03-24-2014, 12:16 PM | #1 |
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A question on ride comfort
Hi all,
As I've waited....and waited....and waited for the F80 m3 to come out, I've begun to consider my options. My vehicle is going to be used for daily driving and MOSTLY highway. 15k-20k a year. I've also got a second child on the way. I'm not super concerned with fuel economy, and I prefer a subtle yet present exhaust and engine note, but I do care about ride comfort nowadays. I've read alot of owners of e9x m3's - who had come from an e90 335i - comment that the e9x m3 actually had a noticably nicer ride. I was just looking for feedback on that to anticipate a bit about how BMW might tune their f80 m3. Was is because of the suspension? The run-flats/lack thereof? Etc. Thanks in advance.... Joe |
03-24-2014, 12:46 PM | #2 |
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the runflat tires sure make a difference. they pass every single imperfection in the road directly to the suspension. the tires are a key part of a cars suspension.
The m3 was developed on the nurburging which is a rough road. its not a smooth track by any means. so i think it will be certainly smoother ride than a car with runflats on it. actually if you switch out runflats to a regular tire on a 335i it sorts it out quite nicely.
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03-24-2014, 01:02 PM | #3 |
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My guess is that they'll keep it close to the E9X M3 in ride quality. It's likely they have updated adaptive dampers though with a wider range where I suspect the comfort mode is significantly softer than in the E9X if other F-series cars are any indication. So if your concern is too stiff/communicative I'd opt for the adaptive and I would be surprised if it's not compliant and smooth enough for most.
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03-24-2014, 01:35 PM | #4 |
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I can tell you from experience that every new generation of M3 was significantly more comfortable than the one it replaced.
Yes, the upgrades to suspension were definitely a contributing factor, but that's not all. Chassis/frame refinements also contribute to more comfort, which is often overlooked. No matter what suspension you opt for on the e36 M3, you will NEVER achieve the comfort of the e46 M3 with the same system and settings. Ask me how I know. Same goes for e46 M3 to e92 M3. Except I think the jump in civility and comfort from e36 to e46 M3 was more pronounced. Moreover, as someone already pointed out, tires make a huge difference. Michelin PSS is my tire of choice. Oh, and you'd have to point a gun to my head for me to ever buy runflats again. |
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03-24-2014, 01:44 PM | #5 |
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Thanks gents. I have seen the ride comfort from the e36 to e46 and I think it was a combination of a much better chassis, better interior materials (I think the e36 just increased NVH due to poor interior materials/build quality), and a longer wheelbase. I say this because I think the e46 m3 suspension was actually STIFFER than the e36.
That being said, it's interesting the notes on the comfort adaptive suspension setting and tires alone. Good points. |
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03-24-2014, 02:19 PM | #6 | |
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03-24-2014, 02:50 PM | #7 |
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Adaptive suspension = flexibility.
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03-24-2014, 03:10 PM | #8 | |
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03-24-2014, 08:13 PM | #10 |
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The early 335i Sport Package was way too stiff and rode like a buckboard. The runflats contributed to the rough experience, but the suspension was also oversprung. I think BMW received quite a few complaints about it. The E9XM3 does indeed ride a lot better.
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03-24-2014, 09:32 PM | #11 |
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I'm guessing the Adaptive Suspension option will be perfect for launching your car over those speed bump sized cracks on 202. Even lowered, my E92 was very comfortable except in Sport mode.
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03-24-2014, 09:38 PM | #12 |
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Hmmm... Having a 335 week one build with ZSP, my fix was to dump the runflats and stiffen everything up further. I never thought the original ride was "buckboard" but the runflats seemed wooden. Regardless I expect a superb enthusiast suspension on the F8x. I don't want a Lexus.
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03-24-2014, 09:51 PM | #13 |
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I found the seats to be comfortable for the short time I got to sit in them at the auto show if that helps. More to my liking, my elbows rested comfortably on the door sill and arm rest and there was a leather knee rest on the extended leather. It was a comfortable command cockpit all in all and one that I would like to try on a long haul.
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03-24-2014, 09:52 PM | #14 | |
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03-24-2014, 09:58 PM | #15 |
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03-25-2014, 08:22 AM | #16 |
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The last time I rode in a brand new e90 335i sport package, I found the ride very nice. But I've become a bit more of an old man since then too
My main observation is that many, many e90 owners who went from the 335i to the M3 commented about how the "sportier" m3 rode better. Now that may have been a comment about the adaptive suspension, the tires, or just the overall suspension being better dialed in. I daily drive an e39 m5 lowered on dinan springs and probably semi-worn koni struts. For a 4000 pound sedan, handling is exceptional - but ride quality on long highway drives down 202 (like Money2536 intimated) and along the PA turnpike are a bit more tiring. I will say that this suspension setup may be a bit more track oriented than PA-road oriented though, and I may have been better off staying with BMW's superb stock suspension on this vehicle. |
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03-25-2014, 10:49 AM | #17 |
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We have an e60 535xit for family hauling, but I expect to occasionally need to shepherd 1-2 kids. The f80 is the same size as my e39 m5 for all intents and purposes, so changing from my current ride to an f80 would basically be swapping for a 13 year newer model with all it's bells and whistles (albeit with a less plush interior).
My main concern is 2 hour drives and ride comfort, but it's not like I'm coming from some soft suspension'd system. I also simultaneously want tight and responsive steering, superb brakes, and instantaneous acceleration |
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03-25-2014, 11:13 AM | #18 |
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With admittedly no evidence or experience to back it up, I have a pretty strong feeling that an F80 M3 will provide a more comfortable ride than an E39 M5. A lot of progress has been made in suspension design and technology over the past fifteen years.
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03-25-2014, 11:42 AM | #19 |
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+1. I'm contemplating in buying the M4 and the wife already said the she will only seat in the car on date night. My wife drives the family car, which is an SUV.
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03-25-2014, 11:50 AM | #20 |
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Heheh, my wife can't stand driving SUVs/disconnected cars/light steering. She wants a spacious wagon with sports car like acceleration/handling. The e60 was a big compromise for her - it's not manual transmission (she misses it) and it's a bit boatish, but compared to most SUVs it's quite good.
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03-25-2014, 01:06 PM | #21 |
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I think you should get the adaptive suspension for sure. The tires are a big factor in the ride quality. There are many websites that will review tires and some do an excellent job at road noise and ride comfort so you can always get one of those and you should be set. Now it will never be a lexus or cadilac ride but should be pretty good. As regards to it being a family car i dont think this should be an issue. Just get one of those easily folded small strollers and you should be set. This is YOUR car and YOUR daily driver so it should do a great job at that task and do OK for other tasks. I am getting an M4 and i have a 3 years old that will ride in the back no issues forseen. Granted its a bit of a pain to strap her in the car seat but a sacrifice i am glad to make to be in an M4 as my Daily driver. I do have another family car so we can take it when we are traveling with a bunch of stuff.
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