LowOrbit

The sport suspension on my 2005 545i (20K miles) is not harsh, although most of my roads are smooth, and many complain that the sport suspension is too soft. You can always get non-run-flat tires, which should make it softer.

The 330i sport I drove had a noticeably harsher ride so don't use that as a comparison.

KAF

IMHO the Runflats are a bigger contributor to the harsh ride than the M-Sports Suspension.

Try to convince your dealer that you will only spend the extra money on the M-sportsd package if they throw in the spare kit and swap out the RFT's for PS2's FOC.

aybeesea

And, after 12,000 miles, my opinion is still counter to that. Maybe after another 3000 miles around Europe in May I'll have a different opinion, though I still have 7mm of tread.

Incidentally, I'm not sure that the OP can get M-Sport suspension on the 535i in his territory. I sit to be corrected.

ABC

CVTBenhogan

Sometimes one must go to extreme measures. In your case try lying about the sports package in the following manner. Tell her that BMW completely revised the sports suspension due to customer compliants around the harsh ride and noise. Also, tell her your own test drive revealed that the new sports package was very smooth and very comparable to that slushwagon non-sport 525. I'd also mention that you felt safer in the 535 sport as it felt remarkably more agile and responsive on the road. Then take her for a test drive on a smooth road and it would help if its a rainy or wet day.

End result, she'll feel right in her opinion (this is important) that the old sports package was too harsh and her valauble insight was confirmed by BMW's decision to change the sports package. Mostly importantly and hopefully, you'll be rewarded with a great hanlding and looking E60.

CVT Benhogan

mikeloredo

One option is to get 535xi, this way you get sport package but non-sport suspension

OliverB

Then get the sport package, with confort seats, ann ask your dealer to replace the RF tyres by no-RF tyres : the car will be more confortable than the standard chassis with RF tyres & standard seats, and the ride will be smother when you'll drive fast.
The best choice for you & for her ! Trust me, my wife loves my E60 !

e60scotland

Buy your wife a Smart Fortwo .... use the spare cash to get your sports package... quite honestly I have just gone from the comfort of a 745 se to a 525d M Sport, I was a little concerned it would be to firm but it is fabulous, my 18 month old daughter is proof as she was asleep within 15 minutes of climbing into her car seat, my wife to loves the ride and handling.... Hang out for the sport mate, both you and your wife wont regret the decission.

R

Farbton

Suggestions:

1. Order the sports package - it's your car and if you really want the SP and don't order it you will always have a "what if" in the back of your mind.
2. Ditch the runflats - I have done on my 545 and now this 550 (although I waited for the OEM's to wear out) and it makes a HUGE impact on the harshness.
3. If all else fails - order the SP and ditch the wife.

Spyder44

Man or mouse?

There are many options that have been postulated here and all of them are good to go. However, you have to ask yourself a couple of questions.....who drives it most of the time?.....how often are you going to have the speed limiter in the passenger seat?.....can you "ease her into it" by altering your driving style whilst she is in the car?.....who's money, who's car....and who's pants?!

All kidding aside, if she's not happy, you're not happy. Try all of the options above, but in the long run, it's all about compromise.

Good luck with your choice!

Spyder

juventus

"Man or Mouse"

I love this! Thanks for waking up the manhood in me.

All jokes aside, yesteday I swapped my non-sport e60 with a friends sport e60 for a day or two.
And all of you are 100% correct. I love the sport e60. It's a whole different car. And my wife couldn't tell the difference. BTW, sometimes I think that my Bimmers idrive has more brains than she does.

Once again thank you all very much