[matt_320d]

So, I went for this option on my car.

I've had it two years, but I've never actually driven an F30 without it...

So it's kind of hard to ascertain what it actually "does".

Has anyone driven both and is able to offer a comparison?

[Torque of the Devil]

I've owned both, there is nothing wrong with the passive set up on the F30, it's far better and more compliant than the E90, however I still prefer the active damping on my F36.

In Sport it's probably the same as the passive M Sport set up, but in comfort it really does give you a far more comfortable ride when you encounter some rough roads or just want to waft your way somewhere.

[mcoops]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

I've owned both, there is nothing wrong with the passive set up on the F30, it's far better and more compliant than the E90, however I still prefer the active damping on my F36.

In Sport it's probably the same as the passive M Sport set up, but in comfort it really does give you a far more comfortable ride when you encounter some rough roads or just want to waft your way somewhere.

This. I actually have Sport mode configured to drivetrain only so I effectively get the compliant ride and standard steering coupled with sharper throttle response. Best of both IMO.

[FarmerD]

I noticed that the adaptive does take some of the initial roll/slop out of the suspension. Driving my car back to back with another 3 series with m sport passive dampers, I found the latter would wallow more of you wiggled the car left to right a bit. My car felt flatter and a bit more direct as a result. It also smoothed out the bumps much better in comfort mode vs the passive set up. The downside is that the adaptive isn't perfect. Sometimes the way the passive set up deals with bumps is better.

On balance I'd go adaptive again. Since having the latest software update, I think it's made the gap even bigger vs passive.

[GOF_430d]

Having owned a 3 series E92 convertible M sport with standard passive suspension for 5 years and am now driving a 4 series convertible with adaptive suspension, the way forward has to be adaptive suspension as it feels like I'm driving a magic carpet - the ride is so smooth. Bearing in mind that where I live [London] it is pot hole & speed hump city, adaptive suspension is the only way to travel.

[robbiep]

If you've got adaptive suspension - and I assume that's what you mean by Active Damping, then you adjust whether (or not) the suspension is in Sport or Comfort mode via the Sport/Comfort/EcoPro button by the iDrive wheel.
The difference between the modes is considerable, I always found.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by mcoops

This. I actually have Sport mode configured to drivetrain only so I effectively get the compliant ride and standard steering coupled with sharper throttle response. Best of both IMO.

Me too, it's the fastest set up on the crappy Norfolk roads!

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by mcoops

This. I actually have Sport mode configured to drivetrain only so I effectively get the compliant ride and standard steering coupled with sharper throttle response. Best of both IMO.

There's more body roll in that setting. IMO they should have the manual configuration option like in the M3. Stiffer suspension with the lighter steering. I would imagine the adaptive suspension can't react to the random pothole as it can't read the road ahead and adjust damping before you hit the pothole. If you have to put it in comfort mode like the earlier poster said that's no different than non adaptive suspension. A camera system would also allow the transmission to be more adaptive as well taking into consideration road conditions similar to adaptive cruise control. It would hold lower gears while approaching an apex in a turn if it can see the actual road, etc.

[mcoops]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

There's more body roll in that setting. IMO they should have the manual configuration option like in the M3. Stiffer suspension with the lighter steering. I would imagine the adaptive suspension can't react to the random pothole as it can't read the road ahead and adjust damping before you hit the pothole. If you have to put it in comfort mode like the earlier poster said that's no different than non adaptive suspension. A camera system would also allow the transmission to be more adaptive as well taking into consideration road conditions similar to adaptive cruise control. It would hold lower gears while approaching an apex in a turn if it can see the actual road, etc.

Yes I think more body roll is the trade off, although I find for my tastes it's still very good and pretty flat going around corners. Others have more technical nous than me and can comment, but I'm not sure you're correct to equate adaptive in comfort with passive suspension. I think there is an element of adaption within whatever mode you have selected. That said I'm sure you're right about pothole prediction

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mcoops

Yes I think more body roll is the trade off, although I find for my tastes it's still very good and pretty flat going around corners. Others have more technical nous than me and can comment, but I'm not sure you're correct to equate adaptive in comfort with passive suspension. I think there is an element of adaption within whatever mode you have selected. That said I'm sure you're right about pothole prediction

Comfort mode is a base map, damping will still firm up as and when necessary, like in quick steering manoeuvres, cornering, braking, etc. Something the non sport passive system can't do. Remember adaptive damping is running the softer end of the selected map where possible, firm when necessary. This applies for both Comfort and Sport modes.

Predictive damping would be good, but not sure what damping is always best for a pothole. In a straight line, damping should already be softer, but would we want it to soften mid way through a bend if a pothole was detected? Conflict of interests, I imagine it would stay firm, the priority for handling.

[Tengocity]

You can have soft and crap damping or hard and crap damping. Either way, you get crap damping with a standard BMW 3 series

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

You can have soft and crap damping or hard and crap damping. Either way, you get crap damping with a standard BMW 3 series

Until you add Shockware.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Until you add Shockware.

Not available in the UK last time I checked, so I went with much better dampers eventually. However, with my company 330e I'm back to the standard garbage for my commute. The worst thing about the car by some margin I'd say.

[Tricky-330d]

Silly question, but how do you know if you have active damping? I just bought my car second-hand and not sure if it has this feature or not!

Thanks

[rossm]

S2VF Adaptive M chassis if you put the last 7 digits of your VIN code into https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/online

[robbiep]

If you do have adaptive suspension, then if you press the 'sport' button by the handbrake then you'll get a 'configure sport mode' option on the idrive screen. You can then go into that and configure for drivetrain only, chassis only, or drivetrain and chassis.

I have to say I find 'sport' suspension on the adaptive quite poor. Twitchy like the 'MSport' suspension of a few years ago (yes, Z4 Coupe, I'm thinking of you here), with too little ride comfort and far too much tramlining.

Comfort mode on the suspension, sport on the drivetrain. That's how my car is set up.

[Torque of the Devil]

When you first put it into Sport, if you have adaptive damping, it will immediately stiffen up but give it a few seconds and as long as you aren't chucking the car about it will soften off again slightly and is not as hard, unless it decides it needs to be as you are cornering, braking or accelerating hard.

[Tricky-330d]

Originally Posted by rossm

S2VF Adaptive M chassis if you put the last 7 digits of your VIN code into https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/online

Nope, no S2VF. I just have regular M Sport suspension. No problem as I will likely dirt ACS springs and new dampers at some point. Thanks fo the link. Very useful to decipher the exact build of my car!

[Tricky-330d]

* fit

[sensible]

Originally Posted by Tricky-330d

Silly question, but how do you know if you have active damping? I just bought my car second-hand and not sure if it has this feature or not!

Thanks

Drive down the road with your offside wheels going over the cats eyes. Switch from comfort to sport and back again. If you have adaptive suspension you can feel the difference. Sport is much firmer and you will feel the bumps while comfort will be much smoother.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Until you add Shockware.

Bit of a thread resurrection but Shockware is now available in the Uk but at a higher price than the USA.

Your thoughts or experiences would be welcomed.