hows the ride in the 5?

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?

Originally Posted by wayner44

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?

When I am in my 5 (E60), I feel like a tank that could crush anything in my way. It feels substantial. The ride is softer and the car feels bigger. But it still turns pretty good (not as good as a 3). This is what I prefer, so I went with the F10 again (on order).

When I ride in my friend's 3 or when I get a 3 loaner, it feels much more stiff. The steering is definitely more stiff. You feel more of the road (e.g. bumps and movements). It doesn't feel nearly as substantial, either. This is what my friend prefers. So each person is different.

It sounds like you might be a better fit for a 5.

-Corey

I haven't driven the F30 but my wife did have an E92 and the F10's ride is much softer even in Sport+ mode compared to the E92. If the F30's ride is anything close to the E92, then the F10 will drive like a Lincoln Town Car for you. Many folks who complain about the soft handling of the F10 are usually those who had E90s/E92s/E60s. Folks like the go kart feel of the 3. I personally like the handling of the F10. I myself would not classify it as soft but more of a luxurious ride. However, Sport+ does make things fun. The 2013 F10 M Sport Pack now comes with M Suspension. I have the dampers so don't know how much difference the M Suspension changes the ride. You should go test drive an F10 for yourself just to compare. We all have different perceptions of ride quality.

Ride is compliant on the 528 and 535. it is much, much better than the 3 series. it's softer than the E60, but IMO from my 2011 F10 535xi there was not that big of a differece. the car was comfortable. i traded and went wit the 550xi with sport (not an M-sport) with it's adjustable suspension settings and the car is extremely comfortable.

from a person with a bad back, and a bunch of joint problems, the F10 is comfortable. I wouldn't get it though without comfort seats.

good luck!

Can you guys give me some clarification on something. With the 3 series x drive, in order for the suspension to actually change between comfort mode/sport mode I had to add the dynamic handling package. If I didnt the only thing that would actually change is the steering/throttle response/drive train.

With the 535xi Do I have to add on the Dynamic Handling Package for the suspension to actually adjust? Or does it have the ability to do this without DHP

What is the difference between the getting the DHP on the 5 series (includes Adaptive Drive) what is this? and just getting the Dynamic Damper Control as an option.

I do plan to get the M sport package in order to get the paddle shift transmission. Does the 19inch wheels make you feel the road that much more?

Does anyone think the 5 series will be getting a new look any time soon?

"Does anyone think the 5 series will be getting a new look any time soon?"

There are some slight cosmetic changes in the works.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2012/10/26/sp...ries-facelift/

The summer of 2013 or 14?

Originally Posted by wayner44

Can you guys give me some clarification on something. With the 3 series x drive, in order for the suspension to actually change between comfort mode/sport mode I had to add the dynamic handling package. If I didnt the only thing that would actually change is the steering/throttle response/drive train.

With the 535xi Do I have to add on the Dynamic Handling Package for the suspension to actually adjust? Or does it have the ability to do this without DHP

What is the difference between the getting the DHP on the 5 series (includes Adaptive Drive) what is this? and just getting the Dynamic Damper Control as an option.

I do plan to get the M sport package in order to get the paddle shift transmission. Does the 19inch wheels make you feel the road that much more?

Does anyone think the 5 series will be getting a new look any time soon?

You need the dynamic handling package in the 5 series to get adjustable suspension as well, but the dynamic handling package in the 5 series adds Dynamic Damper Control and Active Roll Stabilization. The Dynamic Damper Control option does not come with Active Roll bars. The 19" wheels has a pretty comfortable ride. We test drove a F30 base line a few months ago and the F30 have gotten much softer as well. Overall, the F10 is still a more comfortable car, if you add all the suspension options, it will handle very nicely. The good part about the F10 is that it can also be a comfortable high cruiser when you want it to be.

Originally Posted by wayner44

With the 535xi Do I have to add on the Dynamic Handling Package for the suspension to actually adjust? Or does it have the ability to do this without DHP

You need Dynamic Damper Control to be able to adjust the suspension. This is available as a stand-alone option for $1,000 or as part of the Dynamic Handling Package for $3,500.

Originally Posted by wayner44

What is the difference between the getting the DHP on the 5 series (includes Adaptive Drive) what is this? and just getting the Dynamic Damper Control as an option.

The Dynamic Damper Control option only gives you Dynamic Damper Control, which is the adjustable suspension.

The Dynamic Handling Package gives you Dynamic Damper Control and Active Drive. Active Drive adds the Active Roll Stabilization feature. The best way to explain Active Roll Stabilization is to first understand what a roll stabilizing bar is.

Most cars, at least sports cars, come with a roll stabilizing bar. This is a torsion bar that connects the left and right wheel so that when you turn sharply and the outside wheel of the turn compresses into the body of the car, rather than allow the car to roll to the outside of the turn, the stabilizing bar will transfer this compression from the outside wheel to the inside wheel. This keeps the car from leaning heavily during the turn.

However, the downside of a roll stabilizing bar is that it makes the general ride of the car stiffer. If you are going straight and go over a bump on one wheel, because there is compression when you go over the bump, the compression is transferred to the other wheel even though you are not turning. This makes for a stiffer and less comfortable ride.

So cars that only have a roll stabilizing bar are tweaked by the manufacturer to give the best balance between avoiding body roll during a turn and still providing a comfortable ride. Some manufacturers are better at this than others, which is why cars differ in their ability to turn and also provide comfort.

With Active Roll Stabilization, rather than the roll stabilizing bar always connecting the two wheels, there is a mechanical unit in the middle that can, in real-time, connect or disconnect the two wheels from roll stabilization. This means that if you are going straight, you get a nice supple ride because the compression of one wheel from a bump does not translate to the other wheel. Then when you hit a corner hard, the mechanical unit in the middle connects the two side of the torsion bar and the car then takes advantage of maximum roll stabilization (transfers a lot of the compression from one wheel to the other) to keep the car from leaning.

With the Active Roll Stabilization feature, you will get better cornering with less roll while still getting a comfortable ride. It's a $2,500 feature, so be sure you really enjoy cornering hard in your BMW or you will not need the feature.

Originally Posted by wayner44

I do plan to get the M sport package in order to get the paddle shift transmission. Does the 19inch wheels make you feel the road that much more?

More important than 19" vs. 18" are run flat tires vs. non-run flat tires. Changing out the run flats for non-run flats will generally make the ride more comfortable. I have not felt a different between the two in terms of feeling the road through the steering wheel.

-Corey

Originally Posted by wayner44

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?

You won't be disappointed, but you should get the dynamic handling option as well, and probably active roll stabilization too. Steer clear of the M5 though given your tastes.

I actually like the ride in the new M-Sport suspension. Not too soft - I suggest you drive with and without M-Sport to see which one you like.

Looks like I wont be getting a 5 series until three years from now. My dealer said I would not be able to upgrade my lease to a five series and cancel the 3 series.

Bummer...

Sorry to hear. That's one of the disadvantages of leasing.

Originally Posted by wayner44

Looks like I wont be getting a 5 series until three years from now. My dealer said I would not be able to upgrade my lease to a five series and cancel the 3 series.

Bummer...

That's not quite true: same as with purchase you can trade in your leased car (with negative equity) and either cover negative equity with cash or try to roll it into new lease.

But, same as with purchase actually, as soon as you drove off from dealership the price of your car dropped as the rock and it will be "used" car with "used car" value.

Originally Posted by wildvlad

That's not quite true: same as with purchase you can trade in your leased car (with negative equity) and either cover negative equity with cash or try to roll it into new lease.

But, same as with purchase actually, as soon as you drove off from dealership the price of your car dropped as the rock and it will be "used" car with "used car" value.

Good point.

Originally Posted by wayner44

Looks like I wont be getting a 5 series until three years from now. My dealer said I would not be able to upgrade my lease to a five series and cancel the 3 series.

Bummer...

If the car is quite new you should try to transfer the lease and throw in an incentive, instead of tolerating the car for 3 years.

Originally Posted by wayner44

Looks like I wont be getting a 5 series until three years from now. My dealer said I would not be able to upgrade my lease to a five series and cancel the 3 series.

Bummer...

Didn't you test drive the 3 series before signing up for a three year lease?

I'm beginning to feel that nobody does a test drive anymore.

Originally Posted by 5Xwen

Didn't you test drive the 3 series before signing up for a three year lease?

I'm beginning to feel that nobody does a test drive anymore.

Those quick test drives don't give you the full picture. I will try to rent a car from Budget for a day before I buy my next car.

1 week old 535 w/ M Package. Compared to my 2010 528 its like driving a Lexus.