Ride quality X3 2.8i

ERVJOHNS · 04-04-2011, 03:50 PM

The ride quality on our new X3 is really poor. Twitchy on the highway and floaty on side roads.

We have 245/55 R17 Bridgestone Duelers and the tire pressure from the factory/dealer was 34 all around. Door sticker says 32 all around.

I am going to try 36 an see if that helps, but overall the ride of the car is really disappointing. I am sure the RFT tires share some of the blame but I think BMW is losing it's way on suspension tuning and ride quality. There is just no excuse for the sloppy ride.

Is this what everybody is seeing or is there a problem with this car?

Batman2000 · 04-04-2011, 04:19 PM

Mine goes fairly well. In my country roads are quite bad, very few are what you would call "good roads". My previous car, the X5, was very bouncy and hard on almost every road. This one is a huge improvement (I have Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 245/50/18), is soft on hard roads and very stable on good ones. The steering is somewhat strange, is not that I don't like it, it is just... different.

northX3 · 04-04-2011, 04:22 PM

coming from a Subaru WRX STI, I do think that the ride quality is good

no it won't hug as well to the road, but the steering is tighter than in the Subaru
road feel takes a bit to get used to, but IT IS there, just need to recalibrate how you drive your car. in Sport mode, you really feel it better.

the STI is hasn't the best steering of its class, but I don't think the X3 has such a bad steering feel.

just need to get some sticky 19" in 245 front, 275 rear, and learn to drive a bit in the curves

stlgirl · 04-04-2011, 04:25 PM

Agree. The ride is nowhere near what I had with my 2003 3 series sedan. I felt totally in control in that car. With my new 28 i I don't feel nearly as confident driving it. I have 1400miles so I don't think it's a matter of not having driven it enough. It just doesn't seem to be gripping the road and hugging the corners like my last one did....<sigh>.
PS-you'll see I've put some posts in about the strange braking behavior and the herky/jerky sort of drive I've experienced.

northX3 · 04-04-2011, 04:36 PM

you can't expect a 4400lbs SUV to drive like a sport sedan...

especially a 28i without VDC or Sport Package

as I said, with a 35i with VDC + 19 wheels with 245/275 rubber, the ride is GREAT in Sport mode and confy enough in Normal mode

and no, you can't have the agility of a 3-series sedan, with the X5 cargo capacity, with the X3 ride height, for $40K... it's a matter of balance !

stlgirl · 04-04-2011, 04:44 PM

yeah, i know but a girl can dream.
probably for the best--i don't need to be driving like i used to with 2 small tots in the backseat.

BMWZ4 · 04-04-2011, 04:45 PM

I find the ride as good or better than my '09 Lexus RX, and that's with the Run-flats. I'm driving quite "normally" with this CUV as I have a sports car to drive in a more sprited fashion.

My 2 cents
Dave

tuco44 · 04-04-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northX3

you can't expect a 4400lbs SUV to drive like a sport sedan...

especially a 28i without VDC or Sport Package

as I said, with a 35i with VDC + 19 wheels with 245/275 rubber, the ride is GREAT in Sport mode and confy enough in Normal mode

and no, you can't have the agility of a 3-series sedan, with the X5 cargo capacity, with the X3 ride height, for $40K... it's a matter of balance !

+1 Not a fair comparison - a SAV vs a 3 series sedan or coupe.

I had a 7 Series once, and it didn't handle or ride like a 3 Series either.

Nor do I expect my 35i MSport to ride or handle like my M3 Sedan I sold last fall. These are all different vehicles and they will feel different, one to another.

Razel · 04-04-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlgirl

probably for the best--i don't need to be driving like i used to with 2 small tots in the backseat.

I don't know how old the tots are, but if they're over 2 I'm betting on an ear-to-ear grin the first time mom cuts loose.

But then, you'll never hear the end of it, either. "DO IT AGAIN!!!!"

MA78 · 04-04-2011, 07:06 PM

I drove an '09 e90 for two years and an '04 Mini Cooper S before that. Honestly, my 35i is just as much fun to drive. Sometimes more. I'm not sure I could be happy with it if it didn't have DHP and SAP though. But with those options, I feel like I could show up at a track day and surprise a few people.

Oh, and lets agree on a few things here. It's not a 2.8 or a 3.5. It's 35i and 28i. No periods needed. Also, lets stop refering the any X3 with an M Sport package as an X3M. A body kit does not an M model make. :P

stlgirl · 04-04-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razel

I don't know how old the tots are, but if they're over 2 I'm betting on an ear-to-ear grin the first time mom cuts loose.

But then, you'll never hear the end of it, either. "DO IT AGAIN!!!!"

hahahaha good point!

Powerrunner · 04-04-2011, 07:24 PM

Drove a 740il for years and am having more fun with my 35i. I think the ride is fantastic and fun to drive. I find myself looking for reasons to take the 35i on the road.

stlgirl · 04-04-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

Drove a 740il for years and am having more fun with my 35i. I think the ride is fantastic and fun to drive. I find myself looking for reasons to take the 35i on the road.

well, if that's the case, i do need some milk from the grocery store.

Powerrunner · 04-04-2011, 08:04 PM

Now that's what I am talking about!

Nahoa · 04-04-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

Drove a 740il for years and am having more fun with my 35i. I think the ride is fantastic and fun to drive. I find myself looking for reasons to take the 35i on the road.

Neve had a 740iL, but totally feel the rest. Any excuse to drive, particulary the small, twisty, hilly roads!!

tuco44 · 04-04-2011, 09:05 PM

MA78 - "Oh, and lets agree on a few things here. It's not a 2.8 or a 3.5. It's 35i and 28i. No periods needed. Also, lets stop refering the any X3 with an M Sport package as an X3M. A body kit does not an M model make. :P"

Absolutely correct, if ppl love the vehicle so much, they should at least be able to get the name correct.

Jasonskitchen · 04-04-2011, 09:46 PM

Now I'm getting nervous as I have a 28i on order w/ out dynamic handling back. Almost sounds mandatory by this thread. My dealer said not a big deal but nice if u have the money for it... Not much of an opinion I suppose

MA78 · 04-04-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonskitchen

Now I'm getting nervous as I have a 28i on order w/ out dynamic handling back. Almost sounds mandatory by this thread. My dealer said not a big deal but nice if u have the money for it... Not much of an opinion I suppose

The last person you should listen to is the dealer. DHP doesn't have a high markup.

That being said, I have heard f=very few complaints from 28i owners without DHP.

I drove a 35i without DHP a few months back and didn't think it was bad at all. Not as connected and tight as I'd prefer, but still solid.

MA78 · 04-05-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F25X3

my previous x3 was heavier and drove better. bmw just doesnt make them like they used to

And what was that?

bekind · 04-05-2011, 09:57 AM

Ya know I think the whole ride thing is pretty subjective but I am very surprised to hear folk say they like the ride of their previous gen X3 better than the F25. I have never rode in or driven an older X3 but all the car review mags totally blasted the old X3 for it's horrible ride and handeling.

From my experience the new F25 seems to handle very nicely both with and without VDC and remains very composed in corners and during panic stops.

Also, the X3 will never handle like a 3 series even if it has all the same suspension bits. It's not how much a vehicle weighs it is really where the weight is. The X3 has a much higher center of gravity than a 3 series. You could have a 6000 lbs vehicle handle way better than a 3 series if the weight sits very low in the chassis.

colton_matthias · 04-05-2011, 09:58 AM

I drove a x3 35i the other day and ride isn't bad. It is fairly planted with minimal body roll. I also find it more comfortable than my 335i xdrive and almost as comfortable as my 535i. Suspension on European cars are usually more stiff, maybe that's why you think it's uncomfortable??

ERVJOHNS · 04-05-2011, 10:05 AM

When I made my original observation it was based on comparing past and comparable BMWs

2003 E46 sedan - firm ride, tight steering
2004 X3 25i - Woefully underpowered but firm ride, steering
2007 530xi - heavy vehicle bad A/T, but firm ride, steering
2011 335i Xdrive Msport - sloppy suspension, changed RFT to non RFT, big improvement

Maybe BMW is building cars for a wider audience now and is not building good suspensions for base model cars.

What TP is everybody running? I am trying higher pressure: 36 psi all around to see if that helps.

04-04-2011, 03:50 PM	#1
ERVJOHNS Enlisted Member 4 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi MSport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Ride quality X3 2.8i The ride quality on our new X3 is really poor. Twitchy on the highway and floaty on side roads. We have 245/55 R17 Bridgestone Duelers and the tire pressure from the factory/dealer was 34 all around. Door sticker says 32 all around. I am going to try 36 an see if that helps, but overall the ride of the car is really disappointing. I am sure the RFT tires share some of the blame but I think BMW is losing it's way on suspension tuning and ride quality. There is just no excuse for the sloppy ride. Is this what everybody is seeing or is there a problem with this car?
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04-04-2011, 04:19 PM	#2
Batman2000 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 32 Posts Drives: E53 X5/F25 X3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Panama iTrader: (0)	Mine goes fairly well. In my country roads are quite bad, very few are what you would call "good roads". My previous car, the X5, was very bouncy and hard on almost every road. This one is a huge improvement (I have Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 245/50/18), is soft on hard roads and very stable on good ones. The steering is somewhat strange, is not that I don't like it, it is just... different.
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04-04-2011, 04:22 PM	#3
northX3 Private 29 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	coming from a Subaru WRX STI, I do think that the ride quality is good no it won't hug as well to the road, but the steering is tighter than in the Subaru road feel takes a bit to get used to, but IT IS there, just need to recalibrate how you drive your car. in Sport mode, you really feel it better. the STI is hasn't the best steering of its class, but I don't think the X3 has such a bad steering feel. just need to get some sticky 19" in 245 front, 275 rear, and learn to drive a bit in the curves
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04-04-2011, 04:25 PM	#4
stlgirl Private 9 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2011 28i X3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Saint Louis MO iTrader: (0)	Agree. The ride is nowhere near what I had with my 2003 3 series sedan. I felt totally in control in that car. With my new 28 i I don't feel nearly as confident driving it. I have 1400miles so I don't think it's a matter of not having driven it enough. It just doesn't seem to be gripping the road and hugging the corners like my last one did....<sigh>. PS-you'll see I've put some posts in about the strange braking behavior and the herky/jerky sort of drive I've experienced.
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04-04-2011, 04:36 PM	#5
northX3 Private 29 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	you can't expect a 4400lbs SUV to drive like a sport sedan... especially a 28i without VDC or Sport Package as I said, with a 35i with VDC + 19 wheels with 245/275 rubber, the ride is GREAT in Sport mode and confy enough in Normal mode and no, you can't have the agility of a 3-series sedan, with the X5 cargo capacity, with the X3 ride height, for $40K... it's a matter of balance !
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04-04-2011, 04:44 PM	#6
stlgirl Private 9 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2011 28i X3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Saint Louis MO iTrader: (0)	yeah, i know but a girl can dream. probably for the best--i don't need to be driving like i used to with 2 small tots in the backseat.
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04-04-2011, 04:45 PM	#7
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I find the ride as good or better than my '09 Lexus RX, and that's with the Run-flats. I'm driving quite "normally" with this CUV as I have a sports car to drive in a more sprited fashion. My 2 cents Dave __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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04-04-2011, 07:06 PM	#10
MA78 TK-421 18 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	I drove an '09 e90 for two years and an '04 Mini Cooper S before that. Honestly, my 35i is just as much fun to drive. Sometimes more. I'm not sure I could be happy with it if it didn't have DHP and SAP though. But with those options, I feel like I could show up at a track day and surprise a few people. Oh, and lets agree on a few things here. It's not a 2.8 or a 3.5. It's 35i and 28i. No periods needed. Also, lets stop refering the any X3 with an M Sport package as an X3M. A body kit does not an M model make. :P
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04-04-2011, 07:24 PM	#12
Powerrunner Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 275 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Naperville iTrader: (0)	Drove a 740il for years and am having more fun with my 35i. I think the ride is fantastic and fun to drive. I find myself looking for reasons to take the 35i on the road.
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04-04-2011, 08:04 PM	#14
Powerrunner Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 275 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Naperville iTrader: (0)	Now that's what I am talking about!
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04-04-2011, 09:05 PM	#16
tuco44 Colonel 644 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	MA78 - "Oh, and lets agree on a few things here. It's not a 2.8 or a 3.5. It's 35i and 28i. No periods needed. Also, lets stop refering the any X3 with an M Sport package as an X3M. A body kit does not an M model make. :P" Absolutely correct, if ppl love the vehicle so much, they should at least be able to get the name correct. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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04-04-2011, 09:46 PM	#17
Jasonskitchen New Member 3 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2011 bmw x3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Now I'm getting nervous as I have a 28i on order w/ out dynamic handling back. Almost sounds mandatory by this thread. My dealer said not a big deal but nice if u have the money for it... Not much of an opinion I suppose
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04-05-2011, 09:57 AM	#20
bekind Private 2 Rep 86 Posts Drives: x3 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	Ya know I think the whole ride thing is pretty subjective but I am very surprised to hear folk say they like the ride of their previous gen X3 better than the F25. I have never rode in or driven an older X3 but all the car review mags totally blasted the old X3 for it's horrible ride and handeling. From my experience the new F25 seems to handle very nicely both with and without VDC and remains very composed in corners and during panic stops. Also, the X3 will never handle like a 3 series even if it has all the same suspension bits. It's not how much a vehicle weighs it is really where the weight is. The X3 has a much higher center of gravity than a 3 series. You could have a 6000 lbs vehicle handle way better than a 3 series if the weight sits very low in the chassis.
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04-05-2011, 09:58 AM	#21
colton_matthias Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 M Sport Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I drove a x3 35i the other day and ride isn't bad. It is fairly planted with minimal body roll. I also find it more comfortable than my 335i xdrive and almost as comfortable as my 535i. Suspension on European cars are usually more stiff, maybe that's why you think it's uncomfortable??
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04-05-2011, 10:05 AM	#22
ERVJOHNS Enlisted Member 4 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi MSport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	When I made my original observation it was based on comparing past and comparable BMWs 2003 E46 sedan - firm ride, tight steering 2004 X3 25i - Woefully underpowered but firm ride, steering 2007 530xi - heavy vehicle bad A/T, but firm ride, steering 2011 335i Xdrive Msport - sloppy suspension, changed RFT to non RFT, big improvement Maybe BMW is building cars for a wider audience now and is not building good suspensions for base model cars. What TP is everybody running? I am trying higher pressure: 36 psi all around to see if that helps.
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