My X5 driving experience
 

So I am really enjoying my '05 X5 4.4 with sports package and 20" diamaris, especially so when driving on smooth pavements and roads. However, should I get on a road with pot holes, road repairs (ouch!) or any other un-even-ness, it's horrible. The car shakes like a mofo and it's extremely annoying, esp if I have passengers in the car.

Sometimes I ponder if I should have stayed away from the sports package entirely, but then I'd prolly not have the same performance? Also, I wonder if a 4.8 would ride smoother, but I assume all 4.8's have the same suspension as my current vehicle?

What do you guys recommend? Stick with the current set up and don't whine like a lil b***ch? Do something to my present X5? Get another with a diff setup? :dunno: My priorities are: (1) Smooth and comfortable driving experience and (2) performance. Thanks in advance for your input.

I am afraid for your priorities, you should have skipped the SP.

Perhaps you can sell your 20" setup (they would be a hot item) and purchase a set of 18" wheels with fatter tires.

This would cushion the texture of the road, while retaining your suspension's performance level.

It's kind of hard to have good/exceptional handling without having a harsh ride.. I hear you about the suspension, though. My 330xi has very stiff suspension and I live on a pothole-ridden dirt road. It's horrible! My X5 didn't have the sports package, but it still handled well enough. Personally I'd stick with it. If it really bothers you, maybe get a new X5, but that would be an expensive thing to do. You could try letting a little air out of the tires, maybe?

your 20" wheels is probably the main problem, go to a dealership and try one with the 18" you will notice the difference.

In response to "but I assume all 4.8's have the same suspension as my current vehicle", the answer is no. The 4.8 has a different suspension setup. I believe the 4.8 owners will tell you that it is compliant over bumps etc..., yet is very flat when cornering. Almost like an adaptive suspension.

you might have to suck it up.... the difference from 18's to 20's is not that big of one as far as ride quality. dont know what else to tell you.

Here's my take: I test drove a 3.0 with 18s and a 4.4" with 19s, both with SP. I noticed a difference with the 19s and decided to order the 18s and SP on my 4.4. Though I like the looks of the 132 style, I am mostly using the X5 for long highway trips and I made the right decision for me. A friend who drove one of his student's X5 from Las Vegas to Palm Springs (Adam Oates' X5 for you hockey fans) said mine is significantly more comfortable to drive.

air Suspension?
 

Does BMW offer air suspension? I have a friend who traded in his Cayenne S for one with PASM because he was tired of the harsh ride.

The 18s are alot more comfortable than the 20s. I have the a sport susp too and i have 18s and 20s and it makes a big difference. Also check tire pressure if it is too high it will give you a stiff ride. they should have 32lbs in each tire.

As far as the 4.8is suspension being the same as the 4.4 sport suspension it depends if you have the hieght adjustable suspension. If you do the 4.8 and 4.4 suspensions are very very close in feel comfort and performance. If you do not have the adjustable ride hieght that means you don not have air springs up front and the ride is very different than the 4.8. Which do you have.

Nope, no adjustable ride height