M sports suspension - is it worth it?

[juhap]

I had a chance to test drive the new Z4 the other day, and I was mainly interested in how the adaptive M sports suspension feels and particularly what the difference is between the Normal and Sport+ modes.

So I figured a cobblestone street would give some kind of indication how much tighter the suspension gets in Sport+ mode. (I realize this is not what it was designed for, but we got lots of those streets here and they're a pain in my E86.) I kept switching back and forth between Normal and Sport+, but I couldn't feel any difference whatsoever. I know my cobblestone test may not translate that well to for example cornering.

Granted, I'm not the guy you'd want to set up your racing car. It took me 2 weeks to notice any difference in throttle sensitivity when playing with the Sport button in E86.

So I'm interested in hearing other peoples experiences of the issue. Also, how can you tell if a car has the M sports suspension? The ride height is lowered by 10 mm, but is that dependent of the selected mode (Normal, Sport, Sport+)?

[aheinz_71]

Originally Posted by juhap

I had a chance to test drive the new Z4 the other day, and I was mainly interested in how the adaptive M sports suspension feels and particularly what the difference is between the Normal and Sport+ modes.

So I figured a cobblestone street would give some kind of indication how much tighter the suspension gets in Sport+ mode. (I realize this is not what it was designed for, but we got lots of those streets here and they're a pain in my E86.) I kept switching back and forth between Normal and Sport+, but I couldn't feel any difference whatsoever. I know my cobblestone test may not translate that well to for example cornering.

Granted, I'm not the guy you'd want to set up your racing car. It took me 2 weeks to notice any difference in throttle sensitivity when playing with the Sport button in E86.

So I'm interested in hearing other peoples experiences of the issue. Also, how can you tell if a car has the M sports suspension? The ride height is lowered by 10 mm, but is that dependent of the selected mode (Normal, Sport, Sport+)?

Are you aware of this slide?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3525999...7615722693868/


I have ordered my E89 with the adaptive suspension. I am also far from being a "race driver". I am more the comfortable cruiser type that sometimes drives a bit sporty.

When driving normally the difference between the three modes is not really that big BUT...

I recently drove my car in Germany and I tested it up to 240 km/h. During this high speed ride I played with the settings and there was a MAJOR difference between Normal and SPORT. In NORMAL mode the ride was so soft it felt unsafe at this speed. It felt like driving with cushions below the tires. When switching to SPORT the control came back and I felt very comfortable at high speeds.

The other scenario where you would feel a major difference is in extensive slalom rides (with a lot of lateral acceleration). Since this means a lot of wear on the material I don't feel like riding like this with my own car


All in all I would recommend choosing the adaptive suspension mainly because it makes the car more versatile.


PS: The ride height is constant. It does not get changed between Normal, Sport and Sport+.

[juhap]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I was aware of that slide, and my expectations were actually based on it. It just doesn't match my personal experience at all. And we don't have any roads where I can drive 240 km/h

Another thing that I forgot to mention is that I've got 17" wheels under my E86, and the E89 had 19" wheels, but still the ride was MUCH softer in the E89. There was hardly any tramlining though, and I doubt that RFTs have improved that much over the past 2-3 years. Maybe also something to do with the suspension geometry in E89...

Since the ride height is constant, is there any way a dummy like me can tell easily if an E89 has the M sports suspension or not? I don't really doubt the dealer's words, I would simply prefer physical evidence

[AndyE1976]

Probably the only way is if it has the button to change the settings. Most people wouldn't notice a 10mm drop without something to refer to.

[aheinz_71]

Originally Posted by AndyE1976

Probably the only way is if it has the button to change the settings. Most people wouldn't notice a 10mm drop without something to refer to.

Unfortunately not. The button is there regardless whether the adaptive suspension is there or not.

Without the adaptive suspension, all the button does is change the reaction times of the automatic as well as the reaction times of the accelerator.

With the adaptive suspension it also changes the dampers.

[aheinz_71]

Originally Posted by juhap

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I was aware of that slide, and my expectations were actually based on it. It just doesn't match my personal experience at all. And we don't have any roads where I can drive 240 km/h

Another thing that I forgot to mention is that I've got 17" wheels under my E86, and the E89 had 19" wheels, but still the ride was MUCH softer in the E89. There was hardly any tramlining though, and I doubt that RFTs have improved that much over the past 2-3 years. Maybe also something to do with the suspension geometry in E89...

Since the ride height is constant, is there any way a dummy like me can tell easily if an E89 has the M sports suspension or not? I don't really doubt the dealer's words, I would simply prefer physical evidence

In the German zroadster forum one guy said that there is a part of the system that contains oil which can be seen through the front wheels (sorry for the bad description - can't word it better in English).

A lot of people (me included) asked for a photo so that we could all check (I also don't trust BMW since they made a big mistake in my car with the HiFi system which now needs to be corrected).

I will ask again for a photo evidence which will make it possible for everybody to check for the existence.

[zEdP]

Hi aheinz_71,

I'm still waiting on my 30i, but I guess you could use the BMW Teilekatalog pictures to see the difference between the with and without adaptive M suspension.

STANDARD:


ADAPTIVE M SUSPENSION:

http://de.bmwfans.info/parts/catalog...bng_wheel_bng/

I assume that the control unit mounted on the shock absorber (above bullet 3) could be visible on the front wheels.

EdP

[aheinz_71]

Originally Posted by zEdP

Hi aheinz_71,

I'm still waiting on my 30i, but I guess you could use the BMW Teilekatalog pictures to see the difference between the with and without adaptive M suspension.

STANDARD:


ADAPTIVE M SUSPENSION:

http://de.bmwfans.info/parts/catalog...bng_wheel_bng/

I assume that the control unit mounted on the shock absorber (above bullet 3) could be visible on the front wheels.

EdP

Thanks, EdP.

As you know from the German forum (where you also posted this info) one guy from the factory (Wolfgang) confirmed this.

The easiest way to tell whether you have the adaptive suspension is checking your front axle for the magnetic valve at your dampers. You can see the valve from outside through the wheel (at least with a 17" wheel and for the 23i (with the smaller brake discs)). There should also be a cable visible going from the magnetic valve to the contol unit.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by aheinz_71

PS: The ride height is constant. It does not get changed between Normal, Sport and Sport+.

Please clarify: are you saying that with the M package it's normally dropped and doesn't go any lower when you push the button?

[zEdP]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

Please clarify: are you saying that with the M package it's normally dropped and doesn't go any lower when you push the button?

Yes, fixed 10mm lower than standard (non M-package).
No, it doesn't drop when enabling the sport or sport+ mode.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by zEdP

Yes, fixed 10mm lower than standard (non M-package).
No, it doesn't drop when enabling the sport or sport+ mode.

Got it - thanks.

[juhap]

Just read the Top Gear review again, and noticed that it claims

The DCT is also the only transmission option which gets BMW's Adaptive M Suspension

This wouldn't be the only factual error in the article, but just to be sure, there's no such limitation right? He's probably refering to DCT being available only with the 35i...

[tiborakos]

From what i have read there is no such limitation, agreed. But it might be country specific, where some kind of "packages" are offered.. ie sports package etc

[welbo]

For me, I use my fingers to see the difference in height btw Adaptive M Suspension and normal suspension. Normal suspenison 4+fingers gap btw tire and wheel arch while M Suspension about 3 fingers gap.

In my country, the dealer term it as M-Running Gear, this refers to a package that combine 7 Speed DCT and Adaptive M suspension and u cannot order any of the above 2 separately.

[KWY91]

How's the new Z4 been working for you here?

[ewps]

Originally Posted by aheinz_71

Are you aware of this slide?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3525999...7615722693868/


I have ordered my E89 with the adaptive suspension. I am also far from being a "race driver". I am more the comfortable cruiser type that sometimes drives a bit sporty.

Hey aheinz_71, I just took delivery of my car and I am trying to figure out if I indeed have the adaptive suspension, unfortunately I got a 35i and because of the large brakepads I am having a hard time looking for the wire and the valve, from other posts it seems that the sport package come with a black headliner. I am just wondering because mine is "white" and because I do not really feel much difference with the different settings. What color is your headliner?

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by ewps

Hey aheinz_71, I just took delivery of my car and I am trying to figure out if I indeed have the adaptive suspension, unfortunately I got a 35i and because of the large brakepads I am having a hard time looking for the wire and the valve, from other posts it seems that the sport package come with a black headliner. I am just wondering because mine is "white" and because I do not really feel much difference with the different settings. What color is your headliner?

This is what your looking for on the shock, right?

[ewps]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

This is what your looking for on the shock, right?

I guess so, I will have to find some way to get under/behind the wheel and look for it. My problem is that the sport package in US is difficult to verify since all the items in the sport package are included in the premium/ivory white packages. The only additional item is the adaptive M suspension which I am having a hard time "feeling"...

I was hoping to get confirmation through the headliner color, it seems in some countries you get the black headliner with the sport package, I wanted to find out if the US package was the same.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by ewps

I guess so, I will have to find some way to get under/behind the wheel and look for it. My problem is that the sport package in US is difficult to verify since all the items in the sport package are included in the premium/ivory white packages. The only additional item is the adaptive M suspension which I am having a hard time "feeling"...

I was hoping to get confirmation through the headliner color, it seems in some countries you get the black headliner with the sport package, I wanted to find out if the US package was the same.

I have the Ivory interior and sport package. I have a white headliner.
I can definitely feel a difference in sport mode and a bit more firm in sport +.
Any non-smooth road should be a good enough test.

What wheels do you have? The turbine spoke (thin and thick spokes) is the standard wheel, not changed with the Ivory White package.

PS: I do feel that the adjustable suspension adds a lot to the car. Decently smooth around town or on interstate but nicely firm in sport mode for spirited drives. Although I still don't like the feel of the RFTs at the limit.

[ewps]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I have the Ivory interior and sport package. I have a white headliner.
I can definitely feel a difference in sport mode and a bit more firm in sport +.
Any non-smooth road should be a good enough test.

What wheels do you have? The turbine spoke (thin and thick spokes) is the standard wheel, not changed with the Ivory White package.

PS: I do feel that the adjustable suspension adds a lot to the car. Decently smooth around town or on interstate but nicely firm in sport mode for spirited drives. Although I still don't like the feel of the RFTs at the limit.

thanks, hopefully I will be able to feel the difference as soon as I am over with the break in period and I can start pushing it.