Driving impressions

[50iXman]

Hey all-

This is my first BMW, and myself and the black widow, or Elvira are quite the pair. I love her so much!

Never have I driven a vehicle that LOVES to be driven fast. I spent about 2.5 hrs at 140km hr or about 90 mph. Rpm in eco was about 2K I put her in sport as I wanted more stability for highway passes. The thing is glued to the road.

Rain? who cares? I have newer all season Connies on there and the xdrive system was flawless.

again, love the power, love the dependabilty. Yes...I said dependability.

[Geo41e]

I find the M Sport adaptive suspension with rear air springs...very...boaty.

Sport mode is too stiff for everyday Driving, and Comfort is yeah, way too boaty.
my brothers brand new Pathfinder settles much quicker than mine, whilst being comfortable. ( comapred to mine when in comfort mode)

Everything else, is on point. Driving position is great, engine (30d) is a torque monster. When not bouncing around at low to medium speeds, you are right - high speed is very nice (100 - 130kmh)

It eats kms so easily, and i don't feel tired at all once i'm at my destination

[crystalworks]

^See, I find all versions of the F15 "boaty" unless equipped with the DHP and put into sport mode.

But then again, I'm coming from the E53 and E70 X5s which are basically always in "sport" mode for the suspension. Especially the E70.

Love the F15, but we drive it exclusively in sport mode with the DHP as we much prefer a stiffer road feel. But... our roads are generally in good condition. Not sure about yours Geo41e as I imagine it makes a big difference to the driving impressions.

Oh, and careful 50iXman ... the X5 will hear you using words like "dependable."

[50iXman]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

^See, I find all versions of the F15 "boaty" unless equipped with the DHP and put into sport mode.

But then again, I'm coming from the E53 and E70 X5s which are basically always in "sport" mode for the suspension. Especially the E70.

Love the F15, but we drive it exclusively in sport mode with the DHP as we much prefer a stiffer road feel. But... our roads are generally in good condition. Not sure about yours Geo41e as I imagine it makes a big difference to the driving impressions.

Oh, and careful 50iXman ... the X5 will hear you using words like "dependable."

LOL @ the Elivra (the X5) hearing me call her dependable. I come form a Honda Ridgeline truck and this thing is GLUED to the road. No matter the conditions. On my highspeed run the other day in the rain other cars were poking along and I was.......not...shall we say.

Other impressions:I used to be nervous around semis on a 4 lane in my truck but this thing stays pointed where I want I find.

[50iXman]

Originally Posted by Geo41e

I find the M Sport adaptive suspension with rear air springs...very...boaty.

Sport mode is too stiff for everyday Driving, and Comfort is yeah, way too boaty.
my brothers brand new Pathfinder settles much quicker than mine, whilst being comfortable. ( comapred to mine when in comfort mode)

Everything else, is on point. Driving position is great, engine (30d) is a torque monster. When not bouncing around at low to medium speeds, you are right - high speed is very nice (100 - 130kmh)

It eats kms so easily, and i don't feel tired at all once i'm at my destination

YES!!!!! I drove over 4.5 hrs andnot tired at all!

[///d]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

^See, I find all versions of the F15 "boaty" unless equipped with the DHP and put into sport mode.

But then again, I'm coming from the E53 and E70 X5s which are basically always in "sport" mode for the suspension. Especially the E70.

Love the F15, but we drive it exclusively in sport mode with the DHP as we much prefer a stiffer road feel. But... our roads are generally in good condition. Not sure about yours Geo41e as I imagine it makes a big difference to the driving impressions.

Oh, and careful 50iXman ... the X5 will hear you using words like "dependable."

Agreed. I'm glad I held out to find one with DHP, the others I drove without DHP felt heavy and sluggish. I was quite surprised how flat this thing stays in hard cornering for a 5k lb SUV.

I have Sport Mode set to default and configured mine set to chassis only for Sport Mode so suspension and steering is tightened up but powertrain isn't so touchy. If I want powertrain to be in sport mode I just move the shifter over to DS.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by ///d

I have Sport Mode set to default and configured mine set to chassis only for Sport Mode so suspension and steering is tightened up but powertrain isn't so touchy. If I want powertrain to be in sport mode I just move the shifter over to DS.

Ditto:

[///d]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Ditto:

Now if we could only figure out how to code the steering weight... it's clearly able to be adjusted since it changes with driving modes. I miss the tight steering of my E90.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by ///d

Now if we could only figure out how to code the steering weight... it's clearly able to be adjusted since it changes with driving modes. I miss the tight steering of my E90.

Ah yes...the "E" chassis era...that was the glory days in regard to steering feel/feedback.

[shimmy23]

i'm on dinan springs. i definitely noticed a less boaty ride in comfort mode. lately i find myself driving in sport (chassis only). i used to daily drive my e90 m3 on ohlins c/os. i find sport mode and dinan springs to be a good setting for me. nothing will be as tight as a e9x M3

[hybrid90]

Those of you that came from 3 Series, is the handling that bad? I've had nothing but 3 Series (E46 ZHP Coupe, E90 335i Sport Pkg, E92 335is, F30 340i M Sport) and now an F87 M2 (which I know is NO COMPARISON), but I'm in the market for an SUV.
I love the look of the X5's, but the two I drove (F15 40e and newer 50i, both M Sport) both felt really floaty even in Sport Mode. We started looking at X3 M40i's simply because they handled really well and were equipped pretty good, but we still want the X5. It would have to be the M Sport Pkg and with the bigger wheels (we love the aggressive look), but I know that at some point (if not immediately) I would change the springs for something that helps handling (I lean toward Eibach). Would that be enough to get decent handling out of the X5? I don't need TRACK handling, but if I'm on curvy road, I don't want to feel like I'm going to tip over. We run canyons every weekend, normal speed, not racing, so it would be nice to continue to enjoy the drive and not worry about tipping over or not being able to stay in my lane.
I'd love to hear feedback from those who have come from 3 Series (or even sporty 5 Series). I would really prefer to F15 X5 over the G01 X3 M40i, but am I asking too much of the X5?

[///d]

Originally Posted by hybrid90

Those of you that came from 3 Series, is the handling that bad? I've had nothing but 3 Series (E46 ZHP Coupe, E90 335i Sport Pkg, E92 335is, F30 340i M Sport) and now an F87 M2 (which I know is NO COMPARISON), but I'm in the market for an SUV.
I love the look of the X5's, but the two I drove (F15 40e and newer 50i, both M Sport) both felt really floaty even in Sport Mode. We started looking at X3 M40i's simply because they handled really well and were equipped pretty good, but we still want the X5. It would have to be the M Sport Pkg and with the bigger wheels (we love the aggressive look), but I know that at some point (if not immediately) I would change the springs for something that helps handling (I lean toward Eibach). Would that be enough to get decent handling out of the X5? I don't need TRACK handling, but if I'm on curvy road, I don't want to feel like I'm going to tip over. We run canyons every weekend, normal speed, not racing, so it would be nice to continue to enjoy the drive and not worry about tipping over or not being able to stay in my lane.
I'd love to hear feedback from those who have come from 3 Series (or even sporty 5 Series). I would really prefer to F15 X5 over the G01 X3 M40i, but am I asking too much of the X5?

As stated, it really depends on suspension options.
-Standard suspension felt like crap to me.
-M Adaptive is better but still feels like a SUV.
-Dynamic Handling Package feels much better. Steering is still light feeling compared to E chassis, but run chassis in sport mode and it's not as bad. And you get used to it.

Mine with DHP handles great, especially in Sport+, and is still comfortable and not spine rattling. But keep in mind with M Adaptive and DHP you will get rear air, which limits your options when lowering or swapping out for different struts.

I cant speak for the feel of standard suspension with upgraded struts and springs.

[shimmy23]

50i with dinan springs here. I came from an e90 m3 on coilovers... the X5 is no where near the handling of that.

Apples to oranges here. You can't compare a 5000lbs SUV to a sports sedan.

[Geo41e]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

^See, I find all versions of the F15 "boaty" unless equipped with the DHP and put into sport mode.

But then again, I'm coming from the E53 and E70 X5s which are basically always in "sport" mode for the suspension. Especially the E70.

Love the F15, but we drive it exclusively in sport mode with the DHP as we much prefer a stiffer road feel. But... our roads are generally in good condition. Not sure about yours Geo41e as I imagine it makes a big difference to the driving impressions.

Oh, and careful 50iXman ... the X5 will hear you using words like "dependable."

ahh I'm based in Sydney, Australia - and our roads are pretty much garbage.

I'm coming from an E60 M Sport... I have to say that suspension was mint. literally the perfect balance of firm ride, with no boaty feeling, whilst still feeling comfortable.

[Geo41e]

Originally Posted by ///d

As stated, it really depends on suspension options.
-Standard suspension felt like crap to me.
-M Adaptive is better but still feels like a SUV.
-Dynamic Handling Package feels much better. Steering is still light feeling compared to E chassis, but run chassis in sport mode and it's not as bad. And you get used to it.

Mine with DHP handles great, especially in Sport+, and is still comfortable and not spine rattling. But keep in mind with M Adaptive and DHP you will get rear air, which limits your options when lowering or swapping out for different struts.

I cant speak for the feel of standard suspension with upgraded struts and springs.

Unsure if if I have DHP ?

whats the code within the build ?

[Geo41e]

Never mind

just looked it up and I only have 2VF, and missing 2VP

[DM_e92]

I also used to have an e92 335i on eibach springs and an e70 X5. Currently have an f15 50i msport. The one thing I hate about the F15 is it does not handle nearly as well as the E70. Love the interior, exterior and engine of the F15 but the handling/suspension leaves a lot to be desired. But my wife loves it.