Adaptive suspension or Coilovers - Which is Best?

[keving1]

When I bought my 35i three years ago the adaptive M suspension dampers were shot (all 4) so I replaced them with BRC coilovers due to cost difference £650 vs £2,500. So I have never experienced the Adaptive suspension :x

Now I'm thinking I would like to put them back-in and see what they are like but will I be disappointed and think why did I spend the extra money? I use the 35i as a daily drive travelling around 20k miles per year and also do a couple of track days.

I'd like to hear your views on this especially from those who have the E89 adaptive M suspension vs normal suspension and those who have gone from adaptive suspension to coilovers and also gone back the other way from coilovers to adaptive?

 

[MACK]

When I bought my 35i three years ago the adaptive M suspension dampers were shot (all 4) so I replaced them with BRC coilovers due to cost difference £650 vs £2,500. So I have never experienced the Adaptive suspension :x

Now I'm thinking I would like to put them back-in and see what they are like but will I be disappointed and think why did I spend the extra money? I use the 35i as a daily drive travelling around 20k miles per year and also do a couple of track days.

I'd like to hear your views on this especially from those who have the E89 adaptive M suspension vs normal suspension and those who have gone from adaptive suspension to coilovers and also gone back the other way from coilovers to adaptive?

It would probably make sense to blag a test drive on a 35is (when such things are allowed again) and compare it back to back with yours

 

[R.E92]

Never driven a car with coilovers but I do have adaptive damping. Both front shocks were replaced under warranty at 60k so I don't expect they'll need changing now I'm out of warranty. If they ever failed I would choose to spend the money and stay with adaptive dampers as I think being able to switch from a comfortable ride to a harsh one is very useful on a cruiser like the E89.

 

[tintoverano]

Now I'm thinking I would like to put them back-in and see what they are like but will I be disappointed and think why did I spend the extra money?

the adaptive dampers can be fixed/refurbished any number of times
I had mine done more than a year ago, with 1 year warranty from the shop, which I didn't need and already expired

 

[keving1]

Now I'm thinking I would like to put them back-in and see what they are like but will I be disappointed and think why did I spend the extra money?

the adaptive dampers can be fixed/refurbished any number of times
I had mine done more than a year ago, with 1 year warranty from the shop, which I didn't need and already expired

Where did you get them refurbished and how much was it?

 

[tintoverano]

had a post about it at that time

 

[keving1]

Never driven a car with coilovers but I do have adaptive damping. Both front shocks were replaced under warranty at 60k so I don't expect they'll need changing now I'm out of warranty. If they ever failed I would choose to spend the money and stay with adaptive dampers as I think being able to switch from a comfortable ride to a harsh one is very useful on a cruiser like the E89.

How comfortable do they make the ride and how much do they stiffen the ride? Do they inspire confidence through bends on Sport mode?

 

[Busterboo]

How comfortable do they make the ride and how much do they stiffen the ride? Do they inspire confidence through bends on Sport mode?

Enough. Noticeably. Yes.

I wouldn't want to drive a 335bhp E89 without adaptive suspension, especially not in Sport+.

 

[javis20]

I really like my adaptive suspension. When it needs replacing, I will replace with the same.

 

[Rassi]

Mine is at 50k and would replace with adaptive if ever needed. Mostly drive it in Comfort, but like the ability to stiffen it up in Sport whenever

 

[R.E92]

Never driven a car with coilovers but I do have adaptive damping. Both front shocks were replaced under warranty at 60k so I don't expect they'll need changing now I'm out of warranty. If they ever failed I would choose to spend the money and stay with adaptive dampers as I think being able to switch from a comfortable ride to a harsh one is very useful on a cruiser like the E89.

How comfortable do they make the ride and how much do they stiffen the ride? Do they inspire confidence through bends on Sport mode?

Hard to quantify the change, the best comparison I can make is that in normal mode the car feels like driving a car equipped with BMW "SE" suspension and in Sport+ it's slightly more harsh than a car on MSport suspension. Obviously there's too many variables to make direct comparisons with other vehicles but it's very noticeable.

Obviously the body roll doesn't change as the spring rates are still constant but it certainly makes you feel like you are cornering faster.