[1966-TR4]

Originally Posted by sspade

If I owned an xDrive F30/F31- this is one hundred percent the route I would be going (with OEM Msport springs).

The problem [one of them] is that there are no "OEM Msport springs" on the xdrive - they are fitted with SE springs.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by 1966-TR4

The problem [one of them] is that there are no "OEM Msport springs" on the xdrive - they are fitted with SE springs.

Since when does what they are fitted with from the factory with matter?

It doesnt. There are M Sport springs that fit on F series xDrive vehicles. Yes there are. They sit 10mm lower.

For the record, I have ACS springs on my sDrive.

[sspade]

In my opinion (not everyones)...

xDrive models are meant to be just that. Vehicles that are used on all sorts of terrain. These are not typically vehicles that are slammed to the ground on coil overs.

Some do just that, however. Depends on your lifestyle I suppose.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by 330Stevie

My point was that you’ll need to try them to make an informed decision as you are starting from a low base IMO. Youve bought a 330dx; you had a test drive and you obviously didn’t feel it was compromised in its handling?

Identifying that a smaller lighter car with better suspension delivers a different ride experience.......... The design brief and laws of physics would be a given that it would be that way.

To be fair I only had a Peugeot when I bought it so anything would feel better than that! I am very tempted by the full ACS road sport setup, but I am yet to try a car with it. There is also the added complication that I may get promoted in the next year which means I have to take a company car (not a disaster, would be the new 3 series) and I wouldn't want to spend a lot on it only to have to get rid.

[1966-TR4]

Originally Posted by sspade

Since when does what they are fitted with from the factory with matter?

.

Because in your previous post regarding the Bilsteins you are not advising him to change his springs.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

I've got adaptive M sport on my F36 and love it!

Same impression. M Adaptive suspension performs very well as a factory offering. Dinan Shockware can make it even better at a nominal cost.

[agentorange]

I'll have to do a VIN check to tell you what is on our F30 because we got it used. I can tell you that it rides remarkably well (I'm a former XJ owner) with good small bump absorption. Didn't expect that with RFTs. It has more grip than I'm brave, too. The front points well despite the lack of steering feel. Having the 4-cylinder helps I'm sure.

My major criticism would be that the tyres/suspension tramline something terrible on certain grooved concrete roads out here.

[Soul_Glo]

Our F30 on adaptive was fine. I never had an issue with it. The F32 on adaptive was a wallowing shambles. It was so sickening I think ACS was the best thing I ever did with the M140i anti-roll bar.

Talking of roll bar. That answers part of your questions. The 1 has thicker anti-roll bars.

[thescouselander]

I've got the standard suspension on my F36 after deleting the M-Sport suspension. IMO the M-Sport suspension is too hard, does nothing for controlling body roll and causes the tyres to skip over bumpy sections of faster country roads.

That said I do think the standard suspension on the 4er is firmer than the 3er and the 4er has a lower centre of gravity so that probably helps.


Also I'd point out that X drive suspension is not the same as "SE" suspension as the ride height on xdrive is higher than the standard suspension - on the 4ER at least.

Interestingly there is a youtube channel that looks a the handling capabilities of various cars during their "moose test". I know many people complain the F30 is wallowy or roly-poly but when you compare with other cars it doesn't seem to be that bad - here's a 4er GC in action but there are loads of other cars on there too.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Chelsea_Tractor

Our F30 on adaptive was fine. I never had an issue with it. The F32 on adaptive was a wallowing shambles. It was so sickening I think ACS was the best thing I ever did with the M140i anti-roll bar.

Talking of roll bar. That answers part of your questions. The 1 has thicker anti-roll bars.

Not sure how thicker roll bars help comfort and compliance. Can help reduce roll, and can allow a lower spring rate, but there are negatives to thicker bars, more rock-roll and road copy across the car. Both of which reduce comfort.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by thescouselander

Also I'd point out that X drive suspension is not the same as "SE" suspension as the ride height on xdrive is higher than the standard suspension - on the 4ER at least.

Must be beneficial to users in the UK snow belt.

[Wills2]

I'm going with wheels and tyres, every car I drive with smaller wheels and bit more fat on the side wall rides and handles well, every one that has 19/20 inch wheels and rubber band tyres gets shown up.

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Not sure how thicker roll bars help comfort and compliance. Can help reduce roll, and can allow a lower spring rate, but there are negatives to thicker bars, more rock-roll and road copy across the car. Both of which reduce comfort.

Not for comfort no. Only for roll. Something seems to have to be sacrificed. More control less comfort. More comfort less control.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I'm going with wheels and tyres, every car I drive with smaller wheels and bit more fat on the side wall rides and handles well, every one that has 19/20 inch wheels and rubber band tyres gets shown up.

Agree, .. I purposely went for a car with the 18" wheels rather than the 19s and the ride and handling doesn't feel too bad on the standard M sport suspension (note: I have non run flat tyres too).

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Chelsea_Tractor

Not for comfort no. Only for roll. Something seems to have to be sacrificed. More control less comfort. More comfort less control.

If only someone would invent an active roll system, we could have both comfort and control, with little compromise... oh wait a moment, they have.

Shame it not an option on a 3-series. Probably viewed as too complex and too expensive, to even consider implementing in the smaller cars.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

If only someone would invent an active roll system, we could have both comfort and control, with little compromise... oh wait a moment, they have.

Shame it not an option on a 3-series. Probably viewed as too complex and too expensive, to even consider implementing in the smaller cars.

What wheels have you got on your 535i on Pete? I would image 18" and adaptive drive would make a great combination.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Wills2

What wheels have you got on your 535i on Pete? I would image 18" and adaptive drive would make a great combination.

I run 18" in summer and 17" in winter. Both sets are run-flat, as I didn't want all the hassle of the 3-series, carrying a wheel in the boot on remote trips. Still carry a compressor and 'plug' kit for emergencies.

The 17" winter set give a more supple ride at colder temperatures. I'd say very similar to the 18" at decent summer temperatures, which harder up a bit at cooler temperatures.

I had read that BMW optimised the F10 AD on the 18" wheel set. Hence the key reason to have them, should be the best. I'd tried AD on 19", on an F10 530d. It was clear at low speeds, the wheels/tyres were driving the suspension. (Just as many are finding on many BMW setups, with large rims and lower profiles). Sport setting controlled the ride better on broken roads than the Comfort setting. (Again something users note on many BMW setups). That set the alarm bells ringing, 19" would be a compromise too far.

The fact I was looking to have an F11, with rear air suspension, I knew 18" would be the better choice. 19" wheels would be a bigger handful when lightly loaded, as the progressive spring rate would likely allow more fidget and jitter at low speeds. (5GT owners were reporting poor rear suspension, harsh and crashing, on bigger rims).

18" was the correct choice, to have the smoothest and most comfortable ride quality. The suspension controls the wheels, even at low speed, not the other way around.

Brother in law had a XJ Jaguar on CATS suspension, when I got my F11. I'd rated the XJ as a pretty smooth running/riding car, from the time we first tried one. My BMW with AD is even smoother riding, with better body control due to the active roll control.

I've no regrets on the choice. Of course 19" wheels would look better, but "fashion over form", not for me. I'll drive around on the 17" wheels in winter months, knowing it is the best setup for me.

[ciscopete822]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I'm going with wheels and tyres, every car I drive with smaller wheels and bit more fat on the side wall rides and handles well, every one that has 19/20 inch wheels and rubber band tyres gets shown up.

tyre size video

tyre width video (on 3 series)

[thescouselander]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Agree, .. I purposely went for a car with the 18" wheels rather than the 19s and the ride and handling doesn't feel too bad on the standard M sport suspension (note: I have non run flat tyres too).

Same here - 18" wheels on my car for the same reasons. I'm happy with the result in terms of ride and handling although 19" would have been better aesthetically. I guess you can't have everything.

[fuzzybunny]

Originally Posted by ciscopete822

Thanks for those videos very interesting and quite subtle differences between wheel sizes. I have 19" which I would never have specified if I was buying new. That said they seem OK with the softer xdrive standard suspension for my purposes. Although I have found that the bigger the wheel size the susceptibility to wheel rash increases.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by ciscopete822

tyre size video

tyre width video (on 3 series)

Good videos he does some good tests, results are as expected tbh.

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by ciscopete822

tyre size video

tyre width video (on 3 series)

Good find. Thanks for sharing