2007 x5 very harsh ride

[e70jane]

Originally Posted by leafsrule531

I have a 2007 e70 x5 3.0 with 3rd row seating. The car doesn’t have air suspension. I just recently did a whole suspension revamp in the hopes that my ride would get smoother / softer. This includes Sachs shocks and struts, new bump stops, strut mounts, control arms, end links for the front and I even got rid of the run flat tires and put regular Michelin tires.

Now I do admit that I live in NJ and a do lot of driving in NY and the roads are horrible. But I cannot come to terms with the fact that Bmw made this suv so harsh from the factory. The car does have 140k miles on it but I would’ve thought that after doing a suspension revamp the car would’ve been driving like new. It’s not even enjoyable to drive this car with passengers in the back. It’s to the point where some people in the back feel nauseous at how bumpy the ride is with almost no give up on the ride. I’ve driven Bmws all my life and also own an e46 m3, 330ci, e90 with sport suspension so I know that these cars are built to be sporty and a focus on handling. But the x5 just has a horrible ride - there is no smoothness in the car at all.

I wanted to get others opinions on this ? Does everyone’s x5 with no air suspension drive this harsh ? Have I missed anything that I should replace that would improve this ?

Should I just get rid of the car Ans get a Lexus ? I really don’t want to do this since I’ve spent so much money on maintenance already on this car.

Would love to get any advice or feed back!


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07 e70 4.8 55k miles and I too feel the same way lol. They’re extremely heavy so there’s no real way to soften the ride other than keeping the stock 19’s with thicker sidewall, that’s it. I’ve got 20x10.5 and 20x9.5 factory wheels in addition to h&r springs and it’s bumpy as hell. I’m actually thinking about raising it back up. Mine came with rear air bags only. e70’s don’t have airbags on all 4 corners, only rears. If you want a nice smooth ride and a full size suv, Lexus is a good choice.

[byaru1]

Originally Posted by e70jane

If you want a nice smooth ride and a full size suv, Lexus is a good choice.

Recommending a Lexus on a BMW forum

[e70jane]

Yeah I did, both are good cars. I’ve driven a rx350, day and night in terms of comfort when compared to an e70, though handling and steering response is no match.

[leafsrule531]

Originally Posted by e70jane

Yeah I did, both are good cars. I’ve driven a rx350, day and night in terms of comfort when compared to an e70, though handling and steering response is no match.

I would 100% agree with this wholeheartedly. I love bmws to death and own all the “golden era” ones including an e46 m3 and e39 m5. My parents have the e70 x5 which I like … but in terms of comfort and reliability which is what they are more concerned about, the Lexus RX is miles ahead of the x5.

Since I’ve already put so much money into the x5 though, I’ve already researched softer tires for the car since my tires are almost up and definitely going to try to have a larger side wall which I hope will help with the comfort. I’ll definitely play around with the tire pressure as well! But I do appreciate everyone’s help and insight! It’s very interesting to see all the different opinions and suggestions.


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[byaru1]

Originally Posted by leafsrule531

... Since I’ve already put so much money into the x5 though

This is the one aspect I hate about modern BMWs.

I just don't know why they keep constantly breaking and failing, but well, you can't have your cake and eat it too..?

[e70jane]

Originally Posted by leafsrule531

I would 100% agree with this wholeheartedly. I love bmws to death and own all the “golden era” ones including an e46 m3 and e39 m5. My parents have the e70 x5 which I like … but in terms of comfort and reliability which is what they are more concerned about, the Lexus RX is miles ahead of the x5.

Since I’ve already put so much money into the x5 though, I’ve already researched softer tires for the car since my tires are almost up and definitely going to try to have a larger side wall which I hope will help with the comfort. I’ll definitely play around with the tire pressure as well! But I do appreciate everyone’s help and insight! It’s very interesting to see all the different opinions and suggestions.


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It’s a bittersweet situation because her looks do kill you, and how it dominates the road and everyone behind you when you’re pissed off.

[Greggo]

Just trying to recap some of the remarks.

leafsrule531 states that it is a 3 row X5, but no airbags. But did not elaborate beyond 'the shocks look like regular shocks.' To that point, there are different shocks, depending on the suspension type. They look identical, but are very different. Unless you have adjustable suspension, which is clearly different.

Air suspension has a unique shock vs. the standard setup. Putting the standard shock on an air suspension car will cause very harsh ride. There is a YouTube about replacing rear shocks on the E70, he was originally shipped the wrong units.

I would be curious to run the VIN to determine the actual suspension from factory. And where all the replaced parts OEM or aftermarket 'upgrades?'

Also, unless it was modified to have springs in the rear and the correct shock/spring, I do not believe that any 3rd row vehicles came without air suspension. Anybody have comment about this? I have never heard of or seen one.

I have heard several comments (and thus did not purchase,) sport suspension is far too harsh for daily driving anywhere that has questionable roads. Sport suspension on rough roads is a handling nightmare.

I have a 2012 with standard suspension, no 3rd row. The ride is fantastic, rough road or smooth. And the steering is not heavy or too light. Very nice balance. Yokahama non-RFT 19's.

leaferules531, if you would not mind, share the VIN and part numbers for replaced parts. That would provide much more information about the situation.

[josiahg52]

Yeah, I think my X5 with the standard suspension and 18" wheels rides fantastic. Never harsh, very planted. It amazes me for a three ton vehicle.

[e70jane]

Greggo, are you saying that an e70 with rear bags have different front shocks compared to an e70 with no bags?

[andrewwynn]

I was a little nervous as I was about to buy an e70. However wow the ride is just beautiful!

I have 255/55/19s. Not RFT (Michelin defender sumtun sumtin). And not only a great ride handles better than wife's 50i and my old e53. I haven't figured out of either of our e70 have speed sensitive steering.