Adaptive suspension - Is it for comfort or for handling?

[ryank382]

Hi guys i did a quick search but i couldnt really find an answer to my question (maybe im bad at searching). some people liked adaptive suspension and others didnt need it. what im trying to find out is if adaptive is for comfort needs or handling? i have no problem with driving on a rough suspension and do not need a comfort mode but if it helps with performance than i will consider it. Thanks in advance

[AndyLu]

it's supposed to have the suspension setting changed on the fly. from something mild to something aggressive.

[Brindle101]

Originally Posted by ryank382

Hi guys i did a quick search but i couldnt really find an answer to my question (maybe im bad at searching). some people liked adaptive suspension and others didnt need it. what im trying to find out is if adaptive is for comfort needs or handling? i have no problem with driving on a rough suspension and do not need a comfort mode but if it helps with performance than i will consider it. Thanks in advance

Here's the deal. Sport plus is definitely more aggressive and track balanced than non-adaptive suspension. However, if you are hardcore and want to track the car get the non adaptive because you can put a set of coil overs on it, and it will handle better than adaptive.

[Arcades]

I think if you don't care about how hard the ride is, you can opt to avoid getting the adaptive suspensions.

However, I'd still get it mainly because it gives you the option to choose. But that's just me

[sameh]

I had my E92 for 5 years and only changed suspension setting 5-10% of the time. 90% of the time I kept it on the medium setting (I think it was sport). Every now and then I put it on sport plus but it's definitely not a daily driving setting. So I decided to save 1000 and did not get my current F80 with that option. Not missing it.

[Taimur]

Originally Posted by sameh

I had my E92 for 5 years and only changed suspension setting 5-10% of the time. 90% of the time I kept it on the medium setting (I think it was sport). Every now and then I put it on sport plus but it's definitely not a daily driving setting. So I decided to save 1000 and did not get my current F80 with that option. Not missing it.

+1

[Dethsupp0rt]

After driving in sport for a few days, I don't think it's too jarring for daily use. The passive suspension would probably be fine.

However, it's nice to have the option for a small amount of coin. I'm glad I got it.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by ryank382

Hi guys i did a quick search but i couldnt really find an answer to my question (maybe im bad at searching). some people liked adaptive suspension and others didnt need it. what im trying to find out is if adaptive is for comfort needs or handling? i have no problem with driving on a rough suspension and do not need a comfort mode but if it helps with performance than i will consider it. Thanks in advance

BMW's Adaptive M Suspension is absolutely a steel for $1K, but you really need it if you drive on crappy roads (e.g.: New England) where "comfort" setting is the only way to make for a tolerable commute. There is nothing not to like about it, other than minimal price bump.

If you live in the South, or intend to modify the suspension to make it more track-worthy, than you could consider saving the $1K.
But first drive the cars back-to-back with the traditional passive suspension and M Adaptive, and then conclude for yourself if you can live without it.

a

[Mandi90TT]

Short answer is yes. It's for both. If you plan to get coilovers though, don't get adaptive suspension

[ryank382]

thanks for all the responses. im not getting coils nor am i concerned with soft settings or comfortable commutes. My only concern is missing out on a stiffer, better handling ride, as a good stiff suspension is important for me when it comes to enjoying the car. however, if you say that the difference in stiffness/handling is only a slight barely noticeable upgrade between passive and sport+ on adaptive then im going to pass on that option

Edit: Im not a dedicated track driver either. if i go it will be for fun not the fastest times. i just simply enjoy driving on a stiffer suspension more than a soft ride

[Mandi90TT]

The adaptive suspension is active. That is, it changes stiffness within a range based on speed and driving. So it is more than just a single stiffness change for each setting.
Cheapest performance mod out there. Well worth it. But it's your car and do what you want.

[ryank382]

sounds like its not night and day but certainly helps. i guess ill see if there is a passive suspension model to test drive and if i like it ill just stick with that. Thanks for the responses and help everyone

[rabman5]

Didn't have it on my E92, but so glad I have it on my M4. Makes driving in Michigan roads more bearable on comfort setting.

[RocketBoots]

If you read through some of the adaptive suspension threads on here, you'll see that not only do most people, including a suspension engineer, say to get it, but that it's a bargain for $1k.

I really like it, and I've never had a car with active suspension. IME though, the comfort setting is still way more stiff that an F3X, and the sport + setting isn't bad at all if you've had other sports cars (not as stiff as everyone says). YMMV though.

[ES_TRADER]

I got the adaptive and glad I did. I keep it in sport plus 100% of the time and the ride can get jarring but not as jarring as e92 zcp on sport plus. I was a little disappointed about that but now am used to it.

When traveling over a harsh road, and u flip through the settings u can notice a diff between comfort and plus. Like the guy above said comfort is still harsher than stock f3x.

I still get creaks and pops from driving in comfort mode over bumps so since it's not really helping the interior noise level I just leave it in plus

[CanAutM3]

I'll just reiterate what others have already posted.

The primary benefit of the adaptive suspension is performance. Since it is dynamically varying the damper rates as you drive to adapt to varying driving conditions, it provides better damping than the base fixed dampers of the non-adaptive suspension. This is true regardless of which setting you chose (Comfort/Sport/Sport+).

A side benefit of the adaptive suspension is that you can set it in a comfortable setting for the daily drive.

[ryank382]

I really appreciate the responses. I now know exactly the difference between the two. im gonna try to drive both if i can but most likely will only drive whatever the dealer has. im leaning towards the passive since i do not think the adaptive provides a significant benefit in handling and i have no need for comfort settings.

Thanks everyone

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by ryank382

I really appreciate the responses. I now know exactly the difference between the two. im gonna try to drive both if i can but most likely will only drive whatever the dealer has. im leaning towards the passive since i do not think the adaptive provides a significant benefit in handling and i have no need for comfort settings.

Thanks everyone

Seems that you haven't read the responses very well ...

The active suspension WILL IMPROVE HANDLING !!!

I hope it is clear enough this time

[mtecnic]

I had adaptive on my e92 and order my f80 without it.

Don't miss it, don't need it. I'll be putting laps down at Road America next weekend and pretty sure won't care that I don't have it.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Seems that you haven't read the responses very well ...

The active suspension WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE HANDLING !!!

I hope it is clear enough this time

Fixed that for you.

[ryank382]

haha ok if it SIGNIFICANTLY improves handling then i will give it some serious consideration lol

[Racer20]

Agree with Can Aut and Dave. The ONLY reason to pass on it is if you plan to swap for coil overs. It's one of the best bang for buck options on the car.

You get improved ride and improved handling.