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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions Too much lean

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      05-26-2020, 06:46 AM   #1
belcom
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Too much lean

Started driving the car harder as the temps got higher. I have an 18 540i m-sport with dynamic damper control. Just got it before winter. It is truly a beautiful comfortable ride but I expected a bit more sportier characteristics when its switched to Sport or Sport Plus. I do feel the shocks become stiffer but nowhere near stiff enough to eliminate the lean. When you do sudden directional changes it feels as if the front end is kind of "late to the party". Wish there was an actual Sport Plus suspension setting but there's only two: comfort and sport.

Anyone feels the same about dynamic dampers?
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      05-26-2020, 07:50 AM   #2
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Yes, bmw had to compromise between comfort and being nimble, they don't want sport mode to be too uncomfortable for their average buyer. You'd have to go with aftermarket if you prioritize hard driving more.
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      05-26-2020, 09:46 AM   #3
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Completely agree with you.

The 5 series has lost it's way. Don't get me wrong it's very comfortable and a great daily driver, but its lost any resemblance of sports sedan because the handling and feel just isn't there.
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      05-26-2020, 10:14 AM   #4
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Doesn’t Dynamic Handling Package help resolve that issue? I’m torn between thinking the M5 is a bit too stiff/harsh, and the 550 is too soft.

Kinda like Goldilocks. I had hoped dynamic handling package was the solution.
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      05-26-2020, 10:52 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by belcom View Post
Started driving the car harder as the temps got higher. I have an 18 540i m-sport with dynamic damper control. Just got it before winter. It is truly a beautiful comfortable ride but I expected a bit more sportier characteristics when its switched to Sport or Sport Plus. I do feel the shocks become stiffer but nowhere near stiff enough to eliminate the lean. When you do sudden directional changes it feels as if the front end is kind of "late to the party". Wish there was an actual Sport Plus suspension setting but there's only two: comfort and sport.

Anyone feels the same about dynamic dampers?
My preference was to NOT get dynamic dampers. In my view they don't provide linear response when they are in the sport setting. Unless you have anti roll bars you should expect some lean its a heavy car after all. On the flip side they are much plushier in the comfort setting.

I have passive Msport suspension and i love it. I never saw myself driving the car in any other setting. I think body roll is still there but its linear and predictable which can be mitigated. Not to mention that passive msport is about half inch lower than dynamic suspension on G30.

sorry didn't mean it to come across as I'm dissing dynamic dampers... but as you can tell i'm not a fan of this set up.
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      05-26-2020, 11:02 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lawguy View Post
Doesn’t Dynamic Handling Package help resolve that issue? I’m torn between thinking the M5 is a bit too stiff/harsh, and the 550 is too soft.

Kinda like Goldilocks. I had hoped dynamic handling package was the solution.
There's dynamic dampers package with adaptive mode and also there is a dynamic handling with active stabilization. My car does not have the active stabilization so I am not sure if that helps a lot. Have a feeling it does though. Maybe someone who has it can chime in?

I honestly never had a 5 before so I am not sure what it used to be. And don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the 540 but when pushed it doesn't stay composed/precise/sharp and feels somewhat sloppy.
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      05-26-2020, 11:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer_335 View Post
My preference was to NOT get dynamic dampers. In my view they don't provide linear response when they are in the sport setting. Unless you have anti roll bars you should expect some lean its a heavy car after all. On the flip side they are much plushier in the comfort setting.

I have passive Msport suspension and i love it. I never saw myself driving the car in any other setting. I think body roll is still there but its linear and predictable which can be mitigated. Not to mention that passive msport is about half inch lower than dynamic suspension on G30.

sorry didn't mean it to come across as I'm dissing dynamic dampers... but as you can tell i'm not a fan of this set up.
For me it was a deal I could not pass up and I didn't have a whole lot of choice and I know about the height, the gap is kind of bothering me. Its not huge but at the same time it just needs to be an inch lower to make it sit perfect. Lower center of gravity with the regular sport suspension probably helps too. I need to drive one with regular m-sport dampers and springs to see/feel the difference. I've seen a lot of people post their happy thoughts about it
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      05-26-2020, 12:39 PM   #8
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Dynamic Dampeners don't combat lean. You'll need either eARS (part of DHP) or upgrade your anti-roll bars to something more stiff.

I ordered my 2018 M550i without eARS after swearing off ARS which I had in previous 5-series (E60 and F10). I didn't like that DHP on those earlier cars had dampeners and springs that where too soft. The ARS did a great job keeping the car flat but the springs and dampeners where too soft which caused the car to squat and pitch too much when accelerating or braking. For my 2020 (2021?) M550i I broke down and ordered DHP and I hope I don't regret it.
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      05-26-2020, 01:02 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pictor View Post
For my 2020 (2021?) M550i I broke down and ordered DHP and I hope I don't regret it.
My gut is that DHP will make the the 550 a much better handling car.

I was waiting on ordering a ‘20 car until I could drive one with the option. Tool driving 3 hrs away to find one. There were none ever landing at dealers in my area (or anywhere close) but it was worth the trip to try it out. But, now I’ve missed the window for a ‘20 car and also have to wait for a ‘21.
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      05-26-2020, 04:47 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Game View Post
Completely agree with you.

The 5 series has lost it's way. Don't get me wrong it's very comfortable and a great daily driver, but its lost any resemblance of sports sedan because the handling and feel just isn't there.
May be the feel but disagree about the handling.

And haven't we heard this complaint before since the E60?
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      05-26-2020, 05:30 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lawguy View Post
Doesn’t Dynamic Handling Package help resolve that issue? I’m torn between thinking the M5 is a bit too stiff/harsh, and the 550 is too soft.

Kinda like Goldilocks. I had hoped dynamic handling package was the solution.
M5 is incredible compliant and effective. It flabbergasted me how relax this car is to handle even at insane speeds. Can you try it?
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      05-26-2020, 06:26 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by KoenG View Post
M5 is incredible compliant and effective. It flabbergasted me how relax this car is to handle even at insane speeds. Can you try it?
I loved it once. And 2 times (shorter trips) I haven’t.

I know for sure e63 is too stiff.
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      05-27-2020, 02:24 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 530iDriver View Post
May be the feel but disagree about the handling.

And haven't we heard this complaint before since the E60?
The car has plenty of understeer...that includes the M550.
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      05-27-2020, 02:53 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Game View Post
The car has plenty of understeer...that includes the M550.
I have a 2018 M550i with the DHP. Note they say the M550 does get an M sport suspension with DHP, the 540i does not.

I find the M550i to not have typical AWD understeer until you approach the extreme limit of the front tires. Understeer at or past the limit is true of most cars if you exceed the slip angle max. I've only encountered that on track and on decreasing radius corners that caught me by surprise but typically its minimal understeer, unless comparing it to an M2, etc.

Note I have switched from Goodyear RFTs to Michelin Pilot AS/3+ and that helps too. (but no track days since the switch).
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      05-28-2020, 04:17 PM   #15
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Personally, I think switching to a stiffer sway bar is the easiest way to go. If you haven't had any BMW before, my F10 535i M-sport leaned a lot as well. Many owners switched to M5 or 650i sway bar for that very same reason. Also, believe it or not, MB E-class has always been a much better car in turn. Even the base E300 stays pretty much flat through curves where my 5 series would lean like crazy. My old Audi A6 leaned a lot as well but I tried one with S-line package and that they fixed it well.
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      05-28-2020, 09:34 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueSander View Post
...MB E-class has always been a much better car in turn. Even the base E300 stays pretty much flat through curves where my 5 series would lean like crazy. My old Audi A6 leaned a lot as well but I tried one with S-line package and that they fixed it well.
I'll admit that it's been a long time since I really threw around a E-Class and that was a W210. It wasn't pretty in the corners when compared to my E39 (540i/6). I did drive a W212 but I wasn't very hard on it but it didn't leave me with a great impression either. The E-Class always felt like it was geared more towards luxury while the 5-Series was more of a sport sedan. I think that story may have changed starting with the F10 as BMW started targeting markets that like a more compliant ride and to go after the A6 and E-Class segment.
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      05-30-2020, 11:33 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lawguy View Post
My gut is that DHP will make the the 550 a much better handling car.

I was waiting on ordering a ‘20 car until I could drive one with the option. Tool driving 3 hrs away to find one. There were none ever landing at dealers in my area (or anywhere close) but it was worth the trip to try it out. But, now I’ve missed the window for a ‘20 car and also have to wait for a ‘21.
Wait for the 2021. It so worth it, especially if you get the M seats that come in the M5. I have DHP in my M550 and it does keep the body roll out but not much else.
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      05-30-2020, 02:55 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Jagu View Post
Wait for the 2021. It so worth it, especially if you get the M seats that come in the M5. I have DHP in my M550 and it does keep the body roll out but not much else.
Not following.

Wait for 2021 M5 or m550?
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      05-31-2020, 08:42 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Lawguy View Post
Not following.

Wait for 2021 M5 or m550?
2021 M550
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      06-01-2020, 07:09 AM   #20
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These cars are very heavy but I'm still pretty happy with how flat mine is around fairly tight curves at excessive speeds with the M professional suspension/active roll stabilization from the dynamic handling package.
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      06-01-2020, 06:56 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pictor View Post
I'll admit that it's been a long time since I really threw around a E-Class and that was a W210. It wasn't pretty in the corners when compared to my E39 (540i/6). I did drive a W212 but I wasn't very hard on it but it didn't leave me with a great impression either. The E-Class always felt like it was geared more towards luxury while the 5-Series was more of a sport sedan. I think that story may have changed starting with the F10 as BMW started targeting markets that like a more compliant ride and to go after the A6 and E-Class segment.
The new E-Class, at least in E53 trim, can actually handle corners pretty well for a brand that is typically associated with those in retirement homes. I actually went from G30 540i to Mercedes CLS 53, which is based off the E53, although it weighs a bit less and is a tad longer.

Overall the E350 and 450 display the typical Mercedes traits of quiet, easy and comfortable driving experience to their typical buyers. With the AMG-Lite cars, also known as the "Fake AMG's" equivalent to BMW's "M-Performance" the E53 and CLS 53 surprisingly go against their typical retiree status and drive really well despite many people typically thinking Mercedes can't do sport, and they are quiet engaging and fun to drive, not to mention the powertrain is really unique. Same for the C43, compared to the new 3-series it can really keep up, never in my life would I think that a C-Class could be as fun as a 3-series but the times have changed. Over the years Merc learned some tricks from BMW and others, and BMW has been making the 5-series since the F10 more of a small 7 rather than a big 3 to make it more luxurious but less sporty.
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