335 ZSP

MikeMidd · 04-20-2008, 03:59 PM

Hey all -

Had a good test drive of a 335 sedan with Sport Pkg yesterday - which is what I'm strongly leaning toward after having driven a 335 w/o and a 328 with ZSP a couple weeks ago.

But a question for those in the DC area who regularly deal with our potholes, rough roads, steel plates on roads, etc...

How have you felt about the car's ride in everyday driving? And how has the car held up to the abuse of this area's roads, knowing that the bigger wheels, tighter suspension, etc. don't soften the road at all?

My current car feels like it is falling apart going over normal bumps and it rattles like crazy - at least part of which I attribute to a harder suspension and bigger wheels that mean the car slams into everything. Just want to make sure a 335 ZSP won't feel have that loose feel to it after a year or two, and wondering if the ZSP will feel too harsh for normal driving.

(Yes, I realize this might be a bit paranoid... but I have to ask those who know...)

Ryan335 · 04-20-2008, 09:13 PM

my 330i with ZSP (same everything as the 335i minus the engine) is pretty rough... too rough at times. Sometimes driving through gtown or other areas with sh!t roads I want to scream because the car indeed sounds like its falling apart. I attribute most of the to the run flats, but certain bumps hit really hard (loud bang in the cabin). Its strange because on the beltway or other highways the car truely rides as smooth as a 7 series, but on bumpy choppy pavement it is very harsh.

If you do get the sport pack, you will learn to adapt your driving to hit the bumps softer but its still harsh.

If i could do it all over again with the car I wouldn't change anything becasue the seats, steering wheel and wheels really make the car great, i guess you gotta take the good with the bad but once again its pretty rough

sstarch1 · 04-20-2008, 10:00 PM

Agreed.

Although 19'' w/o RFT are a ittle easier than 18'' w/RFT, the suspension along with these roads provides frequent headaches for me.

theDude · 04-20-2008, 10:05 PM

My answer: Tire and Wheel warranty FTMFW.

I don't live in DC, but in Hampton Roads the highways and secondary roads are just as bad as in DC. I have to drive up to DC for work quite a bit, so I feel comfortable making a comparison.

To answer your question, specifically, I have the ZSP with 19 inch wheels, but no runflats. The overall ride itself isn't too bad, but hitting medium to large potholes is a jarring experience. Sounds like a damn mortar going off when you hit a big one.

I've already lost one tire (PS2) to a highway pothole at 85mph...left me with a bubble, but thankfully didn't give up the ghost. Since I had the warranty, BMW bought me a new tire...even if it wasn't 'stock' (i.e. - 235/35 front)

Anyhow, I wouldn't sacrifice performance for a more cushy ride, but that's just me...

BK · 04-20-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMidd

How have you felt about the car's ride in everyday driving? And how has the car held up to the abuse of this area's roads, knowing that the bigger wheels, tighter suspension, etc. don't soften the road at all?

My current car feels like it is falling apart going over normal bumps and it rattles like crazy - at least part of which I attribute to a harder suspension and bigger wheels that mean the car slams into everything. Just want to make sure a 335 ZSP won't feel have that loose feel to it after a year or two, and wondering if the ZSP will feel too harsh for normal driving.

+1 to everything Ryan335 said. ZSP isn't as hard as the suspension on a dedicated sports car, but it is hard enough to make you realize the roads around here are crap. Still, it's fine for daily driving. TBH, I think it could even be a little stiffer and still be fine for a DD. Maybe not all that much stiffer, though.

As for rattles, after 22K miles or so on the DC area roads with ZSP and 18" RFTs, my car is still rattle-free, knock on wood. Some roads do seem like they must be shaking the car to death, and you do get the occasional "HOLY CRAP WHAT WAS THAT!" moments with potholes, but it feels as solid now as when I got it. I got the wheel insurance but haven't had to use it. Knocking on wood again...

MikeMidd · 04-20-2008, 11:23 PM

Thanks guys. Who wants to take me for a ride in their ZSP to test it out? ;-)

It sounds like there will be some crashing over potholes, but that generally the ride is fine, esp if you are smart and avoid what you can. There are a few that have driven me crazy since I got my current car (like when you first hit the Key Bridge coming from Rosslyn, somehow there's an edge there as you move to the concrete that feels like you are climbing a curb in my Mazda). I'm fine with shaking occasionally, just had the hollow rattle/whack sounds I get right now that make me feel like each bump is unscrewing things a little bit more.

It also sounds like it is the run-flats that are the root of it, not the suspension. It is what it is, I guess.

Thanks again. If I'm going to drop this much money, I want to make sure I get exactly the right car. This board has been great for answering all my (rather boneheaded) questions.

Raja Ventureshield · 04-21-2008, 02:34 PM

i don't know, i just couldn't do it without the sports package IMHO.
that's just me. Then you have my wife, who would love a bmw with a buick suspension. :-) But since you live in DC maybe the non-sports would be the way too go or else you will cry everytime you drive. I know i do when i drive to DC. :=)

Sniz · 04-22-2008, 11:22 AM

get the ZSP but swap to non runflats......the rft's simply suck in every aspect. You wont regret it. I was amazed at how well the car road w/ regular tires.

HennarotM3 · 04-22-2008, 11:41 AM

Not to go off-topic, but what're people's recommendations for A/S tires on the stock ZSP 18s? I have Pilot Sport All-Seasons on my e36 M3, but I can't get the right sizing for the 335. Any good/bad experiences with Eagle F1 All-Seasons or the Yokohama All-Seasons that Tire Rack has?

Sniz · 04-22-2008, 12:43 PM

check out General Exclaim UHP's too....good tire and CHEAP.

cburton · 04-22-2008, 01:15 PM

I have a 325 with the sport package and after a year of driving in SF I can say that you will def get some moments that rattle ur teeth and make the cd player skip. The seats and the steering wheel make it worth while though.

The potholes and construction zones took their toll on my allignment though.

04-20-2008, 03:59 PM	#1
MikeMidd Thrillin' and billin' 17 Rep 416 Posts Drives: Three-Three-Five Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	335 ZSP - how's it holding up on rough roads? Hey all - Had a good test drive of a 335 sedan with Sport Pkg yesterday - which is what I'm strongly leaning toward after having driven a 335 w/o and a 328 with ZSP a couple weeks ago. But a question for those in the DC area who regularly deal with our potholes, rough roads, steel plates on roads, etc... How have you felt about the car's ride in everyday driving? And how has the car held up to the abuse of this area's roads, knowing that the bigger wheels, tighter suspension, etc. don't soften the road at all? My current car feels like it is falling apart going over normal bumps and it rattles like crazy - at least part of which I attribute to a harder suspension and bigger wheels that mean the car slams into everything. Just want to make sure a 335 ZSP won't feel have that loose feel to it after a year or two, and wondering if the ZSP will feel too harsh for normal driving. (Yes, I realize this might be a bit paranoid... but I have to ask those who know...)
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04-20-2008, 09:13 PM	#2
Ryan335 Lieutenant 106 Rep 428 Posts Drives: Macan GTS Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	my 330i with ZSP (same everything as the 335i minus the engine) is pretty rough... too rough at times. Sometimes driving through gtown or other areas with sh!t roads I want to scream because the car indeed sounds like its falling apart. I attribute most of the to the run flats, but certain bumps hit really hard (loud bang in the cabin). Its strange because on the beltway or other highways the car truely rides as smooth as a 7 series, but on bumpy choppy pavement it is very harsh. If you do get the sport pack, you will learn to adapt your driving to hit the bumps softer but its still harsh. If i could do it all over again with the car I wouldn't change anything becasue the seats, steering wheel and wheels really make the car great, i guess you gotta take the good with the bad but once again its pretty rough __________________ Present: ‘17 Macan GTS Past: ‘15 ML350, ‘13 E92 335i, ‘11 E92 335i, ‘06 E90 330i, ‘06 A4, ‘04 A4
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04-20-2008, 10:00 PM	#3
sstarch1 From Russia With Boost 36 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: E92 335i - Vroom Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Agreed. Although 19'' w/o RFT are a ittle easier than 18'' w/RFT, the suspension along with these roads provides frequent headaches for me. __________________ 2007 BMW 335i - Delivered 9/8/06 Sparkling Grpahite with Black Leather/Aluminum Trim Premium Package, Sports Package, Comfort Access.
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04-20-2008, 10:05 PM	#4
theDude First Lieutenant 8 Rep 331 Posts Drives: '08 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Beach iTrader: (0)	My answer: Tire and Wheel warranty FTMFW. I don't live in DC, but in Hampton Roads the highways and secondary roads are just as bad as in DC. I have to drive up to DC for work quite a bit, so I feel comfortable making a comparison. To answer your question, specifically, I have the ZSP with 19 inch wheels, but no runflats. The overall ride itself isn't too bad, but hitting medium to large potholes is a jarring experience. Sounds like a damn mortar going off when you hit a big one. I've already lost one tire (PS2) to a highway pothole at 85mph...left me with a bubble, but thankfully didn't give up the ghost. Since I had the warranty, BMW bought me a new tire...even if it wasn't 'stock' (i.e. - 235/35 front) Anyhow, I wouldn't sacrifice performance for a more cushy ride, but that's just me...
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04-20-2008, 11:23 PM	#6
MikeMidd Thrillin' and billin' 17 Rep 416 Posts Drives: Three-Three-Five Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. Who wants to take me for a ride in their ZSP to test it out? ;-) It sounds like there will be some crashing over potholes, but that generally the ride is fine, esp if you are smart and avoid what you can. There are a few that have driven me crazy since I got my current car (like when you first hit the Key Bridge coming from Rosslyn, somehow there's an edge there as you move to the concrete that feels like you are climbing a curb in my Mazda). I'm fine with shaking occasionally, just had the hollow rattle/whack sounds I get right now that make me feel like each bump is unscrewing things a little bit more. It also sounds like it is the run-flats that are the root of it, not the suspension. It is what it is, I guess. Thanks again. If I'm going to drop this much money, I want to make sure I get exactly the right car. This board has been great for answering all my (rather boneheaded) questions.
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04-21-2008, 02:34 PM	#7
Raja Ventureshield Major General 288 Rep 5,686 Posts Drives: BMW M3 coupe Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (6)	i don't know, i just couldn't do it without the sports package IMHO. that's just me. Then you have my wife, who would love a bmw with a buick suspension. :-) But since you live in DC maybe the non-sports would be the way too go or else you will cry everytime you drive. I know i do when i drive to DC. :=) __________________ ************************************* Un4gettable 435i Extended Test drive thread: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=881491
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04-22-2008, 11:22 AM	#8
Sniz Lieutenant General 654 Rep 10,587 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	get the ZSP but swap to non runflats......the rft's simply suck in every aspect. You wont regret it. I was amazed at how well the car road w/ regular tires. __________________
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04-22-2008, 11:41 AM	#9
HennarotM3 Lieutenant 11 Rep 404 Posts Drives: e30 M3, e90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sammamish, WA iTrader: (0)	Not to go off-topic, but what're people's recommendations for A/S tires on the stock ZSP 18s? I have Pilot Sport All-Seasons on my e36 M3, but I can't get the right sizing for the 335. Any good/bad experiences with Eagle F1 All-Seasons or the Yokohama All-Seasons that Tire Rack has? __________________ e30 M3 \| e90 M3 \| e60 M5 (retired) \| e30 325is (retired) \| e36 M3/4 (retired) \| e90 335i (retired) \| '87 Buick Grand National (retired)
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04-22-2008, 12:43 PM	#10
Sniz Lieutenant General 654 Rep 10,587 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	check out General Exclaim UHP's too....good tire and CHEAP. __________________
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04-22-2008, 01:15 PM	#11
cburton Private First Class 9 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Larkspur, CA iTrader: (2)	I have a 325 with the sport package and after a year of driving in SF I can say that you will def get some moments that rattle ur teeth and make the cd player skip. The seats and the steering wheel make it worth while though. The potholes and construction zones took their toll on my allignment though.
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