[Drivaar]

Hi everyone... Unfortunately for me, I've got some structural issues in my neck that are being aggravated by my car's ride.

It's a 2007 335i with 107K miles on it... I've also replaced the sport shocks with Koni FSDs, which are softer than stock sometimes, but harder on the rough roads I now live around, unfortunately. The rest is stock, including 18" wheels.

The car is still great in other ways, so I'd like to keep it if possible... what are my realistic options for softening the ride in an economical way? I'd like to look at that before buying a new car, since my car has so many other great features!

I figure that I could:

- Replace bushings (since they are 107K miles old now!)
- Switch wheels + tires to 17" or even 16" (as bad as it looks)
- Switch to non-sport shocks
- Switch out the springs to something softer

Any advice, and cost estimates for this type of thing? Or should I just go for a new, softer car at this point (and if so, any suggestions?)

I know it's counter to what most people here would ever want to do, so please don't flame me too much. Just trying to make a cost-effective choice while taking care of my health.

Thank you as always.

[bimmette]

Sorry to hear about your neck. I don't know how much pain you're in, but it sounds like you're better off getting a SUV if it's serious. Probably easier to get into a higher vehicle than crouching into a low car.

[vapore0n]

To OP.
This car wasn't meant to be soft. You might end up replacing a lot of parts and end up compromising it's handling /safety, and not end up with a car that helps with your medical condition. Health first.

I would suggest test driving a 328, x1 or x3, see if those work. Else consider a different car. My friends Hyundai are very compliant and soften road bumps really good.

On to parts. Koni yellows are adjustable but only for dampening. Wonder if setting them to full soft would make the ride less harsh.
17 softer tires should help too. Think that is the min you can go to clear the brakes. Maybe do this first. Borrow some 17s.

[Ravenseal]

I would suggest getting something along the lines of an X5 or Q5, possibly even looking into leasing a Lexus GS (normally found on lease specials for $359ish). These cars ride rough. My 335is rides even rougher than my Genesis Coupe, and that has an aftermarket suspension.

[Drivaar]

(Bump)

Thanks for the responses so far -- any other thoughts on switching out bushings/springs/tires/wheels/shocks vs getting a new car, since the latter is a lot more $ than the former.

Thank you!

[jwalker87]

From your statement that you replaced the sport shocks with Konis, I'm assuming that your car had the sport package, which has stiffer springs and shocks. I would try to find some springs from a standard suspension - they don't really wear out like shocks do, and since many people swap them out for something sportier you can probably get some for close to the cost of shipping from someone on the forum. That will make the biggest difference. I'm not intimately familiar with your shocks, but just make sure they work with the standard spring rates. If in doubt a call/email to Koni would be a good idea.

Next would be 17" wheels. Pretty sure 16" won't fit over your brakes (but not 100% sure). Again, you should be able to get a set of stock 17" for real cheap from someone who has upgraded.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by Drivaar

(Bump)

Thanks for the responses so far -- any other thoughts on switching out bushings/springs/tires/wheels/shocks vs getting a new car, since the latter is a lot more $ than the former.

Thank you!

Have you considered touring tires? If anything else, your tire compound, design, and sidewall strength play a bigger role on ride harshness than bushings, etc.

http://www.michelinman.com/US/en/tir...ilot-mxm4.html

http://www.continentaltire.com/produ...t-19565r15-91h

[Greyfox]

Like others have said, I would say switch to 17" rims and some non-runflat touring tires. You can get a jack, lug wrench and spare fairly cheap for safety sake.

[Drivaar]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like you aren't expecting bushing replacement to do much... I was thinking that might be a bigger factor given the age of the car (107K miles). Thoughts?

[jwalker87]

Originally Posted by Drivaar

Thanks everyone! Sounds like you aren't expecting bushing replacement to do much... I was thinking that might be a bigger factor given the age of the car (107K miles). Thoughts?

There would be a difference, but I think to do ALL the bushings would be a lot more expensive than springs and a nice set of used 17's (I've never looked into it, but I imagine the number of hours in labor for bushing replacement is astronomical). Also, I don't think as big of a difference as springs and 17's.

That being said, at 107k your car is about due for bushing replacement just as a preventive maintenance item to maintain good handling and ride quality, so...

[vapore0n]

Originally Posted by Drivaar

Thanks everyone! Sounds like you aren't expecting bushing replacement to do much... I was thinking that might be a bigger factor given the age of the car (107K miles). Thoughts?

I would expect bushing replacement to tighten things up a bit. Less rattle/shaking, better steering response. Quite possibly better dampening of road. Worth while doing, if keeping car.

17s with non run flats will help much more noted though.

Still wont feel like a soft cruiser. Dont know how soft you want it to be.

[BlackedOutBimmer]

In all honesty, get rid of the E90 and get an SUV or something with larger tires and more tire sidewall.

Even stock, an E90 or most other BMWs will ride 'rough' and 'stiff'

I have an F150 that I don't even notice bumps in, and with those same bumps in my E90 I swerve around to miss them.

Get a larger vehicle. Health problems, especially neck problems are not a laughing matter.
NO car is worth your health.

[bloppitybloop]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

In all honesty, get rid of the E90 and get an SUV or something with larger tires and more tire sidewall.

Even stock, an E90 or most other BMWs will ride 'rough' and 'stiff'

I have an F150 that I don't even notice bumps in, and with those same bumps in my E90 I swerve around to miss them.

Get a larger vehicle. Health problems, especially neck problems are not a laughing matter.
NO car is worth your health.

Agreed. Even if it ends up costing slightly more right now, you'll be much better off in the long run.

[patents]

Originally Posted by Drivaar

(Bump)

Thanks for the responses so far -- any other thoughts on switching out bushings/springs/tires/wheels/shocks vs getting a new car, since the latter is a lot more $ than the former.

Thank you!

No one says you have to get a brand new car. $5,000 gets you a Cadillac Deville in excellent condition with a very soft ride.

[DrRobert]

What "structural issues" in your neck are you dealing with? Are you sure it is just the harshness of the ride that is aggravating your symptoms, or could your seat and headrest position have anything to do with it as well? Does the angle of your seat back have any effect on your neck pain? If so then maybe a seat mod of some sort would help you keep your BMW.

I had my sports seats modified because the side bolsters were bothering my sides. The modification included installing an extra layer of foam on the seat back between the side bolsters; this moved my body forward about 1/2" in the seat and had the unexpected added benefit of improved neck comfort because the headrest was not pushing my neck forward as much. I also test drove an Audi that had an adjustable headrest which allowed front-back position adjustment, a feature I really liked as I deal with neck pain at times too.

[Drivaar]

Originally Posted by DrRobert

What "structural issues" in your neck are you dealing with? Are you sure it is just the harshness of the ride that is aggravating your symptoms, or could your seat and headrest position have anything to do with it as well? Does the angle of your seat back have any effect on your neck pain? If so then maybe a seat mod of some sort would help you keep your BMW.

I had my sports seats modified because the side bolsters were bothering my sides. The modification included installing an extra layer of foam on the seat back between the side bolsters; this moved my body forward about 1/2" in the seat and had the unexpected added benefit of improved neck comfort because the headrest was not pushing my neck forward as much. I also test drove an Audi that had an adjustable headrest which allowed front-back position adjustment, a feature I really liked as I deal with neck pain at times too.

Thanks for the great suggestion, DrRobert! That neck vs headrest issue is definitely a factor -- I don't understand how BMW can ship a product where the headrest makes your head jut forward!

How much did the seat modification cost you?

Also, to answer your question about the structural problems: there are some nerve impingements that are not going to go away, so I have to work with them.

[DrRobert]

Well my seat mod was very expensive but I had a lot more done than you would need to. Try getting a 1/2" foam pad of some sort and cut out a piece that fits against the flat part of the seat back, in between the side bolsters. You can drive with that for a few days and see if it makes a big difference. If it does you'd just have to find an upholstery shop who can glue an extra layer in that section of the seat under the leather, might cost you a few hundred bucks.

I also like the idea of switching from sport to non-sport springs (if your car has sport package) and 17" wheels with non-runflat tires. Those two changes should reduce the impact forces that are getting transmitted to your body.

[ny325]

I would look into a X5. E90s ride rough, and absorb every little road imperfection. You are probably going to spend a lot of money, and still won't be comfortable. Good luck OP. Feel better.

[Gohan335i7]

Maybe some kind of cushioning that you can keep on your car seat. Neck & back pain is no laughing matter. I hope you find the best product that benefits you to the fullest.. Cushioning is very helpful for neck pain.. -Gohan335E90---