Do the MY2018 have softer suspension than past models?

[Jerich0]

Hello Guys...

Used to have a 16 M4 with 19 OEM Wheels, liked the car but hated the ride... its soft on the big stuff but very hard on the little stuff like road expansions or uneven pavement which makes no sense at all.

Wondering if BMW tweaked the suspension on the newer models to make it more liveable...

Thanks!
JC

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by Jerich0

Hello Guys...

Used to have a 16 M4 with 19 OEM Wheels, liked the car but hated the ride... its soft on the big stuff but very hard on the little stuff like road expansions or uneven pavement which makes no sense at all.

Wondering if BMW tweaked the suspension on the newer models to make it more liveable...

Thanks!
JC

The competition M3 model 2017 that I have is pretty bloody harsh. Sport mode on Sydney Roads is downright unpleasant

[EricSMG]

I can't believe how stiff the '18 ZCP I drove was. I mean, I can because 20s but my god was it borderline too 'hard'. Not soft or luxurious by any stretch - a young man's car, which, ironically, young men can't afford.

[lukej]

Yup that’s the trade off ,,, of a performance car versus a luxury car .. It’s hard to have both..

I have the CP and 20” wheels and yes it’s rough on sport+

But I love taking that on ramp with hardly no body roll...

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Jerich0

Hello Guys...

Used to have a 16 M4 with 19 OEM Wheels, liked the car but hated the ride... its soft on the big stuff but very hard on the little stuff like road expansions or uneven pavement which makes no sense at all.

Wondering if BMW tweaked the suspension on the newer models to make it more liveable...

Thanks!
JC

Did your car have the adaptive M suspension?

I just drove a 2018 with comp package and 19" wheels and thought the ride was much better than my M2. To be clear, when I refer to ride, I mean the ups and downs of the road.

However, my dealer says I should drive a two year old M3 and see how rough they ride.

[al3xander]

My 16 F80 on the 18 inch 513m with PSS rides so nice. I haven't driven a ZCP with 666 20 inch wheels though

[captainaudio]

After my "Pothole Explosions" episodes in my 2007 335i with sport suspension and RFTs I was gun shy,

My 2015 M4 has the adaptive suspension and 18s. It is stiff but not harsh and a huge improvement over the 335i was before i ditched the RFTs and installed Koni FSD dampers.

I am on the market for a new M4 and definitely don't want 20s and will probably pass on the competition package.

I don't buy into "you have to have an overly stiff suspension if you want performance." An overly stiff suspension results in lousy handling on anything but pristine surfaces. The suspension needs to be compliant enough to keep the tires in contact with the road surface. My 335i bounced all over the place on rough roads, bent rims and bubbled tires.

My Jaguar rides very well, handles very well and has no body roll.

[mrmoua2u]

Coming from F82 without adaptive suspension to a F80 ZCP with adaptive, I can stay I love the ride with the 20's more. I don't have much time yet on the F80 but do notices when its on Sport, its fells like comfort on my old F82. Grip and handling feel much more balance, maybe its because of MSS vs the Continental.

[Celestion]

My early 2016 f80 rode pretty harshly until I did an I-level update.

[Habber]

I have an 18' CP with the 20's and don't notice it being too harsh at all but again this is personal taste.

Don't know how people can answer this question for you.

[armani335]

Mine rides nice than my previous 2015 WRX. Although I have to be careful driving around SF potholes.

[drgmt]

The pilot sport 4S tyres I purchased recently improved the ride quality by some margin

[Circuit Hunter]

Comp pack drives incredible, I don't find it harsh at all. Its a performance car and I wouldn't it expect to be softer.

[captainaudio]

[Jerich0]

What about this video?

Nick Murray describes the CP as "far more comfortable" vs his standard M4...

[doug_999]

I did drive a CP with 20s and found the ride unbearable. Not the suspension mind you, but the actual ride. Here in Chicago... well I don't know why you would get those wheels. In fact, I don't think I've seen one review that thought they were a good idea.

I have the 19s now with the CP and the ride is just perfect (well I'm on my 18" snows but the 19s were fine). I can't believe how much better the car feels than my M2 (no adjustable suspension on the M2). In short, without the adjustable suspension, the M2/M3/M4 all probably ride the same.

Just my 2 cents of course. Now I have to go watch Nick's video!

[SMV_M4]

I have a 16 M4 with M adaptive suspension and I ride exclusively in Sport Plus. Hit a pothole 6 inches deep last week and could swear I felt my spine compress. I ended up uninsured but both wheels that crossed through it were bent for a nice 3000 dollar unexpected replacement bill.

[MPoweRo]

It's completely personal and dependent on both your tastes, driving environment and intended purpose.

My 18 Comp on 20s 666 with Cup 2s is quite comfortable in my opinion around Melbourne.

[Jerich0]

Originally Posted by MPoweRo

It's completely personal and dependent on both your tastes, driving environment and intended purpose.

My 18 Comp on 20s 666 with Cup 2s is quite comfortable in my opinion around Melbourne.

mmm.. How are the roads in Melbourne?

[MPoweRo]

Better than Sydney but not Scandinavia smooth.

[Bigsurprise]

I have a '18 on the 19" 437M with adaptive and I think the ride is really nice. I usually have it set to sport or sport + because I like a firmer ride, but I wish there was even a firmer setting.

I come from a '15 335i w/ adaptive so it isn't like I'm used to really firm rides, it's just that the M3 rides so comfortably! I can remember some earlier reviews for the car complained about the overly harsh ride. BMW really must have softened things up since 2014.

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by Celestion

My early 2016 f80 rode pretty harshly until I did an I-level update.

This. Mine was crap until I had an iStep update at the dealer - everything seemed to come together after the update.