02-14-2017, 07:15 AM | #1 |
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Active Damping
So, I went for this option on my car.
I've had it two years, but I've never actually driven an F30 without it... So it's kind of hard to ascertain what it actually "does". Has anyone driven both and is able to offer a comparison? |
02-14-2017, 07:40 AM | #2 |
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I've owned both, there is nothing wrong with the passive set up on the F30, it's far better and more compliant than the E90, however I still prefer the active damping on my F36.
In Sport it's probably the same as the passive M Sport set up, but in comfort it really does give you a far more comfortable ride when you encounter some rough roads or just want to waft your way somewhere. |
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02-14-2017, 07:51 AM | #3 | |
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02-14-2017, 08:19 AM | #4 |
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I noticed that the adaptive does take some of the initial roll/slop out of the suspension. Driving my car back to back with another 3 series with m sport passive dampers, I found the latter would wallow more of you wiggled the car left to right a bit. My car felt flatter and a bit more direct as a result. It also smoothed out the bumps much better in comfort mode vs the passive set up. The downside is that the adaptive isn't perfect. Sometimes the way the passive set up deals with bumps is better.
On balance I'd go adaptive again. Since having the latest software update, I think it's made the gap even bigger vs passive.
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02-14-2017, 09:22 AM | #5 |
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Having owned a 3 series E92 convertible M sport with standard passive suspension for 5 years and am now driving a 4 series convertible with adaptive suspension, the way forward has to be adaptive suspension as it feels like I'm driving a magic carpet - the ride is so smooth. Bearing in mind that where I live [London] it is pot hole & speed hump city, adaptive suspension is the only way to travel.
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02-14-2017, 09:33 AM | #6 |
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If you've got adaptive suspension - and I assume that's what you mean by Active Damping, then you adjust whether (or not) the suspension is in Sport or Comfort mode via the Sport/Comfort/EcoPro button by the iDrive wheel.
The difference between the modes is considerable, I always found. |
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02-14-2017, 04:57 PM | #7 |
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02-14-2017, 05:08 PM | #8 | ||
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02-15-2017, 02:00 AM | #9 | |
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02-15-2017, 02:58 AM | #10 | |
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Predictive damping would be good, but not sure what damping is always best for a pothole. In a straight line, damping should already be softer, but would we want it to soften mid way through a bend if a pothole was detected? Conflict of interests, I imagine it would stay firm, the priority for handling. |
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02-15-2017, 07:13 AM | #11 |
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You can have soft and crap damping or hard and crap damping. Either way, you get crap damping with a standard BMW 3 series
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02-15-2017, 07:22 AM | #12 |
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02-15-2017, 07:28 AM | #13 |
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Not available in the UK last time I checked, so I went with much better dampers eventually. However, with my company 330e I'm back to the standard garbage for my commute. The worst thing about the car by some margin I'd say.
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02-16-2017, 10:49 AM | #15 |
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S2VF Adaptive M chassis if you put the last 7 digits of your VIN code into https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/online
Last edited by rossm; 02-16-2017 at 10:54 AM.. |
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02-16-2017, 10:50 AM | #16 |
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If you do have adaptive suspension, then if you press the 'sport' button by the handbrake then you'll get a 'configure sport mode' option on the idrive screen. You can then go into that and configure for drivetrain only, chassis only, or drivetrain and chassis.
I have to say I find 'sport' suspension on the adaptive quite poor. Twitchy like the 'MSport' suspension of a few years ago (yes, Z4 Coupe, I'm thinking of you here), with too little ride comfort and far too much tramlining. Comfort mode on the suspension, sport on the drivetrain. That's how my car is set up. |
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02-16-2017, 10:58 AM | #17 |
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When you first put it into Sport, if you have adaptive damping, it will immediately stiffen up but give it a few seconds and as long as you aren't chucking the car about it will soften off again slightly and is not as hard, unless it decides it needs to be as you are cornering, braking or accelerating hard.
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02-16-2017, 07:48 PM | #18 | |
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02-17-2017, 10:49 AM | #20 |
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Drive down the road with your offside wheels going over the cats eyes. Switch from comfort to sport and back again. If you have adaptive suspension you can feel the difference. Sport is much firmer and you will feel the bumps while comfort will be much smoother.
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02-20-2020, 04:18 PM | #21 |
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Bit of a thread resurrection but Shockware is now available in the Uk but at a higher price than the USA.
Your thoughts or experiences would be welcomed.
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