328xi base with 17's to 340xi M-Sport with Adaptive Suspension and 19's

bri1042 · 04-26-2016, 11:06 AM

I've put 100 miles on the new car now, including about 60 going up and then back down some big curvy mountain things. It's so weird. The car feels so familiar when I sit down in it, but driving it is so different. The nose isn't bouncy, I went up about 500 feet in elevation on decent slope without bothering to switch out of comfort mode, and there's so little body roll...

I never had an e46, so I can't worship at that altar. My e90 experience was limited due to the fact that the one I had wouldn't stop breaking (and I only had it for 7 months). My 328xi was a brilliant balance of price, comfort, and sport when you wanted it. In fact, I actually think it was too balanced for me (tip the scales to sport, please).

When I first set foot in the BMW showroom to trade in my Acura RSX-S, I knew what I was looking for but didn't know enough to actually find it. 3 years later, I think I actually have it. I have to go drive somewhere now. No idea where...just somewhere. This break-in period needs to pass!

JamRWS6 · 04-26-2016, 12:30 PM

Wait until you can really put your foot into it. These cars are little monsters. Agreed how much a few different option packages makes the car drive drastically different.

LMK5 · 04-26-2016, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bri1042

I've put 100 miles on the new car now, including about 60 going up and then back down some big curvy mountain things. It's so weird. The car feels so familiar when I sit down in it, but driving it is so different. The nose isn't bouncy, I went up about 500 feet in elevation on decent slope without bothering to switch out of comfort mode, and there's so little body roll...

I never had an e46, so I can't worship at that altar. My e90 experience was limited due to the fact that the one I had wouldn't stop breaking (and I only had it for 7 months). My 328xi was a brilliant balance of price, comfort, and sport when you wanted it. In fact, I actually think it was too balanced for me (tip the scales to sport, please).

When I first set foot in the BMW showroom to trade in my Acura RSX-S, I knew what I was looking for but didn't know enough to actually find it. 3 years later, I think I actually have it. I have to go drive somewhere now. No idea where...just somewhere. This break-in period needs to pass!

Interesting that even in comfort mode you find the body roll to be minimal. Did you happen to also test a car with the msport suspension to see what the body roll performance was vs. the adaptive suspension?

nicknaz · 04-26-2016, 02:08 PM

congrats OP. having the right options has always been key for the 3er

cmplaya · 04-26-2016, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

congrats OP. having the right options has always been key for the 3er

my 340 xdrive msport with base suspension feels like a boat floating up and down on ocean waves....

bri1042 · 04-26-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMK5

Interesting that even in comfort mode you find the body roll to be minimal. Did you happen to also test a car with the msport suspension to see what the body roll performance was vs. the adaptive suspension?

Nope. I've driven some 335's and a 435GC in the past but not extensively. The two cars I'm comparing it to are my SO's TLX and my '13 328...as well as all the other cars I've owned and driven extensively. ...and I didn't say that there wasn't ANY body roll, just that there's less.

Comparing this stuff is a bit goofy. We don't have perfect memories for such things and I'm sitting here comparing a brand-new car with one that has seen three winters. Who knows how the new one will settle and wear...

LMK5 · 04-26-2016, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmplaya

my 340 xdrive msport with base suspension feels like a boat floating up and down on ocean waves....

Same with my 2014 328i RWD base. Hard to believe BMW thought they had to make it that soft in order to be "comfortable."

nicknaz · 04-26-2016, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmplaya

my 340 xdrive msport with base suspension feels like a boat floating up and down on ocean waves....

I think that's why OP ordered adaptive suspension... to avoid the base suspension that's on the xdrive m sport cars (i.e. RWD m sport cars get passive sport suspension (option 704) but AWD m sports cars get base non sport suspension and adaptive is the only sports suspension option

NewM3driver · 04-26-2016, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmplaya

my 340 xdrive msport with base suspension feels like a boat floating up and down on ocean waves....

Xdrive and base suspension? What did you expect.... a Ferrari?

RedKloud · 04-26-2016, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmplaya

my 340 xdrive msport with base suspension feels like a boat floating up and down on ocean waves....

This. Really regret not getting the adaptive suspension.

ji99lypuff · 04-26-2016, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedKloud

This. Really regret not getting the adaptive suspension.

Its dissapointing to hear that this is how the xdrive suspension still feels even after the lci. I was thinking of getting a 340xdrive when my328xdrive lease is up but i definitely was looking forward to a awd suspension that has been tweaked a little to feel sporty.

I too feel the xdrive suspension feels floaty and rolly compared to some other cars i have/ have driven.

bri1042 · 04-27-2016, 07:02 AM

As far as I know, the adaptive doesn't really affect anything in comfort mode, but the car does feel different than my '13 in all modes. It was certainly a much more pronounced improvement in sport for the short time I was running through some curves and had popped into Sport mode. I can't say if the comfort mode difference was the "new" factor, the heavier engine up front making the nose less bouncy, the 19's, or if they really did update even the x-drive suspension a bit.

I certainly am glad I didn't back down on getting the Adaptive suspension, though. Sport through the curves was where the car really put a smile on my face.

My old car was quite different on the set of 18" summer wheels I had been putting on it every April through October (but hadn't bothered with the new car coming this year) than it was with the A/S 17's. The larger wheels and summer rubber never stopped it from being nose-bouncy and roll-prone, but they certainly offset the issue with a much sharper steering response and acceleration felt much less muted. I liked my 328 on the summer rubber, and I thought it was a bit boring on the No-Season 17's. Wheel size and tires make a huge difference to the overall feel of a car.

Anyway, this was supposed to be a happy thread. I'm happy with the new car. Weee!

mferek · 04-27-2016, 09:33 AM

So the Adaptive Suspension option that's part of the M Sport package is the same as the one in the Track package, right? I thought I remembered seeing a different suspension name in the Track package, but now on BMW's website they seems to be the same.

RedKloud · 04-27-2016, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mferek

So the Adaptive Suspension option that's part of the M Sport package is the same as the one in the Track package, right? I thought I remembered seeing a different suspension name in the Track package, but now on BMW's website they seems to be the same.

From what I understand, there's no M Sport suspension for the xDrive - it's just base suspension with or without adaptive.

LMK5 · 04-27-2016, 05:36 PM

With over 90% of 3-series being sold with a standard suspension, it's a head-scratcher as to why BMW didn't do a better job on it. The 2016 base suspension does feel better than pre-LCI, but still not what I'd expect.

Funny, but the 2015 sport line loaner I had with 18" summer tires and the msport suspension was not only sporty, but also more comfortable over all road surfaces than my base suspension with 17'' A/S tires. So, unfortunately, the base suspension isn't comfortable or sporty.

04-26-2016, 11:06 AM	#1
bri1042 Brigadier General 5937 Rep 3,291 Posts Drives: 2021 IOMG M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	328xi base with 17's to 340xi M-Sport with Adaptive Suspension and 19's I've put 100 miles on the new car now, including about 60 going up and then back down some big curvy mountain things. It's so weird. The car feels so familiar when I sit down in it, but driving it is so different. The nose isn't bouncy, I went up about 500 feet in elevation on decent slope without bothering to switch out of comfort mode, and there's so little body roll... I never had an e46, so I can't worship at that altar. My e90 experience was limited due to the fact that the one I had wouldn't stop breaking (and I only had it for 7 months). My 328xi was a brilliant balance of price, comfort, and sport when you wanted it. In fact, I actually think it was too balanced for me (tip the scales to sport, please). When I first set foot in the BMW showroom to trade in my Acura RSX-S, I knew what I was looking for but didn't know enough to actually find it. 3 years later, I think I actually have it. I have to go drive somewhere now. No idea where...just somewhere. This break-in period needs to pass! Last edited by bri1042; 04-26-2016 at 11:10 AM.. Reason: words
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04-26-2016, 12:30 PM	#2
JamRWS6 Captain 191 Rep 603 Posts Drives: 2022 X3M Competition Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Wait until you can really put your foot into it. These cars are little monsters. Agreed how much a few different option packages makes the car drive drastically different. __________________ - 2022 X3M Comp - 2021 X5 xDrive 40i - 2018 F80 M3 (sold)
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04-26-2016, 02:08 PM	#4
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	congrats OP. having the right options has always been key for the 3er
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04-27-2016, 07:02 AM	#12
bri1042 Brigadier General 5937 Rep 3,291 Posts Drives: 2021 IOMG M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	As far as I know, the adaptive doesn't really affect anything in comfort mode, but the car does feel different than my '13 in all modes. It was certainly a much more pronounced improvement in sport for the short time I was running through some curves and had popped into Sport mode. I can't say if the comfort mode difference was the "new" factor, the heavier engine up front making the nose less bouncy, the 19's, or if they really did update even the x-drive suspension a bit. I certainly am glad I didn't back down on getting the Adaptive suspension, though. Sport through the curves was where the car really put a smile on my face. My old car was quite different on the set of 18" summer wheels I had been putting on it every April through October (but hadn't bothered with the new car coming this year) than it was with the A/S 17's. The larger wheels and summer rubber never stopped it from being nose-bouncy and roll-prone, but they certainly offset the issue with a much sharper steering response and acceleration felt much less muted. I liked my 328 on the summer rubber, and I thought it was a bit boring on the No-Season 17's. Wheel size and tires make a huge difference to the overall feel of a car. Anyway, this was supposed to be a happy thread. I'm happy with the new car. Weee!
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04-27-2016, 09:33 AM	#13
mferek Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 1999 328i, 2003 X5 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	So the Adaptive Suspension option that's part of the M Sport package is the same as the one in the Track package, right? I thought I remembered seeing a different suspension name in the Track package, but now on BMW's website they seems to be the same.
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04-27-2016, 05:36 PM	#15
LMK5 Lieutenant 147 Rep 477 Posts Drives: 2017 330i Imperial Bloo Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	With over 90% of 3-series being sold with a standard suspension, it's a head-scratcher as to why BMW didn't do a better job on it. The 2016 base suspension does feel better than pre-LCI, but still not what I'd expect. Funny, but the 2015 sport line loaner I had with 18" summer tires and the msport suspension was not only sporty, but also more comfortable over all road surfaces than my base suspension with 17'' A/S tires. So, unfortunately, the base suspension isn't comfortable or sporty.
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