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Thread: 3 series vs. 5 series vs. 7 series in ride comfort?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    1997 523i E39 Steptronic

    Talking 3 series vs. 5 series vs. 7 series in ride comfort?

    Hi, I have a 1997 e39 523i and I am wondering how it compares to say:

    3 series (e46 and the new generation)
    7 series (old and new one)

    I am more interested in how it compares to the 3 series as I am thinking about getting one as a 2nd car. Is the 5 series substansially more smooth to drive / reacts less to bumps than an E46 etc (even an e36)?

    Thanks,

    Daniel Santo.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    E39 hamster/ruberbandPWR
    I have never driven one, but I could almost bet that the 7 series will drive the best, from what I have heard/ read...

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    2000 E39, 2000 E36/7
    7>5>3

  4. #4
    BMW Loe is offline representing south dakota
    Join Date
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    Sioux Falls, SD USA
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    E46 coupe (x2)
    My E46 is a rough rider plus it has alot of road impact and suspension noise after bumps. The E39 is supremely quiet over bumps, its a much better screwed down vehicle IMHO.
    -Loe- 2004 M3/2000 328Ci (some mods)

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Some things just can't be compensated for...and in this situation its length. Yes, my friend...when all is said and done in a conventional set up with proper running gear...the longest wheel base length is going to win out as the smoothest ride.

    Long Wheel Base = smooth
    Short Wheel Base = nimble

    Within the inherent qualities each wheel length offers...what can be manipulated and played with is stiffness of dampers and shocks, and quickness of response in how the suspension is set-up...then there's HP, torque, and final drive gearing that add quantitative qualities that help move these massive hunks of steel around...but those qualities work within the natural parameters each wheel length affords.

    With the 5 series being in the middle of the 3 & 7...its "ride" feel becomes smoother than the 3...but less nimble...and the same goes when comparing the 5 to the 7 series....it will be less smooth but more nimble.
    Last edited by Qsilver7; 08-21-2007 at 08:42 AM.
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  6. #6
    Join Date
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    530i/5 Sports pack
    A seven is palacial. Even the sports package equipped car although realatively nimble for its size and weight is quite comfy, more so than a 5 series and way more than a 3 series. That being said a 3 is very nimble, I had one and driven many.
    The blacker the Berry....the sweeter the juice!!!!!

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by VLee View Post
    7>5>3
    +1

    my sister's 330ci is pretty rough. But that's the car she wanted. I think she may have bought the car with a sport/aftermarket suspension I havent bothered to check .

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    Yes, our e46 330i (non-sports package) rides very firm over bumps and rough road surfaces whereas the 5 just coasts over them. The 3 series, however is much more nimble and "fun" to drive where as the 5 series is faster and much more comfortable.
    2001 Z3 3.0i -Oxford Green/Sandbeige
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  9. #9
    Join Date
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    2001 530iA
    7, gotta love the 7... I think that is my next car...

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Yugo
    If you want a smooth ride, buy a Lincoln Town Car. It is a mobile living room couch.

    Sometimes you forget you're driving when you're in a big Lincoln.

    BMW is at the bottom of my list wrt smooth riding luxury cars. They are tailored for the driving enthusiast, not couch potato.

    The BMW product line provides good handling and world class feedback, not good road isolation. you get one or the other.

    Road Isolation = disconnected from driving experience

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    '91 E30 4dr 318i, '05 Kawasaki ZX6-R
    As has been said, the 3 is much rougher then the 5, but it's not inherently bad. Every generation of 3 (E90 excluded due to lack of experience) I've driven is very nimble and connected. I can feel the tires placed beneath me much better then in the 5, but as far as comfort goes, the bigger in class you get, the smoother/quieter ride you'll receive. I think a 3 series is a perfect 2nd car though.

    Current:'05 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6-R 636, '91 BMW E30 318i
    Past:'98 Acura Integra Type-R, '06 Chrysler 300C, '95 Kawasaki ZX6-R

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    UK
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    M3 Evo
    Quote Originally Posted by Lscman View Post
    They are tailored for the driving enthusiast, not couch potato.
    rofl

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