[sensible]

My car is coming up to 3 years old with 29k miles. I bought it new and had the extras I wanted at the time.

I have seen quite a few shadow edition cars with a few thousand miles on the clock at reasonable prices, so considering changing whilst my car still has good value.

However, none of the cars I have seen have adaptive suspension or electric folding mirrors like my current car but otherwise the spec is the same.

My one concern is that passive M-Sport suspension will be noticeably harder than the adaptive suspension I am used to.

Have any of you had both and can give can opinion on comparing the two.

[goodbyalfa]

I had passive in my 330d. Felt fine to me, firmish, but is was an M-sport so to be expected. I'd say is was a refined firm feel.
The current F36 has adaptive and it's more comfortable in comfort mode for sure, but then firmer in sport. It's not a deal breaker IMHO, but I would certainly spec it again given the chance..

[creepy coupe]

Depends on the wheel and tyre spec to a large extent. If on 19's and run flats definitely Adaptive.

[SkyJawa]

Having just gone to a car without the folding and thus dipping mirror I've had to have it retrofitted as its just sooooo damn useful!

[330XDave]

Any particular reason to change other than it being a shadow edition? At 29k miles I would suggest your car still has it's best years ahead of it and if it's got all the extras you want than ask yourself what are you hoping to achieve?

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Any particular reason to change other than it being a shadow edition? At 29k miles I would suggest your car still has it's best years ahead of it and if it's got all the extras you want than ask yourself what are you hoping to achieve?

I'd imagine end of warranty syndrome. And maybe the thought of chucking a lot of money at extended warranties.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

I'd imagine end of warranty syndrome. And maybe the thought of chucking a lot of money at extended warranties.

It's going to cost a lot more to change. Extended warranty isn't going to be much more than £500 for the next couple of years at that mileage.

[Quantox]

My previous car was a pre-LCI 330Xd passive (SE susp.) but I fitted ACS springs to correct the bouncy float. In truth it was still underdamped and when replacing it I had an extended test drive in a passive MSport suspended 440i. It was way too firm for me on our crappy minor A roads around the Lakes. Others, including a couple of dealers told me that with adaptive, comfort was too soft and sport too hard.
Luckily I managed to find a demo car with adaptive and tried that. It was absolutely brilliant, spot on for here. Wouldn't be without it.

Cheers

Q

[teaston]

Originally Posted by sensible

My car is coming up to 3 years old with 29k miles. I bought it new and had the extras I wanted at the time.

I have seen quite a few shadow edition cars with a few thousand miles on the clock at reasonable prices, so considering changing whilst my car still has good value.

However, none of the cars I have seen have adaptive suspension or electric folding mirrors like my current car but otherwise the spec is the same.

My one concern is that passive M-Sport suspension will be noticeably harder than the adaptive suspension I am used to.

Have any of you had both and can give can opinion on comparing the two.

If it is too hard you could always change to non run flats.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Any particular reason to change other than it being a shadow edition? At 29k miles I would suggest your car still has it's best years ahead of it and if it's got all the extras you want than ask yourself what are you hoping to achieve?

My curreny car is great and I got the options I wanted, colour scheme, trim, colour of stitching etc. It is also in excellent condition, having only been washed by hand by me. It's just the thought of getting a car that is less than 6 months old with around 3k miles for a relatively small top up of cash. If I were to leave it another 12/24 months then it will cost a fair bit more to change. It always difficult to know when it is cost effective to change.

My current car is white, as my wife talked me out of EB. If I did change I would have the shadow edition in EB this time. I like the 704M wheels too.

It's just whether not having adaptive suspension and electric folding mirrors is a deal breaker for me.

[pmgreenwood]

[

My one concern is that passive M-Sport suspension will be noticeably harder than the adaptive suspension I am used to.

[/QUOTE]

The passive Msport suspension is harder than Adaptive in Comfort but softer than Adaptive in Sport

[kingmonkey8]

My previous car had the M Sport passive. My current car has the adaptive.
At first I wasn't too sure about the adaptive in comfort. The car felt a bit soft and a bit wallowy. The steering wasn't as sharp and felt loose.
I pumped up the car tyres and it feels firmer now and drives much better.
I wouldn't say there is a huge difference but the adaptive suspension takes out some of the harshness of the passive.
If you're coming from an adaptive you would probably prefer that set up if you want the added comfort.

[sensible]

So today I went and test drove a 320i M-Sport Shadow Edition Sports Auto car in EB with 3,800 miles and 5 months old at a BMW dealer.

With regard to the passive M-Sport suspension it was as previously stated by some. It was firmer than adaptive in comfort but not as firm as adaptive in Sport mode. I was pleasantly surprised how nice the M-Sport passive suspension was. It was also very quiet on Pirelli P-Zero run flats as opposed to my Bridgestone's.

I decided against the car in the end. It had a poor smart repair of one kerbed wheel with silver paint on the diamond cut face. (although they did offer to replace the wheel) The steering wheel didn't seemed centered but tyre pressures were uneven on the front.

The interior was nice but I was not overwhelmed by it. I actually preferred the interior of my own car with the leather looking poorer quality than mine and quite creased for a new car. The intetior It seemed very dark with the carbon effect dash and the black leather being very black as opposed to mine that seems to be almost grey. The new indicator stalks and wiper stalks seem a step backwards and the led headlights weren't auto levelling like mine, having a little wheel to set the headlight beam. Add to that mine has electric folding mirrors, adaptive M-Sport suspension and folding headrests, and I prefer my own car to this newer one.

Plus the part ex was not as much as I expected. No premium for £4k worth of options so the price to change was more than I expected.

EB is a lovely colour though!

So will be getting the annual extended warranty for year 4 and keeping my own car.