Just Ordered 2006 530i
- Thread starter clrkn8r
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It could get damaged as it's lower and fragile; don't forget about the rims. The BMW is designed for performance driving and handling, the Honda accord is designed to be a reliable car and nothing more. The sports suspension also doesn't have such a great ride over bumpy roads, but coming from a 92' accord you probably wont notice it. One thing is certain, the BMW will not last you as long as the Accord unless you pay $$$ for the repairs and maintenance.
Well, I'm not sure if I totally agree with BMW vs. Honda durability -
Honda is a disposable tin can. I've owned several BMW's that have been and been around dozens with over 200K on the odo and besides a few scrapes and knocks, they were still going strong. I know of a 535I that is still tracked with 300k on an unopened motor.
Besides the performance the next thing that made 'em famous is the quality.
rjp
Honda is a disposable tin can. I've owned several BMW's that have been and been around dozens with over 200K on the odo and besides a few scrapes and knocks, they were still going strong. I know of a 535I that is still tracked with 300k on an unopened motor.
Besides the performance the next thing that made 'em famous is the quality.
rjp
I'm not sure what you're talking about - do you have a 5 series with a sport suspension? I have a 545i 6sp with sport suspension, and 19" BBR RS-GT wheels with Goodyear F1 GS-D3 tires. The ride is superb, and equal to the OEM 18" wheel and runflat tire setup. I use the 18" wheels for winter tires.
There is no problem whatsoever on rough roads in terms of the suspension. I'm not sure how you can say the sport suspension is fragile'. In fact, with slightly stiffer springs, shocks, and roll bars, you could say the suspension is stronger than the non-sport.
There were a couple early reports of cracked rims, if that's what you're talking about. I'm not sure about the specifics, but i haven't heard of any problems in the last year. I have never heard of anyone who has had a problem with the suspension because of 'rough roads'
As far as reliability goes, I can guarantee you that a Honda will cost more that a BMW for the first 4 years, or 50,000 miles. You don't have to pay anything whatsoever for the BMW for repairs or routine maintenance. So paying for maintenance is not a problem. My wife has an Acura, and you have to pay for all the maintenance from the start. After the 4 years, I would agree with you, you'll pay more to keep the BMW running than the Honda - but what would you rather be driving?
There is no problem whatsoever on rough roads in terms of the suspension. I'm not sure how you can say the sport suspension is fragile'. In fact, with slightly stiffer springs, shocks, and roll bars, you could say the suspension is stronger than the non-sport.
There were a couple early reports of cracked rims, if that's what you're talking about. I'm not sure about the specifics, but i haven't heard of any problems in the last year. I have never heard of anyone who has had a problem with the suspension because of 'rough roads'
As far as reliability goes, I can guarantee you that a Honda will cost more that a BMW for the first 4 years, or 50,000 miles. You don't have to pay anything whatsoever for the BMW for repairs or routine maintenance. So paying for maintenance is not a problem. My wife has an Acura, and you have to pay for all the maintenance from the start. After the 4 years, I would agree with you, you'll pay more to keep the BMW running than the Honda - but what would you rather be driving?
I'm talking about the rims, and the potential for it to bottom out, in regards to the fragile comment. Whether I own a 5 series with sports suspension is irrelevant to me making comments on the ride or not. It's a given that any car with a stiffer suspension will not have a soft, plush, cushioned/comfortable ride if the driver is used to a different softer suspension setup. Keep in mind ride comfort and brand preference are subjective to the driver...
Glad to see someone can appreciate both Honda/Acura and still choose a BMW.
Glad to see someone can appreciate both Honda/Acura and still choose a BMW.
Sorry Guys about the Sport Suspension comment - I guess I ignited this whole discussion on the quality with my comments on sport suspension. I must say that there is no doubt in my mind about the quality of the BMW suspension/Engine. One should just take a quick look beneth the car to see the difference between a BMW (or most German Cars in general) and their Japanees counterparts.
All I meant by saying "... you migth want to take extra care w/ sport pkg ..." was the fact that the car can be bumpy on a rough roads - and that was all. On the quality point, I recently had the service done on my 99E39, and all it needed at 124K was the valve cover gasket, waterpump + belt and tensioners, and sparkplugs. The engine is superb and suspension is holding very well after seven yeaars considering the way I drive
all the best,
All I meant by saying "... you migth want to take extra care w/ sport pkg ..." was the fact that the car can be bumpy on a rough roads - and that was all. On the quality point, I recently had the service done on my 99E39, and all it needed at 124K was the valve cover gasket, waterpump + belt and tensioners, and sparkplugs. The engine is superb and suspension is holding very well after seven yeaars considering the way I drive
all the best,
Ever owned a Honda that is at 200K? It's hype. They aren't overengineered like German cars are. By 200K they're pretty beat - high oil consumption, squeaks, rattles, nasty behaviour...Honda is built "just good enough".
True, repairs will cost you more, since a BMW requires more of a specialist - however I'd be willing to bet at 200K assuming you kept up and did your end of the deal you'll be making fewer trips to the shop than you would with a Honda.
I'd be willing to bet an e39 will have at least 2x the useful miles a same year Accord would. At 200K a lot of these engines are still within spec.
The double wishbone thing that has been on Honda's forever is an underbuilt joke with no travel compared to a modern BMW's strut and trailing arm setup. Pound for pound, a BMW is a superior automobile.
rjp
True, repairs will cost you more, since a BMW requires more of a specialist - however I'd be willing to bet at 200K assuming you kept up and did your end of the deal you'll be making fewer trips to the shop than you would with a Honda.
I'd be willing to bet an e39 will have at least 2x the useful miles a same year Accord would. At 200K a lot of these engines are still within spec.
The double wishbone thing that has been on Honda's forever is an underbuilt joke with no travel compared to a modern BMW's strut and trailing arm setup. Pound for pound, a BMW is a superior automobile.
rjp
I don't mean to change the subject but i like your input on this; my next door neighbor just got a 2006 530 she was nice enough to let me drive to compare the new engine to my 2004 old engine let me tell you how surprised i was the new engine has a lot more punch from the let go from what i understand is 30 more hp but it seems a lot more than that .also the suspension it felt a lot smoother then mine does could it be my imagination? or was other modifications besides new engine? i was really impressed i was thinking trade mine in for the new 06 if my wife let's me of course.. what you guy's think? thanks
What are you talking about?? If a car has stiffer suspension, it is going to be LESS likely to "bottom out" than a car with softer suspension. A 5er with the sport package might not ride as smoothly over rough roads, but the suspension would be stiffer/stronger and less likely to "bottom out" than a 5er without the sport package.
I still don't understand how you can make definitive comments about the ride quality in a 5er unless you own one or have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of one with both the sport and non-sport packages. [???1] I don't own one, so I certainly don't feel qualified to spout off about how much crappy it will ride over rough roads.
I still don't understand how you can make definitive comments about the ride quality in a 5er unless you own one or have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of one with both the sport and non-sport packages. [???1] I don't own one, so I certainly don't feel qualified to spout off about how much crappy it will ride over rough roads.
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Ok let me explain this in intricate detail (which is rediculous considering the purpose of my post was achieved and the discussion has changed).... I was referring to the Sport Package option as a WHOLE. Also, everyone knows a car with mushy suspension bounces, and a stiffer suspension does not... now with that established we can go on now...The sports package means the car has bigger rims (if you don't believe me you can check the website) and as a result thinner tires which collectively make them more susceptible to road damage from potholes (bumps or whatnot). I never said the SUSPENSION would get damaged from the bumpy roads. I clarified that with the post you are actually quoting. As for bottoming out, go drive a sports suspension 5 series which is lower than the non sport suspension model up a sudden incline or decline and see if the car scrapes the ground beneath you? I personally would rather not find out.
As for my comments on the 5 series ride quality having merit... Yes I have driven a 5 series with the sport package and I have spent time as a passenger (the best way to assess ride quality) in regular 525i. The suggestion that I need to have owned one to make such a conclusion is rediculous. It's a given that the ride quality is better in a non sport suspension car than in one with sport suspension, I didn't need to spend time in one to conclude that but I have.
Lastly, I never said it had a crappy ride, perhaps that and your other comments were a reflection of self? So next time you decide to spout off, please read the post in context.
Bmw 325i 7803 said:
Ok let me explain this in intricate detail (which is rediculous considering the purpose of my post was achieved and the discussion has changed)....
Yes, I am well aware that BMWs with sport packages have larger wheels and that wheels with lower-profile tires mounted are more susceptible to damage from potholes/curbs/rough railroad tracks, etc. Thanks anyways.
Actually, you did imply this, even with the post that I quoted. You said you were referring to "the potential for it to bottom out, in regards to the fragile comment." And, you noted, "It could get damaged as it's lower and fragile." If YOU would take the time to reread your own posts in the context of the other posts, it seems as if you are saying the 5er with the sport package is more fragile because the suspension has more of a tendency to bottom out. This is simply not true!!! See my next comment.
This is not the definition of "bottoming out." The term "bottoming out" means that the suspension has been fully compressed and has reached the upper limit of its travel. As such, a car with the sport package with its accompanying higher rate springs and stiffer shock valving will be less likely to succumb to the appropriate definition of the term "bottoming out" than a non-sport package vehicle. Driving down or up an incline and scraping the bottom of the car is just that - scraping the bottom of the car, not "bottoming out."
Umm....yeah ya did, buddy. You said, "The sports suspension also doesn't have such a great ride over bumpy roads." Ok, so you didn't use the word "crappy," but that is essentially what you said.
Why must you make every post made by a member that doesn't agree with you turn into a personal attack? Hmmmmmmm, geeeee. Maybe that's a reflection of self, smartass.
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Happy belated birthday.... just saw the thread in the general forums.Ok, good point, I agree I probably misused the term bottoming out and perhaps I should have chosen better words than fragile for the suspension...but I can't help but point out that BMWs (the newer ones at least) are fragile cars, and if they're not, fine but they certainly look it. Although I definately would not recommend driving through every pothole in NYC in a BMW. To sum this all up... I was thinking 18/19 inch rims and low profile tires going over a rough road when I made the original posts, lets not take everything I say literally.
Lastly, that final line was not a personal attack.. "in reflection of self" I simply was pointing out that you probably felt the car had a crappy ride and of course I did not appreciate the spout off comment. No hard feelings...
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