OT: Z4 vs 528i.. am I just spoiled?

marcw · 05-27-2011, 11:12 AM

When I took my Zed to the dealer to get the HPFP recall done they gave me a brand new F10 528i as a loaner car. Had 60 miles on it. At first I was dazzled by all the electronics in this thing. My wife drives a E61 so I'm somewhat familiar with the look and feel of a 5 series. This new F10 has way more electrical gadgets in the cockpit compared to our E61. The instrument panel looks something more akin to a plane cockpit than to a car. After marveling at the electronics and a few deep breath of new car smell I drove it off the lot.

And that's where the surprises came. For one the steering wheel is so thin it feels like it belongs in something like a Ford Escort not in a 5 series clocking in at 3800lbs. My wife's steering wheel is much thicker and feels more like a M sports steering wheel. Then came the suspension. Holy molly, this thing drives like a boat! The suspension is so soft that it feels like it's swaying in the corners. It reminded me of the time I rented a Buick for a week while on vacation. Yuck! I'm not a fan of automatic transmissions anyway, but the tranny in this thing was just too much. When accelerating from a standstill the car seemed to be in slow-motion for the first second or two and then turned into 'race car' mode trying to accelerate in one jerk. It was difficult to have a smooth start from a red light or a stop sign.

I enjoy driving my wife's E61 and it doesn't feel anything like this F10 did. Honestly if this would have been a test drive I would have looked for a different car to buy. I guess I'm just spoiled from driving my Zed. I hope BMW will continue to build drivers cars that are fun to drive, not driving Miss Daisy chauffeur cars with Buick feel.

tiemedown · 05-27-2011, 01:42 PM

Yes..The new 5 series are very very soft

HerrK · 05-27-2011, 05:45 PM

So of the new BMW's (1ers & 3ers) I have had for loaners during flat tires and oil changes. I liked the 1 series. The E9X 3 series ride nice but the driving (steering & braking) experience is just not there like the older E46's. I guess you now have to ante up to the M's if you want a driving car.

egtownsend · 05-27-2011, 05:54 PM

When I first joined this forum site I was in the market for a 5 series. I signed up over at the F10.

I test drove the 535i xDrive. I can't disagree with you more, but maybe my car's options would have provided a different ride. You definitely feel the difference with the extra HP, and the sport package and AWD really help keep it smooth. It's never harsh, maybe less of a driver's car than the Z or even the old 5, but it's designed for a different purpose. It's very VERY comfortable at all speeds, and cocoons the front passengers in that gorgeous cabin comfortably and has enough gizmos to keep you entertained and relaxed. I would have got it for completely different reasons than the Z, but still would've enjoyed it immensely. I drove the old A6 (would've tried the new one, were any around), and the E350 and I really loved the F10 more than those cars.

I am glad I opted for the Z, but had the lease offer not been so good I might have gone with the 5.

My $0.02.

marcw · 05-27-2011, 07:50 PM

I don't think AWD with sports package can be compared with run off the mill bare bones 528. Of course the Zed and the F10 are completely different cars with different feel. What I was trying to say was that the F10 feels much worse (to me) compared to my wife's E61. It is way too soft in the suspension department for my taste. Just my $.02.

Quote:

Originally Posted by egtownsend

You definitely feel the difference with the extra HP, and the sport package and AWD really help keep it smooth.

richard in NC · 05-28-2011, 08:35 AM

I test drove an F10 550i with the sport/active handling/etc packages vs my '08 550i. Even with all the goodies, it felt soft compared to the '08. I could live with needing to be in sport mode to enjoy the BMW handling but even there, the steering feel and tightness just wasn't as good as the '08. Even the X5 50i felt better and sounded better, so I traded for it instead.

al1 · 05-30-2011, 08:56 AM

Couple months ago, I drove a new 5.35 from Turkey to Greece, It was about 1000miles both ways and I have never driven a comfortable like it before. There is some body roll because of the suspension setup and its size. You shouldn't forget that it is not meant to be a sport car anyways, it is very comfortable, fast and nice sounding sedan.
Also it is very fun on the highway.. that jerky feeling goes away when you switch to sport plus and going over 60 70 mh .. I dont know I really like the car, I believe m5 or even 5.50 should have the proper suspension and tune for a more aggressive ride quality..

05-27-2011, 11:12 AM	#1
marcw Captain 584 Rep 695 Posts Drives: 2021 M2 Competition Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, OR USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Porsche C4S Coupe [0.00] 2019 330ix Sportwagon [0.00] 2014 Jaguar F-Type ... [0.00] 2021 M2 Competition [0.00]	OT: Z4 vs 528i.. am I just spoiled? When I took my Zed to the dealer to get the HPFP recall done they gave me a brand new F10 528i as a loaner car. Had 60 miles on it. At first I was dazzled by all the electronics in this thing. My wife drives a E61 so I'm somewhat familiar with the look and feel of a 5 series. This new F10 has way more electrical gadgets in the cockpit compared to our E61. The instrument panel looks something more akin to a plane cockpit than to a car. After marveling at the electronics and a few deep breath of new car smell I drove it off the lot. And that's where the surprises came. For one the steering wheel is so thin it feels like it belongs in something like a Ford Escort not in a 5 series clocking in at 3800lbs. My wife's steering wheel is much thicker and feels more like a M sports steering wheel. Then came the suspension. Holy molly, this thing drives like a boat! The suspension is so soft that it feels like it's swaying in the corners. It reminded me of the time I rented a Buick for a week while on vacation. Yuck! I'm not a fan of automatic transmissions anyway, but the tranny in this thing was just too much. When accelerating from a standstill the car seemed to be in slow-motion for the first second or two and then turned into 'race car' mode trying to accelerate in one jerk. It was difficult to have a smooth start from a red light or a stop sign. I enjoy driving my wife's E61 and it doesn't feel anything like this F10 did. Honestly if this would have been a test drive I would have looked for a different car to buy. I guess I'm just spoiled from driving my Zed. I hope BMW will continue to build drivers cars that are fun to drive, not driving Miss Daisy chauffeur cars with Buick feel.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-27-2011, 01:42 PM	#2
tiemedown Private First Class 4 Rep 168 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	Yes..The new 5 series are very very soft
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 05:45 PM	#3
HerrK Captain 42 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 21 X5 40i, 77 R100Rs Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	So of the new BMW's (1ers & 3ers) I have had for loaners during flat tires and oil changes. I liked the 1 series. The E9X 3 series ride nice but the driving (steering & braking) experience is just not there like the older E46's. I guess you now have to ante up to the M's if you want a driving car. __________________ HerrK - 2021 X5 40i M Sport l PCD l Atlantis Blue/Ext'd Tartufo Merino l M Sport w/blue Calipers l Matt Popular l HK Sound l 740's l Exec & Drive Pro Pack Sold w/Great Memories - E89 Z4 l ED 2010 l 2011 35i l Crimson/Ext'd Coral Red w/Alum l 6 sp MT l Prem Sound l Sport Pack l 296's
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 05:54 PM	#4
egtownsend Private 16 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 550i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	When I first joined this forum site I was in the market for a 5 series. I signed up over at the F10. I test drove the 535i xDrive. I can't disagree with you more, but maybe my car's options would have provided a different ride. You definitely feel the difference with the extra HP, and the sport package and AWD really help keep it smooth. It's never harsh, maybe less of a driver's car than the Z or even the old 5, but it's designed for a different purpose. It's very VERY comfortable at all speeds, and cocoons the front passengers in that gorgeous cabin comfortably and has enough gizmos to keep you entertained and relaxed. I would have got it for completely different reasons than the Z, but still would've enjoyed it immensely. I drove the old A6 (would've tried the new one, were any around), and the E350 and I really loved the F10 more than those cars. I am glad I opted for the Z, but had the lease offer not been so good I might have gone with the 5. My $0.02.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-28-2011, 08:35 AM	#6
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	I test drove an F10 550i with the sport/active handling/etc packages vs my '08 550i. Even with all the goodies, it felt soft compared to the '08. I could live with needing to be in sport mode to enjoy the BMW handling but even there, the steering feel and tightness just wasn't as good as the '08. Even the X5 50i felt better and sounded better, so I traded for it instead. __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2011, 08:56 AM	#7
al1 Private 6 Rep 88 Posts Drives: z4 35i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Istanbul / Turkey iTrader: (0)	Couple months ago, I drove a new 5.35 from Turkey to Greece, It was about 1000miles both ways and I have never driven a comfortable like it before. There is some body roll because of the suspension setup and its size. You shouldn't forget that it is not meant to be a sport car anyways, it is very comfortable, fast and nice sounding sedan. Also it is very fun on the highway.. that jerky feeling goes away when you switch to sport plus and going over 60 70 mh .. I dont know I really like the car, I believe m5 or even 5.50 should have the proper suspension and tune for a more aggressive ride quality..
	Appreciate 0 Quote