[Brett530]

I'm trying to figure out why my F30 335 has more body roll than my brother's F30 335.

Mine is a 2012 Sportline RWD Auto with Adaptive M Suspension. I've never been super impressed with the corning ability of my F30 even in Sport mode.
My brother's 2014 M-Sport AWD Auto stays flat in turns noticeably better in sport or comfort mode. I did a VIN lookup on his and it does not call out any suspension options, so I'm left to wonder is the 'stock' M (non-adaptive suspension) just better than the M-Adaptive suspension? Does the M-Sport package include a thicker sway bar than Adaptive M suspension?? Is it an AWD vs RWD difference?

Overall, I am amazed at how different the 2 cars feel. His feels slower and heavier, but more refined, and smooth. The transmission shifts much smoother. Mine is more fun to drive other than the unimpressive cornering. Mine has a JB stage 1 and Sprint Booster, so I'm not surprised at the difference in speed response, but I'm wondering why such a difference in body roll.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Brett530

I'm trying to figure out why my F30 335 has more body roll than my brother's F30 335.

Mine is a 2012 Sportline RWD Auto with Adaptive M Suspension. I've never been super impressed with the corning ability of my F30 even in Sport mode.
My brother's 2014 M-Sport AWD Auto stays flat in turns noticeably better in sport or comfort mode. I did a VIN lookup on his and it does not call out any suspension options, so I'm left to wonder is the 'stock' M (non-adaptive suspension) just better than the M-Adaptive suspension? Does the M-Sport package include a thicker sway bar than Adaptive M suspension?? Is it an AWD vs RWD difference?

Overall, I am amazed at how different the 2 cars feel. His feels slower and heavier, but more refined, and smooth. The transmission shifts much smoother. Mine is more fun to drive other than the unimpressive cornering. Mine has a JB stage 1 and Sprint Booster, so I'm not surprised at the difference in speed response, but I'm wondering why such a difference in body roll.

Do check the online part#, my recollection is that M adaptive uses the same non-sport antiroll bars as standard suspension, while 704 uses sport(thickened) anti-roll bars.

[Tim182]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Do check the online part#, my recollection is that M adaptive uses the same non-sport antiroll bars as standard suspension, while 704 uses sport(thickened) anti-roll bars.

I suspect it's the x vs s drive. Xdrive rides higher; also m sport with xdrive actually has normal, not m sport suspension (xdrive deletes m sport). Although most people say that xdrive rides worse, so the other way around

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Tim182

I suspect it's the x vs s drive. Xdrive rides higher; also m sport with xdrive actually has normal, not m sport suspension (xdrive deletes m sport). Although most people say that xdrive rides worse, so the other way around

OP did mention in post#1 that both cars(his and his brother's) are RWD though, so X Drive should not be a factor in this comparison.

[anotheran]

Are there any tire differences between the two cars?

[otay]

Originally Posted by Brett530

I'm trying to figure out why my F30 335 has more body roll than my brother's F30 335.

Mine is a 2012 Sportline RWD Auto with Adaptive M Suspension. I've never been super impressed with the corning ability of my F30 even in Sport mode.
My brother's 2014 M-Sport AWD Auto stays flat in turns noticeably better in sport or comfort mode. I did a VIN lookup on his and it does not call out any suspension options, so I'm left to wonder is the 'stock' M (non-adaptive suspension) just better than the M-Adaptive suspension? Does the M-Sport package include a thicker sway bar than Adaptive M suspension?? Is it an AWD vs RWD difference?

Overall, I am amazed at how different the 2 cars feel. His feels slower and heavier, but more refined, and smooth. The transmission shifts much smoother. Mine is more fun to drive other than the unimpressive cornering. Mine has a JB stage 1 and Sprint Booster, so I'm not surprised at the difference in speed response, but I'm wondering why such a difference in body roll.

So...his is AWD without adaptive? My understanding is that his would actually have crappier suspension than yours.

Unless there was that much of a change from 2012 to 2014? I have 2014 Sport Line and it corners pretty flat.

[Tim182]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

OP did mention in post#1 that both cars(his and his brother's) are RWD though, so X Drive should not be a factor in this comparison.

He said one is awd (all wheel drive = xdrive) while the other is rwd (rear wheel drive = sdrive), so yes, massive factor

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Tim182

He said one is awd (all wheel drive = xdrive) while the other is rwd (rear wheel drive = sdrive), so yes, massive factor

Ah u are correct on AWD. Interestingly, the XDrive/AWD does not have 704 suspension(at least for F30), the ZSP/M-sport basically is base suspension, just like the M adaptive suspension(someone posted the part# of these here some time ago). So the main difference is really RWD versus AWD then in the cars being compared.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Tim182

I suspect it's the x vs s drive. Xdrive rides higher; also m sport with xdrive actually has normal, not m sport suspension (xdrive deletes m sport). Although most people say that xdrive rides worse, so the other way around

As you say, most comment the opposite for ride and roll control. Something doesn't stack up, softer and higher suspension, smaller diameter roll bars, and it is better for roll control in corners?

Wheels and tires have to be the other factor to consider. If they are identical, very puzzling.

[Brett530]

The tires are also opposite what you would guess. Mine are lower profile while his look to be nothing special no-name touring (neither of us have run flats at the moment). I guess the other possibilities are that there is something wrong with my suspension or that the various other dynamics like more weight, and different steering feel are confusing my butt tilt-o-meter.

[Tim182]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Ah u are correct on AWD. Interestingly, the XDrive/AWD does not have 704 suspension(at least for F30), the ZSP/M-sport basically is base suspension, just like the M adaptive suspension(someone posted the part# of these here some time ago). So the main difference is really RWD versus AWD then in the cars being compared.

M adaptive suspension is nothing like the standard at all. Not sure about the roll bars, but everything else is completely different. Adaptive is lower than standard (and 1cm lower than M Sport as well from what I can recall), harder in sport mode and softer in comfort mode.

Op, are you sure your adaptive was set to sport mode (and you enabled chassis in the sport mode configuration via iDrive). In comfort mode (or sport without chassis selected), it is quite soft which can feel a lot like body roll. Put it in sport however, it transforms the car and it should feel planted to the road.

[phennighausen]

Edit: completely wrong thought you said he had a 328i not another 335i.

[perry8912]

I thought xdrive with Msport line has the same suspension as xdrive with luxury/sport line.

Maybe I was wrong???

[EBS0712]

The RWD should out handle an AWD F30 so it has to be something mechanical.
I'm betting on a problem / failure in your suspension system. You didn't mention how many miles you have on your 2012, but your could have failed shocks and / or Adaptive System.
Have a mechanic check it out .....
Good luck.

[Tim182]

Originally Posted by perry8912

I thought xdrive with Msport line has the same suspension as xdrive with luxury/sport line.

Maybe I was wrong???

Yes, that's right assuming no adaptive.

[RedKloud]

Maybe he installed coilovers, and not telling you.

[elistan]

I also have to wonder how the relative amounts of body roll are being measured. And is that under similar cornering forces? If the RWD car has stickier tires, and is taking corners faster, and experiencing higher g forces, it'll naturally lean more...

[eluded]

Is the body roll more noticeable in one car at the same speeds in the corner?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by elistan

I also have to wonder how the relative amounts of body roll are being measured. And is that under similar cornering forces? If the RWD car has stickier tires, and is taking corners faster, and experiencing higher g forces, it'll naturally lean more...

Good point on how it is measured. The butt dyno is not always the most accurate instrument. With the variables in the two chassis, it is possible the softer chassis can 'feel better' in the corners. Many a slightly softer setup can be more fluid in the corners and during weight transfer. Feeds the senses in a different way. As to the exact roll angles, instrumentation may tell a different story.

[Patrick852]

High profile tire also plays a role in bodyroll.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Patrick852

High profile tire also plays a role in bodyroll.

OP is saying the car with the higher profile tires is the one the corners better. Not stacking up at all.

[redbullfan]

Your dampers are probably worn out