice camera, not a consumer-grade DSLR. I have a D200 and D300. A lot of photography is not the equipment, but the "eye" of the person behind the camera. I agree, your shots of your car have been very interesting and way above average composition and technique actually. Also, the quality and capability of the lenses (and Nikon makes some very nice ones) is more important than the actual camera. Me? I'm an advanced amateur with a closet-full of top-grade Nikon gear. You might have a natural photog "eye" and not know it .

well i guess that's a feather in my cap! thank you very much, i really do like taking pics of the car. maybe i should make it a career. are you listening road and track?

Originally Posted by markl53

Actually your wife's D200 is a very nice camera, not a consumer-grade DSLR. I have a D200 and D300. A lot of photography is not the equipment, but the "eye" of the person behind the camera. I agree, your shots of your car have been very interesting and way above average composition and technique actually. Also, the quality and capability of the lenses (and Nikon makes some very nice ones) is more important than the actual camera. Me? I'm an advanced amateur with a closet-full of top-grade Nikon gear. You might have a natural photog "eye" and not know it .

what no D3X?

After 5000 miles, I'm used to it too. Oh wait, you're talking about the F10 itself, I was talking about the smile I get every time I hit the gas pedal.

Good to hear something positive from an F10 owner for a change, as I'm deciding weather to pull the trigger on an 550i M sport myself. I've been reading so many posts about unhappy owners that Im not sure if I really should go for it or keep looking for something else.

Casper - what was not to love from day 1?

10,000 miles today... it's been excellent. No grinding, burnt through a set of RFTs in 1 track day and replaced with PSS, and no complains about the steering.

Originally Posted by ifnd323

Casper - what was not to love from day 1?

Coming from an E60, I can understand his comments. Much has been made of this, but the F10 is a very different car from the E60. I don't begrudge anyone who doesn't like the F10. It is more isolated, more aloof than the E60.

I am glad, for him, that he has come around. I hate to see anyone be sad about a $70k purchase.

I have covered 5450 miles trouble free in mine, and goes like stink.

I'm also an E60->F10 owner and I think the F10 is a far better drive. I'm not a particular fan of the aesthetics, but that's a different issue.

I think once one understands how the electronic steering works and why there is no gyroscopic feedback, the F10 just handles better than the E60. The steering is more precise and the suspension is a LOT better.

More importantly, the dynamic handling is a giant leap forward from the E60.
BMW traditionalists lament the loss of mechanical roadfeel, but that is NOT what the BMW driving paradigm is about these days. The paradigm is about dynamic handling. That is, the car should adapt to a broad range of driving styles and conditions.
So if I'm driving in the city I don't want stiff, mechanical road feel or a steep throttle curve. I want ultra damp suspension that chews up uneven pavement, lighter steering, and a flatter acceleration curve.
If I'm driving on a freeway commute I want stiffer suspension and steering at speed.
If I'm cranking alpine turns I need even more throttle response and steering feedback.

The F10 doesn't have the mechanical roadfeel of the E60 (which didn't have the mechanical roadfeel of the E39). But it has WAY better dynamic range in handling. Flip a switch and you can feel everything dampen or stiffen immediately. It is the ability to drive 3 or 4 different cars by flipping one control, depending on conditions and style.

This may not satisfy the 1% enthusiast crowd whom BMW doesn't mind losing to Porsche or other brands. But BMW understands far better than most on this enthusiast-oriented board that the target demographic for the 5-series is one that uses the vehicle for a broad range of activities from the frequent mundane commute to the occasional sport driving. And the car is tailored to address that dynamic range of driving styles and conditions.

They also understand that BMW's are no longer driven primarily on autobahn or the smooth American freeways of yore. They are now driven in Indonesia, China, Brazil, Russia, India, and other global markets where road conditions, driving styles and vehicle use varies a lot. And importantly, where fuel prices and therefore fuel efficiency matters a LOT. This is not just an issue of US CAFE regulations. Environmental regulation and consumer preferences matter a lot to BMW owners around the world.

In this dynamic respect the F10 is a FAR better vehicle than the E60. You may miss the E60 on the 1% of days when you're on a track or a true high performance situation (and even that is arguable I think), but it will be an incomparable ride for the 99% range of driving conditions you will find yourself in. The Ultimate Driving Machine is no longer about a static, predictable, mechanical track feel but rather about addressing a tailored and dynamic range of driving. Traditionalists might not like the paradigm, but I think it's inane to dismiss it as a betrayal of BMW values.

Deleted! I suck at using the iPad

deleted!

Originally Posted by schraderade

Deleted! I suck at using the iPad

+1

would be nice to stick an Ipad on the steeringwheel though.

Originally Posted by schraderade

This may not satisfy the 1% enthusiast crowd whom BMW doesn't mind losing to Porsche or other brands. But BMW understands far better than most on this enthusiast-oriented board that the target demographic for the 5-series is one that uses the vehicle for a broad range of activities from the frequent mundane commute to the occasional sport driving. And the car is tailored to address that dynamic range of driving styles and conditions.

You have a point, but BMW was about 100% enthusiast crowd back when they had the 2002Tii, that % has been declining, but never to 1% , I figure BMW still had over 50% enthusiast crowd as customer base.

schraderade, does any of that really matter when the car isn't especially fun to drive? That's the real rub here not what is technically "better".
Fun to drive is a BMW core value.

And it's not only enthusiasts like myself or hard core racers like my dad that thinks so, my wife who is a competent driver but not really an enthusiast asked once to drive the F10 and never again while we were literally fighting every day on who was going to drive the E60. She is still a bit intimidated by the M3

Schrad- Wow. Really?

What BMW was long stood for is an excellent driving experience. NOT dynamic handling computer software. The F10 is not even close to the E60. Proof is in how Audi is smoking BMW in the A6 vs 5 series battles now. Have you watched that video of the comparison? The bmw handles and rolls like an eighties GM car. Not tight at all.

Originally Posted by mikeriley

The bmw handles and rolls like an eighties GM car. Not tight at all.

I hope you are not being serious.

I don't have my F10 yet, so I can't comment how I will feel in the days after of me driving it from SC to NJ, but I can assure you, and everyone else, that the F10 does indeed have good handling, and is certainly way, way, way ahead of any 80's GM product, or the Escalade. People are getting a little too dramatic to prove a point. I mean, comparing the F10 to a Lexus or a Buick? Seriously?

Several comments have pointed out that xyz car does better, etc. Has anyone actually driven some of these cars that they are promoting? I've driven both the A6 and the E. The A6 is a great car with Audi really stepping their game up. The E was a complete snooze. And to anyone that drove the S at the Team USA event, if you want to talk about disconnected, that car is it.

And please don't lump me in as an F10 apologist. I heavily considered and very much liked the A6. The F10 seriously needs to lose some weight. The tire choices are poor. And even though it was quite some time ago, I remember the E39 being a better drivers car than the F10. I also know that the 3er has grown up in size and is more the heir apparent to the vaunted E39 crown. The 5er has "matured" for lack of a better word. You want balls to the wall driving performance? Get an M3. They were running some great lease deals on them, that I considered. Or an M5 if you have the coin. Or 1M. Or 135 with performance pack. The 1 is a great drivers car.

For me, I look forward to putting the F10 in Sport or Sport+ and really tearing it up, knowing full well that the 400 HP will bring a smile to my face.

my 550i with DHP in sport+ and the right tires right now was doing pretty well even though I only ran 3 20 mins sessions. (note mine is putting out more HP than stock) the thing that's lacking is not the suspension. When you push it hard it's actually stiffens up pretty well. Brakes are a whole different story. Stock pads and fluid just can't handle the weight and starts to lose it's bite. I was doing pretty well in sticking close to some M3's and actually pull hard on them on the straights

Originally Posted by alewifebp

I hope you are not being serious.

I don't have my F10 yet, so I can't comment how I will feel in the days after of me driving it from SC to NJ, but I can assure you, and everyone else, that the F10 does indeed have good handling, and is certainly way, way, way ahead of any 80's GM product, or the Escalade. People are getting a little too dramatic to prove a point. I mean, comparing the F10 to a Lexus or a Buick? Seriously?

Several comments have pointed out that xyz car does better, etc. Has anyone actually driven some of these cars that they are promoting? I've driven both the A6 and the E. The A6 is a great car with Audi really stepping their game up. The E was a complete snooze. And to anyone that drove the S at the Team USA event, if you want to talk about disconnected, that car is it.

And please don't lump me in as an F10 apologist. I heavily considered and very much liked the A6. The F10 seriously needs to lose some weight. The tire choices are poor. And even though it was quite some time ago, I remember the E39 being a better drivers car than the F10. I also know that the 3er has grown up in size and is more the heir apparent to the vaunted E39 crown. The 5er has "matured" for lack of a better word. You want balls to the wall driving performance? Get an M3. They were running some great lease deals on them, that I considered. Or an M5 if you have the coin. Or 1M. Or 135 with performance pack. The 1 is a great drivers car.

For me, I look forward to putting the F10 in Sport or Sport+ and really tearing it up, knowing full well that the 400 HP will bring a smile to my face.

Yes, some extreme comparisons can and have been made. But, its not without merit. The f10 sways quite a bit in cornering and does not perform at all like BMW of old. Been a very big BMW fan for years, 3rd one in 3 years, started with E60 535 sport, M3 vert, and now 550 msport. This thing handles like a pig. And most importantly, I don't appreciate dropping over 80K on a car and having to change the tires. Never happened to me before with BMW. People have to face the reality, sure the new F10 is a nicer sportier lexus, great interior, nice styling, but not a true drivers car anymore. its much more for possers now. Yes I have one, but it was a mistake.

Originally Posted by mikeriley

Yes, some extreme comparisons can and have been made. But, its not without merit. The f10 sways quite a bit in cornering and does not perform at all like BMW of old. Been a very big BMW fan for years, 3rd one in 3 years, started with E60 535 sport, M3 vert, and now 550 msport. This thing handles like a pig. And most importantly, I don't appreciate dropping over 80K on a car and having to change the tires. Never happened to me before with BMW. People have to face the reality, sure the new F10 is a nicer sportier lexus, great interior, nice styling, but not a true drivers car anymore. its much more for possers now. Yes I have one, but it was a mistake.

Um. This is reality:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...-mercedes.html

People are facing up to it by buying the car in record numbers. That's a lotta posers to be hating :-)

You could always try selling your 550i and buying that old fashioned roadfeel you love. There will be plenty of cash left over for aftermarket tuning to get that sweet beast just the way you like it.

Originally Posted by mikeriley

Yes, some extreme comparisons can and have been made. But, its not without merit. The f10 sways quite a bit in cornering and does not perform at all like BMW of old. Been a very big BMW fan for years, 3rd one in 3 years, started with E60 535 sport, M3 vert, and now 550 msport. This thing handles like a pig. And most importantly, I don't appreciate dropping over 80K on a car and having to change the tires. Never happened to me before with BMW. People have to face the reality, sure the new F10 is a nicer sportier lexus, great interior, nice styling, but not a true drivers car anymore. its much more for possers now. Yes I have one, but it was a mistake.

great job poseur.. LOL