BMW M Sport package questions

[satanboy]

...

Would a crossover/4x4 like the X1 not be a little more comfortable with the raised suspension?

I drive a X1 and the ride is hard, have never driven another BMW so can't compare.

 

[ahoudet]

I drive a X1 and the ride is hard, have never driven another BMW so can't compare.

Hmm... I do believe it's a BMW thing then. In that case, Q3 or something else?

The GLA I drove was not so hard and it had the AMG package

 

[ChrisThomas]

I had a standard 320d and 320i Coupe and they both had a slightly hard ride... I'm not sure how much of a difference the M Sport package will be in terms of comfort. Either way, before buying I'd recommend you go for a long test drive and explain the reasons to the salesman. Go and find different surfaces to drive on.

The runflats don't help - the suggestion to find a biscuit is a great idea.

As mentioned by Fiesta, try out the E and maybe even check out the A6?

Would a crossover/4x4 like the X1 not be a little more comfortable with the raised suspension?

My sister had an X1 and that was also a hard ride, the standard 5 series that I drove for about 16km had a very soft ride in comparison.

I do like the A6's but prefer the BMW gearbox and interior a little more,

 

[ahoudet]

My sister had an X1 and that was also a hard ride, the standard 5 series that I drove for about 16km had a very soft ride in comparison.

I do like the A6's but prefer the BMW gearbox and interior a little more,

I remember my father test drove the E60 530d many years back and walked away due to a hard ride. He had an A6 at the time and it was much more comfortable.

I'd try out all the cars in that segment before making a decision. The BMW will most likely have the best resale value though

 

[FiestaST]

I think E tied with *correct* 5 ito resale.

I still maintain bad back = Elegance spec E.

/drops mic

 

[Big_Al]

The M-sport looks nicer inside and out with those extra styling bits, and are therefore more sought after. Therefore, although you pay more you will get that difference back when selling or trading in.
WRT the suspension, it is lower and a bit harder. The handling is noticeably better, as the standard suspension does feel a bit wallowy when going around bends. With being lower, the M-Sport will tend to bottom out on steep speed humps, and the front lip will touch when exiting driveways and parkades with a bit of an angle to the road ... got to be careful with the M-Sport.
The M-suspension is hard enough where you will notice more road noise, and other louder sounds on *** roads, but it is not that hard where it will affect your bad back (not like a hot hatch with spine breaking suspension). In fact I feel the M-Sport seats are much more comfortable than the standard seats.
All things considered, if you are a relaxed driver, you will not miss the better handling of the M-Sport. With regards to the looks … M-Sport is cool, but the fiver looks great in all specs ;-)

 

[ChrisThomas]

The M-sport looks nicer inside and out with those extra styling bits, and are therefore more sought after. Therefore, although you pay more you will get that difference back when selling or trading in.
WRT the suspension, it is lower and a bit harder. The handling is noticeably better, as the standard suspension does feel a bit wallowy when going around bends. With being lower, the M-Sport will tend to bottom out on steep speed humps, and the front lip will touch when exiting driveways and parkades with a bit of an angle to the road ... got to be careful with the M-Sport.
The M-suspension is hard enough where you will notice more road noise, and other louder sounds on *** roads, but it is not that hard where it will affect your bad back (not like a hot hatch with spine breaking suspension). In fact I feel the M-Sport seats are much more comfortable than the standard seats.
All things considered, if you are a relaxed driver, you will not miss the better handling of the M-Sport. With regards to the looks … M-Sport is cool, but the fiver looks great in all specs ;-)

Thanks!

I think what is putting me off is that the one I drove with the M package had some door panel rattle which is one of my most intense pet peeves in a car, my Adam has done that since new and it's driven me insane! I think it's also related to the hard suspension in the Adam...

 

[dlk001]

Also, the car needs to be comfortable for my aforementioned back problems, so is the M Sport package a no go because of the firmer suspension? I didn't feel too much of a difference between the two on the short test drives that I took, but the one without the M Sport did seem to have a slightly softer seat cushion, might be my imagination however.

Did the 5-Series M-Sport have the optional Electronic Damper Control? Have you tried driving with Comfort mode?

 

[rodga]

I think the sport seats may provide better support, so could be a better solution for you. You have to take it for a long test. They might even let you have it for a weekend if you ask nicely.

 

[Splinter]

Thanks!

I think what is putting me off is that the one I drove with the M package had some door panel rattle which is one of my most intense pet peeves in a car, my Adam has done that since new and it's driven me insane! I think it's also related to the hard suspension in the Adam...

Rattles annoy me intensely as well. Although I don't know why the M-package should have a rattle - maybe the harder suspension? As for run-flats - my car has them and I am quite happy with the drive. And in today's age of crime in SA, an overlooked fact is that with a run-flat you generally do not need to stop at the side of the road to change or inflate a wheel. A very significant perk if you ask me...

 

[Tsepz_GP]

I'm currently driving my Uncle's 2016 C180 Classic, fully specced (HUD, PDC, Panaromic Sunroof, Heated Seats, whole lot of driving aid incl. the front collision sensor, lane assist etc...) , it has those 16inch multi-spoke rims, super smooth ride vs. My 2015 Clio 4 Dynamique with 17inch rims, the Merc feels like its floating on air.

I'd say its also smoother than my ol' lady's 2016 Jaguar XE 2.0D R-Sport. I'd say give the new C Class a test drive, avoid the AMG package though!

 

[JJCT]

My Dad has the 325i m coupe. It is definitely a hard ride and not the easiest to get in and out of with the huge doors and bucket seats if there is not loads of space to open the doors.

I have a 325i and both cars are fast and my Dad's car is probably faster but I find my car is a little quicker and nimbler on the low end.

My Dad's car just got back a few weeks ago after they said they found "sludge" in the engine. Thank goodness for a motor plan because they replaced the engine. I think the bill excluding the engine which was not on the invoice was something like 145k.

 

[ChrisThomas]

Did the 5-Series M-Sport have the optional Electronic Damper Control? Have you tried driving with Comfort mode?

I had it in Eco Pro, I'm not sure how that had been set up I know you can adjust the dampers to the driving mode. It was a more comfortable ride than my Adam by all means don't get me wrong, but I felt the standard 5er was a bit softer.

However my dreams have been shot to the ground, with the large shortfall on my Adam and the ridiculous insurance quotes I got, I can only afford the 2010 5 series, which I am not too excited about driving a 6 year old car for R6.5k pm before I even pay for fuel.

So I'm going to save up for a while, try see what I can do to make the Adam bearable for now, maybe there's something I can put on the seat (those Verimark back supports I've tried) or I'll just sweet talk my mom into letting me use her 1 series for a while until I decide what I'm doing.

Apparently, I have the only Adam in the bloody country that was registered in 2014? It was sold to me as a 2015, which I even went back and found the original advert for on Autotrader.... All of the dealerships trying to trade my car in ran into the same issue, not only that, my finance house have no record of my car on file either, but my settlement documentation state that my car is a 2014 model. So who knows. Not even one of the managers of GM knows as he says they were only shipped to this country in 2015. So with that my trade in offer went down, and my dream drifted further away lol. Oh well, maybe it's a a sign?

 

[FiestaST]

I know the Adam official launch was early 2015. Some press cars were in SA late late 2014. Eg. I saw an Adam at CPT Intl in Dec 2014.

Not sure about your scumbag registration date man....that's a bummer...

Get Wendy on your case

 

[dlk001]

I had it in Eco Pro, I'm not sure how that had been set up I know you can adjust the dampers to the driving mode. It was a more comfortable ride than my Adam by all means don't get me wrong, but I felt the standard 5er was a bit softer.

Basically when shopping for any BMW, MERC, AUDI make sure they are equipped with the optional Adaptive Suspensions. It can change an M-Sport car from SPORT+ to COMFORT (COMFORT+ in the case of 5/6/7-Series).

The ECO PRO is an engine efficiency mode for maximum fuel saving.

I can only afford the 2010 5 series, which I am not too excited about driving a 6 year old car for R6.5k pm before I even pay for fuel.

That's a good decision mate. The 5-Series is about to be replaced end of this year. So, you should be seeing reduced prices and you may get better Trade-ins, discounts and Trade-in assistant.

 

[ChrisThomas]

Basically when shopping for any BMW, MERC, AUDI make sure they are equipped with the optional Adaptive Suspensions. It can change an M-Sport car from SPORT+ to COMFORT (COMFORT+ in the case of 5/6/7-Series).

The ECO PRO is an engine efficiency mode for maximum fuel saving.



That's a good decision mate. The 5-Series is about to be replaced end of this year. So, you should be seeing reduced prices and you may get better Trade-ins, discounts and Trade-in assistant.

Thanks, yeah it's a hard pill to swallow but I've got to be an adult about it... Just not financially logical at this point.

 

[ngwe23]

And in today's age of crime in SA, an overlooked fact is that with a run-flat you generally do not need to stop at the side of the road to change or inflate a wheel. A very significant perk if you ask me...

I used to think that until my front tire tore apart after hitting a pothole, deep in Limpopo at night. I had to call a tow truck. I was stranded on the side of the road for hours. Never have I wished for a spare wheel so much.

 

[JJCT]

I don't like run flats I would rather have a spare tyre and one of these in my boot. https://youtu.be/WhCJCwlt6V8

 

[FiestaST]

The new 7th Gen 5-Series will most likely only hit showrooms early next year not this year.

It's expected to be announced at the Paris Show in October.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2017-bmw-5-series-saloon-latest-spy-pictures

 

[ChrisThomas]

I used to think that until my front tire tore apart after hitting a pothole, deep in Limpopo at night. I had to call a tow truck. I was stranded on the side of the road for hours. Never have I wished for a spare wheel so much.

I had a Peugeot 206cc, no run flats and no spare tyre as standard, you get that jizz in a can in case of a puncture but when I bumped a curb and split the entire sidewall that wasn't going to help. Was stranded at Carnival City late at night, not fun at all.