[toure]

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Though my 2014 F30 328i is on a ship to the sunny West Coast, I am beginning to have some doubts about the passive M-Sport suspension and how harsh the ride would be. Is it good at soaking up bumps? Is there annoyingly noticeable wind/road noise? Would a long road trip e.g. 6-7 hours be uncomfortable? If it helps, I am in the CA Bay Area.

I am having last minute thoughts of switching to an Audi A5 due to these concerns but the F30 seems the better and more practical car in nearly every other way.

Help me make the right decision, F30Post...

:

[Jamesons Viggen]

The 704 Sports suspension is very forgiving and supple for everyday driving. I think you will be happy. But that suppleness comes at the expense of a teense more body roll than previous sports suspension 3 series-but with a smoother ride. That is the trade off.

[justinnum1]

Softer than I would like, but pretty good none the less. DHP was a no go because i like driving in eco pro sometimes, but never want a soft suspension setting forced on me.,

[Stillhart]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Softer than I would like, but pretty good none the less. DHP was a no go because i like driving in eco pro sometimes, but never want a soft suspension setting forced on me.,

I thought you could configure the suspension settings in each of the driving modes if you got the DHP. Does that not apply to Eco mode?

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by Stillhart

I thought you could configure the suspension settings in each of the driving modes if you got the DHP. Does that not apply to Eco mode?

When i tried it it would only be in the soft setting in eco pro mode. maybe it changed since then

[martyl]

I'm picking up a 335 with passive sport in October and after test driving it, agree with the other posters. I think it's great combination of ride and handling for real world driving. The suspension soaks up bumps better than my 06 E90 non-sport. I did drive cars with both 18 and 19 inch wheels and I found the 19 inch wheels give a noticeably stiffer ride.

[BavarianFanatic]

Drive the car yourself for a while. And stay off the forums until you do so. Don't let everyone else's opinions cloud your own judgement.

[The Nerd]

Love my MSport passive suspension. Perfect crispness for performance driving, but forgiving enough for daily driving. Feels "just right"...

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

When i tried it it would only be in the soft setting in eco pro mode. maybe it changed since then

You can configure the chassis and drivetrain individually. I forget the exact combos, but you can have eco pro and sport suspension I know.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Tupolev

Though my 2014 F30 328i is on a ship to the sunny West Coast, I am beginning to have some doubts about the passive M-Sport suspension and how harsh the ride would be. Is it good at soaking up bumps? Is there annoyingly noticeable wind/road noise? Would a long road trip e.g. 6-7 hours be uncomfortable? If it helps, I am in the CA Bay Area.

I am having last minute thoughts of switching to an Audi A5 due to these concerns but the F30 seems the better and more practical car in nearly every other way.

Help me make the right decision, F30Post...

:

Passive suspension is not harsh. Especially coming from an E90! Don't be concerned or second guess yourself. If you're really worried go to a dealer and test drive a similar build. You'll be pleased.

Quite frankly I wish the ride was firmer and a bit more go-Kart like.

[elistan]

Originally Posted by Tupolev

Though my 2014 F30 328i is on a ship to the sunny West Coast, I am beginning to have some doubts about the passive M-Sport suspension and how harsh the ride would be. Is it good at soaking up bumps? Is there annoyingly noticeable wind/road noise? Would a long road trip e.g. 6-7 hours be uncomfortable? If it helps, I am in the CA Bay Area.

I am having last minute thoughts of switching to an Audi A5 due to these concerns but the F30 seems the better and more practical car in nearly every other way.

Help me make the right decision, F30Post...

:

Everybody has different preferences for suspension tuning, so I suggest you find a dealer with a 704 equipped car and do another test drive. That said, I like the 704's tuning. Comfortable enough for 12+ hour road trips, but sporty enough to enjoy canyon runs. I haven't done any autocrosses or track days to test that aspect, however.

[KellerKiller]

Originally Posted by elistan

Everybody has different preferences for suspension tuning, so I suggest you find a dealer with a 704 equipped car and do another test drive. That said, I like the 704's tuning. Comfortable enough for 12+ hour road trips, but sporty enough to enjoy canyon runs. I haven't done any autocrosses or track days to test that aspect, however.

I took mine to the Nurburgring and while it felt nimble, there was definitely more body roll than in my buddy's M3 (of course). I am glad though that it soaks up the bumps as well as it does. I take quite a few road trips and nobody has roads like the Germans... However, if I were to track it more, I'd definitely go for the M Performance suspension.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

You can configure the chassis and drivetrain individually. I forget the exact combos, but you can have eco pro and sport suspension I know.

Can you? Not on mine, soft suspension in ECO/Comfort, hard in Sport/Sport+ you can configure Sport to have soft suspension, but not comfort/Eco to have hard.

Passive M Sport is the best standard suspension compromise. Too soft for me, but good for a daily driver.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

The 704 Sports suspension is very forgiving and supple for everyday driving. I think you will be happy. But that suppleness comes at the expense of a teense more body roll than previous sports suspension 3 series-but with a smoother ride. That is the trade off.

Yeah it is a teense. By reading other posts you'd think it plowed through curves like an old Cadillac.

I'm happy with it but decided to get DHP on the one just ordered.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by snowghost

Yeah it is a teense. By reading other posts you'd think it plowed through curves like an old Cadillac.

I'm happy with it but decided to get DHP on the one just ordered.

People exaggerate and often don't drive the cars they claim the F30 now handles like.

"It drives like a Camry" 9x out of 10, those people have not driven a new Camry lol.

[rconti]

So you bought a new F30, it's on a boat on the way here, but you don't know how the suspension feels over bumps, and you're considering swapping a car you haven't yet received for an A5? Have you driven either?

And you're asking for internet folks' opinion on whether you will find the ride too harsh for where you live? I'm not really sure what kind of answer you're expecting.

I don't know, my M Coupe has 600# springs on the rear and seems plenty comfortable in the bay area.

[zeezz]

I was originally worried it would be too harsh (I am also in the Bay Area). Overall it's been excellent for me, even taking several people down to LA. It is definitely not as comfy as a lexus though. The wife complains that over some big bumps it wakes her up from her nap. As for me, I don't nap in my car

Compared with E90 sports suspension, definitely less harsh. Compared with F30 base suspension - much better.

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by Tupolev

Though my 2014 F30 328i is on a ship to the sunny West Coast, I am beginning to have some doubts about the passive M-Sport suspension and how harsh the ride would be. Is it good at soaking up bumps? Is there annoyingly noticeable wind/road noise? Would a long road trip e.g. 6-7 hours be uncomfortable? If it helps, I am in the CA Bay Area.

I am having last minute thoughts of switching to an Audi A5 due to these concerns but the F30 seems the better and more practical car in nearly every other way.

Help me make the right decision, F30Post...

:

you have already ordered, would you have an option to switch still? If so just see how YOU personally find them. Nobody can tell you here which will replace a test drive.

BTW, what made you change your mind. You made a custom order, hopefully after exploring all options? Are you sure u will be fine with 2 door coupe?

Test drive them back to back sir! Plenty of dealerships in NorCal. Just walk into the dealerships if you feel like one day and go to some rougher sections.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

"It drives like a Camry" 9x out of 10, those people have not driven a new Camry lol.

I am certain this is true.

Additionally, the Camry is a very competent car. It is not an accident it is as popular as it is.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

People exaggerate and often don't drive the cars they claim the F30 now handles like.

"It drives like a Camry" 9x out of 10, those people have not driven a new Camry lol.

So true

[Propagator]

I have an E90 M-sport which I drive in the Bay Area everyday.

I cannot imagine that you'd find the ride to be unacceptable. With the E90, there are some roads where the low speed ride gets a bit talkative, but nothing offensive. The F30 should do even better.

Keep the F30.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

People exaggerate and often don't drive the cars they claim the F30 now handles like.

"It drives like a Camry" 9x out of 10, those people have not driven a new Camry lol.

I came from 2 E46s in a row, a 2002 325i with Sports and a 2006 M3. While the F30 is softer in some situations, at times it can seem a little harsh too. Maybe that's more of a RFT issue, dunno.

But pushing hard in curves there isn't much of body roll and she feels very stable. I'd like to try Michelin Pilots when these RFTs are done.