[Razor1973]

I'm a proud, new owner of this beautiful 2011 X3 xDrive35i (coming from a manual 2008 535i) and have a question for this forum. I'm sure I'll have tons more later.

From the first moment I drove the car, I noticed I could feel every bump on the road, as if the suspension was very stiff or if the tires were over-inflated. I checked and the tires are just 1 psi above the recommended pressure. So I assumed that's just the nature of an SUV (I never owned one). However, I just got a new X1 xDrive28i loaner from my local Service Department (addressing minor cosmetic issues) and the thing rides very smooth and composed.

Can these cars really feel so different on the road or could there be something wrong with mine?

[ianfp]

Congratulations on the lovely car!

I doubt that there is anything wrong with your car as they do tend to pick up a lot of bumps and ripples, particularly as you have the 19" wheels and what looks like Pirelli P Zeros. I have 19" wheels and P Zero's and I found the tires to be very stiff. Do you happen to have sports suspension? This would add to the impression of a stiffer ride.
It took me some while to get used to the feel of mine!

[Gouda]

Looks just like ours, we got it early in Dec of last year. We love it! We have the 18" wheels and Goodyear run flats. It also rode somewhat harsh, but I didn't mind it. However, I replaced the run flats with new Michelin MXM4 all season tires and it rides better, handles better and has better traction in snow and ice. Run flats do have a very stiff sidewall that can contribute to a rough feeling ride. Ours were worn to the point of needing replacement as well. Any SUV type vehicle will ride somewhat rougher that your typical sedan, but it should not be a huge difference.

[Razor1973]

Originally Posted by ianfp

Congratulations on the lovely car!

I doubt that there is anything wrong with your car as they do tend to pick up a lot of bumps and ripples, particularly as you have the 19" wheels and what looks like Pirelli P Zeros. I have 19" wheels and P Zero's and I found the tires to be very stiff. Do you happen to have sports suspension? This would add to the impression of a stiffer ride.
It took me some while to get used to the feel of mine!

Thank you!

No sport suspension, but I do have the adaptive suspension option. This ride I describe happens in all modes, including Normal.

Those tires will not last long. Sounds like I will be getting non-runflats and a spare and keep it in the trunk.

[Razor1973]

Originally Posted by Gouda

Looks just like ours, we got it early in Dec of last year. We love it! We have the 18" wheels and Goodyear run flats. It also rode somewhat harsh, but I didn't mind it. However, I replaced the run flats with new Michelin MXM4 all season tires and it rides better, handles better and has better traction in snow and ice. Run flats do have a very stiff sidewall that can contribute to a rough feeling ride. Ours were worn to the point of needing replacement as well. Any SUV type vehicle will ride somewhat rougher that your typical sedan, but it should not be a huge difference.

Yes, I will be getting new tires in a few months.

The X1 loader I have rides very smooth. Small bumps are imperceptible and bigger ones are handled with grace. I kind of wish my X3 rode like that.

[ianfp]

I expect the difference is down to tire sidewall compliance. As Gouda says, run flats have a very stiff sidewall. I would have thought your adaptive suspension would smooth everything out, but those Pirelli P Zeros are particularly hard. I will replace mine with non-runflat when needed, but they must be BMW star marked apparently.

[The X Men]

The X1 also have runflats.

[barcelona]

Originally Posted by ianfp

I expect the difference is down to tire sidewall compliance. As Gouda says, run flats have a very stiff sidewall. I would have thought your adaptive suspension would smooth everything out, but those Pirelli P Zeros are particularly hard. I will replace mine with non-runflat when needed, but they must be BMW star marked apparently.

I think that BMW star approved are RFT's only. Upon vehicle return at end of lease the tires must be star approved. So, before then its driver choice.

[Razor1973]

Originally Posted by The X Men

The X1 also have runflats.

It's also what I'm thinking and the difference in ride is quite noticeable. =\

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by Razor1973

It's also what I'm thinking and the difference in ride is quite noticeable. =\

Yes, but what tire size was the X1 running? Bet they were not 19" rims. Probably were 17" or 18" which can make a big difference in ride comfort.

[Chris55]

Congrats and great looking car!

I posted this replay on another thread: I use 36 front and 40 rear (I think) on 19" 245/45 and 275/40 (35d). I think that adding some pressure actually makes for a smoother and more controlled ride as it takes the load off the side-walls. You should also notice less tramlining and better mileage.

Also increasing pressure on my previous 335d with runflats dramatically increased tire life and mileage. On my first set (on a new car) the fronts wore out within the year. The main BMW importer and dealer for Switzerland told me that BMW's recommended air pressure was really not good for the tires and BMW actually knows that. He told that they are now increasing the pressure on all cars during service and that I should always maintain an increased pressure. My new front tires + old rear ones lasted an additional full 3 years.

[Razor1973]

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

Yes, but what tire size was the X1 running? Bet they were not 19" rims. Probably were 17" or 18" which can make a big difference in ride comfort.

Standard 17".

Originally Posted by Chris55

Congrats and great looking car!

I posted this replay on another thread: I use 36 front and 40 rear (I think) on 19" 245/45 and 275/40 (35d). I think that adding some pressure actually makes for a smoother and more controlled ride as it takes the load off the side-walls. You should also notice less tramlining and better mileage.

Also increasing pressure on my previous 335d with runflats dramatically increased tire life and mileage. On my first set (on a new car) the fronts wore out within the year. The main BMW importer and dealer for Switzerland told me that BMW's recommended air pressure was really not good for the tires and BMW actually knows that. He told that they are now increasing the pressure on all cars during service and that I should always maintain an increased pressure. My new front tires + old rear ones lasted an additional full 3 years.

Thank you for your compliments on the car and recommendation on tire pressure. I will make sure to try that as soon as I get my car back, hopefully today! I have a long trip to Key West (4 hours) tomorrow and back the next day, so I want as comfortable a ride as possible, especially since I'm taking 3 people in my new ride and don't want them to tell me it's so harsh.

[n55x3]

I personally think it's the nature of the beast. Although I am surprised the adaptive suspension doesn't take some of the stiffness out for you.

Ours has the standard suspension and I often describe it as harsh. I think that's fine though for most driving conditions. It could also be described as tight.

[mge92]

Originally Posted by Chris55

Congrats and great looking car!

I posted this replay on another thread: I use 36 front and 40 rear (I think) on 19" 245/45 and 275/40 (35d). I think that adding some pressure actually makes for a smoother and more controlled ride as it takes the load off the side-walls. You should also notice less tramlining and better mileage.

Also increasing pressure on my previous 335d with runflats dramatically increased tire life and mileage. On my first set (on a new car) the fronts wore out within the year. The main BMW importer and dealer for Switzerland told me that BMW's recommended air pressure was really not good for the tires and BMW actually knows that. He told that they are now increasing the pressure on all cars during service and that I should always maintain an increased pressure. My new front tires + old rear ones lasted an additional full 3 years.

Chris55 is correct. I had my pressures at 32 fronts and 38 rears for the first year and somehow after one year I was at 4/32nds tire tread left and I did get the thuds when I went over potholes ... Cant help it .... But a few months back i went to the dealership to top up the nitrogen and the mechanic said to fill up the tires to what it says on the inside of the door. There are two stickers, one for under 100 mph and one for above 100 mph. He recommended to fill it up to what the sticker for above 100 mph stated which was 42 in the fronts and 46 in the rears if I am not mistaken. Since then I have had a better ride and the thud has disappeared. Hope it helps.

[Razor1973]

Originally Posted by mge.92

Chris55 is correct. I had my pressures at 32 fronts and 38 rears for the first year and somehow after one year I was at 4/32nds tire tread left and I did get the thuds when I went over potholes ... Cant help it .... But a few months back i went to the dealership to top up the nitrogen and the mechanic said to fill up the tires to what it says on the inside of the door. There are two stickers, one for under 100 mph and one for above 100 mph. He recommended to fill it up to what the sticker for above 100 mph stated which was 42 in the fronts and 46 in the rears if I am not mistaken. Since then I have had a better ride and the thud has disappeared. Hope it helps.

That's A LOT of pressure, especially when compared to the one recommended by BMW. I'll definitely try those. I just need my car back now. Thank you.

[Razor1973]

On an unrelated note, I just bought these running boards for my car.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400588620754

[mge92]

Originally Posted by Razor1973

That's A LOT of pressure, especially when compared to the one recommended by BMW. I'll definitely try those. I just need my car back now. Thank you.

I know it is a lot of pressure but it makes a difference but check the door sill on the drivers side and see what your car says. It might be different from m sport and non m sport cars.

[ericthedriver]

Originally Posted by Razor1973

I'm a proud, new owner of this beautiful 2011 X3 xDrive35i (coming from a manual 2008 535i) and have a question for this forum. I'm sure I'll have tons more later.

From the first moment I drove the car, I noticed I could feel every bump on the road, as if the suspension was very stiff or if the tires were over-inflated. I checked and the tires are just 1 psi above the recommended pressure. So I assumed that's just the nature of an SUV (I never owned one). However, I just got a new X1 xDrive28i loaner from my local Service Department (addressing minor cosmetic issues) and the thing rides very smooth and composed.

Can these cars really feel so different on the road or could there be something wrong with mine?

If you really feel a HUGE difference between X3 and X1's ride you might wanna go to the dealership and just driver another x3 to see if there's anything wrong with yours. I had a X1 loaner as well and it was not a softer ride. The biggest difference was that the steering was 10 times heavier than that of X3 due to its old hydraulic design, and the cabin was simply not as luxurious as X3's (this was really obvious when we got the X3 back).

People had said that F25 X3 was based on 5 series, and X1 on last generation 3 series. IS THIS TRUE?

[pokerface]

the F25 is based on the new 3 series (F30). The X1 was based off the last 3 series (E90) but the interior takes inspiration from the 1 series (which was itself based off the E90)

[richard in NC]

One thing I have noticed with RFTs is how critical it is to get the pressure correct for the best ride. Too low and it begins to ride on the ultra stiff sidewalls. Way low has a very odd feel of a wallow combined with thuds on every bump. Once at or above the recommended pressure (that I consider a minimum), the ride is similar to a standard, but over pressure tire. For my 35i MSport with 19s, with a recommended 32/38 f/r, I set mine to 36/40. Maybe higher on long trips when loaded. I get the best balance of reasonable ride and confident handling.

Be sure to check monthly or at least quarterly with the change of seasons and temps.

[Razor1973]

I live in Miami. No change in season or temps. hahaha So I got my car back and set the pressure to 36/40 and it did make a substantial difference for the better.

By the way, what mileage are you guys with an xDrive35i getting? I reset the mpg to 0 when I got the car a week or so ago and today, I was at 13.9 mpg! WHAT?!!?! I am driving normally, not pushing the car at all, and I do about 50/50 city/hwy. That's VERY LOW!

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by Razor1973

I live in Miami. No change in season or temps. hahaha So I got my car back and set the pressure to 36/40 and it did make a substantial difference for the better.

By the way, what mileage are you guys with an xDrive35i getting? I reset the mpg to 0 when I got the car a week or so ago and today, I was at 13.9 mpg! WHAT?!!?! I am driving normally, not pushing the car at all, and I do about 50/50 city/hwy. That's VERY LOW!

Brand new and getting on it for fun, 13.9 is possible, especially with low tire pressures. On steady state highway, I get 27-29 but higher speeds make a big difference. Around town should be 17-20 and I average 22ish when mostly commuting.

Note the start/stop does make a 1+ mpg difference in the city as does eco-pro. I can live with the start/stop but not eco-pro. I keep it on comfort for commuting and kick the shift left to sport when I need merging power, etc. When ever I can, 50-80 is fun.