Comfort on long drives and fun to drive rating?

[JCL]

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]

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.

[soldmystang]

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.

[swesson]

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.

[haigha]

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

[BMWLOVER]

I love taking the x5 on long trips. Its a wonderful ride. I have 19" wheels with sport package and the ride and seats seem to be perfect.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by amh

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.

You are the only one who can decide if the X is fun enough for your driving style.

The 535 is a different car than the 540; it is a new generation, known as an E60. A little larger, and I find it more comfortable than the previous generation.

You are comparing two very different vehicles here, so most can only respond based on what they have. You need to take an extended test drive in both vehicles, IMO.

[amh]

No you are right but my typo gave you bad info. I had the 545 (V8) when the new 5 series came out. Got it in April of 2004. If there is a new seating position in the 5 series now, I should re-test it.

[xexyus]

An oversized coupe will solve your knee issue, not a large sedan/suv in my opinion.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by amh

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.

Interesting. I had the 545 and noticed no problems getting comfortable with the sport package. Totally a personal feel. IMO, nappa leather is great for daily commutes because it was soft and supple, the dakota leather package is great for long driving comfort (500+ miles), the package in the 335 I haven't seen yet