[stormchaser]

Hi everyone. I have driven many 5 series in Europe and recently purchased a 530 with multi contour seats, and Napa Leather (Required for Multi Contour seats). On longer highway drives it seems to be a bit stiff, and not nearly as comfortable as my German rentals and current A6. I do not have M sport. I do have 19 inch wheels and run flats. My rental was likely 18s with what looked like Goodyear Ultra Grips (Looked like a bigger tread). That rental in Germany below had Dakota and Multi Contour. Question: Will dropping to 18's and regular tires help on these tiring highway trips? I know 18's are more comfortable than 19s. Or will the Run flats make the bigger difference. Could the Napa leather be stiffer than the rental that had Dakota? Other posts say Napa is better.

Obviously both will help but do you think it's pretty noticeable (Tires and smaller wheels)? Also, most articles in What Car and Auto Car suggest adaptive suspension. Does active suspension in the comfort mode actually make it softer than a standard 530? I don't have adaptive. The seats even though they are MC, still also feel a tad stiff but might need breaking in. I found a photo of my German rental attached below. Look carefully. I think they are 18's but it's hard to tell? Can you tell from the wheel type? The rental is Goodyear Ultra grips. Unknown if Run Flats. Also it is M sport but likely not lowered as in EU there is an option to retain normal suspension. My car is non M sport with continental pro contacts.

[SonD]

Adaptive suspension just adapts to your driving style, and in comfort mode, the car just reacts somewhat slower than sport to gear changes and softens the steering slightly - little impact on the suspension IMO.
If you have RF tyres, then going to non run flat, and swapping rims (dependant on the size of your brakes) for slightly smaller = a slightly larger aspect ratio for the rubber, giving a more compliant ride.
I did this, very happy with the results.

[stormchaser]

If you look closely at this rental that I liked, the tires were Ultra Grips (Snow). I wonder if Sixt uses non run flats when they change them out, or can it be determined by the pics if those were run flats or not? Not sure if the issue in difference of the ride was the tires or going to 18s? Did you changing to non run flats make enough difference to say it was quite noticeable?

[ppointer]

Get rid of the run flats.

[stormchaser]

The seats even though Multi Contour don't feel comfortable either, but perhaps it's the Run Flats (Highway driving). The rental in Germany had Dakota leather with this car having Napa leather. Not sure if Napa could be stiffer?

[sp12345]

I think the wheel size matters, if you thinking of changing then I suggest moving down to the lowest size rim (so more rubber) and non runflats would be the best combination.

[SonD]

Nappa leather is most certainly not stiffer than Dakota!
Only Merino bests it in the BMW range.

[AF]

What are your tire pressures ?

Also is this the first time you’ve had a car with run flats ?

[stormchaser]

I had run flats on a 328D wagon and quickly ditched them. So on local drives the car comfort of the MC seats is fair at best (Pretty stiff overall). However, when I did a 7 hour drive after posting with the seats back and Driver Assistance Pro activated it was a dream. I am used to an upright driving position and as you know the BMW sedans all sit a bit low (Seat hight). The car does not feel overly stiff (compliant on bumps) but the seats are tiring. Maybe smaller wheels and non run flats will help (Seat comfort). I will start to look for 18 inch wheels. Can you actually put 17s on for winter??? Tech wise this car is amazing.

[G30M]

17" is only limited by your brake calipers. if they clear then yes, if don't clear, you're stuck with 18".

18" non run flat will be more compliant than 19" but the ride quality will only be better if your suspension is tuned properly. otherwise changing one component of the complex system might not turn it into the magic carpet ride as you are probably hoping for. 17" will ride better than 18" so that's what i'd go for if comfort is what you're after. but the handling is likely to go down the drain. also you might get unwanted lateral movements in corners or crosswinds due to the tall floppy sidewalls.

i am guessing you don't have adaptive dampers?

[stormchaser]

I decided to go with 18s that I will mount for the winter with NRF winter tires. After driving the 19s a bit more, they are actually not too bad ride wise even with the RF. My suspicion is that the 18s will be the sweet spot. Regarding seats, I think BMW would do well by providing softer bottom cushions and fewer under-thigh bolsters. It seems that most of their seats grab you under the legs whereas other brands push those bolsters out to the sides (Wider cushion) or soften them. I know they have improved over the years, but whoever designs these seats certainly does not take comfort into the priority. I don't have adaptive dampers.