E70 handles worse than E53 on windy days
 

My E53 4.8is handled much tighter and there was more resistance when traveling at 80mph on the interstate. My E70 seems to pull more with the wind and requires me to fight the wind more. Does anyone else notice this as well?

yes, I do, but only on the freeway. I don't really notice it anywhere else. It feels like it's being blown like a ligher car, but it's heavier...

It's bigger than the E53 with more surface area for the wind to move it around. The heavier weight is offset by the additional surface area.

I notice it only on the freeway at high speeds. Otherwise it handles great for me.

Is it a problem when it's not windy? I hope not, since the drag coefficient is lower.

No, It is only a problem when its windy or when going 80mph+ on the freeway.

Do you have sports package? Handling for 4.8is very sporty and difficult to compare with regular E70. And its one of the reason why I can't go back to non-is version. I am sure the "is" version of E70(when released) will handle more in line with E53 4.8is.

How much does the e70 weigh? E53 is about 6K correct? Maybe that alum. hood and plastic fenders lightened the e70 load a bit.

3.0

2004 E53 Gross Weight 6008 lbs.
Curb Weight 4696 lbs

2007 E70 Gross Weight ??? (6327 w/ 3rd row) lbs.
Curb Weight 4982 lbs (5115 w/ 3rd row)

I went from non-sport 3.0i to non-sport 3.0si, and I am being blown around more.
I do not experience it at all below 60 MPH.

I have noticed this twice, once on a long road trip. Both times I was on the Interstate driving over 70mph.
Next time i'll try switching to "Sport" mode and see if it makes a difference.

It's a bigger car, with likely a softer suspension than the E53. I'm guess this because a lot of reviewers complained about the ride being too stiff in the E53 in non-sport trim (yea, right), and they don't complain about it in the E70.

BMW has been softening up the ride lately...........:rolleyes:. All of a sudden, sport package is pretty much required for snappy handling.

Hi all,

The X5 I have ordered has the Adaptive Drive & Adaptive Steer. The Adaptive Drive keeps the X5 level (roll, pitch etc) and also has a sports mode setting. If I was not getting Adaptive Drive I certainly would be getting Sports Susupension as on my current E53, as you said this new X5 is a lot larger and it would need stiffer suspension. Everytime a gust of wind grabs the vehicle it would lurch when you corrected via the steering wheel.

I also have gone for 20" wheels this time instead of 19" giving a foot print of a 315 tyre on the rear rather than the 285 the 19" gives & have gone from a 255 to 275 on the front. Also these tyres are a lower profile so it will be interesting to see if all the measures counter the problem otherwise the extra expense of Adaptive Drive was a waste on money.

Active steering is supposed to automatically correct for crosswinds without any input from the driver. Just like how it can play with the steering when DSC intervenes.