05-11-2012, 10:55 PM | #1 |
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Adaptive Suspension
Does anyone here have a car with Adaptive Suspension?
Is there anything in the car that actually tells you that the car is equipped with adaptive suspension? And what is the difference between one without adaptive suspension? Can you feel it "adapting" |
05-12-2012, 12:58 AM | #2 |
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With adaptive suspension, the car is lowered 10mm, so you'll need to pull up to another car with stock suspension to check if your car is indeed lower
Without adaptive suspension, the car chasis remain the same even if you change driving mode to sport/sport+ But, unless you drive 2 car with/without adaptive suspension back to back, you won't be able to tell, coz you're "used to it". |
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05-12-2012, 02:28 AM | #3 |
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In order: Yes (on order); Yes (central display when you change modes); Normal or M-sport is your typical strut and spring setup.
OP - do you understand how suspension works and what the Adaptive M running gear does? |
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05-12-2012, 02:59 AM | #4 |
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I have adaptive suspension and 8 out of 10 times I leave it in Comfort mode. When I switch to Sport the suspensions stiffens (doh we already know that) but what I don't understand is what the 'adaptive' thing does.
It stays stiff(er) on bumpy roads/bends, it doesn't 'adapt' so to speak. The only adaptive thing is the driver(me) who switches from Comfort to Sport and back now and then. |
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05-12-2012, 03:46 AM | #5 |
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From catalogue:
Adaptive Suspension lowered by 10mm, with dynamic damper control. The Driving Experience Control can be used to choose a comfortable or sporty chassis set-up. So it sound like it doesn't adapt to anything on it's own. You need to set it either as 'comfort' or 'sport'. This is different from other models/make where you can set the damper control independent of other controls |
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05-12-2012, 04:33 AM | #6 | |
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The adaptive suspension system is real time adaptive, not just a switched 'stiffness' level.
Quote:
HighlandPete |
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05-12-2012, 06:23 AM | #7 |
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^ this
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05-12-2012, 06:34 AM | #8 |
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Fair enough.
Example: The other day I was driving in Sport mode on let's say an Autobahn with a rather wobbly surface doing > 100mph. The suspension had a very hard time adapting to the wobbly parts and my buttfeeling(...) gave me the idea the whole suspension got stiffer and stiffer (and not softer which I preferred at that moment). I almost jumped off the road. A rule of thumb is: Softer suspension:More grip. Stiffer suspension: More control(to some extent) |
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05-12-2012, 07:30 AM | #9 |
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Cool! I guess the primary motivation for my question is how can I confirm that the dealer has delivered a car with adaptive suspension...
I suppose variable steering you will know through how many turns before locking up... but adaptive suspension I've got no idea how you could confirm it |
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05-12-2012, 08:02 AM | #10 |
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I have it and I like it. There is a bump I hit everyday going to work that in my E90 with sport suspension was very noticeable. If I go over it in comfort it is much less noticeable. It's nice to have the option if you want to switch.
I was not going to get it but in the end it made such a small difference in my payment I figured I'd go for it.
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05-12-2012, 08:18 AM | #11 | |
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Quote:
Similar to this illustration. http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E8...bng_wheel_bng/ HighlandPete |
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05-12-2012, 04:01 PM | #12 |
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Unless you are cornering. The aim of the stiff suspension when cornering is to have equal weight and equal grip on all corners. With a soft suspension you will have a harder time doing that.
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05-12-2012, 06:52 PM | #13 |
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I've ridden it, and as stated above it's "subtle". My assessment is unless you really, really need itsy bitsy touches of refinement to make your personal life truly happy--refinements that are hard to discern, like mildly-heated toilet bowl seats, then forget it.
BMW is at its best, IMO, at its raw basic self. Let a new BWM kick your ass--not kiss it. All the add ons yield very steep diminishing returns. Others will differ.... |
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05-12-2012, 07:21 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
Having an intelligent adaptive suspension set up is a great idea. You get what you want, when you want it. |
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