[MidLifeX]

Just like the title states.....what's the main difference between the 2 systems?

Edit....OK GTS and found a link. Would like to get some feedback from those that have either system. Good, bad, or indifferent. Was the Adaptive system worth the extra $?

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by MidLifeX

Just like the title states.....what's the main difference between the 2 systems?

Edit....OK GTS and found a link. Would like to get some feedback from those that have either system. Good, bad, or indifferent. Was the Adaptive system worth the extra $?

I guess the answer is: It depends on what you want from your car, or how you're going to use it.

I test drove and seriously considered both. And here were the factors for me.

I liked the feel of the 704 suspension better. I believe it has the stiffest factory springs you can get - basically it's a fixed sport suspension.

Don't have to select sport every time you start the car to have sport suspension.

704 doesn't have adjustable rate shocks. Less complicated system should be better for long term cost of ownership.

On the other hand,

If you are interested in a more "comfortable" ride on occasion, the adaptive allows selection between stiff dampers - sport, and softer dampers - comfort(default).

If you were planning 19" or 20" wheels - adaptive might be a good idea.

For me, I have had several sport model BMWs and I never felt the static sport suspensions were too stiff or in any way uncomfortable for my driving. I don't have the desire to select a more comfortable or compliant ride, and I am planning to use 18" wheels on non-runflat tires over a long term ownership of this car, so the 704 was the winner. If my factors were different, perhaps a lease and I wanted to run bigger wheels, or lived somewhere with just horrendous potholes, I might have selected differently.

[otay]

What he said.

But...you're going to get many differing views.

Mine has 704. For me, it's firm enough for spirited driving, but comfortable enough for occasional use as a family hauler. (this is after I got rid of the run flat tires)

[metallicpea]

BTW, my response only applies to RWD as no models get 704 M suspension on AWD. It's either base or adaptive.

If you are going Xdrive, I thinks it's agreed that the adaptive is the best option.

[AudiA4]

I pulled my hair out last summer looking for a manual 335i with DHP. I finally found one.

Since I can't directly compare to the static, it's hard to say how much better, or even if it's better than the 704. Maybe it is. But...I haven't been blown away by it. Maybe its "continuously variable" aspect makes it harder to discern between modes, but it's subtle at best. By most accounts, GM's MRC is superior.

[apocalypsbe]

I've had both, previous car had M Sport suspension, current car has M Sport Adaptive suspension.

The M Sport suspension is very stiff, like the M Sport Adaptive suspension in sport modus ~ not always comfortable depending on road condition

I don't regret getting the M Sport Adaptive suspension so I would pick that again next time versus just M sport suspension. The only thing I noticed is that I seem to hit the ground faster (the carbon M Performance front splitter) when I'm not in sport mode on the suspension because it's just less stiff then and seems to bounce back a little bit more

[JamRWS6]

I've driven both on 2016 340s and also have my wife's 335 xdrive which has neither. For myself I chose a 340i with the track package that has adaptive suspension. The adaptive car in Sport or Sport+ has in my opinion more rebound in the shock tuning which for street driving can become a bit of a beating. For me the feel is very similar to my lowered 02 Trans Am I had back in the day on Koni adjustables. However, in comfort mode it is softer and more compliant than the 704 suspension but no where near as soft or mushy as the x drive suspended cars. The comfort setting is actually a really good blend of ride quality and composure and the car is still very responsive. The Sport setting is great for having some fun but for a commute the car stays in Comfort.

That being said you should drive both and see if the adaptive dampers are right for you. I use the car 90% for my personal commute and 10% as a family hauler... This configuration is soft enough for the family but still fun for me. I think it boils down to if you want the ability to make the car more comfortable while still being able to have that edge when you want it.

[goj]

The adaptive suspension is more than just two stiffness levels. The suspension is constantly adapting to inputs from the road/driver.

There is a reason it's part of the track package. In my opinion, the $700 as a stand alone is worth it

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by goj

The adaptive suspension is more than just two stiffness levels. The suspension is constantly adapting to inputs from the road/driver.

There is a reason it's part of the track package. In my opinion, the $700 as a stand alone is worth it

Yes, I did not imply it only has 2 adjustment points. It is constantly variable, but I started with a simple description. It has two general selections, comfort or sport. I personally think the variability is what I didn't like about it. And, it doesn't seem that you can't make up for stiffer spring with stiffer dampers. The fixed constant with stiffer springs of the static suspension was more predictable and felt more like the sports sedan I was looking for. And since I have no use for the comfort setting, felt like, (again for me) the adaptive was a compromise regardless of price. I would have paid $700 more for the static.

As for me buying that the track package is legitimate track offering by BMW, no way. Just some stuff they can package for a mark up. Only thing I wanted on the THP was tires and upgraded brakes(better if they weren't racer painted). But I skipped it because of the Adaptive suspension and VSS

[goj]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Yes, I did not imply it only has 2 adjustment points. It is constantly variable, but I started with a simple description. It has two general selections, comfort or sport. I personally think the variability is what I didn't like about it. And, it doesn't seem that you can't make up for stiffer spring with stiffer dampers. The fixed constant with stiffer springs of the static suspension was more predictable and felt more like the sports sedan I was looking for. And since I have no use for the comfort setting, felt like, (again for me) the adaptive was a compromise regardless of price. I would have paid $700 more for the static.

As for me buying that the track package is legitimate track offering by BMW, no way. Just some stuff they can package for a mark up. Only thing I wanted on the THP was tires and upgraded brakes(better if they weren't racer painted). But I skipped it because of the Adaptive suspension and VSS

Wasn't saying you were wrong in any way..I was just adding to what others have said

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by goj

Wasn't saying you were wrong in any way..I was just adding to what others have said

Sorry, didn't intend to sound defensive. Just wanted to add clarity.

[goj]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Sorry, didn't intend to sound defensive. Just wanted to add clarity.

Lol, same

[metallicpea]

It's funny, sometimes I will read something and think, yes exactly, that why I like xyz, then the post will end by saying "that's why I chose abc". Different set of decision factors and values. I try hard not to imply that someone should think what I think, only share why I see things the way I do.

[eluded]

If you can get the adaptive suspension. My wife complains that the cars is too stiff in comfort mode and so does my back. Guess I'm old. Sucks.

[lesBray]

My own car 330i msport manual has adaptive msport suspension loaner car have had for 1.5 days 330d auto has non adaptive msport both are same age 4months summer 2016 and same mileage 3500 same run flats Bridgestone Potenza 255 40 18 on back and I think 225 35 18 on front. The comparison is not quite with all other things being equal as there is a significant weight difference . The Diesel engine and auto box both adding weight.
My 330i is extremely comfy in comfort mode it handles well though a little numb in either mode. It is prone to high speed straight line nervousness if tyre pressures are not in the highest setting in either comfort or sport mode. In sport mode in a straight line it is generally like having stiffer springs it feels harder but not really significantly better handling there is no change in high speed straight line stability. In sport mode it feels over sprung and underdamped. Maybe Compression damping is increased but rebound remains unaltered. The adaptive damped car in sport mode feels more planted and controlled during hard cornering. The 330d with msport but not adaptive certainly feels more basic or old school. Gone is the supremely plush ride of comfort mode but car handles very well. The 330D seems perfectly stable at high speed though I can only assume tyre pressures are correct. There is only one recommended setting for tyre pressures on the 330d. Cornering is Slightly less precise than with adaptive but not enough I think for people to opt for adaptive on the basis of cornering ability alone.
I really appreciate the amazing plush comfort I get in comfort mode and also great cornering in sport and I would choose adaptive suspension for those reasons. If you aren't so bothered about comfort the non adaptive m sport is still a great handling car.

[ATLBlue]

I have owned an F30 335i with the 'static' M-sport suspension and now have an F36 430d with the M-adaptive suspension (so not exactly apples to apples but still quite comparable cars).

I disliked the M-sport suspension on my F30 a lot. Not because of the suspension being too soft or too stiff, but it was rather bouncy and I did not find the car composed enough, especially the rear axle. Body roll was too pronounced too. I replaced the rear shocks with Bilstein B8s and installed H&R sport springs and the handling and suspension were finally as they should have when the car left the factory. Later on, I got Bilstein PSS10 coilovers, but this was only because I tracked the car and was not needed for daily driving.

When I ordered the F36, knowing that I would not track it and would never install coilovers, I went for the adaptive M-suspension. I am extremely happy with it: no bounciness, very little body roll and the car never seems to get unsettled.
I am still debating whether I should install sport springs, but this would mostly be to lower the car.

So from my experience, the adaptive suspension is a no brainer if you are only going to drive on open road... but to each his own

[XKxRome0ox]

i have a 2016 328i with M sport package + track handling package with adaptive suspension
see my sig for a photo from a track day

is the suspension track worthy and a done deal? no
but it's more than capable
and as a package, THP is totally worth it

[flwbyu]

I agree with 'ATLBlue' that the 704 M Sport Suspension can be a little bouncy and not as composed as I would like at times. It's not that the suspension is bad, it just feels slightly numb.

I know I'm not 100% satisfied with the suspension as it is but not sure I want to swap out to coilovers. I'm currently working on adding strut braces front / rear and top to bottom. I also added some larger sway bars front and rear to help reduce some of the body roll. We'll see if this helps and gives me the suspension I am looking for...