[lukasbmw]

I'm about to assume a lease on a 2018 340i

It looks like a pretty base level 2018 340i as it has no options. ($48,950 msrp, $500 active blind spot detection, $995 destination for a total of $50,445 sticker).

It does look like the "luxury package" came standard for this year.

How is the suspension on a base level 2018 340i? Is it decent or is it awful?

I'm assuming the lease only because the price is right and it's from a friend.

I'm coming from a 2015 Infiniti Q50 premium which was a fine car EXCEPT for the cushy, floaty, awful suspension with TONS of body roll.

Obviously I know the M sport suspension is the way to go, but is the base level 340i suspension THAT bad?

Anyone ever have luck getting the dealer to "upgrade" your suspension if you complain enough or keep finding things wrong with the suspension?

[lukasbmw]

I guess I should also ask...is the M sport suspension just the springs and shocks? Or does it have other components too? (Like swaybars and bushings)

Will the springs and shocks bolt right up to a non M sport car?

[eluded]

Check the part numbers but you could be looking at different sway bars as well as Springs/shocks plus the brakes. You can always upgrade if buy it cheap Enuf.

[Patrick852]

I have my F30 on base suspension, it is perfectly fine and a good balance between comfort and handling. On the other hand, my X2 M-sport suspension is too harsh at some deep holes, jumpy at rough surface, much prefer is it like the regular one.

[CarFan]

The dealer is not going to upgrade the suspension. I'd recommend you go for a 20 mile drive and see. If the dealer you're working with won't accommodate you, try several other dealers for test drives. You will be the best judge as to how the ride feels.

[kpgray]

From Quote:
I'm about to assume a lease on a 2018 340i

It looks like a pretty base level 2018 340i as it has no options. ($48,950 msrp, $500 active blind spot detection, $995 destination for a total of $50,445 sticker).Base 340i is reasonably loaded vs. base of a 330i (sunroof, etc.). I would drive to see if you like it and to ensure the seats, suspension and feel work for you

It does look like the "luxury package" came standard for this year.The 340i is a premium cost and contained many items standard that were options on the 330i, also some options for earlier versions became standard in later years. I am not sure specifically which options for 2018, I would go to the F30 build specs in this blog

How is the suspension on a base level 2018 340i? Is it decent or is it awful? This is individual feel, the Sport suspension is stiffer and lowers the ride of the car 20MM (about 3/4" lower) over base. I do not think it is awful, I would not call it floaty but not as stiff as sport, not as soft as infinity.

I'm assuming the lease only because the price is right and it's from a friend. The price is "right" if it is the "right' car for you

I'm coming from a 2015 Infiniti Q50 premium which was a fine car EXCEPT for the cushy, floaty, awful suspension with TONS of body roll. The "base' BMW sedan drive will be far better than the Q50

Obviously I know the M sport suspension is the way to go, but is the base level 340i suspension THAT bad?This is personal taste, the 'base" suspension is not terrible, just not as good as the "Sport' version IMHO

Anyone ever have luck getting the dealer to "upgrade" your suspension if you complain enough or keep finding things wrong with the suspension?No, the aftermarket versions of Springs will be much stiffer, if this is a lease, I would not bother. The sale section has some people selling their 'Sport" springs on occasion, this may be an option.

[BWbimmer]

Why wouldn't the dealer install a Performance Suspension? If the handling is not up to your liking I'm sure the dealer does this adaptation. It's just a question of price. This is up to your haggling skills :-)

[lukasbmw]

Thank you all for the helpful replies.

Most of you seem to think that the standard suspension is fine, so I'm sure even the standard suspension will be an upgrade over my Q50.

I'd still love to know if anyone knows the exact components that are different on the 340i M sport and base 340i. Used M sports shocks and springs are cheap in the classifieds section, so if that's all it is...then it might be worth the hassle.

[BWbimmer]

It's shocks, springs and rollbars

[BWbimmer]

https://www.shopbmwusa.com/BMW-PERFORMANCE

Put in your VIN, it will show you the necessary components

[upsidedownfunnel]

I think you will have to test drive the car. Take some hard corners with it. There is a lot of body roll and compliance on even the M Sport 3 series.

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

I don't know. I had a G35 Sport coupe and a G37S Sedan. They were both pretty sporty. The Q50 can't be that different. On the other hand, the F30 suspension is WAY too compliant and has too much body roll. So I suspect the different isn't as much as you imply. Have you ever driven a Q50?

I've been in as a passenger in an early 2016 "Pure" model 4 cylinder with 17" wheels. Have not been in a G3x, the Q50 seemed a little more cushy than F30, but like the BMW, I'm sure the sport model is most likely better. So having not driven the Q50 model, I cannot be a good judge, I will punt to someone who has driven a Q50.

I agree and know the xDrive is soft and the base suspension RWD is similarly soft (that is why I have a RWD M-Sport), but the body roll of F30 xDrive is softer than previous BMW 3-series, but never thought it awful. Certainly a decent drive over different terrain of the Base 340i vehicle must be performed by the purchaser to see for themselves' if this will work for them.