[nastynick83]

For anyone on the fence about this - go and test drive the car! I was genuinely impressed by the difference the dampers made.

My 330xd is booked in on Tues 11th Dec to have them fitted

[devil84]

Another review here guys

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1461853

I missed the chance of test drive at Deutsch Tech to work.

Will i regret losing the adaptive suspension ?

[flashollie]

I worry about losing the adaptive but figure having one good setting is better than a poor comfort and sports setting.

I've just thought, will this affect the heavier steering you get with the sports mode? I do like that its not great but better than the regular light steering.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by flashollie

I worry about losing the adaptive but figure having one good setting is better than a poor comfort and sports setting.

I've just thought, will this affect the heavier steering you get with the sports mode? I do like that its not great but better than the regular light steering.

Everything else connected to the mode button still works as usual: steering weight, throttle response, gear change points etc.

You won't miss the adaptive. The car works better without it.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Everything else connected to the mode button still works as usual: steering weight, throttle response, gear change points etc.

You won't miss the adaptive. The car works better without it.

I already have Ohlins on my car but I can 'back' Lorcan in terms of moving to a good passive suspension setup rather than BMW adaptive which doesn't do anything particularly well. I don't miss adaptive suspension at all - passive dampers are far more predictable.

Driving modes now work as follows :

Stick left : sports gearbox mode.
DTC : manual control in any gearbox mode
One press on the driving mode button : Sport (which is set on my car to only change the chassis, so just weightier steering)
Two presses : Sports+ : weightier steering plus DTC on
Paddles or gearshift : manual override at any point : temporary in Comfort and permanent in Sports+ or with stick left

This gives a wide range of options to pick from depending on the roads and conditions.

[devil84]

Lorcan

Is it a cost or technical issue that you don't do a adaptive option like Blistein

Or is it because you genuinely believe passive option is better.

As above debating whether I should lost an option that I paid for

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by devil84

Lorcan

Is it a cost or technical issue that you don't do a adaptive option like Blistein

Or is it because you genuinely believe passive option is better.

As above debating whether I should lost an option that I paid for

AC Schnitzer evaluated an adaptive setup in their testing but concluded that the passive setup worked better overall. BMW even concluded the same recently while developing the M2 Competition, which has passive dampers. When you change the damping rates adaptively without changing the spring you ultimately end up with two compromised settings instead of one good one.

[Lorcan]

@devil84 your inbox is full

[Lorcan]

Our demo car is now at Stourbridge Automotive in errr...Stourbridge for the rest of the week and is available for test drives.

Speak to the lovely Neil or Kay there to book your appointment.

https://www.stourbridgeautomotive.co.uk/

Next week it's at Revolution Performance in Gateshead - wy aye, nay bother etc.

[Lorcan]

[flashollie]

I'm currently sat at Stourbridge Automotive having the dampers fitted to my 335d that has / had adaptive.
I have just been out in the ACS demo car with the springs and dampers.
In short it's a bloody revelation!

it is loads more comfortable. This car is on continental sport contact 6 tyres and mine is still on run flats but the difference is remarkable.
there is greater feeling through the steering pot holes are dealt with without feeling your teeth bashing together.
when you accelerate the car stays flat and brake dive is much reduced.
through the bends the car is more poised and stable and you can feel what the front and back are doing so much more.

this is still not a rwd car but you can feel a hint of oversteer much more than in the standard set up. the body roll is much reduced and you have no sudden unexpected lurches as the suspension catches up with its self.
its much much more confidence inspiring.

this car feels much more like a lighter weight version of my old E61 530d but with more grip up front so you can add power a little earlier and feel the back just starting to push but nothing as severe as the E61.

so all in all its more comfortable more informative more confident predictable and more fun to drive.

the comfort is remarkable way better than the standard but remember this is on non fun flat tyres

if you have £1500 to spare do this you won't regret it.

[devil84]

Bloody hell mate. Compelling review.

[nastynick83]

Originally Posted by flashollie

I'm currently sat at Stourbridge Automotive having the dampers fitted to my 335d that has / had adaptive.
I have just been out in the ACS demo car with the springs and dampers.
In short it's a bloody revelation!

it is loads more comfortable. This car is on continental sport contact 6 tyres and mine is still on run flats but the difference is remarkable.
there is greater feeling through the steering pot holes are dealt with without feeling your teeth bashing together.
when you accelerate the car stays flat and brake dive is much reduced.
through the bends the car is more poised and stable and you can feel what the front and back are doing so much more.

this is still not a rwd car but you can feel a hint of oversteer much more than in the standard set up. the body roll is much reduced and you have no sudden unexpected lurches as the suspension catches up with its self.
its much much more confidence inspiring.

this car feels much more like a lighter weight version of my old E61 530d but with more grip up front so you can add power a little earlier and feel the back just starting to push but nothing as severe as the E61.

so all in all its more comfortable more informative more confident predictable and more fun to drive.

the comfort is remarkable way better than the standard but remember this is on non fun flat tyres

if you have £1500 to spare do this you won't regret it.

I couldn't get over just how much more comfortable it was. I noticed it immediately just driving at 15mph.

I think the expectation is that changing the dampers would stiffen things up and make it less comfortable. But they work to take the impact of the bumps away.

Can't wait to have mine fitted on Tuesday

[flashollie]

having driven mine now after quick efficient fitting at the excellent Stourbridge automotive I can tell I'm on run flats but the improvement is still very significant.
the comfort is better not as good as on the contis but all other points I made still apply.

I'd add the springs don't make a quarter of the impact that the dampers do. but then they are a 5th of the price......taxi !

[flashollie]

and to just add the tuning box fitted is good too. it doesn't feel hugely more powerful but you can tell it's there.
what is very noticeable is the smoother power delivery and power is always there no delay. if you want mega bhp look elsewhere but for a more refined power delivery it works.
Just don't think I can justify nearly 3k though.

[devil84]

Originally Posted by flashollie

and to just add the tuning box fitted is good too. it doesn't feel hugely more powerful but you can tell it's there.
what is very noticeable is the smoother power delivery and power is always there no delay. if you want mega bhp look elsewhere but for a more refined power delivery it works.
Just don't think I can justify nearly 3k though.

What tuning box did you go for?

ACS?

[flashollie]

sorry I wasn't clear. I meant the ACS tuning box fitted the ACS demo car not mine. mine is still standard 335d engine.

my car is a year old so the warranty appeals of the ACS but 3k is a lot.

[McBeemer]

Anyone else had the dampers fitted … I am hoping to go to Revolution next week for a test drive …. I have the springs only just now

[devil84]

Originally Posted by McBeemer

Anyone else had the dampers fitted … I am hoping to go to Revolution next week for a test drive …. I have the springs only just now

Let us know what you think. I am in same boat as you.

X drive on adaptive with ACS springs.

[Lorcan]

The car will be at Revolution from lunchtime today

[Tengocity]

I can't believe folk are still on the fence about this.... no one has done this, or even tried the demo car and felt it's anything but a revelation!

[McBeemer]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I can't believe folk are still on the fence about this.... no one has done this, or even tried the demo car and felt it's anything but a revelation!

I'm not on the fence, as I am absolutely going to change dampers.

Just wanted extra reassurance of which route to go, although I am 99% certain to be going ACS