[bahasad]

Originally Posted by joewalton

The main callout that is missing is that XDrive models have the softest suspension BMW makes and an enthusiast needs to put DHP on any XDrive car to make it feel like a BMW.

So many people make that mistake, don't spend the $1000, and then spend years chasing aftermarket parts. Same for Sportline vs. M-Sport, so many people don't spend the $2000 and then attempt to bolt-on the pieces they're missing to get the same look.

If you don't go M3 or M4, you need to go M-Sport RWD or M-Sport XDrive + DHP. That's really the moral of the story if you care about performance and appearance.

A stiffer spring + improved shock setup will solve this issue on the Xdrive
Dinan offers the springs, Bilstein offers the shocks. You will retain warranty as well. DHP won't even lower the ride height so the center of mass will still be the same.

I agree that going for m-sport for the interior/exterior cosmetics is worth it. I spent that much bolting on parts to convert mine into M-sport, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by chrisny

DHP helps but still too much body roll. I misread the details that were initially out and thought DHP still gave me a stiffer sport suspension but it doesn't, just the active dampers, not stiffer springs. My own ignorance I guess, I knew it wasn't lower but thought it would still be stiffer.

I have RWD so it has a thicker anti-roll bar and 10mm shorter springs so I can't comment authoritatively on an XDrive configuration.

For my F36 M-Sport RWD + DHP compared to my F30 Luxury line RWD the difference between the suspensions is significant, no body roll, and when you flip the switch between Comfort and Sport you're back in E90 mode when you want it and softer when you don't. To me, it transforms the car.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by bahasad

A stiffer spring + improved shock setup will solve this issue on the Xdrive
Dinan offers the springs, Bilstein offers the shocks. You will retain warranty as well. DHP won't even lower the ride height so the center of mass will still be the same.

I agree that going for m-sport for the interior/exterior cosmetics is worth it. I spent that much bolting on parts to convert mine into M-sport, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Have you driven an XDrive + DHP setup to compare the two? Wondering what the feel is like. Also, with that Dinan/Bilstein setup.....you don't have the adaptive feature and the flip between Comfort/Sport on the experience modes doesn't change the suspension, correct? Or is the aftermarket setup dynamic (changes the physical characteristics) like DHP?

[bahasad]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Have you driven an XDrive + DHP setup to compare the two? Wondering what the feel is like. Also, with that Dinan/Bilstein setup.....you don't have the adaptive feature and the flip between Comfort/Sport on the experience modes doesn't change the suspension, correct? Or is the aftermarket setup dynamic (changes the physical characteristics) like DHP?

Yes I've driven the Xdrive + DHP. It's biggest advantage is a softer ride than the aftermarket combo in comfort mode.
My car has the Dinan springs + bump stops so on stock shocks, but in terms of handling, it has less body motions under all conditions. It is stiffer and more busy though, and that is a demerit for sure, I think the Bilsteins would help resolve this issue, I regret not installing those at the same time because they weren't available, and my car is a lease so I don't want to screw around with it anymore. It is always static so the suspension will feel the same regardless of drive mode.

However, if you have DHP, you can also get Dinan springs + Dinan shockware software for the DHP which may be the best solution for handling for Xdrive folks.

DHP is a great option for sure, but I'm saying that for people with stock Xdrive who don't have DHP (which sucks for sure), hope is not lost, and you can economically get a better suspension setup than stock DHP (in my opinion of course).

Long story short: if you are getting a 3/4, get M-sport line, it is worth it, but not for performance. The cosmetics and steering wheel make it a win in my book.

[goon]

I can say that because of the financing deal I got on my no line, I rushed into it. I'm now spending the same money or more converting to msport. Next car gets ordered. Period.

[atg4]

Originally Posted by Bassthe1st

You are comparing a 3yo no-line 328 to a new 428GC and you think all those differences are from the MSport?

It's from the exclusivity of having the 4gc that you're feeling. Joewalton feels it too.

[Dcarter15]

Originally Posted by goon

I can say that because of the financing deal I got on my no line, I rushed into it. I'm now spending the same money or more converting to msport. Next car gets ordered. Period.

Ya theres nothing like ordering your own car. I think you get way more satisfaction out of putting together the car the way you think it should be. I've never been happier with whats sitting in my driveway.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by alexandertg21

It's from the exclusivity of having the 4gc that you're feeling. Joewalton feels it too.

Let's not have another one of those threads, please.

What I will say is that because the GC is designed to look lower and wider when you drive it it feels lower and wider, feels more planted, feels like a lower center of gravity, feels more Porsche-like, feels more connected to the road. Now, stats may say that isn't true but if BMW's clever design tricks the mind into thinking that it is true, isn't it?

[sr5959]

Originally Posted by alexandertg21

It's from the exclusivity of having the 4gc that you're feeling. Joewalton feels it too.

Bloody right! There's no way I'm getting another 3 Series while there's a GC available. Every time I walk up to it confirms this.

[sr5959]

Originally Posted by goon

I can say that because of the financing deal I got on my no line, I rushed into it. I'm now spending the same money or more converting to msport. Next car gets ordered. Period.

Same for me bud, got my no line in Feb 2012 when there was very low inventory available, regretted it every time I saw a Sport or M-Sport on the road.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by alexandertg21

It's from the exclusivity of having the 4gc that you're feeling. Joewalton feels it too.

[sr5959]

Originally Posted by SH89

Personally I would never even consider a non m sport model. The non sport seats are so unsupportive and the steering wheel feels so cheap in comparison. M sport models hold their value more due to them being most desirable, so it's any easy decision. The m sport suspension on 19's rides way harder than standard suspension on 18's however, I couldn't believe how big the difference was.

Yes I noticed too the ride quality really suffers on every model I test drove with 19s. The 18s with Sport suspension are just about perfect for me, but of course the 19s look better.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by goon

I can say that because of the financing deal I got on my no line, I rushed into it. I'm now spending the same money or more converting to msport. Next car gets ordered. Period.

Finding the right car on a lot is next to impossible. You can get crazy lease deals for them, but you'll never get all the options you want and none that you don't. Building the car yourself is the best way to go. You'll never look back.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Let's not have another one of those threads, please.

What I will say is that because the GC is designed to look lower and wider when you drive it it feels lower and wider, feels more planted, feels like a lower center of gravity, feels more Porsche-like, feels more connected to the road. Now, stats may say that isn't true but if BMW's clever design tricks the mind into thinking that it is true, isn't it?

While the wider is mostly about "looking wider," it actually is noticeably lower and if I recall, even the standard suspension on the 4GC is lower and stiffer than the standard suspension on the F30? Or is that only for the 4 coupe?

Not to turn this into another F30 vs GC thread, but I finally had time to stop into the dealership while running errands last week and sat in a GC. 2 things tbat stood out, and ruled it out, for me:

1. Too low, only because I have small kids that can't buckle themselves in yet.

2. Back seat is no more useful than an actual coupe. I've said it before, for this to be a true gran coupe, should have been stretched 3 inches or so to preserve the back seat head room and maintain a sleeker silhouette all the way through like the 6GC.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Prissy

Correct, DHP is just a regular bmw suspension. Definitely not enthusiast worthy.

You mean DHP with xdrive, right? It's not regular, it still gets you the active dampers. Better than nothing but not as good as dampers plus stiffer springs.

[DHS]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Let's not have another one of those threads, please.

What I will say is that because the GC is designed to look lower and wider when you drive it it feels lower and wider, feels more planted, feels like a lower center of gravity, feels more Porsche-like, feels more connected to the road. Now, stats may say that isn't true but if BMW's clever design tricks the mind into thinking that it is true, isn't it?

"Porsche like" Just what Porsche would that be? Maybe the entry level Cayenne on bad tires. Certainly none of the 'proper' Porsches.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by DHS

"Porsche like" Just what Porsche would that be? Maybe the entry level Cayenne on bad tires. Certainly none of the 'proper' Porsches.

à la Porsche Cayenne.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by sr5959

Yes I noticed too the ride quality really suffers on every model I test drove with 19s. The 18s with Sport suspension are just about perfect for me, but of course the 19s look better.

That would be the Run Flats causing that. Half of the tiny sidewall is solid.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by DHS

"Porsche like" Just what Porsche would that be? Maybe the entry level Cayenne on bad tires. Certainly none of the 'proper' Porsches.

+1. Not even close.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by chrisny

While the wider is mostly about "looking wider," it actually is noticeably lower and if I recall, even the standard suspension on the 4GC is lower and stiffer than the standard suspension on the F30? Or is that only for the 4 coupe?

Yes, that is all correct.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by DHS

"Porsche like" Just what Porsche would that be? Maybe the entry level Cayenne on bad tires. Certainly none of the 'proper' Porsches.

Yeah, I'll have to disagree with Joe on this one.

My F32 does sit lower, but not like a Porsche or a Vette. The car is a tad wider than the F30, but not by enough to matter. An Alfa 4C is what I call wide.

Big thing about the 4 series is that it sure as hell feels longer. Car is very big; too big in my opinion. Does look menacing with the M Sport though. Noticing a lot more attention in this car than my old F30; not necessarily a good thing...

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by Bassthe1st

You are comparing a 3yo no-line 328 to a new 428GC and you think all those differences are from the MSport?

+1

I'm pretty sure I read a thread containing the changes BMW has made since 2012. They're not huge, but they make a difference.