[Topshelf1]

Honestly guys, does anyone else feel their car rides horribly? I've been hating the wife's E91 325xi ride quality for months now, but since I don't drive it daily, I just deal with it. But last night we were out with friends in their 2010 Honda Accord and were blown away by the smoothness of the car to the point that the wife is now upset about how her BMW feels. I've replace several major components already, but can't seem to get the car right. I've had plenty of XI loaners for direct comparisons, one for 3 days straight, and something is definitely not right. I even took it to a BMW dealer to have them check it out, but ofcourse the only thing they could find wrong with the car was the non-runflat tires...dealers can be so maddening.

Anyway, the car has several issues. First it feels harsh. When driving it feels like something in the suspension has an inch or two of play and bangs around instead of soaking up bumps smoothly. It also has a gritty feeling to it. That one is hard to explain, but through the gas pedal you can feel a ton of feedback, but it's just rough information. And lastly there's a high speed vibration that comes and goes that I can't pin down.

So far I've replaced the shocks and struts with OEM units. Installed brand new pads and rotors at all 4 corners. Have tried out 3 different sets of tires and even have a winter setup on now which is on different rims...all 16" versions for the smoothest ride. I've also had a 4 wheel alignment done after the suspension upgrade.

I realize that at almost 70k miles things are going to wear a bit, but what the heck can I do to get this car running smooth? BMW has no interest in helping and I don't want to just blindly replace parts until it seems better. But something has to be done as the difference between this car and that Accord was night and day. To be honest, it was totally embarrassing. If money wasn't an issue right now there's no doubt we would trade this car in on a Lexus or Infiniti, but that's not an option. So does anyone have any thoughts on what could possibly return ride quality to what it should be?

[Figure807]

Just throwing this out there, but have you check all of the bushings? They can make a big difference with road feel.

Edit: I just noticed from your profile that you're from PA. If you have the sport suspension like me and still use RFT like me, the ride will be rough. The town I live in has a lot of little bumps and such on the road as well as little cobblestone sections so I get bump-steer all the time with a little bit of tail wag when I drive (50km speed limit in town but I keep that speed on most of the S-curves also). It is pretty bouncy. Also, it's not really fair to compare the ride comfort of a Honda Accord with that of a BMW 325xi - two different purposes. One is a people carrier and the other is an Ultimate Driving Machine... sorry, had to do it .

[PTinVT]

Are you on run flat tires?

I just replaced mine with conventional tires and it has made a huge difference. I remember hitting minor potholes and it felt like I had driven into a curb. My CD player used to skip with the RFTs but hasn't once with the new tires.

Granted, I now have to carry a spare in my trunk (I have a compact for regular duty and a full-size for longer trips) but if I can fit one in my coupe, you can probably fit one in a wagon. I love everything about my car EXCEPT that BMW did not make conventional tires an option, no spare compartment in the E90/92/93 - not sure about the E91 but guessing the same.

[e90-ZeRo]

My ride is very stiff, much of the people who ride my car don't care for it but I know it's because those darn run flat tires and my sports suspension. It makes for a sometimes really uncomfortable ride if i'm on bad roads. I've now begun to notice which freeways are well paved and which aren't haha.

[injection]

the sport suspension and run-flat combo is nice for good roads, but the slightest imperfection will manifest pretty signfcantly, which is what i notice. I , too can tell you which roads are well paved and are not! stay off the 5 and the 101 !!

[e90-ZeRo]

Originally Posted by injection

the sport suspension and run-flat combo is nice for good roads, but the slightest imperfection will manifest pretty signfcantly, which is what i notice. I , too can tell you which roads are well paved and are not! stay off the 5 and the 101 !!

The 10 makes me

[Topshelf1]

Thanks for the help guys, but this is the standard suspension on non-rft's. I went as far as going to a 16" Grand Touring tire for max comfort. It definitely helped diminish the smashing effect, but this is more of a suspension clunkiness issue. I guess taking it to a local indy to check out all the bushings isn't a bad idea. I just got back from a 30 minute trip to Lowe's in it, and one thing that really seems strange is that it feels much worse when cold. Seems to settle down a little as things warm up a bit, but it's never good.

Yes, I realize an Accord is different, but I've driven more 3 series loaners than I care to admit so I have plenty of experience with what it should feel like. And as for too stiff, you should try out my Z4 Coupe.

[HsiangHsu]

blame it on the run flats...

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by Topshelf1

Thanks for the help guys, but this is the standard suspension on non-rft's. I went as far as going to a 16" Grand Touring tire for max comfort. It definitely helped diminish the smashing effect, but this is more of a suspension clunkiness issue. I guess taking it to a local indy to check out all the bushings isn't a bad idea. I just got back from a 30 minute trip to Lowe's in it, and one thing that really seems strange is that it feels much worse when cold. Seems to settle down a little as things warm up a bit, but it's never good.

Yes, I realize an Accord is different, but I've driven more 3 series loaners than I care to admit so I have plenty of experience with what it should feel like. And as for too stiff, you should try out my Z4 Coupe.

Actually, your car does not have the standard suspension. Because there are so few of us E91 owners on this forum, suspension differences between the sedan and touring are not widely discussed. However, the base suspension on the E91 is quite a bit more taut than the sedan, in light of the higher expected cargo needs. I was over at my dealer a few weeks ago, and my SA (who is great, and a true enthusiast), actually got under the car with me and showed me all the suspension differences between the sedan and wagon. His opinion was that a base wagon would not ride a whole lot better than the ZSP equipped sedan (although I expect that is hyperbole).

As I understand it, the Xdrive has an even more stiff suspension. In fact, early reviews of it were quite negative:

http://www.aaany.com/CarandTravel/We...orts_Wagon.asp

[tturbonegro]

ultimate driving machine...buy a benz for comfort...hahah...jk...but yes i agree they do ride a little rough and stiff

[gary88]

Even with RFTs I have nothing to complain about as far as ride quality, and this is coming from someone who had a Cadillac before this.

[Qmax03]

Check your motor mounts.. the symthoms your telling me about lead to that. I've had many cars in my shop with the same issue's.. and after all other shops have replaced EVERYTHING.. it turned out to be the motor/trans mounts.

[Topshelf1]

Thanks for that info Kilgore. Can't say that it's great news, but very interesting! This pretty much sums it all up from that review...

The coupe we had a couple months ago showed no such tendencies. It’s suspension was stiff, but compliant with none of the harshness typical in the wagon. What gives?

I have to admit that I haven't driven another xi wagon, only sedans, so that could very well be true. I really thought the suspensions were identical. While that does explain some of the harshness, I still believe there is something wrong under the car.


I'll keep count of the Ultimate Driving Machine and buy a MB comments. But I can guarantee you guys that if you drove this car, you would not claim it's the Ultimate anything. And again, I have a Z4 Coupe, so I'm familiar with the concept of BMW's. I personally feel my car is harsh, but there is nothing wrong with the car, just too stiff of a setup. There is something not right in this car.


Qmax, thanks for the tip. Are there any tests I can do to see if the mounts are bad? Are they replaceable in the driveway, or is this a shop install? I plan on getting a list of possibilities together and bring the car and the list to an indy and have them check each thing. So far bushings and mounts.

[Topshelf1]

Hehe, guys, I really do appreciate the assistance here, so I'm just going to make a few quick points about things I've done already...


Runflat tires replaced with NON-RFT Grand Touring tires.
New struts and shocks installed 3 months ago.
While both have helped, neither have solved the issue.

We will not be buying a Lexus or MB for a smooth ride. Fixing this car is the goal.

[chrisnetcom]

He already replaced the shocks and struts. Reread the original post.

My 330xi had a really badly creaking front suspension when I went over speedbumps or hit potholes/rough roads. The dealer replaced the sway bar bushings and the problem was solved. Maybe they can check into that. As far as your gas pedal feel, I have no idea. BMW's have had an electric throttle since the E46 I believe, so there's no linkage from the pedal to the engine to vibrate.

[fdriller9]

My car rides pretty rough. I hate going over potholes but this is how most sport oriented BMW's drive. If you want a smooth ride in a sports sedan get a Lexus or a Benz.

[Topshelf1]

I'll add the swaybar bushings to my list.

Just looked at the TIS for motor mount replacements

And just to clarify guys, what I'm talking about is not large pothole/speedbump suspension crashing. It's a constant feeling of disconnect over any road imperfection, no matter where you're driving. Just standard bumps and ripples seem to be exaggerated in this car.

[Topshelf1]

Not to be a pain in the neck guys, just wanted to know if there was anything other than bushings and motor/trans mounts to check out? Wife came home today complaining she feels like she's driving a truck and started looking at cars online. Hoping to spend a little to fix this before it turns into a trade in.

[amlebede]

I have a 330i sports with runflats and it can be rough on bad roads. But it is very tolerable.