[bones]

My 335 lease will end when my ordered 340 arrives. Here are some thoughts on the 335.

specs: 2013, xdrive, msport, dynamic suspension

acceleration:
-fast in sport modes
-fast when gas is WOT in comfort mode
-camry otherwise

ride:
-in retrospect, it kinda sucks
-80MPH is a bumpy, jittery experience. not $60k smooth.
-could be that I'm on 3yr old RFTs (15k miles on them) and 19s, but it really sucks.

handling:
-ok, not great. probably more tires than car.
-lots of roll in the corners; car feels big


So why a 340?

BMW makes it really easy for you to stay. Lease rates are good. Ordering is easy, etc.

What will change?

Next car is a RWD 340 w/ m-sport. No dynamic. I'm hoping that combo will + better tires will give me a sports car when I want one and a smooth highway cruiser when I want one of those.

This 335 is is my third BMW and the least impressive. My prior E90 335 (2011 Msport) and 135 (2008 Msport) where much more confidence inspiring and fun to drive.

[otay]

I have a RWD '14 335i with static Sport suspension, so can't really compare, but I'll post anyway.

While some may believe the static sport suspension is too rough and brittle, I think it's an almost perfect compromise of ride and handling. It corners very flat, and doesn't beat me up too bad on broken pavement.

You probably already know this, but switching from run flats makes a big difference in ride quality. I did that before I had 1000 miles on my car.

I've got about 7-8 months before I can order, but I'm already thinking about static vs. dynamic...

Good luck with your new 340.

[Blubaron79]

I agree with all, but my 335 rides as smooth as silk going 80mph or 90 on the highway.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by bones

Next car is a RWD 340 w/ m-sport. No dynamic. I'm hoping that combo will + better tires will give me a sports car when I want one and a smooth highway cruiser when I want one of those..

How do you expect your 340 to be "sports car when I want one and a smooth highway cruiser when I want" with the static suspension?

p.s. I don't disagree with your general ride/handling disappointment. I agree (and I have DHP).

[badassfajita]

Logic doesn't make sense here...

Sounds like you're not satisfied with the 335i, and you have the best "gizmos" already to enhance handing AND the ride. And yet you order a 340i without the handling package AND want the best ride as well as the best handling?

I thought the DHP was universally accepted as the sportiest, best handling 3 series you could buy without aftermarket work?

[Bimmer-Mac]

Hmmmm...why wouldn't you order the DHP again? I am basically in the same boat as you with a 3-year old 335xi and have ordered a new 340xi (picking up on Friday!). That said, I again ordered the DHP and this time added the Track Handling Package to gain the larger brakes, and this time went for the non-runflat PSS tires. To me, that is the best way to get better handling (adaptive suspension, grippy tires, bigger brakes) and more comfortable ride (adaptive suspension and no rock hard runflats). You might notice a bigger change though, going from xDrive to RWD...

[goj]

The new adaptive suspension is pretty darn good IMO. It's definitely stiffer than the old one in my co workers 335

[MikeATL]

I think ditching the RFTs and putting on a good set of summer tires is about the best investment you can make, if your weather allows it. I had Pirelli P7s and just put on Pilot Super Sports and the difference is night and day, it rides and handles like a completely different car. I also put on wider wheels and tires (245 front & 275 rear vs. OEM 225) which I'm sure helps too, but the P7 RFTs get great reviews for traction and wet weather but to me they were horrible. The car wanted to slide wet or dry and I had no confidence in corners at all. The PSS stick like glue.

Good luck w/the new ride!

[bavarianride]

To OP, what is the verdict of dynamic suspension?

[nicknaz]

Hey OP, I think if you can change the order, you should get the adaptive suspension. I think it's worth it on the F30 if you are staying stock, and it seems the LCI is better

I had the passive dampers and 19" RFT on my wife's 335 and liked the adaptive suspension loaners we had a bit better for ride comfort

Nice choice in going RWD instead of AWD, in my opinion

[440xiGCMsport]

All of BMW's suspension stink unless you have adaptive suspension. Go test drive cars with and without back to back at the dealership. The suspension without rolls too much, and feels jiggly.

[Xccelerate]

I have been in a BMW for about 10 years now. 4th vehicle is now my 340i Xdrive. I have to say I've never been more pleased with a vehicle. It's rather enjoyable and quick in all conditions. I have driven Mercedes and Audis have not been impressed. I feel some quality has degraded with BMW yet they still hold my loyalty. As well as my dealership has been great to myself and my family. Wouldn't go elsewhere at this point.

Although I am checking out some Porsche lines

[the_phew]

OP says they don't like the handling/ride of their 335i with adaptive suspension, and intends to go with a different suspension next time around (704).

Then everyone chimes in saying "make sure you get adaptive suspension!". Does not compute.

I agree that tires are the key. You could kill two birds with one stone and get the Track Handling Package with 18" wheels, which has adaptive suspension AND go-flat tires.

[donkey]

Originally Posted by 440xiGCMsport

All of BMW's suspension stink unless you have adaptive suspension. Go test drive cars with and without back to back at the dealership. The suspension without rolls too much, and feels jiggly.

I did exactly that and thought the opposite - the 704/static M Sport Suspension felt way better and sportier to me. And it definitely stays flat in turns.

Maybe this was due to the car with the M Adaptive Suspension that I drove being AWD and the M-Sport suspension was RWD. Either way, I'm not really sold on the M Adaptive.

704 suspension w/ better tires and call it a day IMO.

[rjc32000]

+1. I swapped out my RFTs for a set of RE-11 and consider it the best investment one can make to improve ride quality, noise/vibration, and handling. Steering is dramatically improved with stickier rubber.

Also, sport mode doesn't make the car go faster. It just makes throttle response really twitchy. I find it much more difficult to modulate throttle with sport mode activated during HPDE/autocross so almost never turn it on.

Originally Posted by MikeATL

I think ditching the RFTs and putting on a good set of summer tires is about the best investment you can make, if your weather allows it. I had Pirelli P7s and just put on Pilot Super Sports and the difference is night and day, it rides and handles like a completely different car. I also put on wider wheels and tires (245 front & 275 rear vs. OEM 225) which I'm sure helps too, but the P7 RFTs get great reviews for traction and wet weather but to me they were horrible. The car wanted to slide wet or dry and I had no confidence in corners at all. The PSS stick like glue.

Good luck w/the new ride!

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by the_phew

OP says they don't like the handling/ride of their 335i with adaptive suspension, and intends to go with a different suspension next time around (704).

Then everyone chimes in saying "make sure you get adaptive suspension!". Does not compute.

I agree that tires are the key. You could kill two birds with one stone and get the Track Handling Package with 18" wheels, which has adaptive suspension AND go-flat tires.

No, we were all questioning why he would opt for the static suspension when he stated that he wanted a "sports car when I want one and a smooth highway cruiser when I want"...

I understand if he just didn't like DHP and wanted to try something different, but if his desire is to have something that is "adaptable" then he's getting the wrong setup.

For the record, I haven't been overly impressed with my adaptive DHP suspension, but I haven't intently driven it back-back with a non-adaptive/static setup.

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

For the record, I haven't been overly impressed with my adaptive DHP suspension, but I haven't intently driven it back-back with a non-adaptive/static setup.

Everyone acknowledges that GM has by far the best adaptive damper technology (MR dampers; so good Ferrari licenses the tech from GM), but even the GM fanbois on Camaro/Caddy/Corvette forums are on the fence about whether they can actually notice an improvement with Magnetic Ride vs. static dampers.

BMW has an extremely primitive adaptive damper tech compared to GM, so by extension I don't think Adaptive Suspension is the transformative option some people make it out to be. For BMW, I see it mostly as a way to circumvent the sh!t base suspension on X-drive cars. Also, the only way to get factory go-flat tires on an F3x is bundled with the adaptive dampers.

[kpgray]

I came from a F30 2013 328i Sport xDrive which was an overall good car, zero issues over 60K miles and switched to a F30 335i RWD M-Sport with 19" 403 wheels... night and day difference! The 704 suspension hugs the road, very little sway in the corners. Although the steering is not like my previous hydraulic in the X3, it is easier in the parking lots and never harsh. Good move, the RWD is more like a BMW is suppose to be.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by bones

My 335 lease will end when my ordered 340 arrives. Here are some thoughts on the 335.

specs: 2013, xdrive, msport, dynamic suspension

acceleration:
-fast in sport modes
-fast when gas is WOT in comfort mode
-camry otherwise

ride:
-in retrospect, it kinda sucks
-80MPH is a bumpy, jittery experience. not $60k smooth.
-could be that I'm on 3yr old RFTs (15k miles on them) and 19s, but it really sucks.

handling:
-ok, not great. probably more tires than car.
-lots of roll in the corners; car feels big


So why a 340?

BMW makes it really easy for you to stay. Lease rates are good. Ordering is easy, etc.

What will change?

Next car is a RWD 340 w/ m-sport. No dynamic. I'm hoping that combo will + better tires will give me a sports car when I want one and a smooth highway cruiser when I want one of those.

This 335 is is my third BMW and the least impressive. My prior E90 335 (2011 Msport) and 135 (2008 Msport) where much more confidence inspiring and fun to drive.

With X-drive you really should have stayed with the adaptive dampers, because AWD doesn't get lower sport springs nor sport dampers.
It's no wonder it's handling wasn't great.

19" and larger are ridiculous wheel sizes due to the very short and stiff sidewalls.
I test drove a couple of 335i's with 19's and within less than a mile I could tell I would HATE the ride, as I did.

[bones]

OP here -- my pick for msport over adaptive was for a few reasons

1) this is RWD car, not AWD. have to get adaptive on AWD or you get base suspension
2) i wasn't impressed with adaptive the first time around. going a different route.
3) i bought a base 997 C2 last summer. it has an old fashioned standard suspension; i love it. there is something to be said for consistency.
4) i don't like switching modes. i want one car that can do many things well in one mechanical form
5) i'm making an emotional decision. i want my new car to be as far away from my old car (AWD adaptive vs RWD fixed msport suspension) as possible whilst still being a 3 series.

I'm probably crazy.

I pick the car up @ PDC on 7/8. Will let y'all know what I think after I get off the Tail of the Dragon.

PS - I probably will throw on some Bridgestone S-04s after the drive home from PDC. Would get MPSS but they are twice the price for not twice the tires. Have s-04s on the 911 and love them.

[CLittle]

Had the opportunity recently to drive a couple loaners with Msport adaptive suspension and it is way more comfortable even in sport mode in comparison to my standard suspension.

I notice that my car bounces and rolls a lot more whereas the loaners felt more planted and unperturbed by road imperfections. This steadiness feels more comfortable to me. Even harsh bumps felt better absorbed by adaptive suspension with continental run flats vs my standard suspension with micheline pss.

If I were to buy another F30, I would definitely get the Adaptive suspension.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by CLittle

Had the opportunity recently to drive a couple loaners with Msport adaptive suspension and it is way more comfortable even in sport mode in comparison to my standard suspension.

I notice that my car bounces and rolls a lot more whereas the loaners felt more planted and unperturbed by road imperfections. This steadiness feels more comfortable to me. Even harsh bumps felt better absorbed by adaptive suspension with continental run flats vs my standard suspension with micheline pss.

If I were to buy another F30, I would definitely get the Adaptive suspension.

Based on my own experience I agree with everything you said, but did your loaners have the Msport suspension or the adaptive suspension and how did you conclude? Very unusual for a loaner to have the adaptive.