New 335d - which options for ride comfort?

[thegreatdogwood]

Thinking of getting a new 335D touring as my company car workhorse. Read many comments about the run flats and some say they are horrendous, others almost complimentary. Which wheel and suspension choice offers the best ride comfort as whilst I have a decent budget, it will be a lease car so am left with choosing factory options and also conscious that the leasing co's have have a habit of pushing cheap tyre replacements on you so even if I get the 'right' tyres at day 1 they may 'insist' upon a different RFT when the existing wear out on cost grounds (HATE lease cars for this reason........)

I do 30,000 miles p.a so this is a big issue for me. Some have suggested that the 18 inch rims are better (think they are biggest on a 3 series) and maybe spec the sports suspension, but would these 2 still feel OK if harsh RFT was on them?

Appreciate any advice as a test drive only tells part of the story and this issue is seriously making me contemplate other cars.

[Methane Bloke]

I guess it all depends on what you have been used to in the past. We have had a 335d M Sport since March 2007. Previously we had two e46 330d Sports. When we originally test drove the 335d, which was about a year ago, we both commented that we thought the ride quality was better than the e46 Sport. All 335d M Sports that I have seen have been supplied with Michelin PS2 ZP tyres. These seem to offer better ride and grip levels to the Bridgestones that are fitted to the lower powered variants. The concensus on other forums suggests that the M Sport versions ride better than the smaller wheeled SEs.

If your travelling 30K miles per annum, I would guess most of them would be on motorways and I wouldn't think you find a problem with the ride, we certainley don't.

Regards

Chris

[thegreatdogwood]

Methane Bloke said:

The concensus on other forums suggests that the M Sport versions ride better than the smaller wheeled SEs.

Thanks Chris. Ther reason I posted this question is precisely for the reasons highlighted in your response and the one above. Conventional wisdom is that smaller wheels and softer suspension give greatest comfort but worst handling hence can understand the anonymous response suggesting 17" and SE. As you say, some forums suggest that with the run flats, going to larger wheels reduces the size of the side wall and actually helps the ride - also heard suggestions that the M Sports suspension uses Bilsteins which cope better with the crashy nature of the run flats.

Any other feedback gratefully received as 3 years 90k miles is a long time to suffer if I get this wrong!

[pgilc1]

My g/f had an m sport 3 series, and i had an m sport 535d, both of which were 'firm' to say the least.

Any of the car mags are saying avoid the m sports if you dont like a firm ride?

I'd take a long run in each before you buy.

[gizlaroc]

The new 335d sport is a better ride than the SE, the lower profile of the 18's is actually less painful than the 17's on the SE, also the Sport gets nice Bilstein shocks which absorb the UK roads better than the shocks on the SE too. My 335i sport was fine, also came with Pilsot Sport 2 run flats which are the best run flats out there, had a 330d SE for 2 days and it was awful, felt like your teeth were going to drop out over the slightest of bumps.

I would budget for proper tyres though, get the mobility kit as well.

[EC2]

Personally I would not put 'normal' tyres on a three as it comes with RFT. Have you considered a five series touring? if you specify 19" wheels, these come with normal tyres.

[thegreatdogwood]

EC2 said:

Personally I would not put 'normal' tyres on a three as it comes with RFT. Have you considered a five series touring? if you specify 19" wheels, these come with normal tyres.

Did think about a 5 series but I spend 95% of my driving time with just me in the car and thought the 3 would handle a little sharper and generally just be a little sportier hence was looking to go down that route and channel the extra £££ into loading it with options

[B19 RUS]

said:

I would have thought for purely ride comfort, you'd be looking at an SE not a M Sport. The M Sport is known for being a particular firm ride.

Both the 335d se and the sport have the sports suspension. I ran a se for 12 months on std 17`s and I can categorically state that my sport with 19`s rides much better, dunno why

Edited by B19 RUS on Tuesday 1st January 22:44

[EC2]

thegreatdogwood said:

EC2 said:

Personally I would not put 'normal' tyres on a three as it comes with RFT. Have you considered a five series touring? if you specify 19" wheels, these come with normal tyres.

Did think about a 5 series but I spend 95% of my driving time with just me in the car and thought the 3 would handle a little sharper and generally just be a little sportier hence was looking to go down that route and channel the extra £££ into loading it with options

Makes sense if you can live with RFT.

[DanS]

I have just bought an Alpina D3 which I seriously suggest testing if you are looking at a diesel touring. It is a brilliant car, the alpina suspension changes are very very good, giving a omfortable pliant ride, a little softer than the M-Sport, but with great, natural control.

It is a very clever car, in the real world very rapid, but with economy and emissions the same as the 320d making it a cheap car to have on company Tax. if you can find one to test drive I seriously suggest it.

Oh No RFT either, just lovely 19" alpina wheels

Edited by DanS on Wednesday 2nd January 13:57

[flattotheboards]

The best thing to do would be to try and arrange a 24hr test drive for an m sport and an se.