[ghost_m2c]

I have seen a few posts on the space of the m5 being pretty adequate for a family car, however I have yet to see much on the ride quality and daily drivabilty of this car. I would like something that is not incredibly stiff so I can drive it on a day to day basis. Kansas roads aren't too bad and I am certainly not looking for any 7 series grade ride quality, just something bearable for city roads. I have test driven the M550i which had pretty smooth ride quality for me at least so wasn't sure if the M5 had something similar to offer in terms of ride?

[pbonsalb]

M550i should ride better than the M5 if properly equipped — 19” wheels, active dampers, active anti roll bar. Best riding M5 would be a base model with 19” wheels.

[Jamesmick]

Originally Posted by ghost_m2c

I have seen a few posts on the space of the m5 being pretty adequate for a family car, however I have yet to see much on the ride quality and daily drivabilty of this car. I would like something that is not incredibly stiff so I can drive it on a day to day basis. Kansas roads aren't too bad and I am certainly not looking for any 7 series grade ride quality, just something bearable for city roads. I have test driven the M550i which had pretty smooth ride quality for me at least so wasn't sure if the M5 had something similar to offer in terms of ride?

I like the ride quality of my 2018 and others have said that in the later versions BMW has made it even more nice of a ride. Hard to say across the board though as some people like firm rides and others soft rides. Best bet is to get a few test drives in at your local dealership or local fellow owners to see if it is something you would love. Cheers!

[smbsocal]

I recently traded in a '21 MB C63S for a base '21 M5 with 19" wheels. The two reasons for trading the C63S in were due to the very rough / harsh suspension and jerky transmission.

I cross shopped the M550i and went with the M5. With the current car market it took a while but I was able to test drive a couple M550is and M5s.

I have only had the M5 for 2 weeks but I have already put over 700 miles on it so I can comment on it from my perspective so far.

The M550i will be softer ride than the M5 but the M5 isn't bad for a sporty suspension. The M5 in comfort mode takes most road imperfections without being harsh the biggest downside is that the lateral movement is very stiff. The C63S suspension was very harsh, basically the C63S in comfort mode is worse than the M5 in Sports Plus.

Over the weekend we did a road trip to the NC mountains and my mother-in-law said that the backseats and ride was great. She has a bad back and said the ride and seats in M5 was better than my wife's X5. That being said the M550i front seats are more comfortable especially the headrest.

The M550i cabin will be quieter than the M5, but the M5 isn't that noisy.

The fuel economy should be better in the M550i but the fuel economy in the M5 for me seems to be good. On a typical drive to / from work I am getting 25 MPG when I was getting 21 MPG in the C63S. Of course if you drive in a spirited manner the MPG will plummet.

The insurance cost for the M5 is a bit more than the M550i.

The steering in the M550i will be softer/lighter than the M5 but the M5 is more responsive to steering input.

To me the M550i exhaust note sounds better than the M5, it has a deeper V8 rumble to it.

The M5 is always ready to accelerate but the M550i has a delay and you have to kick it in the pants to get it to go but once going it is capable of getting you in trouble quickly.

[mswaz]

Originally Posted by ghost_m2c

I have seen a few posts on the space of the m5 being pretty adequate for a family car, however I have yet to see much on the ride quality and daily drivabilty of this car. I would like something that is not incredibly stiff so I can drive it on a day to day basis. Kansas roads aren't too bad and I am certainly not looking for any 7 series grade ride quality, just something bearable for city roads. I have test driven the M550i which had pretty smooth ride quality for me at least so wasn't sure if the M5 had something similar to offer in terms of ride?

Where are you in Kansas? My 2018 M5 I traded in is still at BMW of Wichita. It has 20's but can attest that I always felt the drive was near perfect not to harsh and not floaty at all that I feel you do get a bit in the 550. To date best every day car I've ever had.

[m5eattle]

The ride is indeed stiff but it's also a perfectly reasonable daily driver. I've had a front facing and rear facing car seat in mine at the same time with no issues. Wife and kids found it comfortable.

There's only a few places in Seattle streets and bridges where my LCI M5 Comp's stiffness is annoying. That's a very positive statement about this car's suspension.

[irablumberg]

I have only driven the 2021 updated M5 Comp (called the LCI by BMW). In comfort mode, I find the ride just fine even on some of the sketchy downtown streets in Portland. I have also driven the car in downtown Seattle with no problems.

I am happy daily driving this car. Of course with Covid, there is less actual daily driving, but I would be entirely comfortable doing a daily commute involving both highway and city driving.

For reference, I have owned full on sports cars and sport sedans of the following types: 2018 911 GTS, 2015 AMG C63S, 2014 BMW M4, 2013 Nissan GTR, 2012 AMG C63, 2010 Caddy CTS-V, 2008 C6.

Of these, I found the GTR much too stiff for any but the smoothest roads. The rest all ranged from almost but not quite too stiff for daily driving to just fine for daily driving. I would put my M5 somewhere in the middle of this group. It is smoother than the 2006 C6, the 2015 AMG C63S and the 2013 M4, but stiffer than the Caddy.

Hope this helps.

[neoprufrok]

I'm not the best person to talk to - I daily drove a 911 GT3 Touring with Manthey Racing suspension which is super stiff. But compared to that, and compared to my wife's M4, this is much much smoother.

[Slugsy01]

My wife hated our E63S for its ride quality, she absolutely loves our M5C, family love it and we have pretty crappy UK roads.

[HUM5INT]

Originally Posted by ghost_m2c

I have seen a few posts on the space of the m5 being pretty adequate for a family car, however I have yet to see much on the ride quality and daily drivabilty of this car. I would like something that is not incredibly stiff so I can drive it on a day to day basis. Kansas roads aren't too bad and I am certainly not looking for any 7 series grade ride quality, just something bearable for city roads. I have test driven the M550i which had pretty smooth ride quality for me at least so wasn't sure if the M5 had something similar to offer in terms of ride?

Let me give you my experience….it's ferocious as a performance vehicle but it can simultaneously be a nice easy daily driver if needed. Which was important to me because we have little twin girls. So….it works in both worlds - performance and daily. Not to mention the back is extremely roomy and comfortable for little ones.

[MSchfiftyFive]

Originally Posted by m5eattle

The ride is indeed stiff but it's also a perfectly reasonable daily driver. I've had a front facing and rear facing car seat in mine at the same time with no issues. Wife and kids found it comfortable.

There's only a few places in Seattle streets and bridges where my LCI M5 Comp's stiffness is annoying. That's a very positive statement about this car's suspension.

Seconded, also in Seattle w/ our garbage pothole and crack filled roads, it does a great job even in Sport. It handles uneven pavement smoothly and with zero fuss at the expense of feeling it a tad more in your ass, but it's nothing compared to the AMG. Overall it's less bouncy and ass-damning than my Audi S5 was lowered on progressive springs, and I was expecting the M5 to be worse. This is speaking specifically of the LCI w/ revised dampers, but can give the thumbs up for that model for sure.

[m_fife]

Originally Posted by HUM5INT

Let me give you my experience….it's ferocious as a performance vehicle but it can simultaneously be a nice easy daily driver if needed. Which was important to me because we have little twin girls. So….it works in both worlds - performance and daily. Not to mention the back is extremely roomy and comfortable for little ones.

The M5 is the ultimate Dad car.

[spuntyb]

I daily mine with two car seats in the back. The car is ginormous inside. Rides just fine to me, but ymmv.

[Maxlude]

Got a 19 Comp in UK with our knackered roads.
Recently did a 600 mile round trip 2adults plus my 15 mth old baby boy and fully loaded boot/trunk.
Just taking it easy trying to keep to the speed limit I got around 32mpg (imperial) in efficient mode, fuel shortage in effect!!! Was showing 515 on the range at times, but then went down to the usual 475 for these types of trips.
The ride can be a little jiggly on very poor roads when cold, but it was around 18c and with the extra weight, it settled nicely.
If you've never driven long term a sporty type car then you may feel it's quite firm even in comfort, but considering the performance available, it's pretty comfy. The seats are awesome, it's roomy enough.
Dial it all down and listen to the music. Just bit more road noise than a normal G30 due to suspension and big wheels and tyres. Close the exhaust valves when baby is asleep.
When I'm on my own, exhaust valves open, sport mode on A roads, then cruising on motorway, dial it down, active cruise on. That's the beauty of the M5. It's pretty much anything you want it to be, whenever you want, but not too extreme but still does all the things a G30 5 series does but looking better whilst doing it!

[snowbimmer]

I just did 300 miles a day for 13 straight days in a '21 M5C. Fun meter was pretty much pegged the whole time. Averaged about 9 hours a day in the seat. I wouldn't worry about ride comfort.

[HuskerM5]

I have daily driven my 2019 base M5 with 19 on wheels - change over to winter tires each year on another set of 19s. Have 2 little kids that fit perfect in the rear. Routinely drive long distances for work without an issue. Best daily driver in my opinion!

[Aronis]

I have about 36000 miles on my '18 M5, and drive it everywhere in every weather. We took the Sienna on equally long rides. I did not have any issues with the ride quality of the M5 ever vs the Sienna. It's not stiff by any stretch of the imagination compared to my '03 RS6 on KWV3 or my '19 Boxster GTS. The competition is stiffer and I have ridden in my friends Comp. Not that different.

550 is a nice car too. Not an M. M light. The Diet Coke of M cars.

Mike

[Danny D]

Ask the dealer to let you keep the car for the day and find out how you like it.
Benz let me do that for 2 days, ahh fun times.

[m5eattle]

Originally Posted by Danny D

Ask the dealer to let you keep the car for the day and find out how you like it.
Benz let me do that for 2 days, ahh fun times.

The mythical dealer demo. A true white whale.

[Deleted Account]

My M5C LCI is a weekend ride primarily as I live in New York City and walk to work.

If my car can handle nyc roads which are awful with two kids in the back and a dog then you are good to go.

[BlueString]

Coming off of a 550i (F10) to the base M5, I can say the latter has a much more planted feel but not harsh at all. Even in the firmest sport plus setting, the ride is still very comfortable.

[ghost_m2c]

Originally Posted by mswaz

Where are you in Kansas? My 2018 M5 I traded in is still at BMW of Wichita. It has 20's but can attest that I always felt the drive was near perfect not to harsh and not floaty at all that I feel you do get a bit in the 550. To date best every day car I've ever had.

Im up in the Kck/Johnson County area