[xXSupa]

I'm currently in the market for a 440i and noticed that not all of them come with the Adaptive M Suspension. From my research, I understand that the adaptive M suspension changes the stiffness of the dampers? to provide different driving styles in Comfort and Sport modes.

I'm currently looking at a vehicle that does not have the adaptive suspension, just the standard suspension. Is there a significant difference between comfort and sport modes for a non-adaptive suspension? From what I can find, it seems that the difference is minimal if you don't have the adaptive M suspension. Can anyone chip in on this?

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by xXSupa

I'm currently in the market for a 440i and noticed that not all of them come with the Adaptive M Suspension. From my research, I understand that the adaptive M suspension changes the stiffness of the dampers? to provide different driving styles in Comfort and Sport modes.

I'm currently looking at a vehicle that does not have the adaptive suspension, just the standard M-Sport suspension. Is there a significant difference between comfort and sport modes for a non-adaptive suspension? From what I can find, it seems that the difference is minimal if you don't have the adaptive M suspension. Can anyone chip in on this?

You should test drive and ask a bmw genius. I have sport line with the standard suspension and it has more body roll in comfort than sport. You can specify to have drivetrain only then suspension dampening doesn't change. There are folks who say there is no difference with non adaptive however.

[bskier2001]

I drive a 340 xdrive without adaptive suspension, and I find the difference between comfort and sport to be significant and noticeable. This is particularly evident when cornering, as body roll is much less prevalent when in sport. I feel that the car communicates much better with the road in sport as well, with some of the imperfections being more noticeable.

However, I can't speak to the differences with adaptive suspension as I've never driven a BMW equipped with it.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by xXSupa

I'm currently in the market for a 440i and noticed that not all of them come with the Adaptive M Suspension. From my research, I understand that the adaptive M suspension changes the stiffness of the dampers? to provide different driving styles in Comfort and Sport modes.

I'm currently looking at a vehicle that does not have the adaptive suspension, just the standard M-Sport suspension. Is there a significant difference between comfort and sport modes for a non-adaptive suspension? From what I can find, it seems that the difference is minimal if you don't have the adaptive M suspension. Can anyone chip in on this?

Suspension doesn't change at all without adaptive fitted. Any change in chassis 'feel', is due to change in steering weighting between Comfort and Sport.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by bskier2001

I drive a 340 xdrive without adaptive suspension, and I find the difference between comfort and sport to be significant and noticeable. This is particularly evident when cornering, as body roll is much less prevalent when in sport. I feel that the car communicates much better with the road in sport as well, with some of the imperfections being more noticeable.

However, I can't speak to the differences with adaptive suspension as I've never driven a BMW equipped with it.

Maybe a change in the LCI car as some people say there's no difference without adaptive. However I feel a significant difference as well, not just heavier steering but less dampening and less body roll in full sport or sport +

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

You should test drive and ask a bmw genius. I have sport line with the standard suspension and it has more body roll in comfort than sport. You can specify to have drivetrain only then suspension dampening doesn't change. There are folks who say there is no difference with non adaptive however.

With standard passive suspension any change has to be due to the steering, nothing changes roll control in different modes.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Maybe a change in the LCI car as some people say there's no difference without adaptive. However I feel a significant difference as well, not just heavier steering but less dampening and less body roll in full sport or sport +

Placebo... nothing fitted to make the changes.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

With standard passive suspension any change has to be due to the steering, nothing changes roll control in different modes.

Bskier agrees there is much less body roll in sport without adaptive.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Bskier agrees there is much less body roll in sport without adaptive.

I'm not disagreeing with how it 'feels', but there is no mechanical changes other than steering weighting.

I've noted the same 'feeling' in a 5-series, with passive suspension, the chassis does feel tighter through the hands and butt, in Sport modes. There is nothing in the suspension which changes, unless you have the adaptive suspension option.

[EBS0712]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

With standard passive suspension any change has to be due to the steering, nothing changes roll control in different modes.

Why don't you guys listen to HighlandPete. He is absolutely correct!

[xXSupa]

Thanks for the input everyone. So from what I'm getting is that although you do still feel a difference between modes, it is mostly from the steering and not the actual suspension components. Good to know.

I probably should test drive a vehicle without the adaptive suspension to see how it feels like, however, the one I am looking at currently is in a neighboring city, about 400 kms (250 miles) away and I don't really have the time to drive down there just to test out the car. Going to keep an eye out to see if there's any similar vehicles at local dealerships that I can test.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Maybe a change in the LCI car as some people say there's no difference without adaptive. However I feel a significant difference as well, not just heavier steering but less dampening and less body roll in full sport or sport +

The dampers and sway bars are not adjustable at all. How could your car possibly firm up? (also, more damping is firmer and less damping is softer)

The best way to test is to go a constant speed and do a slalom in a parking lot. You'll see a ton of body roll either way. That's why i had to install the M Performance suspension on my car.

[bimmer456]

There's no point in listening to anyone as I own and drive the car as my daily driver. After 35k miles I know the difference just like the earlier poster there is a significant and noticeable difference in the suspension stiffness in sport without adaptive.

[Mr. Tasty]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

There's no point in listening to anyone as I own and drive the car as my daily driver. After 35k miles I know the difference just like the earlier poster there is a significant and noticeable difference in the suspension stiffness in sport without adaptive.

It's insane to see people this blissfully ignorant in the world.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

There's no point in listening to anyone as I own and drive the car as my daily driver. After 35k miles I know the difference just like the earlier poster there is a significant and noticeable difference in the suspension stiffness in sport without adaptive.

If you really are saying there is "more than a feeling" of extra stiffness, that there is firmer damping and less roll, in Sport mode, you have adaptive suspension on your car.

Otherwise it is simply a perception, as there are no physical changes taking place to the suspension.

[Climb Mode]

Originally Posted by Mr. Tasty

It's insane to see people this blissfully ignorant in the world.

And to admit it so freely despite irrefutable evidence otherwise is crazy.

This isn’t complicated.

If you don’t have adaptive, then your suspension is static, ie ‘fixed’. No amount of button pressing will make a damn bit of difference.

[MacklinUSOB]

Zero zilch nada non nein no difference without adaptive.

[MWMF33]

I know you are considering sport vs comfort on a non- adaptive suspension. Depending on how you will drive the car you might want to consider looking at the adaptive suspension. I believe the adapative suspension makes a different driving experience. I went from a 430 xdrive F33 without adaptive to a 440 F33 xdrive with adaptive. The first time I drove one of my favorite curvy roads ( during break in) with the adapative suspension the 440 just felt more stable. Both cars had the OEM Continental RFTs so it was not tires.

I know the convertible is heavier and will have a different driving dynamic than the coupe but I expect a similar difference in handling.

It will be interesting to hear what others think.

[leejak]

I can’t wait until facts matter again

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

There's no point in listening to anyone as I own and drive the car as my daily driver. After 35k miles I know the difference just like the earlier poster there is a significant and noticeable difference in the suspension stiffness in sport without adaptive.

Go on...

[SmoothStyle1]

I have the adaptive suspension and the difference between sport and comfort is significant.

The standard setting that you get when you turn the car on is somewhere in between. I usually opt for the sport setting in most cases except highway driving when I opt for comfort.

These settings not only change the suspension/dampers and steering, but also throttle response and in the case of Sport +, the dynamic traction control.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Mr. Tasty

It's insane to see people this blissfully ignorant in the world.

1+ Do you know how many times I just want to punch my phone because I'm showing someone irrefutable proof of something here and they try to convince me of their "alternative facts" Some people just enjoy living the lie..