BMW 335d SE Comfort Issues!

[Graham Martin]

Any one able to advise me! Just taken delivery of 335d SE Touring with standard rims & run flats of course. After driving only 75 miles from N London to Canterbury today I'm in real discomfort. Last car was 53 BMW 330d SE Touring with standard wheels & tyres and was very happy with ride/handling set up. Have a severe back problem so am super sensitive to the issue of comfort. Had test drive before ordered new car and seemed fine. I avoid Sport versions on purpose. Used to drive Elise for track days before back went West & reckon ride was better than in current 335d SE !!!!

Any ideas welcome. Car is on 4 year lease & if I suggest chopping it in within a month; my FD will probably kill me!! Should I change rims/tyres & go for non run-flats or do I need to have springs/dampers looked at also? Who would you suggest....Alpina, Birds or ?? Any thoughts on tyre pressures?

Help..........really depressed as otherwise love the car. Graham Martin

[ProPlus]

run flats have always been a little lumpy, try changing them first and then decide.

[Olf]

You should check the tyre pressures first BM rec pressures seem far to high and a lot of people on here have reported increased comfort and less jitteriness with softened pressures.

[Tower View]

Sorry to hear of your problems! I know the 335d se comes with the sport suspension as standard so that's why you may be experiencing a harsh ride. A lot of folks on here seem to have replaced their run flats with pirelli p zeros which give a better ride comfort.

[mwy1964]

Tower View said:

Sorry to hear of your problems! I know the 335d se comes with the sport suspension as standard so that's why you may be experiencing a harsh ride. A lot of folks on here seem to have replaced their run flats with pirelli p zeros which give a better ride comfort.

The OP refers to the car being a 335d SE Touring which should not have Sports suspension as standard. BMs car configurator shows this as being option 704 £270.

The 335i and 335d Coupes come as standard with Sports suspension..

Sounds like it could be the RFs..

[x5x3]

I guess you have looked at this already but I spent quite a while playing with the seat adjustment on my 335d, I have minor back problems and it did seem to take a while to get it right - I do have the sports seats though which are different again.

[Gimlet]

It took me a week to get the seat right in my 335d Coupe.
I'd changed from a Volvo S60 and the Alpina Roadster S and had no problems with either but I initially found the E92 uncomfortable, but having played around with the seat positioning it is fine now.

[Methane Bloke]

Have a 335d M Sport saloon on 18" RFTs. Personally find the ride better than the previous e46 330d Sport we had which was also on 18s but with conventional tyres. It's certainley worth having a play with the tyre pressures, we also have a 120d on RFTs which we dropped the pressures by 4 psi all round which has made a vast difference. We've had quite afew BMs before and have dropped the pressures on most as I allways think they are set up for autobahn use.

Regards

Chris

[gizlaroc]

Should have bought the sport, the shocks on the sport are made by Bilstein and are far more compliant than the ones on the SE, also because the problem with the run flats is the rock hard sidewalls a lower profile tyre is actually the more comfortable of the two.
I was lent a 330d se touring while my 335i sport touring was in for an i-drive update and the ride was nothing short of appauling, I know the guys with SE's on bmwland have had serious issues with their SE's and most have ditched the run flats now.

Take an M-Sport out which is shod with the new Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Zero Pressure tyres on it and see what you think, I think you will be very surprised.

[mgordon]

I've got the 335d SE Coupe and dont find the ride bad at all, considering it is running on sports suspension and 19" runflats. In fact it is a damn sight more comfortable than most of the cars I have had in the past.

[Graham Martin]

Sorted! After much discussion with BMW techies at HQ they confirmed that it's ok to fit conventional tyres to the rims designed for run flats. £517 poorer, my 335d SE Touring has been transformed. I can now drive it without my back going into spasm. The difference is really quite significant. Fitted Continentals..........not the cheapest but as an all round tyre they offer good performance. Thanks to all who helped in this matter.

ps....BMW Sytner in Nottingham wanted to charge me £2000 plus VAT for new wheels AND tyres. Watch out..........

Now then........shall I get it chipped up to 330bhp?

[Reggie183]

Definitely get it to DMS - best £1k you'll ever spend on a car

[derestrictor]

Reggie183 said:

Definitely get it to DMS - best £1k you'll ever spend...

...this side of a triple subscription to Razzle, Rustler & Knave...

[Bosh 964]

Or give Simon at E-maps who I used following endorsements on here a call and save youself a monkey

[minghis]

Make sure the transport blocks have been removed from the springs!

[JeffC]

Graham Martin said:

Now then........shall I get it chipped up to 330bhp?

essential I only had mine 1 day before I got it done!! Jamie at shires performance did my 335d (and my last 535d/530d/330d) £400 and he comes to you.. awesome is the word to describe the car when its been done !!!!

[GT Chipper]

Reggie183 said:

Definitely get it to DMS - best £1k you'll ever spend on a car

Aye , it was the best £500 i spent too

[flattotheboards]

definately get it chipped it will transform your car.

[EC2]

Could it be the seats. I find the sports seats in the E92 coupe a bit to narrow in the back. Same problem?