[buildbright]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

It's actually pretty reasonable, we have crap roads here, and I would say 20-30% less stiff than an M3. Buttons up the suspension to JUST RIGHT in my opinion.



Your only option is the $1500 for the M Perf Suspension and a grand for the installation...they can't DHP at the dealer as far as I know, or it would be cost prohibitive.

I think you are the only one with this suspension.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by MSPORTWORLD

I appreciate your assessment/review but the opinion is going to be biased.

In order to conduct a valid test you should have an independent party unfamiliar with the two cars drive them on both public roads and a circuit.

I'd be happy to do this for you!

I agree with that. As there is a placebo effect going on there unless you do a double-blind test.

As far as body roll, I've pushed my 335i into some very tight curves, and it settles in really nicely. I think the optional M-Performance might be an interesting ride. But for now and after driving an E46 M3 with 19s for 6 years, I'm happy with what I ordered. No need for "Comfort" mode here.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Diagnosic

Great review

I bought my 335i xDrive with M-Package in December 2012. I am also quite happy with the adaptive dampers. But what I can hear is a very disturbing "rumbling" over small unevennesses of the road. Does somebody made the same experience?

There is a distinct hollow-ness to the sound of the suspension moving on certain road types. Speed bumps, brick pavers, etc. I've driven 3 cars with DHP (adaptive M/VSS) and all had same sounds.

Another F30 driver told me he never heard what I described. I drove with him and sure enough, same noise. Some people just aren't bothered.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by Diagnosic

Great review

I bought my 335i xDrive with M-Package in December 2012. I am also quite happy with the adaptive dampers. But what I can hear is a very disturbing "rumbling" over small unevennesses of the road. Does somebody made the same experience?

Originally Posted by claykin

There is a distinct hollow-ness to the sound of the suspension moving on certain road types. Speed bumps, brick pavers, etc. I've driven 3 cars with DHP (adaptive M/VSS) and all had same sounds.

Another F30 driver told me he never heard what I described. I drove with him and sure enough, same noise. Some people just aren't bothered.

Tell me more!

I've got my car booked in at the dealers Thursday because in my opinion the noises from the suspension just can't be right. Is it possible that all F3x with Adaptive sound like this?

[Diagnosic]

Originally Posted by rich1068

Tell me more!

I've got my car booked in at the dealers Thursday because in my opinion the noises from the suspension just can't be right. Is it possible that all F3x with Adaptive sound like this?

That is exactly what I fear! For this week my car is under investigation by BMW (Switzerland). They will perform comparisons with another 3Series with the same configuration and same suspension.

If they come to the conclusion that this is state of the art (what would be a shame for this brand) I change the suspension against something from KW. They should be ready with an option for the xDrive within one or two month.

[Lorde]

The F30 335i M-Sport with DHP (on 19s, run flat), in Comfort. Is farrrrr more harsh than an E9x M3 with EDC (on 18s, non-run flat), in Comfort.

Tires make a world of difference in the equation.

[dboucher30]

Originally Posted by ManGGouste

I think it would be highly interesting to have a comparison on the behaviour on snow.
I drive often on snowy roads in winter but don't want to switch to x-drive (LSD does the job good enough).
However I'd love to have softer suspensions each time I'm driving on slippery/snowy roads.
Have you felt some substantial improvement on the snow ?

My car has the adaptive m suspension and it does nothing for the snow from my own experience. I was in ECO Pro doing 5 mph on a slight downhill turn with brand new all season tires bridgestone re970as. It was as if I was on slicks driving on smooth ice.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by Diagnosic

That is exactly what I fear! For this week my car is under investigation by BMW (Switzerland). They will perform comparisons with another 3Series with the same configuration and same suspension.

If they come to the conclusion that this is state of the art (what would be a shame for this brand) I change the suspension against something from KW. They should be ready with an option for the xDrive within one or two month.

Keep an eye on this thread too. I'm waiting on what they say about Daveyc's car.

[Gzav]

Originally Posted by Diagnosic

That is exactly what I fear! For this week my car is under investigation by BMW (Switzerland). They will perform comparisons with another 3Series with the same configuration and same suspension.

If they come to the conclusion that this is state of the art (what would be a shame for this brand) I change the suspension against something from KW. They should be ready with an option for the xDrive within one or two month.

Question is: adaptive option is something to consider or not when specific aftermarket specialists have similar products doing more for less...?

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by buildbright

I think you are the only one with this suspension.

there's 2 more on these boards....but yeah, I'm in the minority.

[buildbright]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

there's 2 more on these boards....but yeah, I'm in the minority.

Oh kool. It sounds awesome and I would love to try it out. Hopefully the new M3 will let us upgrade some parts on our cars like strut braces, sway bars, and control arms.

[W12x]

Haven't tried the adaptive suspension on the F30 so can't say anything about it, but I have driven a 2011 E92 M3 with Competition (EDC) and a 2013 Camaro ZL1 with Magnetic Ride Control, I have to say the GM's newest MRC technology is far superior compared to BMW's EDC.

The difference in ride is much more noticeable on the GM MRC system.

[300hp]

Originally Posted by Diagnosic

Great review

I bought my 335i xDrive with M-Package in December 2012. I am also quite happy with the adaptive dampers. But what I can hear is a very disturbing "rumbling" over small unevennesses of the road. Does somebody made the same experience?

No issues here

[tawia]

Originally Posted by Diagnosic

Great review

I bought my 335i xDrive with M-Package in December 2012. I am also quite happy with the adaptive dampers. But what I can hear is a very disturbing "rumbling" over small unevennesses of the road. Does somebody made the same experience?

I have the very same issue! Adaptive m-sport suspension in F21. Took it back to the dealer and took technician for a drive but the roads around my dealer much better than at home so he pretty much looked at me like I was making a fuss about nothing! It DOES MY HEAD IN. I may pick up the technician and drive back home round my local roads so he can hear how bad this 'rumbling' can get! Would like to hear from others if they experience this problem?

[Seagull]

This review is a very important review and although I already have my car with Adaptive, I and I'm sure the whole board appreciates it.

Not 100% scientific, but on the important parts, you both had agreed upon - Ride and Handling. The other points are likely more subtle, but also since you both agreed on Ride and Handling, odds are you are correct as I could understand how those impact Steering Feel and Noise.

The final point ( Comfort Mode ) affirms to those who want a chameleon car as I did.

I thank you because for me, I bought the car without trying Adaptive. I never knew if Adaptive really did satisfy exaclty what I wanted:

• Stiffest suspension in Sport(+) that I could get ( for OEM/stock )
• More compliant ride to deal with downtown or construction quality road

It appears that it does!

Thanks again!

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by M3 Montreal

I had a 2008 e92 m3 with passive suspension. Going into my 2013 (sig is wrong) e92 M3 with competition package was a huge difference.

Even though the car sits almost 1/2inch lower on comfort mode it's 100 times better and I had 18's on my 2008 and 19's on my 2013.

E92 M3s all have the same electronic dampers, the only difference is your 2008 car was "stuck" in the middle setting. Getting the EDC option gives you the choice of going into Comfort or Sport modes, but in any case the dampers are still continuously adjusting themselves and are far superior to the passive dampers on a regular 3 series.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Gzav

Question is: adaptive option is something to consider or not when specific aftermarket specialists have similar products doing more for less...?

Are there aftermarket continuously adaptive systems that could be integrated with the car, the same as BMW's OEM system? Let alone at the same cost. As an example, an M-sport in the UK, it will cost £515 to add the adaptive M-sport suspension. To me that is a cheap upgrade. That is barely the labour cost for any aftermarket suspension change.

Looking at something like the standard KW DDC kit, as introduced for some VW models, is not continuously adaptive, has 3 damper settings. The more advanced integrated kits use the existing electronics, so would need the base VDC already installed. Plus the KW kits are not cheap.

HighlandPete

[flinchy]

Active just means electronic damper adjustment?

I prefer stiffer all the time with coilovers anyway haha

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by flinchy

Active just means electronic damper adjustment?

I prefer stiffer all the time with coilovers anyway haha

I suppose it depends on how we define 'active' in the context of suspension. Variable also has different meaning and understanding.

If we are just talking of the ability to change the fixed damping rate with an electronic control, then we are not comparing with BMW's adaptive damping control. The M-sport adaptive suspension is continuously active even from the base setting, it is using the 'sky hook' principle. Not just a switch for comfort or sport, as the aftermarket systems are commonly doing, like the KW DDC, or Bilstein Ride Control.

HighlandPete

[ks200906]

Originally Posted by snowghost

I agree with that. As there is a placebo effect going on there unless you do a double-blind test.

As far as body roll, I've pushed my 335i into some very tight curves, and it settles in really nicely. I think the optional M-Performance might be an interesting ride. But for now and after driving an E46 M3 with 19s for 6 years, I'm happy with what I ordered. No need for "Comfort" mode here.

I don't have the adaptive suspension but I can still easily believe that it will be 'better' than the passive one in most aspects. However, I am not so sure about the "extent of differences" between the two. I also think this test performed by OP might be biased. A more valid test would be a double-blind test and the feedback from that would be more convincing and worthwhile.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ks200906

I don't have the adaptive suspension but I can still easily believe that it will be 'better' than the passive one in most aspects. However, I am not so sure about the "extent of differences" between the two. I also think this test performed by OP might be biased. A more valid test would be a double-blind test and the feedback from that would be more convincing and worthwhile.

What would a blind test prove? That they are different? Then they are, without even testing, just the nature of passive fixed valve damping vs. an active system using the 'sky hook' principle. The whole concept of an active system is to widen the working envelope, less design compromises than a passive system. It it is not more refined while doing the same job, it has failed in its objective.

Suspension is subjective anyway, so drivers who prefer a fixed/totally predictable passive system may well feel adaptive is not their ideal suspension. IMO, there is no right or wrong, better or worse, simply different and how a user evaluates each system.

The OP has been a long term user of VDC in his Golf GTi, so will clearly be familiar with the subtleties of VDC, particularly on poor road surfaces, where active suspension systems clearly outshine a passive system in finer aspects of car control.

HighlandPete

[ks200906]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

What would a blind test prove? That they are different? Then they are, without even testing, just the nature of passive fixed valve damping vs. an active system using the 'sky hook' principle. The whole concept of an active system is to widen the working envelope, less design compromises than a passive system. It it is not more refined while doing the same job, it has failed in its objective.

Suspension is subjective anyway, so drivers who prefer a fixed/totally predictable passive system may well feel adaptive is not their ideal suspension. IMO, there is no right or wrong, better or worse, simply different and how a user evaluates each system.

The OP has been a long term user of VDC in his Golf GTi, so will clearly be familiar with the subtleties of VDC, particularly on poor road surfaces, where active suspension systems clearly outshine a passive system in finer aspects of car control.

HighlandPete

I agreed with your point about that it's pretty subjective and each driver will have a preference. How technology works is very factual and rocket science. The double-blind test is not to prove that there is a difference between VDC and passive, it's more for the actual "feedback" by the driver or passenger without prior knowledge of "which is which". I bet not 100% of all drivers (not to mention passengers) can tell the differences if you don't tell them.