Uncomfortable Ride

[Mccurry]

Hi there, i have a question here.
I purchased my x5 yr 2007 4.8i, with 52000 miles on it.
I am wondering why the ride is very bumpy.
The feeling its like, i can feel most of the bump on the road.

Is it something wrong with the spring?

[baby huey]

Does it have run-flat tires?
The stiff sidewall on the RFT's results in a ride that is more harsh than what most perople are used to.

[Mccurry]

yes, it has run flats on.
but a friend of mine who have x6 with run flats, his car ride is pretty smooth -__-!!

[richard in NC]

Check the tire pressures, or have someone do so. They should be at the pressures recommended on the sticker on the door post. Set them at the "minimum" for best ride, or the "max load" setting if you are hauling stuff frequently or do long summer trips with the family on the interstate.

[BrunoT]

Def check the air pressure, also could it be that yours has a sport pkg and the X6 did not? (not sure how they are set up, as I find it a ridiculous vehicle and haven't bothered reading about it)

But these aren't Cadillacs, I read a lot of reviews where people don't like the ride. Their expectations are sometimes out of line with the reality of the physics involved in making a tall 5,000 lb vehicle corner flat.

[jk63]

what if i lower the tire pressure a lot will that make the ride more comfortable

[wsybert]

Originally Posted by jk63

what if i lower the tire pressure a lot will that make the ride more comfortable

I wouldn't. The tire will generate more heat, due to a higher rolling resistance. You risk possible tire failure. Plus it won't handle as well.
You could go with non RFT's or go down in rim size, to get a tire with a larger sidewall.

[1HOT BMR]

Tires and/or shocks are the culprit. After you determine that you have the correct tire pressure and the shocks are not leaking or worn out, the best thing you can do is to replace the run flats with normal tires. If your car has the sport package, replacing the springs and shocks with the parts needed for cars without it should help too.

BTW, a new 2012 X5 with Adaptive Drive (an option) and normal non-runflat tires has the ride of a Rolls Royce with the handling of a BMW

[14bmws]

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

Tires and/or shocks are the culprit. After you determine that you have the correct tire pressure and the shocks are not leaking or worn out, the best thing you can do is to replace the run flats with normal tires. If your car has the sport package, replacing the springs and shocks with the parts needed for cars without it should help too.

BTW, a new 2012 X5 with Adaptive Drive (an option) and normal non-runflat tires has the ride of a Rolls Royce with the handling of a BMW

NOT!

I have a 2012 X5 with Adaptive drive and non run flat tires. It does not in any way ride like a Rolls Royce or handle like a proper BMW.

[Thirdy]

Check your manual. Tire pressure on mine is 32psi all around (18" tires - 4 passenger). I just had a 3000+ mile trip and it's pretty comfortable.

[1HOT BMR]

Originally Posted by 14bmws

NOT!

I have a 2012 X5 with Adaptive drive and non run flat tires. It does not in any way ride like a Rolls Royce or handle like a proper BMW.

You have a defective one then!! . . . jk I suppose after 14 BMWs you must be an expert

Mine has a wonderful and smooth ride and it corners completely flat without any body roll. It's not a sports car but IMO it has sensational handling for the huge beast that it is. I admit I don't know what a "proper" BMW handles like since this X is only my second BMW ever. I never liked their cheap interiors before so I never bought one.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by 14bmws

NOT!

I have a 2012 X5 with Adaptive drive and non run flat tires. It does not in any way ride like a Rolls Royce or handle like a proper BMW.

I am sure the comment was an exageration, but my X5 50i will out handle many so called sports cars yet it has a perfectly comfortable ride.

PS: Even an M3 had to work to keep up with me on the twistiest of roads. And that is a fact.... I have his video....

[14bmws]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I am sure the comment was an exageration, but my X5 50i will out handle many so called sports cars yet it has a perfectly comfortable ride.

PS: Even an M3 had to work to keep up with me on the twistiest of roads. And that is a fact.... I have his video....

I came out of an M3 and into my X5. You are kidding yourself if you honestly think your X5 can keep up with an M3 on ANY road.

Ive been driving BMWs for 30 years. My current X is a disappointment with a beautiful interior (sport black headliner, nappa full leather, comfort seats, all the toys). The abrupt throttle, jerky tranny that is constantly trying to get to 8th gear, and ponderous handling are just sub par.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by 14bmws

I came out of an M3 and into my X5. You are kidding yourself if you honestly think your X5 can keep up with an M3 on ANY road.

Ive been driving BMWs for 30 years. My current X is a disappointment with a beautiful interior (sport black headliner, nappa full leather, comfort seats, all the toys). The abrupt throttle, jerky tranny that is constantly trying to get to 8th gear, and ponderous handling are just sub par.

I was going to reply with a big long explanation of our little trip to the Tail of the Dragon and how I actually did keep up with M3s and M6s and even have videos but you are convinced it can't. But when I was leading the M3, I outpulled him at every corner exit, forcing him to wind out every straight and late brake going into the next corner to catch back up. Here is a pic of that run I can post... Note how flat the X5 is, even compared to the M3..

PS: we ran away from a CTS-V Coupe that smoked his brakes trying to hang with us...
PPS: I certainly don't have an abrupt throttle and jerky tranny. Yes it will go to 8th gear when just poking along, even at 45 mph, but it seemlessly downshifts and takes off if needed.

[0_steve]

Originally Posted by Mccurry

Hi there, i have a question here.
I purchased my x5 yr 2007 4.8i, with 52000 miles on it.
I am wondering why the ride is very bumpy.
The feeling its like, i can feel most of the bump on the road.

Is it something wrong with the spring?

I previously had an 08 X5 4.8 sport w 20s and found it to be jarring and quite uncomfortable but handled well. The new 12 50i also w 20s is much more comfortable but terribly sloppy. It feels like I'm driving a bloated pig in comparison.

I regretfully did not get the adaptive drive this time and am reminded of this error every time I'm in it. Guess you have to pick your battles. I'd rather have the sporty BMW feel over what feels more like a Buick.

[14bmws]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I was going to reply with a big long explanation of our little trip to the Tail of the Dragon and how I actually did keep up with M3s and M6s and even have videos but you are convinced it can't. But when I was leading the M3, I outpulled him at every corner exit, forcing him to wind out every straight and late brake going into the next corner to catch back up. Here is a pic of that run I can post... Note how flat the X5 is, even compared to the M3..

PS: we ran away from a CTS-V Coupe that smoked his brakes trying to hang with us...
PPS: I certainly don't have an abrupt throttle and jerky tranny. Yes it will go to 8th gear when just poking along, even at 45 mph, but it seemlessly downshifts and takes off if needed.

I'm sincerely happy that you like your car... it looks great. I do see a photo on a public road with an m3 behind you, but it certainly does not look like either car is pushing.

The X5 may have a big engine but it is pulling around what, 5000 pounds? It has a sloppy suspension at best, even with the adaptive drive. You are living with a 0-60 time of like 5.3 seconds.

The M3 has a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds. In the real world a full second is HUGE. Further, it pulls like an absolute beast when you ask it to. The M has perfect balance, impeccable handling and tenacious grip. It is everything that the X5 is not. In the hands of a capable driver, it would easily leave the ponderous, overweight X5 far behind. The difference in vehicles is remarkable.

That does not matter. Your X, any X is not meant to race. It is a great highway road car and a decent daily drive. I don't like the way mine drives, and to me it is not worth having for the dozen days of snowy weather we get on an average winter. I'll never make 3 years with this car.

[GmoneyLI]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I was going to reply with a big long explanation of our little trip to the Tail of the Dragon and how I actually did keep up with M3s and M6s and even have videos but you are convinced it can't. But when I was leading the M3, I outpulled him at every corner exit, forcing him to wind out every straight and late brake going into the next corner to catch back up. Here is a pic of that run I can post... Note how flat the X5 is, even compared to the M3..

PS: we ran away from a CTS-V Coupe that smoked his brakes trying to hang with us...
PPS: I certainly don't have an abrupt throttle and jerky tranny. Yes it will go to 8th gear when just poking along, even at 45 mph, but it seemlessly downshifts and takes off if needed.

I'm sorry but if an M3 had problems keeping up with ur x5 on any road the guy can't drive lol please don't tell me he's a race car driver. I have an X5M, which can outperform ur X in every way, and M3s have no problem keeping up with me in turns.
Ur basically saying that ur non M x5 can out handle one of the best handling cars in the world... I don't know if ur aware of how ridiculous that sounds.

[richard in NC]

Guys,
OK. The road was the Tail of the Dragon. 318 curves in 11 miles. Not much opportunity for straight line speed.
Here is the video. I cut it to a clip about 5 minutes into the run. You can see I do catch the Ms. We are all driving hard so it takes a while. We then even catch a motorcycle and slow way down. Once we pass the motorcycle who pulled over for us, the pace is less then at the start and I easily hang with everyone the rest of the way.

I am not saying I would stay with an M3 on a race track at 10/10s. I am saying on this road on this day I did catch and then stay with them.

To see the video, the password is 'dragon'. http://vimeo.com/38894833

You can also browse to my M School video in an M3, and my older track videos.

[1HOT BMR]

Richard, I believe you, especially under the circumstances you describe. Your engine (mine too: 550i ) has a mountain of torque at low rpm which is especially useful in a place with lots of curves and short straights. I have no doubt that the guy in the M3 following you had to make that box sing (if manual) to stay on the torque and come out of the turn pulling as hard as you. Now, the CTS-V is another story - that engine is also a torque monster so my guess is that guy had the car but not the skill - smoking the brakes is a sign