Ride quality of BMW 8 series vs. CLS
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Houston, TX
2019 AMG CLS53
Ride quality of BMW 8 series vs. CLS
Has anyone here driven the 8 series? I am wondering if it as unsettled when driving over expansion joints as my CLS is. I do love the car but I am intrigued at getting a V8 while I still can. I plan on a test drive soon
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2015 S-550
I owned a 2020 BMW 840i GC for 3,000 miles. The worst car I've ever owned. Total lack of suspension. Uncomfortable seats. Nowhere close to the refinement of Mercedes. My 2020 CLS450C is a pleasure to drive compared to the BMW, but the suspension could be better. My ref is the S-Class, have owned 4. Looking at the S-Class again but the S500/S580 have room for improvement.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
2019 AMG CLS53
Appreciate the response guys! My interest in the 8 series has cooled considerably - and now would be a terrible time to pull the trigger on any new or used car for that matter. I really love my CLS but a more compliant ride would be nice. I do like the new S class - elmalo with your S class history, what do you think needs improvement in the new S class?
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2015 S-550
Agree that the current version of the CLS needs a more compliant ride. Seems like some people think that a rough ride is "sporty". Regarding the new S-Class, lots have been written in the S-Class section about it and by people who have studied the S500/580 more than I have. From my point of view I like the new engine in the S-500, but most of the rest of the car is not an improvement over the previous version. I prefer RWD over 4MATIC; the new S-Class is too obese and needs rear axle steering as standard equipment; MBUX is not an improvement over the Comand system and is more distracting. Don't care for the new interior or exterior design. It looks cheap compared to the previous version. I have totally lost interest in the new S-Class and might consider a loaded, low mileage 2020 S450/560 with 19 inch wheels. I see no advantage of 20 or 21 inch wheels at all. Rougher ride and easily damaged by potholes.
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From: Vancouver, BC, and sometimes AZ
2015 E63S
I see you have a CLS53 like me. I come from 25+ years of BMW ownership and was looking at the M550i when replacing my 540i which I really didn't like. I have only driven the M850i Coupe, but have extensive experience with the M550i which is the M850i's mechanical twin and shares many similarities. Personally I find the CLS to be more fun to drive even with 2-cylinders less. The V8 is really the only thing that both the M850 and M550 have going for them. From a chassis perspective they are just more numb and more straight line rockets than anything, and the steering on both is horrid, overall they just felt less sharp with the CLS giving you more feel. The M550i is a tad more comfortable than the CLS so I would expect the M850 to fare similarly although not by much. Do be warned though, now is not the time to buy an 8-series in the current market. Before the chip shortage, these cars were selling for huge discounts (people were getting 15-20% off) because BMW couldn't move them, and when the market returns to normal, the depreciation on them will be insane.
the M550 is NOTHING like the M850 despite having platform similarities (it actually shares a lot of underpinnings with the 7 series). If your saying the m550 (with its numb steering) is similar to the 850, you would be alone in that analogy, a lot of reviewers have expressed the exact opposite that bmw finally fixed its steering-feel/feedback issue with the 8.
I test drove an M550 extensively and now own an M850 and can tell you they are nothing alike. The m850 is much more engaging to drive than a 5 series and I find my m850 to be one of the most comfortable drives over the past 3 AMG cars I’ve had, including an e63.
to the OP, I own an m850GC, and find it to deliver the comfort and sport I need, not to mention the looks and thumbs up I get on the road , it’s an eye catching car. I find it soaks up the bumps beautifully, which I’m sensitive to. I also shopped a CLS53 but can’t stand the interior look of a run of the mill E class. I loved the sexiness of the m850 over it. Found the cls53 to have a fun and buzzy engine but the pull and growl of the v8 in the m850 is no match for It. Take one for a long drive, I think you’ll be impressed with the 850.good luck in your choice!
Last edited by van_rider; Nov 30, 2021 at 10:29 AM. Reason: Added content
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2015 S-550
The 2020 BMW 840i Gran Coupe was my first and last BMW. Worst car I've ever owned. The roughest ride and most uncomfortable seats plus some other things that were a disappointment. I don't know anything about the other 8-series BMWs or M-versions and I have no desire to find out either. Car&Driver tested a souped up 8-series, a Mercedes AMG and an Audi S7 not too long ago. The BMW came last because of the very rough ride.
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Originally Posted by Car and Driver
The Gran Coupe, however, does suffer from the same numb steering and weak connection to the car's front end that we've noticed in other large BMWs...
The M8's electrically assisted steering offers both variable assist and a variable-ratio rack. It's not the most communicative...
The undoing starts with steering that feels less interested in your needs than a DMV employee on a Friday afternoon. If a car could roll its eyes, the M8 would do so the second you put the steering in Sport mode ("Oh yeah, I'll get right on that").
The M8's electrically assisted steering offers both variable assist and a variable-ratio rack. It's not the most communicative...
The undoing starts with steering that feels less interested in your needs than a DMV employee on a Friday afternoon. If a car could roll its eyes, the M8 would do so the second you put the steering in Sport mode ("Oh yeah, I'll get right on that").
Originally Posted by CNET
The big Gran Coupe is surprisingly agile, though its steering is disappointingly numb.
Originally Posted by MotorTrend
Similarly, the electronic power steering does its job with precision and without fail, but it lacks an ability to connect the driver to the road mechanically.
Originally Posted by CNCB
Though not surprisingly given the size and weight of cars in this segment — the M850i feels numb. Its steering doesn’t communicate much and the car feels heavy. It’s got so much grip that you can’t approach its limits on public roads, while the engine doesn’t reward wringing it out.
Originally Posted by Gear Patrol
The only thing standing between this Bimmer and perfection? Its steering.
Originally Posted by Top Gear
Throwing it around like that, you'd feel even more confident if the steering carried a little less squidge and a little more feedback...The steering’s numb and that’ll unnerve you on turn in
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From: West Midlands, U.K.
2021 CLS 400d
I previously had a 840i coupe (2 door). It was OK, but certainly not great. I didn't enjoy it all that much. The suspension was too firm, the seats were not great. I also think that the looks were too strong/too striking. I think my CLS has classier/more subtle lines and design features, and isn't as shouty. I don't know if i'm explaining it correctly, but hopefully you know what I mean.
my C257 CLS is a lot better in comparison on all aspects, especially as a daily driver.
my C257 CLS is a lot better in comparison on all aspects, especially as a daily driver.
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I previously had a 840i coupe (2 door). It was OK, but certainly not great. I didn't enjoy it all that much. The suspension was too firm, the seats were not great. I also think that the looks were too strong/too striking. I think my CLS has classier/more subtle lines and design features, and isn't as shouty. I don't know if i'm explaining it correctly, but hopefully you know what I mean.
my C257 CLS is a lot better in comparison on all aspects, especially as a daily driver.
my C257 CLS is a lot better in comparison on all aspects, especially as a daily driver.
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: West Midlands, U.K.
2021 CLS 400d
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