435 msport test drive

twssas · 10-08-2014, 08:56 AM

We are in the process of looking for a future replacement of wifes 535......

Here is what we have tested to this point:

M235: Seemed to be a fun car to drive, steering seemed firm....lots of power......but limited on options....eg, no hud, upgraded sound system poor, no top down camera option....The Michelin summer tires that come on this car are great!

2014 435 sport line: Steering was absolutely horrible, regardless of comfort mode, or sport mode.(18 inch all season) You could almost drive with one finger. Reason we drove this vehicle it was the only 435 the dealer had on the lot, and it was used.

M4: terrific! Steering, power, comfort, sound. However, wife did like it, BUT, it will be her daily driver, and with the DCT dont know how well she will do with that.....would hate to see her drive the back of the garage wall, since you have to "tap" the accelerator to get into "creep" mode.

2015 435 M sport, with 19"summer performance tires, and DHP. Dealer just got this one in....so we went to test drive to see if it was different than the sport line we had driven earlier......This car was totally different...steering was much better, I dont know if it was the DHP/variable speed steering, or the tires, or a combination of both....but steering was much, much, stiffer. Still not as good as wifes e60 (sports package), but nevertheless for electric steering, good. Power of course was good.....sound system very good........but....the brakes......standard brakes.......you really had to mash them....Dont know if was just this car, or what....but defineatley did not care for the brakes......maybe the upgraded m-brake package would be appropriate.....

Anyway......we continue to struggle a bit with the decision..she doesnt want another 5 series...(she says too big for her)......the 435 msport probably meets most of the needs.....but really was surprised with the brakes......

Did a quick search and did not find any real threads on standard brake issues.....except in most discussions, the consensus was that the msport brake would be overkill.....appreciate any comments and experiences you guys might have.
__________________

zamboni · 10-08-2014, 09:07 AM

Are you going after the coupe only or sedan is an option? I just picked up an F30 335i Msport and the brakes on this car is excellent. How about the grand coupe?

F32Fleet · 10-08-2014, 09:12 AM

The brakes on the m-sport were probably just new and cold.

I have about 400 miles on my 435 m-sport and compared to my 335d (non-sport) the brakes are more progressive /less twitchy. They very much remind me of my e90 330/e46 330 sport brakes.

twssas · 10-08-2014, 09:14 AM

She might consider the sedan, but she will be the only person in the car 90% of the time....and rarely uses the back seat for anything. I dont think she is interested in the Grand Coupe....

twssas · 10-08-2014, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

The brakes on the m-sport were probably just new and cold.

I have about 400 miles on my 435 m-sport and compared to my 335d (non-sport) the brakes are more progressive /less twitchy. They very much remind me of my e90 330/e46 330 sport brakes.

You really had to mash them (the brakes).....I think the car had about 30 miles on it.

airwolf878 · 10-08-2014, 09:32 AM

I have a 435 M-Sport, and I'm not terribly impressed with the standard brakes either. Compared to my previous E92 335, I find myself having to get on the brakes a lot harder to stop fast. Coming to a complete stop at a light never gives a consistent experience - sometimes it stops smoothly and other times there's a harsh jerk as the brakes grab. It almost seems like the car is always fighting you to stop because it wants to keep going.

twssas · 10-08-2014, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airwolf878

I have a 435 M-Sport, and I'm not terribly impressed with the standard brakes either. Compared to my previous E92 335, I find myself having to get on the brakes a lot harder to stop fast. Coming to a complete stop at a light never gives a consistent experience - sometimes it stops smoothly and other times there's a harsh jerk as the brakes grab. It almost seems like the car is always fighting you to stop because it wants to keep going.

Your description is pretty represenative of the experience we had yesterday.....we did not have the harsh jerking.....just the mashing to get it to stop.....wifes e60, it stops you right now.....same with my e70 x5.....thats why I was wondering about the $650 M brake option....The M235 we drove had the M brake, and it was good.

F32Fleet · 10-08-2014, 10:21 AM

maybe it's a difficultly of judging ones speed and the extra weight of the 4 series? I'm having to adjust for sure as I feel like I'm going slower than actual. Or perhaps it's just programming the 4 as the GT coupe that it is.

For daily driving the M-sport brakes shouldn't be all that different since the front calipers are the same and the rears get replaced with two - piston caliper.

DJ Rocc · 10-08-2014, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twssas

We are in the process of looking for a future replacement of wifes 535......

Here is what we have tested to this point:

M235: Seemed to be a fun car to drive, steering seemed firm....lots of power......but limited on options....eg, no hud, upgraded sound system poor, no top down camera option....The Michelin summer tires that come on this car are great!

2014 435 sport line: Steering was absolutely horrible, regardless of comfort mode, or sport mode.(18 inch all season) You could almost drive with one finger. Reason we drove this vehicle it was the only 435 the dealer had on the lot, and it was used.

M4: terrific! Steering, power, comfort, sound. However, wife did like it, BUT, it will be her daily driver, and with the DCT dont know how well she will do with that.....would hate to see her drive the back of the garage wall, since you have to "tap" the accelerator to get into "creep" mode.

2015 435 M sport, with 19"summer performance tires, and DHP. Dealer just got this one in....so we went to test drive to see if it was different than the sport line we had driven earlier......This car was totally different...steering was much better, I dont know if it was the DHP/variable speed steering, or the tires, or a combination of both....but steering was much, much, stiffer. Still not as good as wifes e60 (sports package), but nevertheless for electric steering, good. Power of course was good.....sound system very good........but....the brakes......standard brakes.......you really had to mash them....Dont know if was just this car, or what....but defineatley did not care for the brakes......maybe the upgraded m-brake package would be appropriate.....

Anyway......we continue to struggle a bit with the decision..she doesnt want another 5 series...(she says too big for her)......the 435 msport probably meets most of the needs.....but really was surprised with the brakes......

Did a quick search and did not find any real threads on standard brake issues.....except in most discussions, the consensus was that the msport brake would be overkill.....appreciate any comments and experiences you guys might have.
__________________

Brakes need 300 Miles to Break in. I have the Msport Brakes and they are great even when not broken in yet. But I can feel them getting better and better.

Falafel Combo · 10-08-2014, 11:33 AM

24,000 miles on my M Sport brakes. Still scare the shit out of me in emergencies. Not grabby at all. You really do need to stand on them. I much prefer the e90 (and e60) brakes.

If that is your only gripe with the car, buy it. There have been many threads on the steering, but long story short, the newer software (which you tested) has rectified many of the early issues of lack feel, light, sloppiness, ...

twssas · 10-08-2014, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpinweiss 335i

24,000 miles on my M Sport brakes. Still scare the shit out of me in emergencies. Not grabby at all. You really do need to stand on them. I much prefer the e90 (and e60) brakes.

If that is your only gripe with the car, buy it. There have been many threads on the steering, but long story short, the newer software (which you tested) has rectified many of the early issues of lack feel, light, sloppiness, ...

Thanks for the feedback. I am assuming you have the standard brakes on your MSport? If so, I may order the $650 brake option if she gets this car.

chiefneil · 10-08-2014, 12:00 PM

I have no issues with the m-sport brakes in my 335i. But then again I don't have any issues with the regular brakes in the loaners I get either.

Both front and rear rotors are larger with the m-sport brakes, and rear calipers are upgraded to 4-pistons. None of that should really matter much under typical driving conditions though. But I would say the m-sport brake upgrade has a surprisingly good cost:benefit ratio as far as BMW options go.

Gio72 · 10-08-2014, 02:51 PM

I have M-sport brakes and I've driven my car very fast along mountains passes and on track: for me they are very good, much better than my previous E91, whose brakes used to fade soon under strong stress...

twssas · 10-08-2014, 03:13 PM

Well, we drove a M235 that had the M brake (blue caliper), and it felt great. The 435 yesterday, with 19 inch wheels, with standard brakes, not so good. As I have mentioned, lots of mashing. Did not feel good. So I am assuming the M brake special order for a 435 (blue caliper) would probably do the trick.

hibeam · 10-08-2014, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twssas

.......but....the brakes......standard brakes.......you really had to mash them....Dont know if was just this car, or what....but defineatley did not care for the brakes......maybe the upgraded m-brake package would be appropriate.....

Don't get me started on these brakes.

hibeam · 10-08-2014, 10:22 PM

A Chinese friend once shared a wise proverb while we were driving in a rental. "BMW have good brakes. You must keep more distance driving other cars." Apparently not anymore.

pilotalex14 · 10-08-2014, 10:48 PM

I just picked mine up

Love it in RWD

WilliCO · 10-09-2014, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twssas

she will be the only person in the car 90% of the time....and rarely uses the back seat for anything.

You two been married a while, then?

Sorry.

I used to have an E60 and loved it so much that I jumped into another 5 series without trying anything else. The F10 is a totally different recipe for a car than the E60 was. It feels big, heavy, ponderous, but also super nice and built like a tank. A Mercedes, essentially. I like it but would not choose it again.

I drove a 428 Gran Coupe at the Un4gettable Drive Event this summer. Actually, I drove a few of the cars but I liked that one the most. It was a RWD model with the 704 M Suspension and it did not have DHP. It felt very athletic compared to my F10. The N20 engine was a nice surprise, although I doubt I would convince myself to buy one. Steering was fine, I didn't notice anything amiss about the brakes. By the time I came back into the lot with it, I might have traded my F10 straight across for it.

I guess my point is that I think you are on the right track moving away from the 4 series here, but I've noticed that one 4 series feels very different from another, depending on the way they outfit the suspension and engine choices. And I am not really a DHP believer - unless you really, really think you want a soft, comfort mode, skip it and avoid the cost and compromise.

snowghost · 10-09-2014, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefneil

I have no issues with the m-sport brakes in my 335i. But then again I don't have any issues with the regular brakes in the loaners I get either.

Both front and rear rotors are larger with the m-sport brakes, and rear calipers are upgraded to 4-pistons. None of that should really matter much under typical driving conditions though. But I would say the m-sport brake upgrade has a surprisingly good cost:benefit ratio as far as BMW options go.

Coming from an E46 M3, I'm good with the M-Sport brakes. You can stop plenty fast--so fast you want to make sure you don't get rear ended.

As an aside, I would recommend getting whatever car you get coded to flash the inner brake lights when hitting the brakes hard. The manual for USA says the inner brake light illuminate under panic braking, but who the hell except for another BMW driver is going to know that. The flashing gets attention.

JimboF32 · 10-09-2014, 10:49 PM

I got the M Sport Brake option on my 435i and I am very pleased. They stop on a dime, and while I did not compare with and without before purchase I felt that $650 was a good investment for something I'd likely end up looking to upgrade later (I had previously upgraded to JCW brakes on my R-53 MINI, which made a big difference). Totally happy with my decision on that one.

10-08-2014, 08:56 AM	#1
twssas Private First Class 46 Rep 142 Posts Drives: 2021 M340xi, 2018 X5, 2014 Z4 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: us iTrader: (0)	435 msport test drive We are in the process of looking for a future replacement of wifes 535...... Here is what we have tested to this point: M235: Seemed to be a fun car to drive, steering seemed firm....lots of power......but limited on options....eg, no hud, upgraded sound system poor, no top down camera option....The Michelin summer tires that come on this car are great! 2014 435 sport line: Steering was absolutely horrible, regardless of comfort mode, or sport mode.(18 inch all season) You could almost drive with one finger. Reason we drove this vehicle it was the only 435 the dealer had on the lot, and it was used. M4: terrific! Steering, power, comfort, sound. However, wife did like it, BUT, it will be her daily driver, and with the DCT dont know how well she will do with that.....would hate to see her drive the back of the garage wall, since you have to "tap" the accelerator to get into "creep" mode. 2015 435 M sport, with 19"summer performance tires, and DHP. Dealer just got this one in....so we went to test drive to see if it was different than the sport line we had driven earlier......This car was totally different...steering was much better, I dont know if it was the DHP/variable speed steering, or the tires, or a combination of both....but steering was much, much, stiffer. Still not as good as wifes e60 (sports package), but nevertheless for electric steering, good. Power of course was good.....sound system very good........but....the brakes......standard brakes.......you really had to mash them....Dont know if was just this car, or what....but defineatley did not care for the brakes......maybe the upgraded m-brake package would be appropriate..... Anyway......we continue to struggle a bit with the decision..she doesnt want another 5 series...(she says too big for her)......the 435 msport probably meets most of the needs.....but really was surprised with the brakes...... Did a quick search and did not find any real threads on standard brake issues.....except in most discussions, the consensus was that the msport brake would be overkill.....appreciate any comments and experiences you guys might have. __________________
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10-08-2014, 09:07 AM	#2
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1131 Rep 5,557 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	Are you going after the coupe only or sedan is an option? I just picked up an F30 335i Msport and the brakes on this car is excellent. How about the grand coupe? __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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10-08-2014, 09:12 AM	#3
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3572 Rep 10,352 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	The brakes on the m-sport were probably just new and cold. I have about 400 miles on my 435 m-sport and compared to my 335d (non-sport) the brakes are more progressive /less twitchy. They very much remind me of my e90 330/e46 330 sport brakes.
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10-08-2014, 09:14 AM	#4
twssas Private First Class 46 Rep 142 Posts Drives: 2021 M340xi, 2018 X5, 2014 Z4 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: us iTrader: (0)	She might consider the sedan, but she will be the only person in the car 90% of the time....and rarely uses the back seat for anything. I dont think she is interested in the Grand Coupe....
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10-08-2014, 09:32 AM	#6
airwolf878 First Lieutenant 14 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2014 435i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (1)	I have a 435 M-Sport, and I'm not terribly impressed with the standard brakes either. Compared to my previous E92 335, I find myself having to get on the brakes a lot harder to stop fast. Coming to a complete stop at a light never gives a consistent experience - sometimes it stops smoothly and other times there's a harsh jerk as the brakes grab. It almost seems like the car is always fighting you to stop because it wants to keep going.
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10-08-2014, 10:21 AM	#8
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3572 Rep 10,352 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	maybe it's a difficultly of judging ones speed and the extra weight of the 4 series? I'm having to adjust for sure as I feel like I'm going slower than actual. Or perhaps it's just programming the 4 as the GT coupe that it is. For daily driving the M-sport brakes shouldn't be all that different since the front calipers are the same and the rears get replaced with two - piston caliper. Last edited by F32Fleet; 10-09-2014 at 06:19 AM..
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10-08-2014, 11:33 AM	#10
Falafel Combo Banned 3773 Rep 6,673 Posts Drives: X5 xDrive50i Join Date: May 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (3)	24,000 miles on my M Sport brakes. Still scare the shit out of me in emergencies. Not grabby at all. You really do need to stand on them. I much prefer the e90 (and e60) brakes. If that is your only gripe with the car, buy it. There have been many threads on the steering, but long story short, the newer software (which you tested) has rectified many of the early issues of lack feel, light, sloppiness, ...
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10-08-2014, 12:00 PM	#12
chiefneil Lieutenant Colonel 772 Rep 1,502 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I have no issues with the m-sport brakes in my 335i. But then again I don't have any issues with the regular brakes in the loaners I get either. Both front and rear rotors are larger with the m-sport brakes, and rear calipers are upgraded to 4-pistons. None of that should really matter much under typical driving conditions though. But I would say the m-sport brake upgrade has a surprisingly good cost:benefit ratio as far as BMW options go.
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10-08-2014, 02:51 PM	#13
Gio72 Captain 55 Rep 681 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Competition Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Italy-Venice iTrader: (0)	I have M-sport brakes and I've driven my car very fast along mountains passes and on track: for me they are very good, much better than my previous E91, whose brakes used to fade soon under strong stress... __________________ BMW M3 G80 Isle of Man
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10-08-2014, 03:13 PM	#14
twssas Private First Class 46 Rep 142 Posts Drives: 2021 M340xi, 2018 X5, 2014 Z4 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: us iTrader: (0)	Well, we drove a M235 that had the M brake (blue caliper), and it felt great. The 435 yesterday, with 19 inch wheels, with standard brakes, not so good. As I have mentioned, lots of mashing. Did not feel good. So I am assuming the M brake special order for a 435 (blue caliper) would probably do the trick.
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10-08-2014, 10:22 PM	#16
hibeam New Member 4 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 435 GC Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	A Chinese friend once shared a wise proverb while we were driving in a rental. "BMW have good brakes. You must keep more distance driving other cars." Apparently not anymore.
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10-08-2014, 10:48 PM	#17
pilotalex14 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2014 F32 435I Msport 2 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mississauga On iTrader: (0)	I just picked mine up Love it in RWD
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10-09-2014, 10:49 PM	#20
JimboF32 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2014 435i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Get the ///M brakes I got the M Sport Brake option on my 435i and I am very pleased. They stop on a dime, and while I did not compare with and without before purchase I felt that $650 was a good investment for something I'd likely end up looking to upgrade later (I had previously upgraded to JCW brakes on my R-53 MINI, which made a big difference). Totally happy with my decision on that one.
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