05-30-2014, 11:45 AM | #67 |
The artist formerly known as AC Schnitzer UK
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05-30-2014, 12:06 PM | #68 |
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I've spent a couple of hours this afternoon with Guy where we were driving each others cars.
Guy's as you're all aware has the ACS springs along with adaptive dampers and the ACS engine upgrade. Mine has the standard x-drive suspension with adaptive dampers and the regular 335d engine. We drove mostly a series of undulating country roads with a varied surface often fairly rough. To start with Guy drove my car and almost as soon as we'd pulled out of the driveway he was already saying how much better the new springs were. It was the first time he'd been able to drive another 335d back to back with his along with it's power upgrade. He commented that the pull from between 2000-3000 was much greater in the ACS version than the regular one. Back home we swapped over to Guy's car with me driving. To say the least the springs are a revelation. A vast amount of the bouncy nature of the standard suspension is removed without making the car jittery or harsh riding. In fact I noticed almost no change at all in the ride comfort of the car, it just handled better. Putting the adaptive dampers into sport mode normally results in a bit of a war between the springs and dampers. The dampers trying desperately to make up for the deficiencies in the springs. Not so now. The dampers work beautifully with the springs really complimenting their efforts and it gives you a great feeling of control over what is happening underneath you. The engine upgrades are actually far more subtle. There is certainly more urge between 2000-3000 which feels fantastic, even compared to the regular 335d. Due to the roads we were on we didn't really explore the top end of either car. Overall the upgrade makes an already extremely flexible engine even more so. I don't personally think it's worth spending several thousand on, however it would make a very worthwhile upgrade if you weren't so concerned about the warranty. Given all the extra wiring looms and the control unit installed we did a bit of an under bonnet comparison and unless you know what you're looking for it'd would be hard to spot the modifications. And finally for all those ride height enthusiasts here is a photo of the two cars nose to nose. The actual difference in ride height is about 15mm, although you'd be hard pressed to see the difference from a distance. |
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05-30-2014, 12:24 PM | #69 |
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Nice review chaps!
Hoping mine will be fitted Friday 13th
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05-30-2014, 12:54 PM | #70 |
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Thanks for this guys!
I agree the difference in ride height is subtle. However, A Grey Tourer on 19" wheels is a low as an X Drive is ever going to look, if you get what I mean. An EB saloon (like mine) will be as high as an X Drive will look.
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05-30-2014, 01:20 PM | #71 |
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Thanks chaps, it's all about making a great car even better. Just not sure what you meant by the above? When you fit an AC Schnitzer performance upgrade the engine and drivetrain is warranted by us for anything that fails as a result of the tuning. What's the concern?
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05-30-2014, 01:33 PM | #72 |
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While the upgrade is certainly noticeable I couldn't personally justify the cost of the upgrade. When the F30 warranty period expires then I can see the upgrade sold 'as is' with no additional drivetrain warranty being very popular. I'll certainly be in contact about a set of springs though in the next week or so.
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05-30-2014, 01:48 PM | #73 |
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Ok I see what you mean now. But the situation is that AC Schnitzer will not sell any product without warranty, so the "buy cheaper later" thing doesn't work. In fact it makes much more sense to buy the upgrade when the car is new, or nearly new as Guy has done, than to buy it later at the same price and not benefit from the included warranty that runs parallel to the BMW one. It's really aimed at new cars and makes less sense as the car gets older.
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05-30-2014, 01:49 PM | #74 |
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I have say today has been very enlightening. I knew my car had been transformed by the springs but it wasn't until I got back in George's car and within 100 yards I knew mine was leagues better. The old tip-to wallow was back!
It was really interesting to see George's reaction taking me car out and confirm that it wasn't just me that thought it transformed the car. As for the power, I'm completely sold on it. At 2-3k, it really makes a difference and that makes for relaxed very swift progress. I love its turbine like oomph now and whilst I was sceptical of the improvements, after driving George's car, I'm not at all. There IS a difference and I never thought I'd say a standard 335d felt lacking! For me, it's been worth every penny and as a package it has turned the car into a ridiculously good package. One very happy chappy.
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05-30-2014, 01:56 PM | #75 |
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Do ACS do springs for sDrives?
If so, then: (a) How much do they cost? (b) By how much is the ride height lowered?
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05-30-2014, 02:01 PM | #77 | |
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Quote:
The last thing I though of changing on my E92 LCI was the suspension as I thought it was near perfect, if not a bit harsh....
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05-30-2014, 02:08 PM | #78 | ||
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Quote:
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05-30-2014, 02:08 PM | #79 | |
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a) £246.85 b) Roughly 15mm for M Sport cars and 25mm for SE/Sport versions. http://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/suspe...rom-4387-p.asp |
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05-30-2014, 02:11 PM | #80 | |
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Quote:
Now which sDrive M Sport driver is going to be the first to try these?
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05-30-2014, 02:12 PM | #81 |
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Bit of a shame that as the AC Schnitzer "Sport" suspension (springs and dampers) is actually more comfortable than stock, taking away the harshness and improving the handling at the same time. We sell loads of E9X kits.
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05-30-2014, 02:19 PM | #82 | |
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BTW I am sold on the X Drive springs. Just going to get the pending nuptials out the way (so to speak) then I'll be booking the car in.
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05-30-2014, 02:20 PM | #83 |
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05-30-2014, 02:42 PM | #84 |
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Not sure he's been called a kid for quite a fair while
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05-30-2014, 03:48 PM | #85 |
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It is an expression dumbo.
Humphrey Bogart toasting Ingrid Bergman in the Classic film Casablanca.
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05-30-2014, 03:56 PM | #86 | |
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PS old enough to have watched that in B&W so kinda remember it!!
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05-30-2014, 04:55 PM | #87 | |
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Look forward to the essay.
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05-31-2014, 01:48 AM | #88 |
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@gtsussex:
Check cold tyre pressures are as per manufacturer's recommended levels before doing your comparison between sDrive and your ACS xDrive.
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