OK, I'm looking at a number of 35i models, some have adaptive suspension (which I like the sound of) and some dont.. The question is, would it make much difference for those people that used the car for commute and weekend drives down windy roads, or would you consider adaptive suspension (for those of you that have it) really only of use on a track? I've yet to experience adaptive suspension, and I wonder if I'll pass over another car for it, only to find its rock hard and only for hard core (ooer) track use.. I had the old 3.0 z4, the suspension on that was way too hard for commuting, which is likely 80% of the cars time on the road, hence a car with normal suspension setup sounds like a dream. Would that normal suspension though be all rolly and wallowy when pushed hard...
Adaptive suspension... Worth it for non track use peeps?
- Thread starter Maniac
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BMW included this as part of the launch pack for the E89. I personally wouldn't turn down an otherwise perfect car because of no adaptive suspension. I know ksher thinks the std suspension is too soft though.
Its interesting that normal is softer than the non adaptive 'normal'... as for sport + being harder than the original z4, surely you can't make it harder than when the wheels are directly attached to the chassis! 
Makes good reading tho that graph... still makes me wonder if its worth having for non track using peeps (like me) when the standard seems to be a good middle mix... and I'm not 25 any more, my spine wont stand for hard shocks like I used to get in the old Z4... UK roads=pothole city.
Makes good reading tho that graph... still makes me wonder if its worth having for non track using peeps (like me) when the standard seems to be a good middle mix... and I'm not 25 any more, my spine wont stand for hard shocks like I used to get in the old Z4... UK roads=pothole city.
I know I would also have liked it when I was younger.Adaptive m suspension was first thing i put on my spec, even before i'd decided on the engine. For me the car doesn't drive right without it, too soft, the car only really feels good when the suspension is toughened up. I had the M sport suspension on both my 3 series previously and the cars were fabulous for the way they drove. I don't find the ride too hard although on the Z4 the dreaded runflats do have a horrible effect.
Maniac said:
I tried a sDrive30i auto with standard suspension before buying my sDrive23i M Sport. I had a 2.5i Sport before. The standard suspension on E89 has 70% of the stiffness of E85 sport suspension. I would say my E89 M Sport suspension has 95%.
I think you will be okay with standard suspension.
Well i've owned a E89 23i without and now a 35iS with.
If you want to tackle the twisties with gusto the adaptive suspension is a must.
It reins in that pushy front end a fair bit (still not great but i'm learning the roadster feel) and turn in feels much more responsive.
I've 19" RFLts and ride quality is fine here in N.I. roads.
If you want to tackle the twisties with gusto the adaptive suspension is a must.
It reins in that pushy front end a fair bit (still not great but i'm learning the roadster feel) and turn in feels much more responsive.
I've 19" RFLts and ride quality is fine here in N.I. roads.
Hey Maniac,
I have an E89 sDrive 35i DCT with the Normal, Sport & Sport+ option buttons to the right of gear-stick and I don't believe this is the upgraded "adaptive M" suspension but the standard option on the 35i.
Can someone please confirm:
(1) That the standard model offers Normal;Sport & Sport+ as standard and that the Adaptive M is a further upgrade to this. (or downgrade if your an old stiff paratrooper
)
(2) I was sure in the standard 35i that by switching from normal to Sport for example, the throttle response was changed and the suspension firmed, and thought that the upgrade to M adaptive just did the same, yet to a more extreme setting and much lower / firmer ride height,
In ref to my experience-I like to (occasionally) :wink: open her up and use her on twisty country roads and have found this NON M upgrade option perfectly acceptable, especially on the sport mode.
After trying out several of the original Z4's I always found them toooo hard for potholed English roads and didn't fancy having one because of the harder ride, however when I went to buy; I tested a 3.0SE, then a non SE and then an M in quick succession; got into the Sdrive E89 and what a difference in ride quality, noticed it instantly and if it was down to the money option, I would choose the DCT long before the upgraded M suspension, however this is a personal preference selection really, you should arrange to drive one with, then without to make a decision properly.
BUT, as you say "I had the old 3.0 z4, the suspension on that was way too hard for commuting," I think you have already answered this question me ol' hearty, but if you are buying new, try em both first, good luck
I have an E89 sDrive 35i DCT with the Normal, Sport & Sport+ option buttons to the right of gear-stick and I don't believe this is the upgraded "adaptive M" suspension but the standard option on the 35i.
Can someone please confirm:
(1) That the standard model offers Normal;Sport & Sport+ as standard and that the Adaptive M is a further upgrade to this. (or downgrade if your an old stiff paratrooper
)(2) I was sure in the standard 35i that by switching from normal to Sport for example, the throttle response was changed and the suspension firmed, and thought that the upgrade to M adaptive just did the same, yet to a more extreme setting and much lower / firmer ride height,
In ref to my experience-I like to (occasionally) :wink: open her up and use her on twisty country roads and have found this NON M upgrade option perfectly acceptable, especially on the sport mode.
After trying out several of the original Z4's I always found them toooo hard for potholed English roads and didn't fancy having one because of the harder ride, however when I went to buy; I tested a 3.0SE, then a non SE and then an M in quick succession; got into the Sdrive E89 and what a difference in ride quality, noticed it instantly and if it was down to the money option, I would choose the DCT long before the upgraded M suspension, however this is a personal preference selection really, you should arrange to drive one with, then without to make a decision properly.
BUT, as you say "I had the old 3.0 z4, the suspension on that was way too hard for commuting," I think you have already answered this question me ol' hearty, but if you are buying new, try em both first, good luck
Standard 35i without adaptive m sport suspension is like all other models, Drive Dynamic Control (DDC) only adjusts throttle, steering, and gearchanging (automatic). Only the car equipped with adaptive m sport suspension, DDC will also adjust the dampers of the suspension. All E89 have DDC.
I did get to test the adaptive suspension. DEFINITELY worth getting... super comfy in normal and nice and tight when in sport etc... Definitely on the must have list now...Well today has been the first day I could take out the old girl and open the taps... loving the DCT manual mode, those gear changes are like lightening, each change up giving you a punch in the back as it surges forward again. I noted the engine sounds a little strained after 7K+rpm, presumably as the turbos run out of steam, yet the DCT in auto likes to push it up there and beyond. Manual changes at 6Krpm seem much more progressive but it could just be how it feels to me. Absolutely intoxicating and I need roads that allow unlimited speed to really try her out, just such smooth power.
Just a note on the M suspension, definitely worth it. I hadn't been able to sense much difference until today, out on the motorway and round some back lanes that sport+ mode tightens the car up nicely, best not to use it with a full tummy tho, I could see myself getting quite green in the gills in that sport+ mode after a while. Switching back to auto and normal suspension setting for the run back, so smooth and comfy, just an all round great combo that DCT and M Suspension.
Can't wait for summer and a trip out into Cheshire and beyond, there's many a road just waiting for that sport+ mode
Just a note on the M suspension, definitely worth it. I hadn't been able to sense much difference until today, out on the motorway and round some back lanes that sport+ mode tightens the car up nicely, best not to use it with a full tummy tho, I could see myself getting quite green in the gills in that sport+ mode after a while. Switching back to auto and normal suspension setting for the run back, so smooth and comfy, just an all round great combo that DCT and M Suspension.
Can't wait for summer and a trip out into Cheshire and beyond, there's many a road just waiting for that sport+ mode
And there lies the problem unfortunately, there is nowhere to legally drive our cars to the max!Maniac said:
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Maniac said:
Don't worry you're still a young lad yet