New Xdrive 40d M Sport owner - not happy with ride - too bouncy :(

[Xdrive40d]

Hi folks,

My first post on here but been lurking for a while

I recently bought a 40d M Sport the car is a 2012 ex demo and has the 20" 333 M Alloy wheels with run flats. When we test drove a car at the dealer we fell in love with the drive as it was "tight and gripping" - that car too was on the 20" tyres and same alloys but we didn't buy that as it never had the spec we wanted.

We eventually bought a car from a dealer at the other end of the country without test driving it and had the car delivered to us as we got a smashing deal. Everything is good with the car apart from the ride which is too bouncy over uneven road surfaces. It floats and feels very loose - almost like a suspension issue. Spoke to the selling dealer who was very supportive and told me to take the car to my local dealer for an inspection. I have now taken the car to two local dealers who have told me there is nothing wrong with the ride, tyres or suspension and that's the way this car handles with 20" tyres.

I swear the car we test drove was not like this so I test drove another X5 at the dealers with the 20" wheels and it felt pretty similar to mine - i.e woblly on uneven road surfaces.

So my question to you folks - would changing to non run flats help or has my car got issues that the dealers are unable to diagnose? If I'm doing 50 mph and I hit an uneven road I feel like im being thrown around the car!

The cars I test drove don't have 7 seats but mine does - now im beginning to wonder if this has something to do with the self levelling rear axle option on the 7 seaters?

[Benstan]

Can't see the 7 seats making a difference.

I don't doubt that the demo and your car feel different to you, but I had a similar experience - the test drive was pretty quick (20 mins) and on smooth tarmac - plus the thrill of trying the car you've had your eye for ages.  It all adds up to a great moment and you want one.

When I collected my car a few weeks later, it felt pretty rough - firmer than I remembered and not as smooth.  I wasn't happy with the car.  BTW  Mine is on 19s and the demo was on 20s.

In my case I very quickly got used to the ride and don't notice it now.  I wonder if I was looking at the demo with rose tinted specs etc. 

I'd suggest giving it a week or two to see if you can live with the set-up (which chances are, is probably ok given 2 dealers have inspected).  If not, take further steps.

Good luck and keep us posted

[Black X5]

Did the first car have Adaptive Drive? That makes a big improvement to the ride and handling.

Cars with AD have a little 'Sport' button just below the gear shifter.

[Riggie]

I recently got rid of my X5 on 20 inch wheels and sports suspension as I got fed up with what you describe.

[pvr]

I test drove on 20" and did not like it, so bought the car with 19" which was miles better.

[paddy wright]

Maybe the one you drove had had the free sport deletion option ticked when being ordered.

[Don Coffey]

There is a big difference in the ride depending on the road.  On normal A roads, motorway I find the ride fine, however when on unclassified roads in the countryside you feel like your in a washing machine.  I am going to swap over to 19"s an may even sell the twenties.

Don

[leosayer]

I had the very same problem with my X5 although its on 18" wheels and standard suspension. As you say, the ride was fine around town and on motorways but the car had serious trouble dealing with bumpy b roads.

Swapping the run flats (Conti UHP) for non run flats (Conti 4x4 contact) made a massive improvement.

The sidewall of the tyre feels a lot softer than the rock-hard run flats. Also, the run flats are something like 6kg heavier per tyre. That is a massive increase in unsprung weight.

My car also has the self levelling rear suspension. I think all 2010-on cars have it.

[Nat]

Hi,

I have a 2013 40d SE................have the dynamic package with M suspension DELETE.

I have read lots about harsh ride, etc etc. I have to say that I have the 20 " and run flats and I find it just perfect. I came from a E53 4.8iS and my daily driver is an E39M5, so I have had the experience and handling of M suspension on non run flats.
Whatever I think, for sure I have never known an X5 to feel sloppy.
Tyre pressures ?

Regards,
Nat.
I

[Barney]

Same here, mine is on 20's with runflats but has M suspension delete, perfect ride with decent handling.

[6bmw]

Sports suspension = Firmer ride
Run Flat tyres = Firmer ride

OP complains of a bouncy ride which probably means the opposite of the above - It seems like he is feeling a soft ride - seems suspension/bushes related to me worth having the car checked out.

Whilst mine was in for some work my dealer noticed premature wear on the front brake reaction arms and they are replacing these for me under warranty next week. I have the M Sports suspension and the 20" wheels with 7 seats too and I hear you. On uneven surfaces the car can sometimes give you a feeling that you are in a washing machine lol but I blamed the suspension and tyre set up. Dealer thinks this may solve the ride issue...

[syg9m]

Hi how much tread is left on the tyres as I have found with my run flats after 8-10,000 miles their is a considerable difference in how they perform , check inner & outer wear on the tyres as if the tracking out this also affects the ride quality , BMW dealers can organise a 4 wheel enlinement , hopefully with such a new car should be free !
  Have they any 19" they can loan you , saves you buying any if it is not them .

[535dboy]

[quote="syg9m"]
Hi how much tread is left on the tyres as I have found with my run flats after 8-10,000 miles their is a considerable difference in how they perform , check inner & outer wear on the tyres as if the tracking out this also affects the ride quality , BMW dealers can organise a 4 wheel enlinement , hopefully with such a new car should be free !
  Have they any 19" they can loan you , saves you buying any if it is not them .
[/quote]

This is true but otherwise they are a terrible ride anyway!

[markda]

I'm not speaking from X5 experience, but just general BMW's with RFT tyres.  Completely agree with the above, as the tyre tread depth diminishes the ride gets worse.  When your down to the last remaining mm's of legal tread they are f*ing awful. 

My last car was a 335i saloon, on 18in wheels with Bridgestone RFT tyres.  When the front tyres got low, you knew about it!  A horrible light feeling in the steering, more vibration than usual over poor road surface and I had no confidence in the car.  I had a BMW tech look at it a number of times, he could even feel what I described.  No conclusion other than we could only assume when there is less tread the reinforced sidewalls exaggerate the problem.

If you've plenty of tread, this really is a red herring though.  I've a 40d with 20in wheels, it's not a soft ride.  But I wouldn't describe it as bouncy, if it bugs me long term then I'll buy a set of 19in wheels and sell the 20in on.

[Xdrive40d]

I've had enough and am actually selling the car. PM me if anyone is interested in knowing more. It's a very highly spec car with 7 seats, pan roof, top view camera and many more bells and whistles.

Will be getting the new RR Vogue next..