driving comfort and control

[domino_z]

the problem is, for those of us who have had previous gen m3's, they never used to be this stiff/compromised

i've owned an e36 m3 and e46 m4 back in their day, and even without adaptive shocks, they were far better damped yet still managed to feel sporty and handle as good as any car based on a non-bespoke chassis should

somewhere in the last 5-10 years, manufacturers started equating sportiness with overly stiff dampening

i have a current c63s in the family fleet, and that is notably stiffer and harsher than the previous gen c63 i owned, horribly so on certain roads given how crashy it is over broken tarmac (worse than the f80)

there are exceptions, porsche seem to know how to suspension tune a car, and my Jag F-type R especially has the best dampening i've experienced in a road car yet - maybe because it was r&d'd on UK b roads which are no different to ours

[CrazyLatte]

Thanks for the input guys! I'm really glad that I asked the question! I haven't test driven the M3 yet but given the comments I don't think I need to...

I do intend to keep the X4 for the wife - I'm now leaning towards a C43 for myself rather than a M3.

[domino_z]

C43 ride isn't that great either, in fact imo the f80 is better damped

the C43 falls into the same problem i mentioned above - making the shocks overly stiff because sporty badge, most reviews comment on this too

my advice would be to try swing an extended or full day test drive of any new car before purchasing, you often gloss over issues like this on that round the block drive as the new car novelty over powers logic and reason lol

the car you're after would be a new S4, that is going to be the perfect balance between comfort and sportiness. I've driven the S4, for me it was a bit characterless, but i read the S5 sportback is more on the sporty side

[04S]

Originally Posted by domino_z

Im balls deep into the ride comfort and dampening in a car

My first experience with an f8x was a first gen m4 and the ride quality was so bad I ditched the idea and went and bought an rs3. Then BMW released the comp pack and I gave it another go - the dampening was far improved but road noise was still there. It was however good enough to get me to buy one

After 6k km and new car novelty wearing off, the m3 comp pack with the oe Michelin mpss tyres is right on the limit of being tolerable on street. I couldn't drive it every day, luckily I have another sports cars that is a lot smoother and much better damped

That was until I ditched the mpss for the new Michelin ps4s - the difference is night and day, the constant drumming is gone, it's quieter, smoother, less harsh over broken tarmac, it's as if I've gone from a 30 series to a 35 or 40 series tyre

On ps4s the m3 is as smooth as you need a sports sedan to be for a daily. Efficient throttle, comfort suspension and steering, and it's really no harsher than my s3 or rs3 was on 35 series mpss

Domino, I am interested in trying the ps4s's on my M3. What sizes did you go for (I have read that there is a wider and narrower option on the rear tyre) ?

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by 04S

Domino, I am interested in trying the ps4s's on my M3. What sizes did you go for (I have read that there is a wider and narrower option on the rear tyre) ?

My car is a zcp so I went with oe sizes

265/30/20 and 285/30/20

All that talk in the ps4s thread about different widths went right over my head, I just stick with what the countless hours of r&d at manufacturer level came up with

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1391626

[05C4R]

BMW really stuffed up the slow speed ride, I never knew cats eyes could rattle a whole car, that said its my family car and my wife and 10 month old are out and about in it all the time lol

Advan can code the US comfort setting which helps a bit

[elisiX]

Can you elaborate more on the US comfort setting? Is there a thread we can read?

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by 05C4R

BMW really stuffed up the slow speed ride, I never knew cats eyes could rattle a whole car, that said its my family car and my wife and 10 month old are out and about in it all the time lol

Advan can code the US comfort setting which helps a bit

running over road reflectors isnt a dampening issue - that's a tyre sidewall and suspension bushing issue

the F8X runs a solid mount rear subframe, and the front subframe is heavily reinforced so there is very little give in the chassis, and those shock loads translate straight into the cabin. Even the most comfortable shocks won't eliminate the crash from road reflectors or broken tarmac

what you need there is a nice soft tyre sidewall to absorb the shock before it travels up into the chassis - 18" ps4s would be best for this car in terms of comfort

[elisiX]

lol, but who in their right mind is going to do that

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by elisiX

lol, but who in their right mind is going to do that

18's?

excuse me sir, is this 1997

[05C4R]

Originally Posted by elisiX

Can you elaborate more on the US comfort setting? Is there a thread we can read?

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1324041

I think you know about this already

[05C4R]

Originally Posted by domino_z

running over road reflectors isnt a dampening issue - that's a tyre sidewall and suspension bushing issue

the F8X runs a solid mount rear subframe, and the front subframe is heavily reinforced so there is very little give in the chassis, and those shock loads translate straight into the cabin. Even the most comfortable shocks won't eliminate the crash from road reflectors or broken tarmac

what you need there is a nice soft tyre sidewall to absorb the shock before it travels up into the chassis - 18" ps4s would be best for this car in terms of comfort

i'll definitely try out the PS4's

[zeus2212]

Originally Posted by CrazyLatte

Thanks for the input guys! I'm really glad that I asked the question! I haven't test driven the M3 yet but given the comments I don't think I need to...

I do intend to keep the X4 for the wife - I'm now leaning towards a C43 for myself rather than a M3.

C43 is just a 340i , not a same class with c63 or m3

[elisiX]

Originally Posted by 05C4R

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1324041

I think you know about this already

Yup, I've seen that however I'm looking for more details.

[CrazyLatte]

Originally Posted by zeus2212

C43 is just a 340i , not a same class with c63 or m3

Nothing to do with class or cost - purely want a daily driver that can move the family on weekends. its pretty obvious in this thread that M3 isn't that car.

I've got a X4 35i now so a 340 is just too similar. F30 is a nice car but I'm just not into it after owning one for 2/3 years. That crazy wind noise at 70-80km/h is mad. Its not even fast yet the amount of wind noise I was getting would make me think I'm driving at 120km/h

[eff1dude]

I don't understand what all the fuss is regarding the ride on the M3. I have a late '16 M3 CP and it is my daily driver. I take my family on extended drives as well as trips around town and the M3 is always the car they want to go in.

At no stage have I thought that it rides too harshly (and I moved to the M3 from an Audi A8!!).

It certainly isn't like 'riding on a cloud' but seriously, if you want that then you're looking at the wrong car. I really think you should go and take one for a drive and make up your own mind. As is obvious by the replies, one persons 'too harsh' is another persons 'comfortable'.

My 2c

[elisiX]

Some of the responses are making me laugh. The M3 ride is harsh, though it depends on the circumstances.

Is it acceptable as a family car for weekends away and road trips? Not in my opinion.

Is it acceptable as a family car for short trips to school and local weekend activities. Absolutely.

Is it acceptable for the daily commute for the average enthusiast. Absolutely.

I just wouldn't have it as my only car. I'm an enthusiast and I leave home early and come home late so traffic isn't too bad. If I were in peak hour, I think I would get over it, quickly.

[drgmt]

I'm a doctor and on the road a fair bit - and I can't live with it as my only car. In traffic on Sydney's roads - it's just to much for me.

[im_dave]

I drive in comfort suspension settings in all modes, still a bit harsh but nothing overtly ridiculous. Sport and Sport Plus suspension is too harsh and driving the car on anything but smooth roads is uncomfortable.

One thing I find the car quite low for shopping centres, speed humps, driveways and hence I did not get M perf front spoiler as it would be way too low.

Another point is the Merino leather marks quite easily compared to other 'cheaper' leathers like the Dakota. Not very kid friendly =)

[drgmt]

I think the roads one drives on makes a big difference to drivability. On good bitumen it's great.

[JL1]

Originally Posted by domino_z

the problem is, for those of us who have had previous gen m3's, they never used to be this stiff/compromised

i've owned an e36 m3 and e46 m4 back in their day, and even without adaptive shocks, they were far better damped yet still managed to feel sporty and handle as good as any car based on a non-bespoke chassis should

somewhere in the last 5-10 years, manufacturers started equating sportiness with overly stiff dampening

i have a current c63s in the family fleet, and that is notably stiffer and harsher than the previous gen c63 i owned, horribly so on certain roads given how crashy it is over broken tarmac (worse than the f80)

there are exceptions, porsche seem to know how to suspension tune a car, and my Jag F-type R especially has the best dampening i've experienced in a road car yet - maybe because it was r&d'd on UK b roads which are no different to ours

Could not agree more in regards to the C63S, I had one and it was a hideous ride quality, even in comfort the C63S is a joke! It was enough to make me sell the car.

My 15' LCi F80 M3 is very compliant in comfort mode, i do plan on getting the MP4S is the coming weeks! I did test drive a 17' LCI2 Comp pack M3 and it rides way too harsh for me personally, Daily driving or having fun the ride quality is un-acceptable for me.

[CrazyLatte]

Thanks for all the input. By way of update, I end up purchasing a Tesla Model S. about the same price and similar speed - obviously not as characteristic as a M3. It however gave me the pace, comfort and size I need to move the family around while being fun!