The last adjective that comes to mind when I think about my 550i sport is floaty . However, this owner thinks it so, but it's probably just an excuse to get an M5.

Can't say I blame him for that, 'cause I'm looking for a good excuse too.

 

Floaty.. I've had that feeling on my 525i, but I corrected it by lowering my tire pressure. Also on really windy days, it gets floaty no matter wat. Also, some road surface contributes to it too I think because there is one specific high way, from my uni's campus to home, that makes my car floaty no matter wat I do and everytime I drive that road. Just my 2 cent. But an M5 does sound very very nice as well!!

 

When I purchased my 545i it came with Dunlop runflats. The ride was harsh, and stiff. And often times I felt like the car was twitchy at high speeds.

Then I changed to Michelin PS2 tires, and it was like I had a whole new car. No more harsh ride, and the road noise is reduced. I don't get the twitchy feeling anymore, either.

So... my conclusion is that tires are pretty friggin' important. Some news flash, there.... huh?

 

There's a sticky on the E60 forum over at Bimmerfest about this specific issue - there have been a lot of complaints. For some the replacement of the rear shocks under the recent recall and/or resetting the SZL module (including those already replaced under another recall program) seems to have made the difference. Sport equipped 550's and 545's are relatively softly sprung (ARS of course only kicks in under cornering) and that can contribute to the issue (the M-Sport suspension available on the facelift 08 550 should improve matters).

 

I can totally relate to what you are saying, and my father also thinks the same thing. I have an E61 535d M Sport and my father has the same car but an E60 M sport. We are both not that happy with the loose / floaty handling. Having both had Audis amongst other cars I was suprised that the BMW actually has less steering feel.

Dont get me wrong I do love the car, however i'm not 100% happy with the cars hanlding. Traction control light is coming on all the time. We have both already ditched the runflats and whilst the ride is now better the car feels even less stable in tight bends as the sidewalls dont appear stiff enough to hold the car up. Its as if the car is under sprung.

I've had the car GEO'd twice and it is much better than it was, but its no way what I was expecting.

Interested to hear other peoples opinions.

ps..we are both in the UK

Alex

 

I've noticed the same feeling in my E60 when compared to my former E39. I suspect the RFT's. :thumbsdown:

 

I have the same car as you - minus the M-Sport and still with the RFT (Bridgestone). Cannot say that I find it floaty (at least, not at 130 mph; never gone faster on it) or that I find DSC intrusive. But you are not the only one that has complained about traction control being oversensitive.

 

Rock solid at 120-130 mph. So quiet and stable that I was able to do 125ph with people in the car an noone noticed the speed. It stil has the lousy Dunlop RFTs but I bumped the pressure to 38F/40R.

 

i feel as controlled and stable at speed in my 550i as i do in my 996. it's just a lot quieter and smoother. i've never felt floaty. smooth, yes. maybe it's just my sport package.

 

isn't twitchy handling the opposite of floaty handling??