[oedipol]

can the adaptive suspension be retrofitted?

[Tsuvoi]

Not really.

[JoeyO]

It'd probably be cheaper to just buy a new car.

I'm just guessing here, but I cannot imagine it being an easy swap.

[clarence]

No, it cannot be retrofitted. The best alternative is either M-sport suspension retrofit or M-performance suspension kit.

[BavarianFanatic]

Anything is possible if you have the bank. Possible does not equate to logical however.

[Tsuvoi]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

Anything is possible if you have the bank. Possible does not equate to logical however.

Sometimes you can have all the money in the world, if you don't have the right people it ain't gonna happen. In this case there is so much more than just struts, it's all wired to the car, etc. Good luck finding someone competent enough for that kind of retrofit outside the assembly line!

If you have the bank you just buy a new car and set this one on fire!

[justinnum1]

why? get the m performance suspension, then you would get a better suspension than the DHP

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by ft1337

Sometimes you can have all the money in the world, if you don't have the right people it ain't gonna happen. In this case there is so much more than just struts, it's all wired to the car, etc. Good luck finding someone competent enough for that kind of retrofit outside the assembly line!

If you have the bank you just buy a new car and set this one on fire!

You use all the money in the world to GET the right people. ;-)

I'm confident I could get the physical aspects and wiring squared away. It's not rocket surgery. The key would be configuring all of the body modules correctly. Not an impossible task, but definitely requires said "right people" and the access to the equipment to do it. I doubt it's much more than toggling a couple of software switches.

Manufacturers generally have every available configuration/option/market available in their body modules and ECUs. They simply toggle them on/off as necessary. You obviously need to add any specialized modules that are exclusive to a given market/package, but all of the others on the bus should be ready to accept it.

[biologic]

It is technically possible, neither easy nor cheap but possible.
Most probably your service won't want to do it, they usually make money from replacing filters plugs etc. This is hard work for them.
If your service says BMW won't supply the set you might
want to look at KW DDC coilovers, they are plug&play compatible
with f20 afaik.
but installation is still same ton-load of work.
My guess is 2500€ parts + 500~1000€ inst.
I used to have the same urge but now I think it's a waste of money.

[oedipol]

thanks for all your replies!

I indeed asked BMW service and yes they basically said no. My alternative is KW DDC but it is expensive ! a quote from a local garage is 3000 euro for parts, 300 euro for labour and 400 euro for the iPhone control module !

[mhhforyou]

5 years later... and I have retrofitted the Adaptive M Suspension to my F36.

Was cheaper than the option from factory.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by mhhforyou

5 years later... and I have retrofitted the Adaptive M Suspension to my F36.

Was cheaper than the option from factory.

How was it done, e.g. did it require additional ECU modules? Any list of part#?

[GoranBonn]

Originally Posted by mhhforyou

5 years later... and I have retrofitted the Adaptive M Suspension to my F36.

Was cheaper than the option from factory.

Please give details! I'm interested in the cost and effort involved.

[mhhforyou]

Yes you need a ecu. Its called VDC Ecu. Its placed in the trunk direct above the Batterie.

For example: http://www.ebay.de/itm/BMW-F20-F21-F...4AAOSwfVpYu1Fj

You need the plug for the ECU(hard to find used) and have to make a harness to every strut.
5 wires for each strut in the front and 2 wires for each strut in the rear. 2 of the wires to every strut have to be twisted as they are for the damper valves.

You need the 4 struts depending your car model, 1x anti roll bar link front right 6 792 212 and 2x acceleration sensors 6 871 465. Also adaptor wires from the strut to the body.

Rear 2x 6 852 924
Front 2x 6 793 850 and 2x 6 793 848

I got all from ebay to very good prices because normally no one needs this parts used.

Effort is big because of the harness that goes to through the complete car.

Regards

[otay]

Originally Posted by mhhforyou

Yes you need a ecu. Its called VDC Ecu. Its placed in the trunk direct above the Batterie.

For example: http://www.ebay.de/itm/BMW-F20-F21-F...4AAOSwfVpYu1Fj

You need the plug for the ECU(hard to find used) and have to make a harness to every strut.
5 wires for each strut in the front and 2 wires for each strut in the rear. 2 of the wires to every strut have to be twisted as they are for the damper valves.

You need the 4 struts depending your car model, 1x anti roll bar link front right 6 792 212 and 2x acceleration sensors 6 871 465. Also adaptor wires from the strut to the body.

Rear 2x 6 852 924
Front 2x 6 793 850 and 2x 6 793 848

I got all from ebay to very good prices because normally no one needs this parts used.

Effort is big because of the harness that goes to through the complete car.

Regards

Pretty damn amazing you were able to accomplish this. Great work!

But...Adaptive Suspension is a $700 option on 340i in the states.

[mhhforyou]

Then thats a good deal. Adaptive Suspension option in germany is 1100€.

I managed to pay 750€ with a little bit searching.

[Delija]

Adaptive Suspension (2VF) costs 1100€ in Germany for non-M Sport packages and 710€ for M Sport package - since it already has M Sport Suspension (704) which costs 390€ as default.

[jeffc83]

Amazing what people can do when they want something!

[mikeb129]

Originally Posted by mhhforyou

Yes you need a ecu. Its called VDC Ecu. Its placed in the trunk direct above the Batterie.

For example: http://www.ebay.de/itm/BMW-F20-F21-F...4AAOSwfVpYu1Fj

You need the plug for the ECU(hard to find used) and have to make a harness to every strut.
5 wires for each strut in the front and 2 wires for each strut in the rear. 2 of the wires to every strut have to be twisted as they are for the damper valves.

You need the 4 struts depending your car model, 1x anti roll bar link front right 6 792 212 and 2x acceleration sensors 6 871 465. Also adaptor wires from the strut to the body.

Rear 2x 6 852 924
Front 2x 6 793 850 and 2x 6 793 848

I got all from ebay to very good prices because normally no one needs this parts used.

Effort is big because of the harness that goes to through the complete car.

Regards

Great job !

Could you write a complete list of parts, you needed for this adaptive suspension upgrade, retrofit ? The main car ECU must be conected with adaptive ECU ?

I want to upgrade my car too, if you could, please write me an email. (mike.basista@gmail.com)

[mhhforyou]

Lots of parts you need and a selfmade harness from the VDC Ecu to FEM. VDC is connected with FEM by FlexRay.

Overview:

2x front VDC shock absorber(vehicle specific)
1x right anti roll bar link vor vdc
2x rear VDC shock absorber
6x VDC adapter cable
2x front strut bearings
2x acceleration sensor
1x VDC Ecu
selfmade harness with lots of connectors
lots of bolts and nuts
If you dont have active cruise control with stop & go you also need a new ICM Ecu

[mikeb129]

Originally Posted by mhhforyou

Lots of parts you need and a selfmade harness from the VDC Ecu to FEM. VDC is connected with FEM by FlexRay.

Overview:

2x front VDC shock absorber(vehicle specific)
1x right anti roll bar link vor vdc
2x rear VDC shock absorber
6x VDC adapter cable
2x front strut bearings
2x acceleration sensor
1x VDC Ecu
selfmade harness with lots of connectors
lots of bolts and nuts
If you dont have active cruise control with stop & go you also need a new ICM Ecu

Thank you very much for answear. And could you write how you coded, programed this adaptive suspension upgrade ? You must go to BMW servis to upgrade software, or how it is possible to activate this upgrade after instalation ?

[mhhforyou]

BMW wouldnt and cant code this retrofit.

You have to do it on your own or go to a local bmw coder. He has to put SA 2VF in your FA and code the complete car. Nothing hard for a coding specialist.