[AudiA4]

My local dealer (BMW of Little Rock) just became a Dinan dealer (again...they were in the past), and I'm considering adding the Shockware software update for my DHP equipped car now that it's $200. However, I understand it also modifies the existing Comfort mode, which I like as-is.

I looked and looked and looked for a DHP equipped car, for the presumed performance advantage in Sport mode but ALSO because I really wanted an option to dial out the harshness on long road trips, or even around town. My biggest complaint with BMW's DHP (and nearly every other similar system from various manufacturers) is that there is too little difference between modes. So in concept, modifying Sport to a more aggressive setup is perfect, but only if Comfort is left as-is.

I've read other's reviews saying it's not harsh, but even Dinan says they change Comfort to about the same level as existing Sport, which is sort of mind-boggling. Why not modify just Sport (or even Sport and Sport+) and leave Comfort as just that? I wish Dinan offered this as an option.

[MomoM3]

I agree with you. I would consider Shockware if it left Comfort alone, which I'm fine with when traveling with passengers.

Didn't know they dropped the price on it... it's a lot more appealing to consider now.

Worst case, I'm sure you could remove it although that's money gone too...

[Wires]

My guess is it mounts inline with the current setup, so you everything gets stiffer (not just two of the three), so they can't selectively adjust each one.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by Wires

My guess is it mounts inline with the current setup, so you everything gets stiffer (not just two of the three), so they can't selectively adjust each one.

Hmmm....could be.

[lens]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

My local dealer (BMW of Little Rock) just became a Dinan dealer (again...they were in the past), and I'm considering adding the Shockware software update for my DHP equipped car now that it's $200. However, I understand it also modifies the existing Comfort mode, which I like as-is.

I looked and looked and looked for a DHP equipped car, for the presumed performance advantage in Sport mode but ALSO because I really wanted an option to dial out the harshness on long road trips, or even around town. My biggest complaint with BMW's DHP (and nearly every other similar system from various manufacturers) is that there is too little difference between modes. So in concept, modifying Sport to a more aggressive setup is perfect, but only if Comfort is left as-is.

I've read other's reviews saying it's not harsh, but even Dinan says they change Comfort to about the same level as existing Sport, which is sort of mind-boggling. Why not modify just Sport (or even Sport and Sport+) and leave Comfort as just that? I wish Dinan offered this as an option.

Trust me, shockware is more comfortable than stock m adaptive settings.

I had a friend drive my car and he told me the car was much more comfortable than his without.

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by chaungo

Trust me, shockware is more comfortable than stock m adaptive settings.

I had a friend drive my car and he told me the car was much more comfortable than his without.

How can it be more comfortable if it's programmed to be more firm? Serious question! I'm only saying that because I think Comfort is more comfortable than Sport although I do like Sport over Comfort because it's more, well sportier...

[anotheran]

Good luck on your decision. If you enjoy what you have now, it's better not to change it. If you drive Comfort on long rides and even around town, when would you use sports chassis mode? on the occasional on ramp?

If you track/autoX, you'll want shockware to dial down the bouncy shocks.

[RoundelM3]

OP - have you contacted Dinan to determine whether it does or does not increase harshness in comfort mode? Making it "stiffer" doesn't necessarily translate to "harsher".

[tgmsocal]

Honestly after a few days with it you completely forget about the old comfort mode. Firmer but still very comfortable. Do it and don't look back!

-tgm

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by chaungo

Trust me, shockware is more comfortable than stock m adaptive settings.

I had a friend drive my car and he told me the car was much more comfortable than his without.

I disagree. There are plenty of times I miss the old comfort mode (particularly when I'm driving off pavement around the ranch, or on the freeway with a ton of expansion joints), however, I love the increased firmness in sport mode (what I usually drive in).

[sygazelle]

I've got a MY '14 with DHP and got Dinan Shockware a couple of years ago.

Huge positive difference. Don't worry that comfort mode will be too harsh. It is perfect. With Dinan Shockware, whats most noticeable is Comfort mode is no longer bouncy or porpoising over bumps. It's a bit stiffer than before but not harsh at all. If you really want to smile, get Dinan Shockware and also ditch the runflats. Together, its a completely different car. Go for it.

BTW, you are talking $200 here. If you don't like it, i think you can go back to stock. So the risk is low. But, don't worry. You won't look back.

Make the change and let us know how you like it.

[HKD126]

With Dinan Shockware comfort mode is replaced with Sport and the Sport mode is a completely new program. Drive around in sport mode to see if you can tolerate it. In the new modes the car just feels more planted and less annoying to me than the constant bounce of the factory program.

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

My local dealer (BMW of Little Rock) just became a Dinan dealer (again...they were in the past), and I'm considering adding the Shockware software update for my DHP equipped car now that it's $200. However, I understand it also modifies the existing Comfort mode, which I like as-is.

I looked and looked and looked for a DHP equipped car, for the presumed performance advantage in Sport mode but ALSO because I really wanted an option to dial out the harshness on long road trips, or even around town. My biggest complaint with BMW's DHP (and nearly every other similar system from various manufacturers) is that there is too little difference between modes. So in concept, modifying Sport to a more aggressive setup is perfect, but only if Comfort is left as-is.

I've read other's reviews saying it's not harsh, but even Dinan says they change Comfort to about the same level as existing Sport, which is sort of mind-boggling. Why not modify just Sport (or even Sport and Sport+) and leave Comfort as just that? I wish Dinan offered this as an option.

I think we even discussed this previously.. YES wish they wouldve left comfort alone and just gave us a stiffer sports.. no regrets not getting it though I 'd prefer not to f around with the adaptive damper's valves.. all things have a rating

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by HKD126

With Dinan Shockware comfort mode is replaced with Sport and the Sport mode is a completely new program. Drive around in sport mode to see if you can tolerate it. In the new modes the car just feels more planted and less annoying to me than the constant bounce of the factory program.

I actually traded emails with a Dinan guy when I was considering Dinan Shockware. It was pretty new at the time. He said what you said. Comfort is Sport and Sport is something new. The car definitely feels more planted all the time. It's the best $500 (now $200) you can spend.

For me, the Dinan Shockware does not feel as stiff as my old Sport mode, but I have no way to compare. I'm sure the Dinan guy (and you) are right and I just have a bad memory. In any event Dinan Shockware Comfort is not harsh and the upgrade really improves the ride regardless of mode.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

I think we even discussed this previously.. YES wish they wouldve left comfort alone and just gave us a stiffer sports.. no regrets not getting it though I 'd prefer not to f around with the adaptive damper's valves.. all things have a rating

This is where it gets tough. For MY '14 cars with DHP, Comfort was soft and bouncy (porpoise-like). Dinan Shockware eliminated the bouncing. In 2015 and later, I'm thinking BMW changed something because the complaints about bouncy Comfort mode seemed to stop or diminish. If that's true, MY '14 owners may get a bigger improvement than '15 or newer. What I can say for sure is for MY '14, the improvement with Dinan Shockware is awesome.

[Red_Baron]

I have Shockware installed on my '16 340i Msport with the track and handling package including the 18" Pilot Super Sport tires.

Before the reprogramming, Comfort mode was intolerable to me. It was simultaneously under-sprung and under-damped. The chassis would take more than one motion to settle after a bump. I suspect that the elimination of these overshoot, ring and settle characteristics is what other posters mean by the new comfort mode being more comfortable. The stock comfort mode is inexcusable for a car optioned with more than 1 "sport" option package.

After the update, these secondary motions were eliminated without making the car rough riding in comfort mode. My opinion is that this is how the default f30 suspension should have been tuned for all models by default.

Sport mode after the Shockware reprogramming is noticeably firmer. Body roll is still there, but the rate of change to reach the eventual roll steady-state lean is far slower. It can be too firm on really choppy pavement.

Without shockware, I was experiencing buyers remorse and researching expensive remedies to fix it. None would have had a blue and white roundel on the hood.

[dereksM3]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

I have Shockware installed on my '16 340i Msport with the track and handling package including the 18" Pilot Super Sport tires.

Before the reprogramming, Comfort mode was intolerable to me. It was simultaneously under-sprung and under-damped. The chassis would take more than one motion to settle after a bump. I suspect that the elimination of these overshoot, ring and settle characteristics is what other posters mean by the new comfort mode being more comfortable. The stock comfort mode is inexcusable for a car optioned with more than 1 "sport" option package.

After the update, these secondary motions were eliminated without making the car rough riding in comfort mode. My opinion is that this is how the default f30 suspension should have been tuned for all models by default.

Sport mode after the Shockware reprogramming is noticeably firmer. Body roll is still there, but the rate of change to reach the eventual roll steady-state lean is far slower. It can be too firm on really choppy pavement.

Without shockware, I was experiencing buyers remorse and researching expensive remedies to fix it. None would have had a blue and white roundel on the hood.

So comfort is now sport, sport is now sport+, and sport+ is super firm now? My understanding is sport+ is a Dinan proprietary settings, what is your thoughts on that?

Your in Portland and I'm in Seattle and I agree with your assessment of comfort however going through downtown or Ballard every day to work the Comfort is more relaxed but it's far too under-damped for my liking.

[HKD126]

Originally Posted by dereksM3

So comfort is now sport, sport is now sport+, and sport+ is super firm now? My understanding is sport+ is a Dinan proprietary settings, what is your thoughts on that?

Your in Portland and I'm in Seattle and I agree with your assessment of comfort however going through downtown or Ballard every day to work the Comfort is more relaxed but it's far too under-damped for my liking.

No.

Comfort has been replaced with Sport and Sport and Sport + are replaced with the new Dinan program.

[dereksM3]

Originally Posted by HKD126

No.

Comfort has been replaced with Sport and Sport and Sport + are replaced with the new Dinan program.

I see there is actually only two shock setting eco/comfort and sport/sport+. For some reason I had assumed there was 3 settings.

[anotheran]

Originally Posted by dereksM3

I see there is actually only two shock setting eco/comfort and sport/sport+. For some reason I had assumed there was 3 settings.

M-cars except the M2 have 3 settings. So maybe you got mixed up with those.

[dereksM3]

Originally Posted by anotheran

M-cars except the M2 have 3 settings. So maybe you got mixed up with those.

Probably why since before my 340i was an E92 M3 and had just assumed three settings.

[thisismikeyb]

I recently upgraded to Shockware with my last oil change at 57k miles. I installed Dinan's springs 3 years ago with about 14k miles, along with the wider wheels and run flat tires that I am still using today. While I was over in Germany I didn't really think it was necessary, the roads there are much smoother. Here in Maryland, the car was a mess with all the undulations in the roads. I found myself switching to Sport Mode every time I had people in the car to just make it less bouncy and more comfortable.

The new Sport Mode is even better, the car feels more planted than before. It's the way the car should have come from the factory.

With that said, I've also driven quite a few loaner cars from the dealership, 2016 328i and 428GC, 2017 330i and 530i. All of them with xDrive, and I have to say the newer suspension setup is way better. Comfort mode in those cars reminds me of putting my 2014 in sport mode with stock springs.