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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Struggling to chose sedan with softest suspension
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      07-09-2014, 03:55 PM   #1
helat
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Struggling to chose sedan with softest suspension

Ordering new 535i: need help on chosing suspension type. i need super soft comfortable drive as our roads are too much potholed.



Currently driving MB E-350 Luxury with 17'' wheels. I want to shift to BMW 535i, but i am worried about the comfort level of the suspension. I'll buy it with 17'' rims and purchase a non-runflat tyres. How many suspension options are there on new 535i?

Which car is more comfortable on bad and potholed roads assuming both are on 17" non run flat tires: MB E class with luxury package (suspension) or BMW 5?
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      07-09-2014, 06:25 PM   #2
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Dynamic Damper Control. My M Sport with this suspension and 19" wheels probably rides as soft in Comfort + as your E Class. Sport+ and it feels like a BMW.
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      07-09-2014, 06:47 PM   #3
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I am in the process of removing my run flats and replacing them with Pilot Sports - hope to see some improvement in handling / comfort / noise.
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      07-09-2014, 07:58 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Apple Corps View Post
I am in the process of removing my run flats and replacing them with Pilot Sports - hope to see some improvement in handling / comfort / noise.
You will love the change
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      07-09-2014, 09:42 PM   #5
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r3amir - also decided to stick with 18" wheels - the condition of our roads is marginal and I opted for smoother / safer profile over what crisper handling I might get with the 19".

Out of interest, what have you done for your spare tire strategy?
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      07-09-2014, 11:41 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Apple Corps View Post
r3amir - also decided to stick with 18" wheels - the condition of our roads is marginal and I opted for smoother / safer profile over what crisper handling I might get with the 19".

Out of interest, what have you done for your spare tire strategy?
Got the Continental Conticomfortkit from tirerack, fingers crossed didn't have to use it.

I got 19" pilot sports tires, they are way better than the RFTs, they give more road feel, better grip and still feel softer than the RFTs
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      07-10-2014, 12:06 AM   #7
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Thanks for that info - I'll look it up now.
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      07-10-2014, 03:51 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamRWS6 View Post
Dynamic Damper Control. My M Sport with this suspension and 19" wheels probably rides as soft in Comfort + as your E Class. Sport+ and it feels like a BMW.
The way my mind was going...

I can't compare to the Mercedes, but agree the active suspension is the way to go, if we want best comfort option and retain some of the BMW feel.

I run 18" summer RFTs and a 17" winter set of RFTs on my 535i wagon. Both chosen to give the added benefit of a more comfortable drive on poor surfaces. Personally I wouldn't want a softer ride than on the 17" RFTs, but at least with Adaptive Drive the car is controlled.

I sense the standard suspension on 17" non run-flat tires will be a very comfortable ride, not so sure there would be enough body control, but I suppose it depends on what you want as a driver.

With Adaptive Drive you have the choice... comfort through to a more sporty drive. I rate AD as the best suspension compromise, whatever wheels we fit.

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      07-17-2014, 01:34 PM   #9
helat
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As a driver i want super comfy soft ride. Handling is not so important for me. So the question is:
Assuming that both of these BMW 535i cars have 17" NON-runflat tires which one would be softer in bad roads: the one with base suspension or the one with dynamic handling package?
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      07-18-2014, 09:20 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by helat View Post
As a driver i want super comfy soft ride. Handling is not so important for me. So the question is:
Assuming that both of these BMW 535i cars have 17" NON-runflat tires which one would be softer in bad roads: the one with base suspension or the one with dynamic handling package?
Comfort mode with dynamic handling package will be the softest, but... is it worth spending money (3K+/-) on the package to "soften the suspension", for me, no , for your needs, maybe ?

From memory, having tried both, comfort mode is close to what you are used with E350, normal mode is not as "floaty" as E350 in my opinion.
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      07-18-2014, 09:54 AM   #11
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The standard suspension starting with the 2014 models is very comfortable and reasonably capable as well. That said, it's too soft for my tastes and I'll be replacing it soon, but if youre looking for a comfortable luxury ride, the standard may well be all you need. You really need to drive both to see if you feel DHP is worth the extra money.
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      07-18-2014, 11:34 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by helat View Post
As a driver i want super comfy soft ride. Handling is not so important for me. So the question is:
Assuming that both of these BMW 535i cars have 17" NON-runflat tires which one would be softer in bad roads: the one with base suspension or the one with dynamic handling package?
i think Dynamic handling package is not softer, but same and i heard that when first wheel hits inperfection or pothole system tells rear wheel whats coming so rear can prepare for it not to mention bonus of ARS.
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      07-18-2014, 12:00 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bbb34 View Post
Comfort mode with dynamic handling package will be the softest, but... is it worth spending money (3K+/-) on the package to "soften the suspension", for me, no , for your needs, maybe ?
For me, the standard suspension may be soft, but it can float and wallow, due to lack of body control.

Adding Adaptive Drive (VDC and ARS) as we have it in the UK, provides much more than a choice to have a 'soft' ride. AD gives far more body control, plus the ride is more refined anyway, due to adaptive damping. ARS has a great part to play in improving ride quality, as it controls body roll.

Even the mid suspension setting is very comfortable, a bit more body control without losing hardly any ride quality, compared with the softest setting.

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      07-21-2014, 09:32 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post

...Adding Adaptive Drive (VDC and ARS) as we have it in the UK, provides much more than a choice to have a 'soft' ride. ....
Right, no disagreement here.

What I meant is that if E350 is used as a reference of "desirable ride feel", comfort mode gets you closest to that level of "soft" in my opinion.
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