Ride quality trade off between 18's, 19's and 20's

[London Lad]

Originally Posted by JoshGM

London Lad & ARD

You both dont seem to answer my question. Its OK I dont mind you guys saying there is no SPORT in X5, well that is your opinion.

My question is X5s so called SPORT (which you deny) that comes with ALL Sport Package including 20" WHEELS from assembly plant, do they have "compromised" performance just because they are fixed with 20" wheels????

Iam not talking about X5s which comes with standard 18" then somebody feels he needs to "upgrade" it to 20", NO!

Would BMW make such an error of making a more extra cost X5 by Sporting it (Sports Package) including lowered suspension on the expense of its performance???!

Can we talk about this!?

OK to answer your question:-

"My question is X5s so called SPORT (which you deny) that comes with ALL Sport Package including 20" WHEELS from assembly plant, do they have "compromised" performance just because they are fixed with 20" wheels????"

IMHO Yes.

As far as I am aware the X5 sport only has cosmetic changes over the SE other than 20" wheels and stiffer suspension.

IMO these changes add a very small benefit to the handling (if any) and take a lot away from the comfort and utility of the SUV.

I think adaptive drive with 19s on an SE is a far better bet all round than a sport.

Sorry, I have just re read your question: would a sport be better with 19s ? I think yes, but I would dump the hard suspension before the 20s

Its horses for courses but I would recommend a buyer just to get test drives in all the combinations and see for themselves. I did and an SE with 19s and adaptive drive was best for me. To be honest I think 18s may have been just as good.

[JoshGM]

Originally Posted by London Lad

OK to answer your question:-

"My question is X5s so called SPORT (which you deny) that comes with ALL Sport Package including 20" WHEELS from assembly plant, do they have "compromised" performance just because they are fixed with 20" wheels????"

IMHO Yes.

As far as I am aware the X5 sport only has cosmetic changes over the SE other than 20" wheels and stiffer suspension.

IMO these changes add a very small benefit to the handling (if any) and take a lot away from the comfort and utility of the SUV.

I think adaptive drive with 19s on an SE is a far better bet all round than a sport.

Sorry, I have just re read your question: would a sport be better with 19s ? I think yes, but I would dump the hard suspension before the 20s

Its horses for courses but I would recommend a buyer just to get test drives in all the combinations and see for themselves. I did and an SE with 19s and adaptive drive was best for me. To be honest I think 18s may have been just as good.

Now you have answered my question. Your opinion can not be re-examined by me as the only X5 I have test driven and bought is mine (4.6iS Quadpiped in chromes)! So it will be silly for me to challenge that 18" feel better than 19" and even better than 20" in terms of perfomance, even to say yes 20" wheeled X5 has a compromised performance from the factory!

Why? I just DONT feel the compromise, my car handles my rough and speedy style of driving. Its like praising your mom as the best cook in the world (since you have not tasted food cooked by your neighbor friend's mom!).... maybe guys who change wheels according to seasons can say something (mine is all year round!) as long as its the same car, same driver different 18s changed to 20s - Remember the comparison is on performance NOT comfort.