[snerkler]

I currently have a 2016 F15 X5 x30d and am contemplating a new 2022 M40i but am concerned about ride comfort. Now I know this is very subjective but has anyone made a similar move and found the M40i suspension too harsh and regretted it? For reference I run my X5 in comfort mode.

I will of course go for a test drive first but often I don’t find test drives give a true representation of what it’s like to live with day to day.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[6734202]

Not an exact comparison at all, but I was coming from a 3 series and very worried about giving up the smoothness I had in that vehicle. No regrets so far and o just got 1200 miles last week.

[jjl]

Went from a F15 X5 with standard suspension to '18 M40i and now '21 M40i, both with adaptive. In comfort mode the X5 and M40i ride similarly, but the X5 was more comfortable, I believe due to the seats. The Merino leather seats I had in the X5 were much more plush and luxurious than the Vernasca leather in the M40i. If ride comfort, especially over long distances, is your priority I would stick w the X5 but the M40i is the faster, more fun car to drive by far.

[radarguy]

I went from a 2015 F15 gas 3.0 with standard rear air suspension to a 2023 X3 M40i with adaptive. Both had 19" AS RFTs. I feel that the X3 ride in comfort mode is comparable to the F15. Of course, tire selection will influence that.

Handling and acceleration are better in the X3. Overall comfort is slightly better in the F15 due to seat size, padding, and interior size. The X3 has fake leather while the F15 had leather multi-contour seats w/o ventilation. I would avoid ventilated, if possible, in 2022 because of seat comfort.

[snerkler]

Originally Posted by jjl

Went from a F15 X5 with standard suspension to '18 M40i and now '21 M40i, both with adaptive. In comfort mode the X5 and M40i ride similarly, but the X5 was more comfortable, I believe due to the seats. The Merino leather seats I had in the X5 were much more plush and luxurious than the Vernasca leather in the M40i. If ride comfort, especially over long distances, is your priority I would stick w the X5 but the M40i is the faster, more fun car to drive by far.

I wouldn’t say ride comfort is a priority but it’s a consideration. I have a recurrent lower back problem and our roads in the UK are full of potholes and speed bumps and don’t want something that ‘crashes’ over bumps.

[snerkler]

Originally Posted by radarguy

I went from a 2015 F15 gas 3.0 with standard rear air suspension to a 2023 X3 M40i with adaptive. Both had 19" AS RFTs. I feel that the X3 ride in comfort mode is comparable to the F15. Of course, tire selection will influence that.

Handling and acceleration are better in the X3. Overall comfort is slightly better in the F15 due to seat size, padding, and interior size. The X3 has fake leather while the F15 had leather multi-contour seats w/o ventilation. I would avoid ventilated, if possible, in 2022 because of seat comfort.

My X5 has 20’s but the m40i will have 21’s so there’ll be a difference there. My X5 has the rear air suspension and also configurable dynamics so I can stiffen it up and change the engine responsiveness.

My wife has an Evoque and I notice that gives a bumpier ride than my X5 but it’s by no means horrendous.

I didn’t realise the seats were fake leather, there’s nothing I’ve seen that suggests that

[bcwalks2]

The only thing I don’t like about our 2018 M40i is the ride is stiff. I did not want the air suspension due to doing all my own maintenance and wanting to keep costs down. There are quite a few components to the air suspension and that stuff gets expensive quick. I will be getting rid of the run flats here on the next tire set, so hoping that will help a bit.

While I have not driven an X5, I do think you would have quite a big difference going from the X5 to a M40i without air suspension.

[snerkler]

Originally Posted by bcwalks2

The only thing I don’t like about our 2018 M40i is the ride is stiff. I did not want the air suspension due to doing all my own maintenance and wanting to keep costs down. There are quite a few components to the air suspension and that stuff gets expensive quick. I will be getting rid of the run flats here on the next tire set, so hoping that will help a bit.

While I have not driven an X5, I do think you would have quite a big difference going from the X5 to a M40i without air suspension.

AFAIK the M40i isn’t available with air suspension?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by snerkler

My X5 has 20’s but the m40i will have 21’s so there’ll be a difference there. My X5 has the rear air suspension and also configurable dynamics so I can stiffen it up and change the engine responsiveness.

My wife has an Evoque and I notice that gives a bumpier ride than my X5 but it’s by no means horrendous.

I didn’t realise the seats were fake leather, there’s nothing I’ve seen that suggests that

The UK X3 M40 has Vernasca “real” leather on seats and door cards, although it uses Sensatec faux leather on dash and door caps.

As you say the UK M40 rides on 21” rims shod in low profile run flat rubber.
The X3 will more nimble and less boat like in fast country bends. You need to test drive an M40 to determine if the ride is to your taste, and you’re correct there is no air suspension option.

[bcwalks2]

Originally Posted by snerkler

AFAIK the M40i isn’t available with air suspension?

Yeah, sorry they call it “adaptive suspension”

[JayM40i]

Not sure about the ride comfort but make sure you won't miss the cargo space.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by bcwalks2

Yeah, sorry they call it “adaptive suspension”

That isn’t air suspension, it’s adjustable dampers.

[snerkler]

Originally Posted by avi66

The UK X3 M40 has Vernasca “real” leather on seats and door cards, although it uses Sensatec faux leather on dash and door caps.

As you say the UK M40 rides on 21” rims shod in low profile run flat rubber.
The X3 will more nimble and less boat like in fast country bends. You need to test drive an M40 to determine if the ride is to your taste, and you’re correct there is no air suspension option.

Thanks, I’ll definitely test drive but it’s handy to get a feel for people’s day to day experiences 👍🏻

[JonoSS]

Originally Posted by snerkler

I currently have a 2016 F15 X5 x30d and am contemplating a new 2022 M40i but am concerned about ride comfort. Now I know this is very subjective but has anyone made a similar move and found the M40i suspension too harsh and regretted it? For reference I run my X5 in comfort mode.

I will of course go for a test drive first but often I don't find test drives give a true representation of what it's like to live with day to day.

Any thoughts appreciated.

I went from a 2016 X5 35i 19" all season runflats with rear air suspension Dakota leather to 2023 X3 M40i with adaptive suspension all season 19" runflats Vernasca Leather. Drive both normally in comfort

I am in Toronto. Love the X3 M40i but do miss the comfort ride of X5. On the M40i you definitely feel every bump and pothole more but the handling and power is amazing. Going over speed bumps are fine since never drive fast over speed bumps.

Re: seats I find them similar and perhaps the Vernasca leather slightly better.

I wish the X3 had air suspension for city driving (like the X5 and Macan?) but I think Toronto has worse potholes than London. The last time I was in London (twice this year) I remember thinking wow the roads are so much better than Toronto (probably due to our harsh winters).

[snerkler]

Originally Posted by JayM40i

Not sure about the ride comfort but make sure you won't miss the cargo space.

90% of the time I’m on my own with an empty boot (trunk). A couple of times a year we go away with the dog and will fill the boot with luggage and the dog bed etc but I’m sure we can pack ‘cleverly’

[snerkler]

Originally Posted by JonoSS

I went from a 2016 X5 35i 19" all season runflats with rear air suspension Dakota leather to 2023 X3 M40i with adaptive suspension all season 19" runflats Vernasca Leather. Drive both normally in comfort

I am in Toronto. Love the X3 M40i but do miss the comfort ride of X5. On the M40i you definitely feel every bump and pothole more but the handling and power is amazing. Going over speed bumps are fine since never drive fast over speed bumps.

Re: seats I find them similar and perhaps the Vernasca leather slightly better.

I wish the X3 had air suspension for city driving (like the X5 and Macan?) but I think Toronto has worse for potholes than London. The last time I was in London (twice this year) I remember thinking wow the roads are so much better than Toronto (probably due to our harsh winters).

Thanks, yeah London roads are smooth as silk compared to the part of the UK we live

[JonoSS]

Originally Posted by snerkler

Thanks, yeah London roads are smooth as silk compared to the part of the UK we live

I actually think the X3 is almost the perfect SUV for me, almost as much space as X5 (at least the 2016 I know the 2023 is much bigger) but much more nimble and easier to park.

I can live with the slightly rougher city ride as I think it's probably worse for passengers but in a few years the kids will be all gone. The M40 is much more fun to drive.

[cls49bmw]

I came from 330xi, with lower profile tires. I felt the ride was a little harsh.

My 2023 X3M40 has a much smoother and supple ride. Maybe it's the 19" wheels, but I'm very happy with the ride.

[JayM40i]

Compared to the x5 I think you will find it a lot more nimble on back roads. I currently drive an m40i and it's a blast. Put it in sport+ and have some fun. I found the ride a little stiff at first but I've read switching out the run flats can help.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Get rid of the run flats and you will be fine.
My m40i is almost too soft with the Michelin all seasons… good tire though.

[gkgeiger]

For me, the advantages of RF’s outweigh the disadvantages. I also struggled with the X3/X5 decision. I’m glad I got the M40i.

[radarguy]

Originally Posted by snerkler

I didn’t realise the seats were fake leather, there’s nothing I’ve seen that suggests that

It is SensaTec which is standard in the US. i.e. fake leather. To me, it is much softer than the Verscana real leather option in the US. The merino leather offered in the EU, is softer than SensaTec but not by much.