650xDrive GC - HORRIBLE Rear Seat Ride Quality

[likecarz]

So I bought a new 2013 650i xDrive Gran Coupe loaded $108k MSRP...M Sport...20" wheels...and my wife and daughter HATE the ride in the back seat! When driving over what I call "normal" road bumps, I can hear my wife and daughter shouting out in the back seat every time their butts fly off the seat when I drive over a "normal" road bump. I can feel most every crack in the road right in my seat....and my wife and daughter say the back seat amplifies the bumps up through the suspension. I often hear the wheels hit underneath. A $108k automobile should NOT ride like this. I tried 19" OEM BMW wheels with 40R/19s.....they help..but it does not address the problem. I can hear the wheels hitting the undercarriage....load bangs.....it's really frustrating. I've tried Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+....similar results. Anyone else experiencing this? I understand it's a sport suspension...I own an M3....but never experienced such horrible ride quality. Unless you're driving on a mirror highway or track, the ride quality is horrible. I have an appointment at BMW on Sept. 3 to check the suspension. If they say nothing is wrong, i will invite the General Manager for ride in my $108k Gran Coupe and ask what he thinks of the investment in ride quality...then ask for my $ back. Any advice? Thanks.

[Samurai of 2day]

I know how you feel. I am Disappointed in the ride quality of this car as well. It is a very beautiful car, and the cabin is magnificent, but once you face an uneven street, those qualities fade away fast.

Do a search for a thread on this forum called "please share your experience". I started that thread a while back concerning the ride quality of the 650i GC and there is some feedback from other members that help you out. Hang in there

[dsad1]

I only get compliments from people about ride quality on my 650gc, everyone is amazed by how smooth it is.

It's odd that you guys are experiencing the exact opposite, especially since you think it's worse than your m3. I don't think my tire has ever hit the undercarriage.

[J4193]

You prob live in Cali or Miami or somewhere with smooth roads I live in Chicago and every time I hit a bump it feels like my wheels gonna fall off but it's not that big of deal like everyone making it

[mlai]

Go get the F06 650i checked out. I have the E93M3 and I can attest that the F06 rear seat ride qualities are sublime on mine......

[wasabi]

Could it be the RFT tires? Try swapping to non RFT and the ride will definitely improve. I'm using 20" non RFT and it's way smoother than my stock 19" RFT.

[jaythree]

I must say I am thrilled with the ride in Comfort+, it's quite smooth and comfy to me. I live in Michigan and we have horrible roads. A big pothole isn't fun to hit, but your average rough roads are fine. I have the 20's but swapped out the RunFlat's with a Michelin All Season. I have heard the RFT's are horrible on rough roads. I'd still take it in, maybe it's "stuck" in Sport+?
By the way I have owned an M5, M6 and 745i so I have lots to compare to.

[J4193]

How did you pay for your all seasons?

[tkila]

The ride quality in the GC is stiff but not harsh IMO. I actually find the ride tuned more towards the luxury side than the sporty side. Ride in the Panamera 4S and Cayenne GTS with air suspension are much harsher than the GC. Changing to normal profile tires will improve the ride quality by a lot. I actually think the suspension in the GC is perfect. The car feels planted and stable when cornering without breaking a sweat. The only thing I don't like about the GC is the $100K price, but I will still get it over a more powerful E63 or Panamera.

[likecarz]

Thanks all for the input. Just back from a biz trip and will try adjusting the air pressure. I,am now on OEM 19s. I think there is 42 in front 38 psi in back... I also have an appt on Tuesday to have the suspension checked and will definately ask to drive another 650 GC M sport with the sales manager. Will keep you posted.

[doug_999]

This is like the 3rd or 4th post on how bad the 650gc rides. Either there is a serious issue with the vehicle or the dealers are forgetting to take out the blocks between the springs (I forget what they are called). I'm going to go test drive one shortly - very curious.

[likecarz]

High Doug 999. We're neighbors...am in Geneva IL. I'll ask on Tues about the "blocks"...something is definately not right with my suspension. Here is an update....

Just an update. Went to Bill Jacobs BMW in Naperville, IL today. My SA let me drive another 650i xDrive w/19s M sport..much smoother! My SA also bought and drives a 650i xDrive M sport w/19s and so I asked him to I've my car. After a fee speed bumps and small dips in the road he said..." There is definately something wrong with this suspension". And so Tues AM I have a service appointment...stay tuned

[Mccurry]

i am experiencing the horrible ride as well even after changing to non run flat.

[likecarz]

Thanks...nothing visual (blocks) from the wheel well...wheels/ tires still mounted.Any one out there know what the "blocks" might look like and exactly where they might be?

My car does sit slightly higher than the same 650 xDrive Gran Coupe M Sport on the lot...so you could be on to something. My car goes in Tues AM for the fix....I'll keep you posted.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by likecarz

Thanks...nothing visual (blocks) from the wheel well...wheels/ tires still mounted.Any one out there know what the "blocks" might look like and exactly where they might be?

My car does sit slightly higher than the same 650 xDrive Gran Coupe M Sport on the lot...so you could be on to something. My car goes in Tues AM for the fix....I'll keep you posted.

They are spacers put in-between the coils of the springs. The dealer is supposed to remove them as part of the PDI. Now I'm not sure they come on a GC of course, just that I know I've read about dealers forgetting to take them out. I'd love to find out that there is a solution for this - the GC is on my short list of replacements for my X6 next year.

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by likecarz

Thanks...nothing visual (blocks) from the wheel well...wheels/ tires still mounted.Any one out there know what the "blocks" might look like and exactly where they might be?

My car does sit slightly higher than the same 650 xDrive Gran Coupe M Sport on the lot...so you could be on to something. My car goes in Tues AM for the fix....I'll keep you posted.

Please let us know what they tell you when you get your car nack tomorrow. Maybe there is something to this blocks theory after all...

[13 NF]

I agree this car is a total let down, just look at my posts.
My car really feels unsettled, and unsafe!
Mine is a 640d M Sport with 20 inch concrete rims!
What's interesting in the UK the roads are poor, a recent mag article on the 640d (TOPGEAR) The magazine runs a car for 6-12 months, they openly criticized the ride. They say you never get use to it.
The owner TOM FORD went round Scotland in the 640d, whilst most of the article was on the scenery! He comments on the car saying he did not want to push the car as he didn't know what it would do!
On the up side at least you still have the M3!
I part exchanged mine!( I regret it every time I drive my 640d).
I feel really p****d off BMW has made a turkey! I bought one!
I may end up going to another brand because of this car.
The dealer has done next to nothing to help, and due to the mega depreciation on this car its all bad.
And in typical BMW fashion they are now giving the things away now for no - money, typical saving is 15- 17k off
I sum this car up
ALL THE GEAR NO IDEA!!!!!!

[BillCB]

I'm really sorry to hear all this. My GC's ride quality and handling are outstanding and that applies to lesser roads, such as gravel, as well as main roads.

The handling is about the same as my recent 2005 645Ci but the ride is superior. My only complaint is that a really good pothole will cause the suspension to bottom out.

The GC has 10,000 kms on it now, running 20 inch Dunlop RFs, has used no oil at all and I'm delighted - and mystified as to how others' experiences can be so different from mine.

[BillCB]

Incidentally, re my last post above, most of my driving the GC has been with two normal sized adults, two large and heavy suitcases and about 100 lbs of pro camera gear in the trunk. So the ride quality isn't because the car is "light".

I wonder if having the optional Adaptive Drive, which I do, makes any difference? Certainly keeps the car flat when cornering - maybe helps the ride too?

[Mccurry]

Originally Posted by likecarz

Thanks...nothing visual (blocks) from the wheel well...wheels/ tires still mounted.Any one out there know what the "blocks" might look like and exactly where they might be?

My car does sit slightly higher than the same 650 xDrive Gran Coupe M Sport on the lot...so you could be on to something. My car goes in Tues AM for the fix....I'll keep you posted.

Will be waiting for the good news

[Mccurry]

is the blue thingy shipping blocks?

[ManiacGT]

They look a bit like this below. They fit into the springs.