I'm hoping some X5 experts out there can help me. Two years ago, we bought my mother a 2006 BMW X5. It is fully loaded, which includes the full sports package. She complains about the "harsh ride" all the time. I've driven the car, and I understand what she means -- the ride is rather stiff. I explained that the car has sports wheels (19 inch) and low-profile tires, and that it probably has a much stiffer suspension than the non-sports versions of the X5. She wishes the ride were much softer and floatier. So my question is: What steps can I take to give this X5 a much SOFTER, GENTLER, FLOATIER ride? Should I change the wheels and tires? The shocks? Anything else? I don't know much about this kind of stuff, so I'd appreciate any specific advice you can give me. Thank you.

Trade for a non-sport version.

or

Get OEM non-sport wheel-tire package (someone should want to trade with you) as the bigger tire sidewalls will help

+1 on different tires. call Tirerack.

Explain to her that the harshness she's feeling is what makes her X5 handle like a car, not a truck.

If it really, really bothers her to the point of spending some money in order to change it, then I agree with Werewolf. You can go to the dealer and purchase the smaller, non-sport wheels, or trade with another X5 owner (make them give you some cash as well). Different tires will do very little for you if you keep the 19" wheels, but if you get smaller wheels, the larger tire sidewall will absorb some of that stiffness.

Keep in mind that the sport package is a desirable option, and putting smaller non-sport wheels may hurt the car's resale value. It might make more sense for you to just sell the car and get something that is more suited to her tastes.

I would like to point out one thing here that bigger sidewall, or the fatter tire doesn't necessarily mean alot less stiffer ride.

+1 on std rims. stock 18" will be fine and give a larger sidewall. craigslist generally has them cheap.

alos, don't forget to reduce the tire pressure by 2-3lbs. still safe yet effective.

I would like to point out one thing here that bigger sidewall, or the fatter tire doesn't necessarily mean alot less stiffer ride.


But it will help a lot for the money. Here's what I'd do. Get her some nice stock 17-inch wheels (I get the feeling from the OP, that the mother would appreciate more softness than the 18's will provide) and put some all season tires on it. Keep the 19's. Then when you go to sell it, it still has the Sport package wheels, plus you can get some of your money back by selling it with a second set of wheels that the new owner can then mount snow tires onto.

But it will help a lot for the money. Here's what I'd do. Get her some nice stock 17-inch wheels (I get the feeling from the OP, that the mother would appreciate more softness than the 18's will provide) and put some all season tires on it. Keep the 19's. Then when you go to sell it, it still has the Sport package wheels, plus you can get some of your money back by selling it with a second set of wheels that the new owner can then mount snow tires onto.

I agree with you, but I just want to point out that the PO lives in LA (where it doesn't snow), and he hasn't visited the board since he posted the thread. :stickoutt

I agree with you, but I just want to point out that the PO lives in LA (where it doesn't snow), and he hasn't visited the board since he posted the thread. :stickoutt


That's what I get for skimming threads and not noticing that someone revived a 3-week old thread. :rolleyes