X5 vs. ML350 Ride Quality and Tire Selection

[996/699]

I was in the same boat several months ago. I test drove everything under the sun. ML550, ML63, etc... ML is nice but very soft and leans way too much for my likes. I traded in a 2007 Lexus LS460 for a 2009 X5 4.8. I did not get the sports package because the ride quality was too harsh for every day driving, sports seats were not for me and overall the standard suspension is great. I drove two X5's for long stretches, one with Sport and one without. I could not tell a big difference in handling between the two. I did change to 20" wheels and the ride is better than the 18" with the RFT by a long shot.

[ABMW]

Originally Posted by 996/699

I was in the same boat several months ago. I test drove everything under the sun. ML550, ML63, etc... ML is nice but very soft and leans way too much for my likes. I traded in a 2007 Lexus LS460 for a 2009 X5 4.8. I did not get the sports package because the ride quality was too harsh for every day driving, sports seats were not for me and overall the standard suspension is great. I drove two X5's for long stretches, one with Sport and one without. I could not tell a big difference in handling between the two. I did change to 20" wheels and the ride is better than the 18" with the RFT by a long shot.

So you're running 20s with standard radials, or 20s with RFts? I'm assuming the former, but just want to make sure.

[996/699]

20x10 all around, 20mm spacers in the rear, style 227, Nokian WR G2 275/45 on all four.

[CarsRmyVICE]

I also drove the ml 350 several times before leasing my x5 4.8 (in 07). I found the brakes to be a bit mushy and also found it to lean harder in corners. To be honest I just could not get over the cheap feeling interior. It felt like I was in a buick. I don't think you situation is anything new, women tend to like mercs in my experience Tell her she can get a nice tan through the pan roof on the x5, women in my life tend to love this feature

[London Lad]

FWIW when I ordered my E70 I drove a good few combos at the dealers. 19s, 20s, sport, adaptive suspension, standard tyres and all season tyres.

I wanted the X5 to use as an SUV, not a sports car or HGV !

My findings were as follows, YMMV :-)

Sports suspension improved the handling a little but ruined the ride.

20s, same as above.

Adaptive ride when in sport mode cut roll in fast corners without ruining the ride. When in 'normal' mode same as standard.

All season tyres rode and handled the same as the standard summer tyres. As both are RFT the ride is harder than non run-flats but I didn't find it a problem.

Needless to say, I ordered an SE with 19s and adaptive ride and very pleased with it I am too.

I don't think you should run them at incorrect pressures and I don't think it would improve the ride anyway.

[scchang]

Originally Posted by London Lad

I don't think you should run them at incorrect pressures and I don't think it would improve the ride anyway.

Sorry, deleted my post. I asked if running the RFTs at lower pressure would help the soften the ride given the stiff sidewalls. Thanks for all the info - very helpful.

[London Lad]

I have noticed on my wife's Mini (RFT) the ride gets harder with lower pressures. I suspect that running lower psi allows more energy to be transferred from road to wheel by the run-flat 'filler' than with higher psi.

[scchang]

I'm not very knowledgeable regarding suspensions, but would it be correct to assume it would be possible to change shocks, springs, etc. to soften the ride beyond what non-RFTs would accomplish (and give up some handling)?

[London Lad]

As a general rule softer springs and shocks will give a softer ride but less body control (worse handling) in practice its not quite that simple.

With a vehicle like the e70 X5 the suspension is quite complex and linked to other systems.

I would suspect standard suspension with 18s non run-flat would be about as soft as you would want to go.

[alewifebp]

I had a 2006 ML500 before the X. Without a doubt, the ride on the ML is more comfortable.

Regarding the steering, it was fine on the 500, but I have heard others complain about the steering on the 350. The upper models get the parameter steering feature, which gives much better feel and not as light. I would hardly call it dangerous though.