vin check complete/spring mod

[peter2704]

so checked the vin to see what spec i have with my car. No mention of M sport suspension, so i gather i'm on normal suspension/ride height?
the car has the button for the different suspension modes on the c/console.my question is if I change the springs f/r to M sport how much will it drop the car,I think H&R spring sets drop it 30mm front 25mm rear,would this be the same ride height as M sport or lower
cheers

 

[matsmith749]

By 'the button' are you talking about the sport/comfort rocker switch next to the gearstick?

I think they all have that, in the vast majority of cars this affects only the throttle map / steering wheel weight (not suspension).

If you have adaptive dampers (standard on 35is - very rare on other specs) then it also firms up the suspension damping.

As regards what you have - what car do you have? Is it an M-sport or standard (they look different)?

 

[peter2704]

It’s a 2009 23idrive , yes rocker switch near gearstick
What would see if an M sport

 

[Gwest44]

It’s a 2009 23idrive , yes rocker switch near gearstick
What would see if an M sport

The M Sport option wasn't a introduced until 2010 but the adaptive M suspension was available as an option in 2009 for just under £1,000 - consensus of most members is to stay well away from the adaptive suspension option if at all possible because it will fail (by now it already has on most pre-facelift cars) and is very expensive to replace.

When the M Sport option was introduced visually the front and rear bumpers were different and the steering wheel and sill kick plates had the ///M logo rather than BMW - the steering wheel was also be slightly thicker than the standard sDrive equivalent. At this time BMW also introduced M Suspension and it was possible to get an M Sport car without the M suspension.

Confused? You will be the further you progress down the vin code options route :rofl:

 

[rafcom]

Ah great, so my suspension is going to fail too at some point

 

[peter2704]

Cheers for that, will check those details when the cars back from the garage, I think I am standard

 

[enuff_zed]

Ah great, so my suspension is going to fail too at some point

All suspension fails at some point, just that it is so much more expensive to replace the adaptive sort.

 

[matsmith749]

I would guess that the number of 2009 23i (non m-sport) cars fitted with the adaptive suspension will be very very low.

Choices were (i) Standard (ii) M-sport (firmer / lower) and (iii) M-sport adaptive.

As there is no mention of suspension options on your order, you have the satndard non adaptive shocks.

Of course they will wear out over time (car is 15 years old - no idea what milage) but at least they are simple / cheap to replace.

 

[peter2704]

So what does the console switch do ?

 

[matsmith749]

It tweaks the throttle response & weights up the steering - that's it for cars without the adaptive suspension.

Makes it feel a bit more peppy.

I think you only get comfort / sport modes on a 23i, but on the madder cars it does more.

On my 35is you get comfort/sport/sport+ it adjusts the throttle map, gear shift points, steering, and suspension. Plus in sport+ it fiddles with the traction control to allow more slip.

 

[peter2704]

Thanks makes sense so need some M springs or aftermarket to just drop her a little

 

[Gwest44]

So what does the console switch do ?

All E89's have what's called Drive Dynamic Control which allows you to select one of 3 driving modes (Comfort, Sport, and Sport+) which adjust throttle and gearbox behaviour, power steering weighting, and the adjustable dampers (if fitted).

Essentially Comfort is the standard mode, Sport increases throttle response and weights up the steering and Sport + turns off traction control - I never really used Sport+ but was often in Sport mode as I much preferred it when I was out on my own for a bit of spirited driving.

 

[peter2704]

Thanks for that , as mentioned just got the car , I usually research but kind of dived in on this one

 

[B21]

MSport dampers and springs are about 10mm ..some say 15mm lower than stock suspension ride height..you’ll need to swap dampers and springs if you’re going to do it..

Normally folks buy aftermarket springs n dampers in the MSport sizes..

 

[peter2704]

I’d seen some springs that stated 25mm rear 30mm front but I presume that’s from standard height and not from M sports spec otherwise you be 35mm F 40mmR bit too much I feel

 

[B21]

I’d seen some springs that stated 25mm rear 30mm front but I presume that’s from standard height and not from M sports spec otherwise you be 35mm F 40mmR bit too much I feel

Pretty useless for most places apart from smooth tarmac and without serious geometry changes appalling handling …

 

[peter2704]

What do you run on your car

 

[B21]

What do you run on your car

I run Ohlins Road and Track shocks n springs about 10mm below MSport height..I will get stronger rear springs this summer so I can get back up to stock MSport ride height..I rum BMW M2/M4 437M forged wheels with 235/35/19 and 275/30 19 Conti Sport Contact 7 or Apex Arc-8 flow formed 8.5J 9.5K running SC7s also..along with another 125+ modifications..

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Sport + gives you some slip, but it’s not off, despite the light on the dash.

If you want it off, have to hold down the DSC button for several seconds.