BMW M3 / M4 Chassis: Deep Dive and Interview

[ersin]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Wait, what? Can you pull that quote - I'm not seeing it/finding it.

Edit, I see this: "And the dampers are much lighter than in the base model due to the fact that they are made of aluminium."

"Much lighter" huh? Be interested to know by how much. I thought this was going to increase weight.

You just beat me to it with your edit. LOL.

So adaptive suspension and 6-speed manual will get you a lighter F8x. How much does leather option weigh (both extended and full) over cloth?


Cheers.

[RSXDC5]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Wait, what? Can you pull that quote - I'm not seeing it/finding it.

Edit, I see this: "And the dampers are much lighter than in the base model due to the fact that they are made of aluminium."

"Much lighter" huh? Be interested to know by how much. I thought this was going to increase weight.

I think he was referring to the fact that the M3/M4 dampers (passive or adaptive) are aluminum and lighter compared to 320i/328i/335i/etc dampers

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Wait, what? Can you pull that quote - I'm not seeing it/finding it.

Edit, I see this: "And the dampers are much lighter than in the base model due to the fact that they are made of aluminium."

"Much lighter" huh? Be interested to know by how much. I thought this was going to increase weight.

Right. If base model = F3x, then ??? If = passive, then ...

The general context is that he is talking about the adaptive compared to passive, but really no way of knowing here. For sure we must know if standard passive dampers are aluminum, which would make 'base' clearly F3x.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Earlier in the article Mr. Barbrich references the "base model" as the F3x; and references the passive damper setup as the "standard suspension" more than once. For this reason I believe he is referencing the F3x active dampers' weight as compared to the F8x active dampers.

[E92mech]

Some dude from a tuner shop in California will slap a set of springs on this bad boy and it'll be better than M adaptive suspension.

[Racer20]

Originally Posted by E92mech

Some dude from a tuner shop in California will slap a set of springs on this bad boy and it'll be better than M adaptive suspension.

I hope you're joking. A set of springs will not make the passive suspension better than the adaptive set up on this car.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

And the track and the dirt...

I was surprised to hear that Adaptive is lighter than passive.

I'm not sure that is what he is saying. It could be that he is saying that the adapative suspension on the M3 is lighter than the adaptive suspension on the F30.

He says "base model" in an earlier sentence here:

"The axle design is completely new and entirely M specific, in other words no parts have been adopted from the base model. This elaborate design significantly enhances performance, driveability and response."

This sentence is definately a comparison between the M3/M4 and the F3X.

[solstice]

Very nice interview. Superb questions. Thank you!

I don't see any preference from the engineer between passive or adaptive. I'm 110% confident in my own choice of passive suspension for my preferences. Not that it will perform better on the track, I just prefer the feel of a passive suspension if it's a good one. All reviews so far points to that it's not only good but great just as it is on the E90.

I'd strongly recommend that you who are on the fence test out both. Reading technical data and design philosophies will not tell you enough about the difference in resulting feel. It's quite an important part of the car.

[Pure]

Interesting information.
Since last generation M3 was suspension components in aluminum.
Let's wait special editions with coilovers or even lighter suspensions.
So the kings suspensions remain German cars because they develop more technical and much more testing than any other manufacturer.
Also compare the materials and are able to obtain excellence in management.

[StealYourFace]

Awesome info.

An M3 with a stick, no other options would be the car for me. It will be interesting to see these things in the real world and at the track. I can't wait!!

[v.d.a. Schule]

Originally Posted by GoDucksYellO

I have really enjoyed this series. Thanks for taking the time to put it together Jason.

This is a truly excellent series for relating technical details to how the car feels. The ability of the active suspension to rapidly recalibrate depending on road conditions explains why there are times "sport" feels like "comfort." It makes sense now but initially surprised me.

[BPe90M3]

I daily my standard suspension. Not looking back or regretting it at all

[Vigilant]

Have passive suspension also...no complaints...currently.

[Kyuze]

Originally Posted by 1stm3f80

I went passive. F it I'd be in sport all the time anyways.

+1 ^^