Adaptive M Suspension..Is it needed?

[jskrilla]

Honest question, do we really need the Adaptive M Suspension added on to the "M" model? You woulda thought the M Suspension would be automatically included but its an extra 1k just. Basically i want to know what the difference is between the Adaptive M Suspension and the stock suspension that comes with the car.

[Sir Loin]

do a search, or read the FAQ sticky thread at the top of the forum.

[SteveSpy]

For those that don't care about these things it's just a gadget. If you really don't track the car and intend only to use it as a DD then don't get it, but in the grand scheme of things, what's a grand out of eighty??

[ss134]

Standard in the UK- could I live without it, probably but I could also live without the HUD, upgraded stereo, 19 inch wheels............the list goes on.

If you like being able to make the suspension softer and more comfortable than the standard suspension and also firmer than the standard suspension then you need it. I believe the standard suspension is set between sport and sport +.

[m4pewpew]

Originally Posted by jskrilla

Honest question, do we really need the Adaptive M Suspension added on to the "M" model? You woulda thought the M Suspension would be automatically included but its an extra 1k just. Basically i want to know what the difference is between the Adaptive M Suspension and the stock suspension that comes with the car.

You might wanna read this if not already:
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...light=adaptive

Racer20's review basically made me order the adaptive m suspension.

[Mr T]

Originally Posted by jskrilla

Honest question, do we really need the Adaptive M Suspension added on to the "M" model? You woulda thought the M Suspension would be automatically included but its an extra 1k just. Basically i want to know what the difference is between the Adaptive M Suspension and the stock suspension that comes with the car.

Comfort mode is perfect for round town trips.....I believe it makes a big difference to the overall flexibility of the car. Free to me since I am in the UK but it is an option I would tick.

My wife's Golf GTI also has adaptive suspension, and again, it comes highly recommended.

[tcpsoft]

If you want the car to automatically adapt to varying conditions and driving styles, Adaptive M is the way to go. If you like consistency, for better or worse, the "standard" suspension is quite capable.

There's a nice interview on m-power with one of the chassis engineers talking about the suspension and he goes into the Adaptive M vs Stock. Quick excerpt below:

Which of the modes COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT PLUS of the Adaptive M suspension can the standard suspension best be compared to?

That's a relatively difficult question to answer. Due to the elaborate regulation logic and sensor system, the Adaptive M suspension is able to achieve superstructure cohesion and increased comfort at the same time. This is usually the conflict you always have with the suspension set-up: achieving the best possible cohesion so as to be able to run on demanding tracks like the Nürburgring Nordschleife as fast as possible, for example - but also retaining the required amount of comfort for everyday driving. The car mustn't demonstrate any after-response or pumping, let alone take off over hollows and crests. In terms of superstructure cohesion, the standard suspension is somewhere between SPORT and SPORT PLUS, in terms of comfort it is more equivalent to SPORT PLUS.

Leaving the aspect of comfort aside, which is important in everyday driving, and just looking at the car's driving dynamics qualities: is the Adaptive M suspension superior from this one-sided point of view as well?

In the standard suspension we tried to achieve the best possible compromise over all possible race track profiles. In the case of the regulated Adaptive M suspension, even more individual adaptation is possible here. On the Nürburgring Nordschleife I personally use SPORT mode. On a fairly level race track, however, SPORT PLUS would be the best choice.
In any case: with extreme grip potential, the new BMW M3 and BMW M4 still remain very driveable at all times.
The data measured by the sensors impacts dynamically on the suspension set-up.

You might say that the standard suspension is set up once, while the Adaptive M suspension is set up every 2.5 milliseconds?

(laughs). Correct.

Can this result in an overlap of the setting ranges? In other words, even the COMFORT setting could lead to the suspension being tightened significantly if required by the relevant manoeuvres?

There are manoeuvres where the COMFORT setting is just as sporty as in SPORT and SPORT PLUS. Maximum damping power potential is used here, regardless of the setting

All this being said, I've had the standard suspension on track three days so far and haven't felt the need to change yet.

[jskrilla]

Originally Posted by tcpsoft

If you want the car to automatically adapt to varying conditions and driving styles, Adaptive M is the way to go. If you like consistency, for better or worse, the "standard" suspension is quite capable.

There's a nice interview on m-power with one of the chassis engineers talking about the suspension and he goes into the Adaptive M vs Stock. Quick excerpt below:



All this being said, I've had the standard suspension on track three days so far and haven't felt the need to change yet.

Appreciate that

[jskrilla]

Originally Posted by ss134

Standard in the UK- could I live without it, probably but I could also live without the HUD, upgraded stereo, 19 inch wheels............the list goes on.

If you like being able to make the suspension softer and more comfortable than the standard suspension and also firmer than the standard suspension then you need it. I believe the standard suspension is set between sport and sport +.

Yes completely agree with you on that, but sport and sport + isnt too bad if you like driving with your foot on the floor!

[Brosef]

get it

[1stm3f80]

I passed on it. I am buying a sports car. I would have had it in sport + all the time anyways. After putting around in a land yacht aka 535i I can't wait to feel the bumps. I'll spend my 1k in Cabo San Lucas.

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by m4pewpew

You might wanna read this if not already:
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...light=adaptive

Racer20's review basically made me order the adaptive m suspension.

this

I think its pretty clear that most people do not fully undertand what adaptive suspension is

it is not simply a switch between modes, its an active suspension system a la PASM from Porsche.

I ordered it as it is incredible technology, and makes a big difference on p cars, hopefully the same on the m3.

[SOM3]

YES

[SOM3]

Originally Posted by 1stm3f80

I passed on it. I am buying a sports car. I would have had it in sport + all the time anyways. After putting around in a land yacht aka 535i I can't wait to feel the bumps. I'll spend my 1k in Cabo San Lucas.

Which sports car is that?

[1stm3f80]

Originally Posted by SOM3

Which sports car is that?

The M3 ordered pick up in September!!

[ss134]

Originally Posted by jskrilla

Yes completely agree with you on that, but sport and sport + isnt too bad if you like driving with your foot on the floor!

Not nice when you're on a bumpy undulating road with poor surface trying to drive fast though- in these conditions the car will be faster and more controllable with suspension in comfort. Don't assume sport + is the fastest suspension setting - depends on the road.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by 1stm3f80

I passed on it. I am buying a sports car. I would have had it in sport + all the time anyways. After putting around in a land yacht aka 535i I can't wait to feel the bumps. I'll spend my 1k in Cabo San Lucas.

There are roads here that I cannot have the car in sport + on and drive fast. The car gets thrown off line and skips from bump to bump- Sport or Comfort and it can actually drive faster on these roads while retaining control.

Remember- you will not have the stiffer Sport + on your car without the adaptive suspension so if you really want it to feel stiff and feel the bumps like you said yould be wise to order it!

[1stm3f80]

Originally Posted by ss134

There are roads here that I cannot have the car in sport + on and drive fast. The car gets thrown off line and skips from bump to bump- Sport or Comfort and it can actually drive faster on these roads while retaining control.

Remember- you will not have the stiffer Sport + on your car without the adaptive suspension so if you really want it to feel stiff and feel the bumps like you said yould be wise to order it!

Maybe I'll see if I can still add it.only 1k

[Zeroblade]

So...

Standard Suspension = no button next to shifter on center console
Adaptive M = button next to shifter that lets you pick Comfort, Sport, Sport+

?

[boogie1]

If the adaptive suspension will feed you or provide shelter it's def needed. If not its just an option ull prob want.

[imserious]

Like it or not the M3/4 aims to be the best all around car, not pure sports car. The adjustability of the suspension along with steering, throttle, etc work together towards this end. I would get the M adaptive. It allows you to go from cush to stiff and you do feel the difference.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by Zeroblade

So...

Standard Suspension = no button next to shifter on center console
Adaptive M = button next to shifter that lets you pick Comfort, Sport, Sport+

?

Correct!