e53 X5 Ride Quality
Discussion
Humour my thoughts on a distant hypothetical potential future purchase...
I've occasionally read comments about these having a harsher ride than can be expected, given a lot of the platform was (AFAIK) shared in places with the e39 that always surprised me.
Is it possible for these to ride properly nice or are these comments accurate?
I'd like to think an SE on 235/65 R17" tyres would make a nice barge.
I've occasionally read comments about these having a harsher ride than can be expected, given a lot of the platform was (AFAIK) shared in places with the e39 that always surprised me.
Is it possible for these to ride properly nice or are these comments accurate?
I'd like to think an SE on 235/65 R17" tyres would make a nice barge.
That might not be the hardest part, it might be finding one that it harder…
There’s only 2 E53 SE’s on AT right now!
This has got fairly fat tyres on it, but looks like someone didn’t exactly go overboard on the options list when it was new
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023122750...
No X5 experience so cannot be of any more help unfortunately!
There’s only 2 E53 SE’s on AT right now!
This has got fairly fat tyres on it, but looks like someone didn’t exactly go overboard on the options list when it was new
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023122750...
No X5 experience so cannot be of any more help unfortunately!
Patrick Bateman said:
Humour my thoughts on a distant hypothetical potential future purchase...
I've occasionally read comments about these having a harsher ride than can be expected, given a lot of the platform was (AFAIK) shared in places with the e39 that always surprised me.
Is it possible for these to ride properly nice or are these comments accurate?
I'd like to think an SE on 235/65 R17" tyres would make a nice barge.
I've been out in a fair few E53 X5s, SE & M Sport and never thought they rode hard at all...I've occasionally read comments about these having a harsher ride than can be expected, given a lot of the platform was (AFAIK) shared in places with the e39 that always surprised me.
Is it possible for these to ride properly nice or are these comments accurate?
I'd like to think an SE on 235/65 R17" tyres would make a nice barge.
And yes, a lot pf parts are shared with the E39 - hence why they're known as the E39 on stilts
They do have a good few issues; but all cars at that age do/did and you'd hope that most of them will have been sorted by now too...
I'd get a drive in both variants before you decide what to go for
Not sure you can get 17's on an X5! They came with 19's and 20's as standard. With the slightly smaller wheels it should ride nicely, I originally had a 4.4 but now drive a 4.8iS.
Both E53's and a great car.
Rear subframe bushes are a bit unreliable but Powerflex supply kits in yellow that will last indefinately. Mine are now 12 years old and still 100%.
Pricey, but it's not a job you will want to do twice, so we'll worth the extra money.
Both E53's and a great car.
Rear subframe bushes are a bit unreliable but Powerflex supply kits in yellow that will last indefinately. Mine are now 12 years old and still 100%.
Pricey, but it's not a job you will want to do twice, so we'll worth the extra money.
I have one here in Spain… bought it summer 2021.
It’s a December 2005 3.0D, 130k km’s (80k miles) and it’s without Msport pack… so standard (SE) suspension, 18’s and 255/55’s all round. It’s in pretty much perfect condition.
Having lived its life in southern Spain, it’s not really seen that much rain, never mind 18 British winters with salted roads.
My mate has its twin… a 2006 with even fewer kms in similarly near perfect condition.
A few months back I had a some of the suspension arms and bushes replaced and it now drives really well for an 18 year old car They ride ok, but nothing like a more modern car… they primarily suffer from too stiff damping at the rear… making them a bit bouncy. But they handle really well for such a tall, heavy car, even on SE suspension and 18’s.
Before I retired out here I had a Touareg in the UK… 2017 Rline plus on 21’s and silly tyres. That rode much better than the E53 and handled at least as well… and my mate in the UK has a DBX 707 which has an incredible ride for something so massive on 23’s… which I guess shows how far damper technology has progressed.
The ls the old girl.
It’s a December 2005 3.0D, 130k km’s (80k miles) and it’s without Msport pack… so standard (SE) suspension, 18’s and 255/55’s all round. It’s in pretty much perfect condition.
Having lived its life in southern Spain, it’s not really seen that much rain, never mind 18 British winters with salted roads.
My mate has its twin… a 2006 with even fewer kms in similarly near perfect condition.
A few months back I had a some of the suspension arms and bushes replaced and it now drives really well for an 18 year old car They ride ok, but nothing like a more modern car… they primarily suffer from too stiff damping at the rear… making them a bit bouncy. But they handle really well for such a tall, heavy car, even on SE suspension and 18’s.
Before I retired out here I had a Touareg in the UK… 2017 Rline plus on 21’s and silly tyres. That rode much better than the E53 and handled at least as well… and my mate in the UK has a DBX 707 which has an incredible ride for something so massive on 23’s… which I guess shows how far damper technology has progressed.
The ls the old girl.
Edited by Chris Stott on Thursday 11th January 22:12
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff