535D se OR sport HELP

[boxin]

Hi, new to the bmw forum and will be a bmw owner soon, the problem, do the run flats ruin the ride quality ? and will i able to put standard rubber on those rims come replacment time, magazine road tests seem to be split 50/50 as to which model offers the best compromise between handling and ride. I have only had a short test drive in both the sport and se tourings have any of you guys owned or driven them both for any length of time, your veiws on both models please, cheers

[off_again]

Never driven a 535d so cannot comment on the ride quality. But the looks of the M sport win it for me. The SE with big wheels is good, but for a few quid more you can have the M Sport which comes with nice wheels (18" look good, 19"'s are a bit too big for me), a suspension package and a bit stronger body (though this might just be a sales pitch). I have been in a 525d M sport and the ride was fine - nothing too bad so I imagine it is fine.

[Dino D]

I've spent alot of time in a 535d sport as a passenger and about 200miles in 525d se and can tell you the 535d sport ride can be awful at times in much the same way my 330i sport can be too firm.

As a passenger it grates me but when driving I don't mind so much. You must drive both first on the type of raods you normally use...also, apparently the run flats make it worse.

The sports do handle alot better though with minimal roll and pitching undr accelration/braking. For me the trade if is worth it.

PS: The 535d engine does encourage you to drive alot sportier than you would expect to drive any diesel. The accelertion can be pretty violent at times and you do arrive at corners alot faster than you think you are going so maybe sport suspension is a neccesity on this one..

Edited by Dino D on Saturday 12th August 21:34

[Beemer-5]

535d M Sport every time.

I specified the 19s and thus the huge, but ultra-low profile tyres too.
The ride in truth is harsh, the handling and roadholding great.

[boxin]

Thanks for the replies, i suppose it was to be expected that PHers would favour the sport even at the expence of ride comfort, is there anyone out there who knows or a site i could visit which would tell me wether i can fit standard rubber to the run flat rims. Anyway looking again today the M sport styling does it for me and while i shouldnt be buying a black car [they are such a sod to keep cleen]IMHO they look the dogs boll*cks, if Darth Vader had a car it would be a 535d M sport touring in black

[rassi]

boxin said:

is there anyone out there who knows or a site i could visit which would tell me wether i can fit standard rubber to the run flat rims.

You can replace the run-flats with standard rubber, and is in fact recommended. You can also specify the 19" staggered wheels, which come on standard rubber.

[Beemer-5]

Aye, the 19s are non-run flats.

[endeavour_uk]

boxin said:

if Darth Vader had a car it would be a 535d M sport touring in black

That would explain the occasional hissing noise I hear. I thought it was something to do with the self-levelling

[dannylt]

It can be rather eerie...

[w8pmc]

535d M-Sport, no question.