Msport 550i without Dynamic vs. with?

Hi All,

I test drove a '13 550 M sport today. Did not have the dynamic package...was wondering how much more handling improvement is obtainable with the dynamic shocks and ARS? Can anyone that has driven both comment?

Night and Day. Huge difference! However, you need to drive both and make up your mind. If you don't find a car at a dealer perhaps someone here could offer you one for a test drive. If you can't find one and money is no object then go ahead and order it - it's worth it.

Yes, night and day. Huge difference.

Plus, drive a 2013 MSport. It has a passive sport suspension. Haven't driven one yet, but I'm sure there are differences.

Originally Posted by TGray5

Hi All,

I test drove a '13 550 M sport today. Did not have the dynamic package...was wondering how much more handling improvement is obtainable with the dynamic shocks and ARS? Can anyone that has driven both comment?

Looks like you drove the MSport, so the only thing you with Adaptive Drive is softer options on your suspension. The MSport comes with the sport suspension full time, so if you need softer go for it; otherwise MSport will be just fine.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

Looks like you drove the MSport, so the only thing you with Adaptive Drive is softer options on your suspension. The MSport comes with the sport suspension full time, so if you need softer go for it; otherwise MSport will be just fine.

I would think the anti roll bars and the sport + with the dynamic would really firm things up, no?

Originally Posted by TGray5

I would think the anti roll bars and the sport + with the dynamic would really firm things up, no?

Drive it, I didn't think so but that's me.

You should be able to find one with the package and without at the same dealer without too much trouble in SoCal.

I have always maintained that Ars is a comfort option. Drive one with DDC And no ARS and see what you think.

The F10 DDC + ARS is not like earlier sports suspensions with ARS. It's a way softer setup even in sports +. The springs are too long and soft. ARS still works great and cornering is decently flat but my guess is that the passive M-sport suspension is the best option if you prefer things to be tight and tidy. It's just a pity you can't add ARS to it. I have not driven a car with the passive sport suspension but I owned an F10 with DDC + ARS and an E60 with ARS. I now drive a 2011 M3 like yourself. The M3 has the best suspension but the E60 was close with the F10 very far behind if you prefer things on the sportier side.

Originally Posted by solstice

The F10 DDC + ARS is not like earlier sports suspensions with ARS. It's a way softer setup even in sports +. The springs are too long and soft. ARS still works great and cornering is decently flat but my guess is that the passive M-sport suspension is the best option. It's just a pity you can't add ARS to it.

I think you can still add the package to the MSport, can't you?

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

I think you can still add the package to the MSport, can't you?

I don't think so, it's my understanding that you need to add DDC to unlock the ARS option.

Originally Posted by solstice

I don't think so, it's my understanding that you need to add DDC to unlock the ARS option.

Eaxcly you can add the dynamic handling package to MSport and it replaces sport suspension.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

Eaxcly you can add the dynamic handling package to MSport and it replaces sport suspension.

Yup but you can't have the passive sport suspension with ARS which would be like an E60 sport /M-sport which is an awesome setup for a car this big.

Originally Posted by solstice

Yup but you can't have the passive sport suspension with ARS which would be like an E60 sport /M-sport which is an awesome setup for a car this big.

First, you can not compare this car to an e60... Trust me its a different car.

Yes, but with the package you can move between te sport suspension and softer settings. Think MSport, but adjustable to a offer setting should you need one. I think it's a waste of cash.

Spend that on the seats

The absolute best sport set up was the 2008 M Sport which included a firmer sports suspension, that was slightly firmer than a regular sport suspension, and ARS. That sport suspension setup was just spectacular and similar to the M5. The F10 DDC tries to be all things to all people unfortunately. The comfort setting skews everything to the too soft side and should not be on a BMW.

Originally Posted by pharding

The absolute best sport set up was the 2008 M Sport which included a firmer sports suspension, that was slightly firmer than a regular sport suspension, and ARS. That sport suspension setup was just spectacular and similar to the M5. The F10 DDC tries to be all things to all people unfortunately. The comfort setting skews everything to the too soft side and should not be on a BMW.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by pharding

The absolute best sport set up was the 2008 M Sport which included a firmer sports suspension, that was slightly firmer than a regular sport suspension, and ARS. That sport suspension setup was just spectacular and similar to the M5. The F10 DDC tries to be all things to all people unfortunately. The comfort setting skews everything to the too soft side and should not be on a BMW.

Agreed, but don't think it was called MSport, just sport package which is what I had. That car. As a perfect balance..,

Actually the 2008 M Sport 550i had a more robust sport suspension that was unique to that model. The typical sport suspension on a 5er of that time was noticeably less robust.

I would say that unless you need comfort + that it would be ok to go without it. however if you need to transport passengers that need to visit hospitals often and have procedures it is a great option to have. it can make the ride as comfortable as a cadillac without the sway.

Originally Posted by pharding

Actually the 2008 M Sport 550i had a more robust sport suspension that was unique to that model. The typical sport suspension on a 5er of that time was noticeably less robust.

I don't believe it was unique to the 550, but I think we are splitting hairs... The E60 was sweet.

If you change your springs to stiffer springs. It makes ARS 10x better and maybe even better than just the Msport suspension.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I would think the ARS would provide a stiffer anti roll bar in hard cornering and thus improve cornering...

Originally Posted by TGray5

Thanks for the feedback guys. I would think the ARS would provide a stiffer anti roll bar in hard cornering and thus improve cornering...

It absolutely does ( ars is great ) but the only way to get ARS is with DDC which only comes with long soft springs which the electronic dampers can't compensate for to provide a truly sporty ride. After market springs can improve this according to the guys that gone that route but when you sum the cost of DDC + ARS + springs + labour it's a significant amount so if the passive Msport is good enough for you it's way cheaper and carries full BMW warranty. And after market suspension is cheaper for non DDC cars but there are no sway bars to get. It's a mess and a hard decision which would have been a no brainer if BMW had put real sport springs in the DDC or offered ARS with the passive sports suspension. Good luck in deciding!

Hmm, Interesting...didn't realize the springs were different...that's discouraging. The dynamic shocks on my m3 aren't soft, so I guess they made a decision on the F10 to soften them up for DDC...bummer.

Originally Posted by TGray5

Hmm, Interesting...didn't realize the springs were different...that's discouraging. The dynamic shocks on my m3 aren't soft, so I guess they made a decision on the F10 to soften them up for DDC...bummer.

Yeah, there is no comparison between the M3 EDC and the F10s. Another thing to consider is that there are KW coilovers for the F10. But then, how do you get to test drive one?

Ya, I know the F10 will never handle like an M3, just want a little more than what I experienced on the '13 M sport I test drove.