Comfort on long drives and fun to drive rating?

buschy · #1 02-24-2008, 06:17 PM

The fun to drive factor is there in the x5 4.8i, but its not a 335i.
If what you need is comfort for longer drives then the x5 will be great, but you for sure want the sport package and the comfort seats. We took our new x on a 700 mile one way trip and its was effortless with no discomfort. wel, other then the kids waking up.
If you are chosing between the cars then I would go with the x5, because of your complaint. you will still get plenty of fun factor out of it. you may miss the 335 but not much.
I got rid of my 335 two months ago and got a jetta to drive untill my M3 gets here, and its teribble, but whenever the wifey is home I take out the x and its great.
hope that made sense and helped you out

amh · #2 02-24-2008, 06:33 PM

These posts are helpful, I appreciate the input. I am going to borrow each car for a day and hopefully that will clarify whether an X and S550 or one of them with the 335i will get me off the vehicle treadmill. (admittedly, a pretty insignificant problem in the scheme of things) Still not sure about the statement the Mercedes makes.

Do you miss the 335 or is the fun itch cured when you can drive the X? I basically drive the 335i around town and 2.5 hour (one way) trips to daughter's college. Mostly at 80-85 mph on highway. The longer 8 hour trips would be through mountains to NFL games.

I guess the knees will be an issue with either car-and more frequent stops are inevitable.

Quicksilver · #3 02-24-2008, 06:43 PM

Suggestion:

Replace the word "inevitable" with the word "sensible" and you change the way you think. Change the way you think "in this case" and you bring yourself peace and enjoyment. Have a safe trip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amh

I guess the knees will be an issue with either car-and more frequent stops are inevitable.

amh · #4 02-24-2008, 07:01 PM

Point taken re stops.

If the X5 is a reasonable amount of fun with sport and 19"s, then I can replace the 335 as my daily driver.

theprof · #5 02-24-2008, 08:01 PM

My other car is a Maserati Quattroporte. While the Maser has certain attributes that my X5 can't touch; when it comes to road trip comfort, a quiet serene cabin the X5 is the winner. Just a joy to drive. Get the most deluxe seat package

JCL · #6 02-24-2008, 08:35 PM

I had an E53, not an E70, and now we have an X3 as well. While both are fun to drive IMO, they are nothing like a 335.

I have some issues with my knees, and I am 6'4" on top of that. I went to a 535i, with comfort seats. I found there was sufficient room, and enough adjustments so that it is very comfortable on longer trips. I found the 335 just a little too close for me. You mentioned discounting the 5 series, but it may be that you could find a combination of seat settings that work for you. Also, a 535 is a lot closer to the driving experience of a 335 than an X5 is, particularly if you get the manual transmission.

Just my $0.02

amh · #7 02-24-2008, 09:08 PM

Agree that the X will not be a 335 in terms of fun but I am wondering if it will be enough fun given how I drive in the real world? The X you had fit me perfectly but the ride was too harsh for my wife so we didn't buy one.

Have the seating ergonomics of the current 5 series changed much since it was introduced? I had a company supplied 540i when it first came out and couldn't get comfortable. The X interior seems to have more comfort and room than I remember in the 540-at least for me.

swesson · #8 02-24-2008, 09:19 PM

I drove 2400 miles over the holidays from Denver to Dallas to Louisiana and back. It was the most comfortable drive I have ever had. I have owned Lexus, Mercedes, and Porsche, and BMW sport cars and sedans (except for the Porsche of course). The X5 was the best of the bunch.

soldmystang · #9 02-24-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amh

Point taken re stops.

If the X5 is a reasonable amount of fun with sport and 19"s, then I can replace the 335 as my daily driver.

took delivery of my 4.8i with sport / 19's 12-22-07. it has 4800 miles on it today. can't say that any of them have not been enjoyable.

longest trip to date, 10 hours up 95,64,81,15. stopped for gas, quick burger and the necessities. reached my destination feeling tired obviously but in no way fatigued. i credit this to the X.

power is great, brakes are huge & the all wheel driving experience is entertaining. my first AWD car so i understand now why STI guys think they are hot shiest. (hacks) this truck can be driven at several levels and so far it has not disappointed me on any of them.

the wife's e46 is a bumpier ride and it doesn't have sport package. not to mention the grunt the 4.8 has over a 3.0. can't speak for an e90 just yet.

haigha · #10 02-24-2008, 09:21 PM

I've taken my E53 on about ten 1,000+ mile round trip drives. I think it is less tiring to drive than my old E30s (one had regular and one had sport seats). I specifically opted for the 18" tires based on feedback from a friend who had driven 19" and 20" X5s on long trips and on advice from my salesperson. I have the sport package without comfort seats. I find the sport seats very comfortable but I tend to like a firmer seat and liked the seats in my E30s. I can do a 600+ mile trip with one stop for gas but I'm still in my forties