[gtsussex]

Was talking about it today with the dealer and we both came to same conclusion. Much as BMW will never sell the M550d here as it could steal M5 sales, so we'll most likely never see a M340d as it will do likewise to M3 (would certainly pull me away).

I can see where this one's going....... Bugger...

[Emil]

My approach to get as close as possible to the best of both worlds is my 335i xDrive with springs from AC Schnitzer. The car is lowered some decent 25mm and the stiffer springs work brilliantly with the adaptive dampers. This is how it should have come directly from the factory. So for under a grand this was the way to go for me and I am completely happy. I can only recommend this easy mod to all of you that are complaining about the soft and less prcise ride of the xDrive.

[ozwol]

Originally Posted by Emil

My approach to get as close as possible to the best of both worlds is my 335i xDrive with springs from AC Schnitzer. The car is lowered some decent 25mm and the stiffer springs work brilliantly with the adaptive dampers. This is how it should have come directly from the factory. So for under a grand this was the way to go for me and I am completely happy. I can only recommend this easy mod to all of you that are complaining about the soft and less prcise ride of the xDrive.

I was considering the AC Schnitzer springs for our non adaptive if we found it too soft. As well as lowering can you confirm that they do also stiffen the ride up? Would thase work on the non adaptive as well? Thanks.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Emil

My approach to get as close as possible to the best of both worlds is my 335i xDrive with springs from AC Schnitzer. The car is lowered some decent 25mm and the stiffer springs work brilliantly with the adaptive dampers. This is how it should have come directly from the factory. So for under a grand this was the way to go for me and I am completely happy. I can only recommend this easy mod to all of you that are complaining about the soft and less prcise ride of the xDrive.

You're the first person I can recall who has actually done it!

Would be interested to hear more ... Ride comfort, clearance for speed bumps etc all ok?

[ewanmac]

It would be interesting to find out the split between xdrive and sdrive but my local dealer up here in Abedeen told me 80% of their 3 series sales are now xdrive. Quite an incredible bias. They also anticipate the residuals to be higher on the xdrive.

Possibly because snow can be more of a problem up here but it would be good to find out the stats nationally.

[Emil]

I am sorry but I do not know if the springs will work with the non adaptive shocks and in case they did, if the result was comparable.

The ride comfort is absolutely uncompromised, which was very important to me, as the car is my daily driver and I am going 40.000 km per year...
It feels now much closer to the ride of a E90 M Sport, but without the harshness of that one. The car is lowered 25mm, this means it is 10mm lower than the sDrive with M Sport springs. Thus clearance is not an issue.
Parts and labor were about 900,-- Euros and I find this a really great investment.

[ozwol]

Originally Posted by Emil

I am sorry but I do not know if the springs will work with the non adaptive shocks and in case they did, if the result was comparable.

The ride comfort is absolutely uncompromised, which was very important to me, as the car is my daily driver and I am going 40.000 km per year...
It feels now much closer to the ride of a E90 M Sport, but without the harshness of that one. The car is lowered 25mm, this means it is 10mm lower than the sDrive with M Sport springs. Thus clearance is not an issue.
Parts and labor were about 900,-- Euros and I find this a really great investment.

Thanks Emil, i can only assume it would act in a similar way for the non adaptive, stiffening up to a lesser extent if anything. I will certainly give it a go if the ride is too soft for our liking. AC Schnitzer UK have quoted £550 fully fitted with KDS alignment and warranty. We dont have the car yet so im just looking for potential ideas. Its a long story but it is too late to add adaptive to the order. Cheers.

[F30AM]

Just seen this thread.
sDrive is what a BMW is all about. The fun of it.
xDrive on a BMW saloon or coupe is sacrilege. But if you drive a BMW hearse (station wagon) you are forgiven.
But, this is for NISFAN, sDrive with adaptive.

[Alkidrew]

How much would you bet that bmw never ever ever offer x drive on an m3?

[335dJa]

So, because you don't like xdrive, bmw shouldn't make it?
Unbelievable, the ONLY reason I have a bmw now is because they finally offered it in xdrive in the uk. As previously mentioned, it has been around for decades in other markets, so all this crap about diluting the brand is irrelevant. How about you stick to your sdrives and accept there is a market for xdrives, regardless of your opinions. I'm so truly bored of reading opinionated bollocks.

[Agent Smith]

Originally Posted by 335dJa

So, because you don't like xdrive, bmw shouldn't make it?
Unbelievable, the ONLY reason I have a bmw now is because they finally offered it in xdrive in the uk. As previously mentioned, it has been around for decades in other markets, so all this crap about diluting the brand is irrelevant. How about you stick to your sdrives and accept there is a market for xdrives, regardless of your opinions. I'm so truly bored of reading opinionated bollocks.

+1

[....,,,,..,,..]

The majority of new car sales are to people who just want a car, are attracted by BMW's good finance terms, want something that has a good quality feel (yes we know some issues).
I imagine those that buy a 3 series are not even thinking about sporty feel of the driving about rear wheel drive etc, it's a car.
However, I bet that BMW have attracted more buyers by offering xdrive in the UK, does it add more to the driving, they don't care.
They have heard the horror stories of rear wheeled cars in the snow BUT now BMW have offered them a chance to buy one that they can drive.

Probably half the people on this forum (me included) do not drive sdrive to get best out of it and apart from ride height most would not know the difference.
So yes Sdrive gives best experience if you know or live where you get the best out of it.
Other than that know one really cares one way or the other.

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by ozwol

Thanks Emil, i can only assume it would act in a similar way for the non adaptive, stiffening up to a lesser extent if anything. I will certainly give it a go if the ride is too soft for our liking. AC Schnitzer UK have quoted £550 fully fitted with KDS alignment and warranty. We dont have the car yet so im just looking for potential ideas. Its a long story but it is too late to add adaptive to the order. Cheers.

What have ACS UK quoted you for exactly? Are you waiting for a 335d saloon?
Thanks

[F30AM]

I've started to drive my sDrive in Sport all the time. Ride is still excellent and handling quite superb. Only problem is, I am becoming a bit of a dare devil and nearly had a prang this morning.

[Emil]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

How much would you bet that bmw never ever ever offer x drive on an m3?

How much would you have bet some five years ago that BMW never ever offer a front wheel drive car?

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by 335dJa

So, because you don't like xdrive, bmw shouldn't make it?
Unbelievable, the ONLY reason I have a bmw now is because they finally offered it in xdrive in the uk. As previously mentioned, it has been around for decades in other markets, so all this crap about diluting the brand is irrelevant. How about you stick to your sdrives and accept there is a market for xdrives, regardless of your opinions. I'm so truly bored of reading opinionated bollocks.

Both sDrives and xDrives have their rightful place in the market.

[focal]

I'm here in Canada with an obvious winter condition. I had two E60's, one a RWD and one an X drive prior to owning my F30. I alternated in winter time. One year, I put winters on the RWD car and drove it and loved it.

After some engine troubles on the RWD, I thought about living with the x drive as my only car. Needless to say, I sold both and picked up a F30 RWD. I added non run flat Michelin tires and the M-performance suspension and now it's the absolute best handling car I've ever owned.

This past winter was one of the longest on record and the car survived with some careful driving. If your choice of an x drive is for a non enthusiast driver, then it's definitely a good choice. They aren't going to complain about the softer handling. If you're an enthusiast, a RWD isn't that hard to maneuver in inclement weather with some good attention and technique and when spring/summer roll around the car will reward you.

[ozwol]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

What have ACS UK quoted you for exactly? Are you waiting for a 335d saloon?
Thanks

They quoted for the lowering springs, fitting and kds alignment. I,m waiting for a touring, should be a few weeks now. I'll only go ahead if the wallowy setup others have talked about makes us feel sick, otherwise the softer suspension doesn't bother me and would be a welcome change from the msport.

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by ozwol

They quoted for the lowering springs, fitting and kds alignment. I,m waiting for a touring, should be a few weeks now. I'll only go ahead if the wallowy setup others have talked about makes us feel sick, otherwise the softer suspension doesn't bother me and would be a welcome change from the msport.

Great. let us know how you get on...

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

How much would you bet that bmw never ever ever offer x drive on an m3?

How much would you bet, that BMW never ever offer a front wheel drive small MPV.

Just what are the chances of that?

........

[gtsussex]

I'm booking in tomorrow to get done ASAP. Will do before after photos and report findings!

[ozwol]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

I'm booking in tomorrow to get done ASAP. Will do before after photos and report findings!

What are you having done and why? Is yours adaptive suspension? Cheers