What rides better? 330d X Drive or 640d Coupe

[matt21]

What will ride better. Lots of motorway driving, quite a bit of pot hole ridden back roads. Yearly trip to smooth German roads. Other cars I use are a comfy but wollowy 2004 Passat and a M3 CSL

Cars both 2016:

BMW 330d Touring X Drive with adaptive suspension. 19 inch wheels
BMW 640d Coupe standard suspension with 20 inch wheels

Thanks

Matt

[Wills2]

Best idea is to drive them and see what you think.

[matt21]

Wills2 said:

Best idea is to drive them and see what you think.

Not so easy when they are approved used vehicles. Can Get a test drive in a random place, but really need a day on my commute and down the local back roads to reach a conclusion.

[ninjag]

Harry Fairbairn in Glasgow offered to loan us three 330D Xdrives for a week before deciding on a business lease so hopefully you can find someone who would at least offer one for a day or so?

Alternatively, what about renting one of each for a day?

My 330D Msport Xdrive on 18" runflat tyres standard suspension is fine on our immensely crap roads up here
Not sure about 19" wheels.

[cerb4.5lee]

The ride in a 640d Coupe on 20" rims with runflats is diabolical, I've removed the runflats and it's improved but it still doesn't ride pot holes well.

From what I've read the suspension is pretty compliant on the 3 series xdrive models, so I would say the 3 series will be the better bet in terms of ride.

[Ninja59]

Not really a fair comparison IMHO, the adaptive will make a substantial difference to the ride (equally the smaller wheels will help). I would say the 640D ride is "firm" on 20's with RFT's, but not as firm as some others cars I have driven (and equally own).

Ultimately it is whether you want the extra bit of go, style and looks of the 640 (and equally whether you will accept "just" RWD). As many seem to have some stupid fascination with forms of AWD.

[Smuler]

Logically, the 3 series as the wheels are smaller and the adaptive dampers have a comfort setting. In my opinion removing RFTs will help massively and maybe ask dealer to change wheels to 18s as part of a deal.

My 335i started out on 19s RFTs (dreadful), 19s on non RFTs much better. I eventually kept the winter 17s and put Michelin PS4s on. perfection.

However, if you prefer a RWD coupe, then IF you can't stand the ride on 20s (whichever tyres they have) you surely still have options to downsize, put non RFTs on if applicable.

I really think you should be making your decision on other factors, such as whether you want tourer or coupe and as Wills2 said you really need drive the individual car. Do they have sport seats, is the suspension of the 6 sport suspension, do the seats have lumbar adjustment; all these factors can enhance the overall ride experience.

[matt21]

Agree they aren't an apples with apples comparison. The fully loaded (Opal leather and leather dash) 3-Series is £10k cheaper and makes a lot more sense as a daily. I had heard bad things about 330d X Drive handling. I can live with it being a boring (used to Passat and have a CSL for fun), but some say it lacks stability at motorway speeds, which I find hard to believe.

[matt21]

Smuler said:

Logically, the 3 series as the wheels are smaller and the adaptive dampers have a comfort setting. In my opinion removing RFTs will help massively and maybe ask dealer to change wheels to 18s as part of a deal.

My 335i started out on 19s RFTs (dreadful), 19s on non RFTs much better. I eventually kept the winter 17s and put Michelin PS4s on. perfection.

However, if you prefer a RWD coupe, then IF you can't stand the ride on 20s (whichever tyres they have) you surely still have options to downsize, put non RFTs on if applicable.

I really think you should be making your decision on other factors, such as whether you want tourer or coupe and as Wills2 said you really need drive the individual car. Do they have sport seats, is the suspension of the 6 sport suspension, do the seats have lumbar adjustment; all these factors can enhance the overall ride experience.

I agree, its not a deal breaker, but just wanted views of those who may have driven either for an extended period.

Thanks for all the input.

[msej449]

I had a 330d xDrive Touring 2013 and I was OK with the ride on 17" with no adaptive, but I would say that it would have been better on 18" plus adaptive. I wouldn't go for the 19" - I think that would be far too harsh. The xDrive made the car supremely stable, even in the worst weather and snow, but you don't get lowered suspension. A lot of the criticism came from people who expected it to have performance handling because it was so powerful, and I could understand them feeling it was too 'floaty' especially without the adaptive suspension. But it was a supreme DD and motorway cruiser. I only got rid of it because my job changed, and I wasn't doing the long motorway journeys any more, so I could live with my replacement choice of 235i Convertible.

(If you do decide to go for the 330d xD I have a set of winter wheels and tyres, chains, and roof bars I'd happily sell at a massive discount).

Edited by msej449 on Tuesday 20th December 20:24

[ATM]

I had an F30 with passive dampers and 19 inch run flats. I then switched to 17 inch Winter Go Flats and the difference in ride, noise and every other measurement was unbelievable. See here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[matt21]

Well after brief drives in both I opted for the 330d. With X Drive the M Sport suspension is deleted, but in sport mode stiffens up nicely. Won't be a sports car, but with Merino Leather it is a nice place to be. Thanks for all the advice.

[matt21]

msej449 said:

I had a 330d xDrive Touring 2013 and I was OK with the ride on 17" with no adaptive, but I would say that it would have been better on 18" plus adaptive. I wouldn't go for the 19" - I think that would be far too harsh. The xDrive made the car supremely stable, even in the worst weather and snow, but you don't get lowered suspension. A lot of the criticism came from people who expected it to have performance handling because it was so powerful, and I could understand them feeling it was too 'floaty' especially without the adaptive suspension. But it was a supreme DD and motorway cruiser. I only got rid of it because my job changed, and I wasn't doing the long motorway journeys any more, so I could live with my replacement choice of 235i Convertible.

(If you do decide to go for the 330d xD I have a set of winter wheels and tyres, chains, and roof bars I'd happily sell at a massive discount).

Edited by msej449 on Tuesday 20th December 20:24

hey, I did indeed go for the 330d. I may be interested in the winter wheels and tyres. Tried sending you a PM but it says your settings do not permit it. Grateful if you could provide me some details.

Thanks

Matt

[ATM]

matt21 said:

msej449 said:

I had a 330d xDrive Touring 2013 and I was OK with the ride on 17" with no adaptive, but I would say that it would have been better on 18" plus adaptive. I wouldn't go for the 19" - I think that would be far too harsh. The xDrive made the car supremely stable, even in the worst weather and snow, but you don't get lowered suspension. A lot of the criticism came from people who expected it to have performance handling because it was so powerful, and I could understand them feeling it was too 'floaty' especially without the adaptive suspension. But it was a supreme DD and motorway cruiser. I only got rid of it because my job changed, and I wasn't doing the long motorway journeys any more, so I could live with my replacement choice of 235i Convertible.

(If you do decide to go for the 330d xD I have a set of winter wheels and tyres, chains, and roof bars I'd happily sell at a massive discount).

Edited by msej449 on Tuesday 20th December 20:24

hey, I did indeed go for the 330d. I may be interested in the winter wheels and tyres. Tried sending you a PM but it says your settings do not permit it. Grateful if you could provide me some details.

Thanks

Matt

I've been toying with a 335d x drive or 330d s drive to replace my baby / bike van. This basically comes down to 4wd or 2wd for me. Why did you gentlemen go for the 330d in 4wd?

[T16OLE]

I have a 640d on 20's and had the occasional use of my step fathers 320d X-Drive on 19's.

My car has adaptive drive and currently not on runflats.

Even still I still believe the 320d rides better.

Whatever you do, if you're concerned about ride, get those runflats off on eBay and put the money towards a nice
new set of normal tyres.