Ride Comfort

[mainly]

Originally Posted by bradone1

So if they are going to leave us with faulty springs until march of 2013 then we may be able to lemon the car with 3 instances of trunk bam/ding/bump noises that can't be fixed... Nice way out!!

another note on the springs, does anyone notice a "squeek" in addition to the clunk?

i have a fairly frequent squeek thats apparently coming from the suspension, but only noticable with the windows down.

and does anyone notice the "clunk" from the front or is it just the rear?

i think i have heard it coming from teh front as well a few times.

[2013awm5]

I get the squeak also. It goes away if the brakes are applied. Try it . I believe it has something to do with the rotors? I'm gonna tell the dealer about this during my 1200 mile service.

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by Tourbillon

After putting on about 800 miles over the past week, I'm not too sure on the ride comfort even with the damper settings set on comfort. Granted the roads aren't the worse where I live, I still it find the ride rather uncomfortable. This was extremely intensified with the weight of 2 passengers a few days ago. They commented on it being too bouncy and felt nearly every imperfection on the road. Obviously, opting for the 20 inch wheels didn't help. I'm hesitant on taking it on any long road trips. What does everyone else think of ride comfort?

What car did you come from? Im used to low profile tires/whhels and plan to go 21 on my M5, so hopefully im already prepared.

[stealth.pilot]

Tourbillion

You might be able to sell this car at cost and buy my extremely smooth 2012 500hp Dinan 550i and pocket 30k in savings.

The Dinan 550i is actually nicer on the inside, very smooth while still sporty, and with 580lbft on tap it an out down M5 like acceleration.

[Tourbillon]

Originally Posted by Patsc23

What car did you come from? Im used to low profile tires/whhels and plan to go 21 on my M5, so hopefully im already prepared.

I came from a range rover sport supercharged, which itself was very firm, but a bit more comfortable than the M5. Before that it was a CLS63 AMG. That car truly had an exceptional ride in comfort mode with the air suspension. When put in sport 2 mode, it was about as stiff as Sport Plus on the M5. May have not handled as well, but seemed to be a good compromise. I suppose I need more time to adjust and re-evaluate then.

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Tourbillion

You might be able to sell this car at cost and buy my extremely smooth 2012 500hp Dinan 550i and pocket 30k in savings.

The Dinan 550i is actually nicer on the inside, very smooth while still sporty, and with 580lbft on tap it an out down M5 like acceleration.

Lol. I did consider the 550xi at one time with the Dinan Ecu upgrade. All that torque+AWD

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by Tourbillon

I came from a range rover sport supercharged, which itself was very firm, but a bit more comfortable than the M5.

I can understand the difference then - I had an RRS S/C as well previous to my current C63. I remember feeling the road a LOT more when I went from the RRS to the C63, even though I had 22's on it. Hopefully my transition goes smoother - dont give up, the F10 is too nice to get rid of so soon.

[Tourbillon]

Originally Posted by Patsc23

I can understand the difference then - I had an RRS S/C as well previous to my current C63. I remember feeling the road a LOT more when I went from the RRS to the C63, even though I had 22's on it. Hopefully my transition goes smoother - dont give up, the F10 is too nice to get rid of so soon.

Thanks, I'm giving it more time! I'd say these vibration/creaking noises are even worse!

[Tigumz]

Originally Posted by Tourbillon

After putting on about 800 miles over the past week, I'm not too sure on the ride comfort even with the damper settings set on comfort........

After 800 miles of driving German secondary roads and Autobahn this past weekend, I would say my 19's are very comfortable in the comfort setting and surprisingly tolerable in sport plus mode. Talking to one of reps at the ED special lunch deal, he said, not surprisingly, the 20's are more of an esthetic choice (vs the better performing) 19's.

With the crappy roads here in the States, I went with the 19's. Was also thinking winter tires would be cheaper and better performing in the 19 in size.

[racer10]

Originally Posted by Tigumz

After 800 miles of driving German secondary roads and Autobahn this past weekend, I would say my 19's are very comfortable in the comfort setting and surprisingly tolerable in sport plus mode. Talking to one of reps at the ED special lunch deal, he said, not surprisingly, the 20's are more of an esthetic choice (vs the better performing) 19's.

With the crappy roads here in the States, I went with the 19's. Was also thinking winter tires would be cheaper and better performing in the 19 in size.

I agree , I drove nearly 80 miles yesterday local and highway and I have to say I cannot complain about comfort or road noise on the 19" wheels. What I will say is the rims are harder to clean than what I imagine the 20" wheels would require. Thankfully I don't mind the look of the 19" wheel .

[SleepTight]

I've got the 20"s and I have to say that I think that it's one option I'm second guessing. It's purely for aesthetics (and the 19"s probably handle better) and for a lot of purchasers (particularly in the U.S. Northeast) the trade-off in ride comfort might not be worth it.

As of right now, the ride in comfort mode on the 20"s is personally tolerable for me and will probably improve after the tires break in a bit but I can see a lot of people favoring a more compliant ride if there's no trade-off in performance.

[carholic]

I just got a Panamera GTS which come with a lowered suspension and I also ordered the 20" wheels. It rides the same as my 750li sport with 19 run flats.

I ordered my M5 with the 20" purely because of looks. Hope it's ok. I was even going to lower it with Eibach or Schnitzer springs, but now after hearing you guys, maybe not.

[Tourbillon]

Originally Posted by carholic

I just got a Panamera GTS which come with a lowered suspension and I also ordered the 20" wheels. It rides the same as my 750li sport with 19 run flats.

I ordered my M5 with the 20" purely because of looks. Hope it's ok. I was even going to lower it with Eibach or Schnitzer springs, but now after hearing you guys, maybe not.

That my friend, is the beauty of an air suspension! This is my first vehicle in 6 years without one.

[mhh]

Got 20's here and the ride is just fine.

[uhn2000]

Ride comfort is great - I love feeling the road. On my test I had it in Sport+ and would probably see myself keeping it there.

Originally Posted by carholic

I just got a Panamera GTS which come with a lowered suspension and I also ordered the 20" wheels. It rides the same as my 750li sport with 19 run flats.

I ordered my M5 with the 20" purely because of looks. Hope it's ok. I was even going to lower it with Eibach or Schnitzer springs, but now after hearing you guys, maybe not.

Nice stable I think the 911 GTS is the best of the 997.2 series. I will be curious to hear about your review comparing the Panamera GTS and the M5. Considering we have a Cayenne and I wanted MT the M5 was a real no brainer for me. I know sounds crazy but because BMW Canada was forced to get more in line with the US pricing the F12 is actually costing way less then my last E60!! Porsche still has a very large price gap.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by bradone1

So if they are going to leave us with faulty springs until march of 2013 then we may be able to lemon the car with 3 instances of trunk bam/ding/bump noises that can't be fixed... Nice way out!!

That is interesting isn't it.

[Bimmer6]

I put 400 miles on my M5 in MUC, and I have the 20" it rides great. Just drove my 650 convertible with 19" sports package, and the M5 rides better. I'm totally happy with the 20"' and the look is great so no need to go after market. My two cents .....can't wait for the M to hit state side to join the stable.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Bimmer6

I put 400 miles on my M5 in MUC, and I have the 20" it rides great. Just drove my 650 convertible with 19" sports package, and the M5 rides better. I'm totally happy with the 20"' and the look is great so no need to go after market. My two cents .....can't wait for the M to hit state side to join the stable.

This is my impression too compared with the 550i.

I have a feeling Tourbillon's perspective may be a bit colored by context. He said he came from a Range Rover Sport Supercharged. My brother has that car, and it has a softer ride than my 550i as well (though firm for an SUV). If your context is Mercedes and Range Rover models (even if AMG or Sport Supercharged), you will not find the M5 ride quality at same level.

But for me what was astonishing when I last drove the M5 was that in Comfort the M5 is in the ballpark of the 550i in Sport. Which to me is very good ride quality.

[racer10]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

This is my impression too compared with the 550i.

I have a feeling Tourbillon's perspective may be a bit colored by context. He said he came from a Range Rover Sport Supercharged. My brother has that car, and it has a softer ride than my 550i as well (though firm for an SUV). If your context is Mercedes and Range Rover models (even if AMG or Sport Supercharged), you will not find the M5 ride quality at same level.

But for me what was astonishing when I last drove the M5 was that in Comfort the M5 is in the ballpark of the 550i in Sport. Which to me is very good ride quality.

I drove a F10 535i last night back to back same road as the M5 and I have to tell you that the M5 ride in comfort ,19"to 19", is very comparable to the 535i in sport . I couldn't tell any difference. And frankly I could hardly tell a difference comfort to comfort.

[chudak18]

I would go as far as to compare the comfort selection on the M5 to my old man's S550. I am surprised to hear that people can complain about the ride comfort. I have the 20" wheels and the ride is smooth as butter.... you want to get a bumpy ride? Try a G class mercedes lol. Maybe my rear end is just broken in lol.

[SleepTight]

Took a long drive today with the wife in the passenger seat. She thinks the car rides better on the highway than her X5. That's the last word on this as far as I'm concerned.

[PeterM5]

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the ride to improve as you put miles on it. After 5500 miles on London roads and, ok 20 inchers, it is still very firm indeed. Too firm firm for my liking but I get the point that this is a different machine from one of the big Mercs. I am getting very good at avoiding pot holes!

[topologe]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

This is my impression too compared with the 550i.

I have a feeling Tourbillon's perspective may be a bit colored by context. He said he came from a Range Rover Sport Supercharged. My brother has that car, and it has a softer ride than my 550i as well (though firm for an SUV). If your context is Mercedes and Range Rover models (even if AMG or Sport Supercharged), you will not find the M5 ride quality at same level.

But for me what was astonishing when I last drove the M5 was that in Comfort the M5 is in the ballpark of the 550i in Sport. Which to me is very good ride quality.

I have a F10 550i as well and thinking of replacing it with the M5 for long drives (7 hours). I just want to confirm when you said, "the comfort setting of the M5 is similar to the 550i's Sport", Does that mean that the Sport+ setting of the 550i is stiffer than the M5's Comfort setting? Thanks