Now what should I do?

[Rusty]

Today I took out for a test drive a E70 X5 3.0d SE on a 57 plate with 43K on the clock and a 5 Series 535 MSport with 32K.

I really like both cars and needed to see which would suit our needs better.
I took the 535 out first and loved it. Very smooth, great power, really quiet and very composed. I was expecting the MSport suspension to give a jittery ride but I found it firm but comfortable. The only downsides came from the back seat where legroom was limited, not enough width for the kids to be winge/agro free and the windows 'felt small'

Next was the X5
The X5 wasn't the spec I'm looking for but I want to try a few cars to help get a better opinion of the E70.
My first impression of driving the X wasn't great. The engine was quite a bit more audiable than in the 535, and the ride was far from refined.
Now this car had 315/30/21's on the back and 285/35/21's on the front with RFT's. These were on a nice set of 21" rims and I can only presume that this wheel/tyre combo was to blame for the ride, do any of you suffer from this?
Would the more standard 18"/19"rims be better? I prefer the look of the larger rims but the ride quality does come into it.

So we have decided the X is the way forward (I would have loved to get the 535, what a car..)

Also, what does the Media packag concist of. I get that the dynamic pack changes the wheels/seats etc but I can't find any answer re the media. What other toys should I look out for?

Any help would be really appreciated.

[petert]

Mine's slightly different, 35d, no dynamic packs and on 19 inch wheels but I think the ride is very good. Not a saloon car but you already know that.

Peter T

[535dboy]

No contest - 535d everytime

Having done 60k in a 535d and 32k in an equivalent X5 I think I'm probably best to comment

Ride on 20" wheels/tyres and sports suspension the ride can only be described as bordering on un acceptable in the X5

I have been running around in a new RS5 with 20s this weekend (see new thread) and the ride is day and night between it and the X5

[Rusty]

Now, the RS5 is a beauty (in grey, not sure about the white).

My heart is saying 'buy the 535' but SWMBO says'buy the X5'. I must though agree that the 535 is tighter in the back, but the 535, what a car........

When I test drove a E53 before, the drive was really nice and smooth. I do have my concerns over the E70. Is the new X5 a step back?

[535dboy]

[quote=""rusty nail""] Is the new X5 a step back? [/quote]

Quite possibly in some areas

[Rusty]

Right then.

I took out an '09 3.0d SE the other day which didn't have the 'Dynamic Pack' and was fitted with the 'standard' 19" wheels.

All I can say is that the drive/ride was 1,000,000% better than the previous car and I really enjoyed dirving it . I now need to try one with the 20" wheels and the dynamic pack to see if there is any middle ground.

What is the opinion from you current E70 owners with the sports setup?

[petert]

I had an E53 3.0i sports and currently have an xdrive 35d sports. So, quite different engines but in terms of ride I would put the E70 well in front on the E53 - neither car had anmything else clever like dynamic drive. Remember though: I'm comparing a 2010 car with a 2004 one but they are both on 19 inch wheels. The E70 is on runflats as opposed to Michelin Diamaris on the E53 - my previous experience is that run flats aren't quite as good as equivalent 'normal' tyres.

Peter T

[Rusty]

[quote=""petert""]The E70 is on runflats as opposed to Michelin Diamaris on the E53 - my previous experience is that run flats aren't quite as good as equivalent 'normal' tyres.

Peter T[/quote]

Thanks for that petert, I had forgoten that factor

I'm waiting for the local dealer to get a car in with the 20"ers and the dynamic pack so as I can see what it would be like as apposed to summising.
Have you ever noticed that all the cars dissapear as soon as you start looking for one

[pvr]

I have to say that the test drive I did in the E70 was not great either, but that was comparing a E53 3.0d with a E70 3.0d where the latter felt like moving a bag of sand about.

Not driven it with the 35 though.

[Avtar]

I recall driving the 3.0D and the salesmen advising me that there was not enough of a difference between that and 3.0sD to warrant the difference in price, etc. I have to disagree, the 3.0D was on 19's my 3.0sD is on 20" and is much much better in terms of driveability and I have not noticed any real difference in terms of the ride. However, come tyre change time I will be coming of the run flats to see how much of a difference that makes.

[Rusty]

[quote=""Avtar""]However, come tyre change time I will be coming of the run flats to see how much of a difference that makes.[/quote]

I read yesterday that it is not advised by BM to change from RFT to standard as the whole car setup is designed around the stiffer sidewalls of the RFT's and so fitting standard tyres would change the whole dynamic of the car and could affect the stability control ect. There may also be an insurance issue as fitment of non BMW approved safety related components may breach your terms and conditions.

I agree with you though that a change to 'normal' tyres may be worth a go, especially as they are significantly cheaper and repairable...

I will be interested in your thoughts/findings

[535dboy]

This is sort of true and kind of why I have stayed standard however so many people ditch the runflats that I'm sure they are doing something right. Don't forget that IIRC neither the M cars or the alpina cars have run flats!

My always slight concern was if I had a mega puncture on a non run flat tyre in the middle of the night, would Bmw actually come and rescue me?

[pvr]

On my previous Z, I changed from runflat to normal. The dealer actually changed the tyres for me and there was no problem.

The car's handing transformed by the way. Fortunately, non run flat is standard on the M as 535 said.