How to find out which tyres I have to see if more comfortable ones exist?

sallyjc · Post by **sallyjc** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 4:55 pm

Dear All

I love everything about my X5 except for the way it bounces up and down over every bump in the road.

After driving it for 2 months now (maybe a bit less) it is still bugging me.

I have seen people talking about more comfortable tyres.

So how can I tell which ones I have at the moment so I can check if these aren't already the comfortable ones!!!

Thanks

Sally

jonnyivy · Post by **jonnyivy** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 6:30 pm

Think its more likely to be the suspension your needing looked at and not the tyres.

MJim · Post by **MJim** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 7:11 pm

Do you mean bouncing up and down over bumps which to me implies shock problems (although i'm no expert, unlike others on this site) or the common problem of the ride feeling too hard which can be improved by changing from run flats to normal tyres?

Horizon · Post by **Horizon** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 7:34 pm

If your X is a late 06 plate they came with runflats on, they will have RFT on the sidewall somewhere.
Runflats are a worse ride than standard fit tyres. They produce higher road noise as well.
If yours is a sport model it will have sports suspension which is stiffer to reduce roll in the corners.
If it is older than an 06 I doubt if its fitted with runflats

sallyjc · Post by **sallyjc** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 9:03 pm

Hi

It is Dec 2005 3.0d Sport. I don't think it is a mechanical problem as I bought it from BMW a couple of months ago so maybe this is how it is meant to be!

I will look at the tyres tomorrow to see if I can find any writing on them!

Thanks
Sally

jonnyivy · Post by **jonnyivy** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:50 pm

I was just wondering what you drove before your X5 as a comparison ?

sallyjc · Post by **sallyjc** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 10:23 pm

Hi

I drove a 318i before the X5 but had to change as needed something bigger.

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 10:55 pm

That is unfortunately how it is meant to be.

My wife complains of exactly the same problem.

So my question would be - can an X5 sport be fitted with softer suspension - if so what type, cost, etc?

Smee

sallyjc · Post by **sallyjc** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:12 pm

Thanks I suspected as much. I know it's wrong but half of me is looking forward to selling it in a few years!

As soon as the children are out of car seats and I don't need room for a push chair in the back I would like something more comfy, perhaps a 750!

But then again I may miss being up so high and so will have to test drive the X70 or God forbid a Q7 or Cayenne!

Or maybe I will have got to used to the X53 by then! Who knows.

I will take a look at my tyres sometime this week and report back!

Regards

Sally

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:26 pm

Just because it's a main dealer car doesnt mean you might not have an issue.

Could be multitude of things or nothing. Perhaps find a knowlegable local to you switched on member with sorted car & similar tyre/wheel set up to drive yours & compare/comment.

Suspension and various bushes can take a pounding on these cars - same as other large 4x4's.

Tyres wear internally as well as outside - they can go "off" &/or distort over time.

Check tyre pressures asap. Generally 19's should run 32psi in each tyre.

Don't take it in & ask for "more comfortable tyres" unless prepared to be taken for £1000.

Mine runs fairly firm on 19's but nothing shocking (when tyres & pressures fine). I have owned/driven various cars & 4x4's. X5 unlikely to be as comfy as a healthy 7 series with sensible wheels/tyres.

General non X5 tyre specific by clicking here

Come back with tyre info once tyre pressures checked & adjusted if required.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:22 am

Sally, I would say that from what you are describing that potentially the shocks may be the issue. Usually the bouncy feeling is inherent with worn shocks. What's the mileage and where about's are you based?

If anything I would expect the ride to be firm and perhaps less bouncy than you describe (unless I've misinterpreted). As AW8 has said, get an independent to take a look as dealer cars aren't necessarily always perfect in every instance.

Shez1878 · Post by **Shez1878** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 8:35 am

My two pennies worth: I had the same 'issue' when I got my first X5 (E53). Took it to BMW who told me it was driving 100% spot on, yet to me it was like driving a flaming bouncy castle!

You must remember these cars are made for German roads, not UK ones I was told. Great I thought, that's £20k wasted.

In the end I just got used to it and it turned out to be one of the best cars I ever owned.

I now own an E70 and the difference in drive is massive. Far more refined and smoother, and this after driving a 750 Li for over a year.

So when you do come to change consider an E70 and not a Q7 or Cayenne!

sallyjc · Post by **sallyjc** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:47 pm

Thanks for the advice. I bought a digital pressure meter today on Amazon so will check the pressures tomorrow/Friday and report back.

The car has done 50600 miles and I live in Surrey.

I do know a good garage where I could take it. The mechanic has 2 BMW's himself (not 4x4) so he knows them well.

An X70 for me next time I think if it is going to be smoother!

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:13 am

Ok we will wait to see what the tyre pressure are pressure plus the tyre make & size info...............I recall one member bought a car which had tyres/wheels in wrong sizes.

I appreciate its under main dealer warranty but I know of decent surrey independents if later required one who owns an E53 X5.

MJim · Post by **MJim** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:20 am

[quote="sallyjc"]
An X70 for me next time I think if it is going to be smoother!
[/quote]

... and faster !! >:D.

)

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