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BMW 3-Series AWD vs. BMW 5-Series AWD

28 messages,  Last post on Oct 02, 2006 at 5:54 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 3

#2 of 28 330Xi vs 530Xi ride quality by bruceomega

Sep 05, 2006 (7:46 am)

I posted a similar question in the 5 series forum as well. Can anyone comment on the ride quality of the 530Xi versus the 330Xi? Is the 5 series any smoother, or more compliant? Corollary question, how does the handling and agility of the 530Xi compare to the 330Xi?
 
Thanks
Bruce

#6 of 28 Re: Sport package and the 530xi [rwenger] by victoria333

Aug 06, 2006 (7:49 pm)

Hi, I just bought a 2004 330xi with the Sport Package, therefore it has the sport seats. I drove it from CO to CA and I could never get the seats comfortable for me. The issue is that there is a built in lumbar support which you can alter a lot of ways, but it is still built in somewhat. That is great for people who might fit the curvature of their back where the lumbar support is, but I am only 5'4" and the lumbar support is in a bad spot for me and I couldn't ever get the seat to feel good on my back the whole drive, so my back is killing me and was the majority of the drive, no matter how many times I adjusted it a million ways. From what I have read on the web, most think the sport seats are very comfortable, but they all mention they are tall people. So my guess is that the comfort of the sport seats might have to do with your height. If you're tall, they appear to be more comfortable.
 
That is my experience with the sport seats. If I could choose now, I'd choose the comfort seats.
 
I hope this helps.

#7 of 28 Re: Sport package and the 530xi [victoria333] by gkrochmal

Aug 15, 2006 (5:41 pm)

Replying to: victoria333 (Aug 06, 2006 7:49 pm)
Have 2006 530xi & 33i. The sports seats in 330i suit my 5'2" wife wonderfully. They are very uncomfortable to me (6'). The 530xi with comfort seats is good for both of us.

#8 of 28 Ride quality of 530Xi vs 330Xi by bruceomega

Sep 03, 2006 (5:43 am)

I used the search function but did not find specific information on this. Is there a difference in the ride quality between the 530Xi and the current model 330Xi?
 
Correspondingly, is there a difference in handling and responsiveness?
 
Thanks
Bruce

#9 of 28 Re: Ride quality of 530Xi vs 330Xi [bruceomega] by markcincinnati

Sep 06, 2006 (4:56 am)

Replying to: bruceomega (Sep 03, 2006 5:43 am)
The wheelbase differences alone account for differences, not that that alone is a bad thing.
 
I would expect the 3 series to handle better.
 
I would expect the 5 series to ride better.
 
But, "better" is a relative term -- for some what is considered technically better, may be personally more or less responsive or comfortable.
 
If possible could you be more specific, and if possible I'll attempt to respond. If I can't, I would assume there are others who can respond to your question.

#10 of 28 Re: Ride quality of 530Xi vs 330Xi [markcincinnati] by bruceomega

Sep 06, 2006 (6:21 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 06, 2006 4:56 am)
Thanks for the response. Reason I am asking is I am looking for contingency options if I can't solve the harsh ride issue I am having with my 2006 330Xi. Its a great car, except the bottoming out on even moderate sized bumps is causing me to have second thoughts on keeping it. I do not have an issue with the firmness of the ride, but its the jarring, bone rattling bottoming out on real world roads that I find unacceptable on a car at this level.
 
The Edmunds forums have been very helpful in idenfiying the RFTs as the likely culprit, and a change in brands from Bridgestones to Continentals may mitigate the issue. If not, I want to explore what other AWD cars have similar handling but ride less harshly.
 
Thanks
Bruce

Messages Page 1 of 3

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