[swifty]

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Hey guys,
Those of you who have test driven or bought the new F30, can you please advice the difference in ride comfort between the Sport (passive suspension) line Vs Modern/Luxury line.

Basically want to know if the SPORT is a lot more harsher than the the other two. This is for my sister. She test drove the modern and loved how comfortable it was compared to my e92. However she wants the red interior which only comes in the Sport line and can't seem to find a dealer with the sport pkg. I was going to encourage her to get the M-suspension but worried about the long term costs of the active suspension as she keeps her car for 7-8 years.

Will appreciate all feedback.

Thanks in adv.

[ric124]

Yeh if she didn't like how your car rides then she may not like sport. ordering the adaptive M may be a waste for her too if she is going to keep it on comfort. but who knows she might drive the sport and say wow I like how this feels in the corners.

[pokerface]

swifty, in Canada, the Sport Passive Suspension is not standard. it's a $400 option. Sportline is largely cosmetic.

[swifty]

well the e92 suspension is a lot more harsher than the f30 from what I have heard. Plus I'm on coils.

I was hoping there were Ppl here who have test driven both the sport Line & modern or luxury and could articulate the suspension differences they have felt other than ability to hold corners better.

[swifty]

Originally Posted by pokerface

swifty, in Canada, the Sport Passive Suspension is not standard. it's a $400 option. Sportline is largely cosmetic.

She lives in Texas but yes u r right, there is no difference here in Canada other than seats etc.

[SD_E88]

Obviously she should be the one to make the ultimate decision but here's my two cents... She'll like the Sport Line.

Bought the Sport model. I prefer stiffer suspension. That being said the suspension in the Sport model is far more compliant than in the E90 with sport suspension as well as the E46. HOWEVER, if I press the Sport button... well, things change a little! Suspension behaves much more sporty!

I would prefer the suspension to be more sporty all the time, more like my old E46. That puppy was stiff!

[swifty]

^ this is with the passive sport line. You sure you don't have the active M-suspension?

thanks man.

[SD_E88]

In the US Sport Line does indeed come with Sport suspension. It may not be active? but it is tauter and sits 10mm lower.

And yes... Sport mode changes some of the suspension parameters.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by SD_F30

In the US Sport Line does indeed come with Sport suspension. It may not be active? but it is tauter and sits 10mm lower.

And yes... Sport mode changes some of the suspension parameters.

If it is not the M-sport adaptive suspension, how? Drivetrain, throttle, steering, but what is the active suspension part of a "passive" system?

Car may feel tauter, but it isn't suspension parameters changing. F10/11 feels better in sport, has that tauter feel, even without the adaptive suspension.

HighlandPete

[SD_E88]

Huh! I never really double checked if the suspension changed in sport. BMW's manual does say that the Suspension/Chasis is optimized in sport mode. But I have learned what BMW says isn't always true. The car does feel different. A lot different. A lot better... so I won't complain.

[micknugget]

Originally Posted by SD_F30

Huh! I never really double checked if the suspension changed in sport. BMW's manual does say that the Suspension/Chasis is optimized in sport mode. But I have learned what BMW says isn't always true. The car does feel different. A lot different. A lot better... so I won't complain.

I'm not sure how sport mode could alter the standard or sportline suspensions as they are passive. There is nothing to alter.

[ric124]

Originally Posted by micknugget

I'm not sure how sport mode could alter the standard or sportline suspensions as they are passive. There is nothing to alter.

If you get the adaptive M suspension it changes with the mode you are in.

[swifty]

^ that's true but for comparison sake, we are sticking to the passive sport suspension.

[micknugget]

Originally Posted by ric124

If you get the adaptive M suspension it changes with the mode you are in.

I agree which is why i said "standard or sportline suspensions as they are passive." The M suspension is not standard in either.

[Elk]

Sport is very comfy, even in sport mode. It is not stiff nor harsh under any circumstances. I would be surprised if she, or anyone, found this suspension uncomfortable.

[MiloMia]

^^^ very true. Just made a switch from a E92 to F30. Big difference, my F30 sport line is so comfy and smooth. Plus you can change your suspension from sport, sport +, or comfort on the F30 sport line.

[zeezz]

If the regular sport suspension is so compliant, I wonder if I really should swing for that M adaptive... could save and just get Sirius instead

[simianspeedster]

Originally Posted by swifty

well the e92 suspension is a lot more harsher than the f30 from what I have heard.

This depends on the model year E9x. Most E9x cars had the original suspension, but BMW revised the E9x suspension for MY2011 (new Sachs dampers and other changes) and the improvement in ride quality was substantial. We had a 2009 wagon that road far worse than my M-Sport 2011.

My M-Sport 2011 car has a slightly more jiggly ride than our new F30 Luxury Line (i.e. it transmits more minor road imperfections), but strange as it may sound, the impact harshness on the F30 over bigger road imperfections is much worse. I attribute this in great part to the F30 wheels/tires which are 1" larger in circumference compared with the E9x, which means they're probably heavier.

The F30 standard suspension also allows the car to get tossed around a lot more than the E9x Sport/M-Sport, so that makes the car feel less luxurious than it should in my book.

F30 Sport Line is different of course -- I haven't driven one yet.

[DrivenByE30]

Having driven over 4,500 kms around Europe...
and just a couple of rounds on a patch of german woods...



my Luxury line 335i performed beautifully....
... and that's even without/never touching the Sport button switch!!

it's unbelievable how compliant the car is, around twisties and ups and downs...!!

I am very impressed, and that's all while lugging around baggages and 3 adults on-board!



All i can recommend, you dont even ne ed to have Sport Suspension to enjoy the thing...
you dont ne ed to have M-Suspension, unless you are a hardcore, and will do tracks, and even then, if you track the car, you probably would n e e d better equipments anyways...

So tell your sister to go with whatever lines she prefers...
it doesn't matter the suspension... she will be satisfied, even with the basic one!

the Sport and M-Sport will only make it harsher,
if that's what she likes...

But i doubts she is more an enthusiast driver than me.



No F30 is a wrong Choice guys... just go buy them blindly!

Originally Posted by zeezz

If the regular sport suspension is so compliant, I wonder if I really should swing for that M adaptive... could save and just get Sirius instead

Only based on my experience of Comfort setting of the 335i Luxury:
You dont really need M adaptive ... (tho i never tried it)

Originally Posted by simianspeedster

This depends on the model year E9x. Most E9x cars had the original suspension, but BMW revised the E9x suspension for MY2011 (new Sachs dampers and other changes) and the improvement in ride quality was substantial. We had a 2009 wagon that road far worse than my M-Sport 2011.

My M-Sport 2011 car has a slightly more jiggly ride than our new F30 Luxury Line (i.e. it transmits more minor road imperfections), but strange as it may sound, the impact harshness on the F30 over bigger road imperfections is much worse. I attribute this in great part to the F30 wheels/tires which are 1" larger in circumference compared with the E9x, which means they're probably heavier.

The F30 standard suspension also allows the car to get tossed around a lot more than the E9x Sport/M-Sport, so that makes the car feel less luxurious than it should in my book.

F30 Sport Line is different of course -- I haven't driven one yet.

I 100% confirm that!! This car (with basic suspension) is made to run round and round a certain 20 kms...


EDIT: i didnt get the original questions until now:
to answer you: Your sister can safely choose to buy the Sport Line,
no fear of the suspension being harsher...
it is not harsher than the Modern or Luxury...
All three lines have the same compliant multipurpose suspension!!

The Sport Line has the advantage of having one more setting : Sport +

That's all, otherwise, they are the same, with no difference...
All three will perform beautifully well...!!!

[sleedawg]

Originally Posted by swifty

well the e92 suspension is a lot more harsher than the f30 from what I have heard. Plus I'm on coils.

To your original question... for your sister who has ridden in your car and thought it too harsh... Coilovers will do that as I'm sure the spring rating and the ride height (hitting bump stops is great for not being too harsh) will be a whole lot worse than your normal progressive spring setup for the average person.

In regards to your sister thinking the factory F30 sport package might be too harsh. I highly doubt it as the suspension is still very compliant. This is not a full on racecar, but just a spring rating that is slightly more progressive and with dampers to match. I'd suggest she find a dealer that has a sport package in stock and drive it. Everyone's idea of a comfortable ride differs. It really is personal taste.

[gnosis8]

Originally Posted by sleedawg

I'd suggest she find a dealer that has a sport package in stock and drive it. Everyone's idea of a comfortable ride differs. It really is personal taste.

Exactly. The road, not A BMW enthusiast forum, is the place to be to determine if sport suspension is too harsh. Harshness is an opinion, and it's also relative.

[TEAShea]

I have a Sport Line and the suspension is quite good but not nearly as firm as a Mercedes C63 or SLK350.