Racer's Lounge - Drove a 2011 535i Today!

I had the chance to drive my moms BMW 535i around town a few times today and on the highway. :hail: I can now understand the BMW cult, that thing drove like a dream, very very smooth acceleration, extremely quite ride, plenty of power, it was an all around pleasurable experience, a much different world than that of my F body, which i still love driving! But back on topic, i was pleasantly surprised with the speed and power of the car for how big it is. It got up and went with ease, the shifts were precise and crisp with or without the use of paddle controls or slap shifter. The car has 3 preset driving modes, normal, sport, and Sport+, you can instantly feel the difference as you shift between each mode. The seats were extremely comfortable and i had no problem riding around for extended amounts of time, the sound system was very crisp and deep, everthing about the car was pretty well designed. I would definitely give this car 4.5/5 If you ever get the chance to drive one i would definitely take it!

No disrespect to the BMW, but everything drives like a dream when you compare it to a 2001 Camaro.

That is a valid statment. lolol, but it really did drive very well!

but everything drives like a dream when you compare it to a 2001 Camaro.

Isn't that the truth. My truck rides like a Cadillac compared to my Camaro.

I've only had a chance to drive a BMW once, an '04 330Ci, and it was a nice car. Wouldn't mind one for daily driving but I could think of other cars I'd rather drive for comparable price.

No disrespect to the BMW, but everything drives like a dream when you compare it to a 2001 Camaro.

I agree. I get in my parents FJ Cruiser and Suburban and it feels like I'm riding on a cloud compared to my car. 535i is a nice car but overpriced for what you're getting, I would rather a new 300C SRT-8 or Charger SRT-8

The only thing that concerns me with BMW is the repair bills. Beyond that, great cars. Those repair costs can be ridiculous though, and I'm not all that mechanically inclined, so doing my own work is out (I hardly do anything on my current GM engines out of fear of fucking something up).

My 209K mile '94 Silverado Blazer rides nicer than my '99 Z28, which is the main reason I don't test drive vehicles right now - everything will feel amazing compared to what I have now. :lol: To be fair, Chevy Trucks do have some amazingly comfortable seats.

No comparing an fbody to a bimmer in terms of ride comfort. Although I do prefer the seats in my TA over my 335xi. I do a test with all of my domestic buddies. I get on the highway and get up to cruising speed. I ask them to guess how fast we are going without looking at the speedo. I usually get an answer of 20-30mph lower than what we are actually driving. The 5 series is even more ridiculously comfortable at high speeds than any other cars I've driven and I've driven alot considering I have rental cars every week for over 5 years. There is a reason I own two bimmers. They are some of the best cars I've ever driven for the price.

I love my mom's 335xi 6spd.

Thing is so nice and actually really fun to drive. Those turbo 6s have some balls

My dad has the new 528i with x drive for a dd. Its the new twin scroll 4 cyl, hes pushing 34 mpg city and almost 40 on the highway. We drove both the 535 and this model and there was no noticeable power difference so the better gas mileage was the way to go. His has every option including the BMW active seats which are bar-none the best non-racing seats ive ever sat in, as you drive for a period of time they move ever so slightly to keep blood flow to your extremities. anyways heres the only picture of the car, its graphite with black interior.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss20/MANbearPIG11/6e88bc3a.jpg

I too fell into the BMW cult, 01 carbon black M5 with the caramel interior. (shifts from black to blue depending on light)
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss20/MANbearPIG11/45205017.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss20/MANbearPIG11/d4ba72e6.jpg

I really like the idea of the 535i X-drive or xi depending on which year you are talking about. Make it a wagon and it will suprise quite a few folks! I'd love to have one, but I also am scared of the maintenance and repair costs.

No comparing an fbody to a bimmer in terms of ride comfort. Although I do prefer the seats in my TA over my 335xi.

What?! I assume you don't have sport then. The sport seats in my old 335xi blow away stock fbody seats by a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge margin.

I loved my 335. I will buy another in the future no doubt. It was the perfect daily driver & had plenty of power (I got a 12.9 @ 109 out of it with just Cobb tune & BMS DCI)