mtmnet

I am thinking about trading in my BMW X5 for the new E320 and I have a couple of questions.

1. How does it ride over rough concrete freeways in Southern California? Smooth? Better then the BMW 530? The Edmunds article mentioned that it is a bit stiff for a luxury car.

2. Does the transmission have a sport mode? What is the W/S button for near the shiffter?

I'm going to test drive one on Monday.

Thanks for you help.
Mike

bmms8

hey mike, where do you live in san diego. the ride is smooth, and i suggest getting a 500 ,or the sport option for the 320. its an air suspension, with 3 different modes, it can get real sporty. the ride over say the 15 is very smooth. the w/s button is for what type of weather it is. if it is raining, then you press the button, so it will change it W. thats for winter driving. it changes the gears or something. so your start off isnt as fast.and yes, the tranny can be used as a manual

bmms8

hey mike, where do you live in san diego. the ride is smooth, and i suggest getting a 500 ,or the sport option for the 320. its an air suspension, with 3 different modes, it can get real sporty. the ride over say the 15 is very smooth. the w/s button is for what type of weather it is. if it is raining, then you press the button, so it will change it W. thats for winter driving. it changes the gears or something. so your start off isnt as fast.and yes, the tranny can be used as a manual

pogotango

get the 500, or if you want, goto brabus and get the 6.1 e class

mtmnet

I'm in Encinitas, CA and drive on the 5 freeway a lot. Is the Air Suspension's normal setting more comfortable then the standard suspension or about the same?

How is the overal gas milege on the E500?

Thanks,
Mike

jim256

In S, the car starts in first gear, in W the car starts in second gear and also introduces a different comparable reverse gear with a higher ratio (lower numeric). Both help reduce spinning on startup on slick roads.