35i 'spirited' mpg and 19" ride quality?

[BoxDigital]

New comer to this forum... been eyeing up zed's for a long time, and finally decided to take the plunge and grab one. Before I do though, I'm after some advice.... I've read a load of similar posts but can't seem to find the answer so figured I'd just ask.

So, I'm about to purchase a E89 sDrive35i with DCT and 19" 325 alloys. Visually, it looks awesome and I can't wait to have some fun in it. However, sensible head has a few unanswered questions:

• 1. Ride quality on 19" Bridgestone Run Flats..... is this going to be so harsh that I'm a nervous wreck when driving around town over bumps and manholes? They looks great, but I'm concerned that they may be impractical for my daily commute. Does anyone have these fitted and able to comment on what the ride quality is like day to day?
  
  2. MPG on a 64 mile 50/50 motorway B-road commute... my commute is 32 miles, so 64 door to door. I appreciate that a 35i is not the most sensible of choices in terms of mpg, but I'm keen to get a car that's got a good bit of power under the hood. So, my question is, what is the mpg likely to be on this kind of spirited driving. It's 60% motorway and about 40% 40mph B-roads. People seem to be reporting anywhere from 18mpg all the way up to 35mpg. With this sort of journey, and a fairly excitable right foot, what sort of figures am I likely to get?
  
  3. Basic audio package.... how good is the sound quality? I'm going to be coming from a Scirocco with the Dynaudio sound system fitted which is, to my ears, still one of the sharpest sounding car systems I've heard. I know I'll miss it... but by how much!?

Thanks for your help guys. Really great forum here, and a ton of useful information here for new comers!

 

[Maniac]

19" 325 are you sure? 296 and 326 come in 19" and 325 are 18"

Ride is generally a little harsh on run flats over rough Tarmac and yes if you hit deep manholes you will cringe.

Mpg on what you describe will likely be mid to late 20's

You will miss a good audio system. The basic setup is ok but not great.

 

[Quadracer]

19" 325 are you sure? 296 and 326 come in 19" and 325 are 18"

Ride is generally a little harsh on run flats over rough Tarmac and yes if you hit deep manholes you will cringe.

Mpg on what you describe will likely be mid to late 20's

You will miss a good audio system. The basic setup is ok but not great.

I'll back up Maniac on all of the above

 

[BoxDigital]

Thanks for the responses chaps. Took it for an extended test drive the other day and loved every minute of it. The ride is definitely on the firm side, but certainly not too crashy for my tastes. I did hit one fairly deep manhole cover.... wasn't too bad but wouldn't want to try hitting any potholes with it1 Cringe indeed!

Stereo sounded ok, not great, but certainly ok and not nearly as bad as I'd read. The purr of that engine though.... sounded so good in contrast to the diesel I'm driving at the moment!

Now I just need to make decision and wait for the snow to melt!!

 

[needforZ4speed]

I do find the M Sport suspension pretty hard, especially when traveling at speed on back country roads.

The 19" 326 run flats don't help either. These bad boys, but don't they just look awesome!:

I have the standard sound system and very happy with it. I have the 2.0I sdrive and getting 30MPG at best.

 

[lux]

The standard audio system is pretty poor (had it in my first E89), the Loudspeaker system - BMW Buisness is much better and has 11 speakers and 245 watt output (got this now). However the BMW Proffesional has got 14 speakers and 650 watts!!

 

[needforZ4speed]

I guess I'd need to hear the better sound system to tell the difference. I'd rather listen to the engine on acceleration and the exhaust "burbling" on deceleration to be honest

 

[lux]

I'd rather listen to the engine on acceleration and the exhaust "burbling" on deceleration to be honest

Then why ask! :slaphead:

 

[needforZ4speed]

I didn't ask I was answering a question.

 

[lux]

Oh yeh, wasn't you was it
You were the one showing a 326M

 

[needforZ4speed]

lol, don't worry !