BMW 5 series, which size wheels are these?

[Hammersia]

Trying to establish the ride quality on “standard” wheels, a lot of seller descriptions on AT contradict themselves.

This is a 2010 5 series, are these “standard” size or M sport? I test drove it and didn’t think the ride quality was all that good, I’m looking for a wafty barge, cheers

Edited by Hammersia on Saturday 4th March 21:18

Edited by Hammersia on Sunday 5th March 07:12

[E63eeeeee...]

There's quite a lot of variables beyond just wheel size. There's two fixed suspension setups and a variable one, and the eternal runflat or not discussion.

IME (F10 550i, F13 640d). 19s on adaptive suspension are OK in comfort+ or in normal on better roads. In Sport, you may as well pre-book the dentist. 20s ok in comfort+ but you spend more time than I like bouncing off the bump stops. If you want a fully relaxing ride I'd go for 18s or smaller. You can also think about swapping to non runflats, but I prefer to keep them for motorway driving.

[E63eeeeee...]

For BMW wheel styles and stats, http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/ is pretty good.

I'd guess they're 19s, there's a similar style that are 20s, but I think they have flat sections at the outer end of each spoke.

[E63eeeeee...]

Ride height at the back looks really low, unless there's a dead body in the boot you might want to check the springs.

[E63eeeeee...]

E63eeeeee... said:

Ride height at the back looks really low, unless there's a dead body in the boot you might want to check the springs.

Should look more like this

[Hammersia]

E63eeeeee... said:

Ride height at the back looks really low, unless there's a dead body in the boot you might want to check the springs.

Interesting, there was a rattle at the back which I thought was an unlocked rear seat… maybe it’s worse than that.

[joshcowin]

Hammersia said:

Trying to establish the ride quality on “standard” wheels, a lot of seller descriptions on AT contradict themselves.

This is a 2010 5 series, are these “standard” size or M sport? I test drove it and didn’t think the ride quality was all that good, I’m looking for a wafty barge, cheers

Edited by Hammersia on Saturday 4th March 21:18

Edited by Hammersia on Sunday 5th March 07:12

Have you driven a similar age a6 avant with the 3.0 diesel? Lovely wafty barge imo

[paradigital]

joshcowin said:

Have you driven a similar age a6 avant with the 3.0 diesel? Lovely wafty barge imo

I wouldn’t want a C6 A6 over an F10 5. The C6 is ancient, coming along in 2005! A very late 2011 A6 would be into C7 platform, which is definitely worth a look if comfort is appreciated above driving dynamics (where the BMW wins hands down).

[joshcowin]

paradigital said:

joshcowin said:

Have you driven a similar age a6 avant with the 3.0 diesel? Lovely wafty barge imo

I wouldn’t want a C6 A6 over an F10 5. The C6 is ancient, coming along in 2005! A very late 2011 A6 would be into C7 platform, which is definitely worth a look if comfort is appreciated above driving dynamics (where the BMW wins hands down).

You driven one? I regularly drive a 10 plate with 130,000 miles on the clock, it's a great wafting drive! Solid, refined, good sound system, extremely comfy.

Don't discount it for the money!

[paradigital]

joshcowin said:

You driven one? I regularly drive a 10 plate with 130,000 miles on the clock, it's a great wafting drive! Solid, refined, good sound system, extremely comfy.

Don't discount it for the money!

Yes, I owned a 2008 Avant for 2 years. It’s not a comparable car to an F10.

It was very good, and a good competitor to an E60, but the F10 moved the game on massively.

[joshcowin]

paradigital said:

joshcowin said:

You driven one? I regularly drive a 10 plate with 130,000 miles on the clock, it's a great wafting drive! Solid, refined, good sound system, extremely comfy.

Don't discount it for the money!

Yes, I owned a 2008 Avant for 2 years. It’s not a comparable car to an F10.

It was very good, and a good competitor to an E60, but the F10 moved the game on massively.

Then I suggest the OP listens to you over me haha!

[SWoll]

If you want wafty avoid M-Sport/S-Line models and anything bigger than 18" wheels I'd suggest. I also agree that the rear suspension on the car above doesn't look right, although could just be the angle of the picture?

[Hammersia]

I've just test driven a Merc c class, 220 16 plate on the deepest tyres, 16s I think, and.... It wasn't much better tbh. Still jiggly. Will have a look for a 5 on 18s but there's not many about.

Might have a go at a Q50? Has to be a diesel.

[SWoll]

Hammersia said:

I've just test driven a Merc c class, 220 16 plate on the deepest tyres, 16s I think, and.... It wasn't much better tbh. Still jiggly. Will have a look for a 5 on 18s but there's not many about.

Might have a go at a Q50? Has to be a diesel.

We had a 14 plate C220 on 17's and was never impressed with the ride. The E-Class we had after it on the same size wheels was night and day better. I've found the same to be true with Audi (A4>A6) and BMW (3>5), that step up seems to make a huge difference to refinement.

[Hammersia]

SWoll said:

Hammersia said:

I've just test driven a Merc c class, 220 16 plate on the deepest tyres, 16s I think, and.... It wasn't much better tbh. Still jiggly. Will have a look for a 5 on 18s but there's not many about.

Might have a go at a Q50? Has to be a diesel.

We had a 14 plate C220 on 17's and was never impressed with the ride. The E-Class we had after it on the same size wheels was night and day better. I've found the same to be true with Audi (A4>A6) and BMW (3>5), that step up seems to make a huge difference to refinement.

Very interesting thanks, I'm leaning that way.....

[Hammersia]

To update, I've tested a Q50 back to back with an E class - both much better in ride quality than the C.
The Q50 interior is far nicer than the E class, lots more leather trim, knurled knobs etc. Slightly worried about the slow gearbox which I confirmed on my test drive.

I've sat in a few BMW 5s now and they are all nails, wheels corroding for fun, interior trim melting.

Bit stuck still. Might save some cash and go back to an Insignia for a while unless a decent 530D pops up.

[SWoll]

The second generation Mercedes CLS are available relatively cheaply now, ride very well and are nicer inside than an E-Class or 5 series. Might be worth a look.

[Hammersia]

SWoll said:

The second generation Mercedes CLS are available relatively cheaply now, ride very well and are nicer inside than an E-Class or 5 series. Might be worth a look.

Yes good shout worth a look definitely

[CharlieDeltaTango]

They are the 19" M-Sport ones, I have the same.

[Rob8980]

Is the CLS based on the c class or the e class? Where does it sit size wise in relation to these? Thinking of the estate versions of each. Thanks.