2018 BMW M3 rides too harsh even in comfort mode....

[ssgm1x]

Just bought a new 2018 BMW M3. I find the car to ride a bit hard in the city and was wondering if i can put on some different tires to try and soften the ride a bit.Car has Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires... How can i soften the ride and make it less harsh ?

[ReddsektoR]

car came with SC2's? never saw that before.. unless 2018's are doing something different. Switch to PS4S and it'll be much better. You'll sacrifice some grip, but best all around tire there is for the street, especially for NVH

[ssgm1x]

Originally Posted by ReddsektoR

car came with SC2's? never saw that before.. unless 2018's are doing something different. Switch to PS4S and it'll be much better. Best all around tire there is for the street, especially for NVH

Car was ordered from BMW with M Performance Rims ( same as CS ) and SC2's. 19" front 20" rears.

[ssgm1x]

Originally Posted by ReddsektoR

car came with SC2's? never saw that before.. unless 2018's are doing something different. Switch to PS4S and it'll be much better. You'll sacrifice some grip, but best all around tire there is for the street, especially for NVH

So u think the PS4S will ride a little softer ?

[ReddsektoR]

to some extant yes, and definitely worth it; SC2's are track type tires. The f80 in general has good ride comfort in comfort mode, but its still harder than other cars such as camaro's with magnetic suspension

[ssgm1x]

Originally Posted by ReddsektoR

to some extant yes, and definitely worth it; SC2's are track type tires. The f80 in general has good ride comfort in comfort mode, but its still harder than other cars such as camaro's with magnetic suspension

Ok Thanks !!! I don't know much about the car or the tires. I came over from a F10 535i Bmw. I wanted something sportier and much faster and I definitely got that.... afraid to Floor it....but do miss the comfort of the 5 series ride and the quiet drivers cabin. The M3 has a lot more wind noise in the cabin and takes bumps pretty hard too...but boy does it move!!!!!.
Guess I gotta used to these things now that I have a real sports/track car. lol
Thank u for the advice on tires. Greatly appreciated !!!!

[ReddsektoR]

No problem, the PS4S then are definitely the best tires for you (a lot of forum posts on them here). Quiet, relatively long life, very good grip for the street, and excellent wet traction. Obviously good enough for a few track runs but nothing too serious.

This platform is very stiff and yea you'll give up things like cabin noise and you'll probably get some interior squeaks/rattles, but none of that will make you regret getting it

[golfinz]

Originally Posted by ssgm1x

Just bought a new 2018 BMW M3. I find the car to ride a bit hard in the city and was wondering if i can put on some different tires to try and soften the ride a bit.Car has Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires... How can i soften the ride and make it less harsh ?

If you’re hoping a tire will make the car ride softer, you’ve got the wrong car. The car is stiff but when compared to cars in its class/category, it’s not overly stiff. I feel like the c63 rides a tiny bit softer but any high powered, tuned sports sedan will ride firm.

[Arcades]

It depends on your definition of "softer" ride. If you mean a comfort like 5er, no tires will change the car like that. The M3 wasn't designed to be a luxury cruiser like a 5er.

PS4S will help but if you are looking beyond that then sorry to say there isn't anything you can do. You pretty much got the wrong car if you were looking to be able to get to a 5er level of comfort.

[ssgm1x]

Some pics

[Signature Wheel BMW]

Save the Cup2 for the track, super stiff sidewalls = rough rides. Switch to MP4S and you'll be a happier camper. Once you get the new tires, make sure the tire pressure matches the door sill's recommendation.

Since you're in NJ, you could ride it out for another month then switch to winter tires. You can't drive MP4S or Cup2 when temp is under 55 degrees.

[erictrainer]

Hey man I don't think switching to PS4s will make that much of a difference. Will it be better, maybe marginally, will it be worth it...not IMHO. This car does make some sacrifices to be able to perform in the track and interior noise is one of them. I ride on 19s with PS4s and it is still a loud car. And not to sound negative or anything but I'm not sure there is much you can do that would drastically change it, it is an inherent characteristic of this car.

[erictrainer]

To add to my last post, the cheapest thing and probably most significant thing you can do is check your tire pressures and try running them on the lower side of things. That is where your most gains/dollars will be.

[ssgm1x]

Originally Posted by Signature Wheel BMW

Save the Cup2 for the track, super stiff sidewalls = rough rides. Switch to MP4S and you'll be a happier camper. Once you get the new tires, make sure the tire pressure matches the door sill's recommendation.

Since you're in NJ, you could ride it out for another month then switch to winter tires. You can't drive MP4S or Cup2 when temp is under 55 degrees.

Damn these SC2's !!!!

[ReddsektoR]

Lol having 20” rears with lower profile tires doesn’t help either :/

[dustinrb1985]

Another option is to sell your M performance wheels or keep as secondary set and swap to 18's. Go way down in the looks dept IMO but everyone has their likes and dislikes. I might would keep the MP wheels as I feel like you'll get use to the car after some miles and the roughness won't bother you as much

[Encanto]

Originally Posted by ssgm1x

Car was ordered from BMW with M Performance Rims ( same as CS ) and SC2's. 19" front 20" rears.

Did you notice the SC2 before buying this car? I mean, if you are not tracking then why you want to drive around with a 180AA tire, much less a hard ride?

[Teeone]

If you are going to drive it in the winter or even cold weather, you would want to get other wheels and tires anyway. So you could go with an 18 or 19 inch set that would result in both Taller and softer sidewalls. That would represent the softest bookend you could see, and help you make a decision going forward. Your setup now, with 20 inch wheels, 30 series sidewalls and stiff sidewalls at that being cup2, represents the other bookend as far as ride comfort. Just Selling the cup2 and getting other tires would be the smallest step towards a more comfortable (softer) ride.

[ssgm1x]

I guess a more suitable rim and tire setup for daily driving and winter use is my next purchase.
I'm actually getting used to the ride more now to be honest. It felt harsh the first few days of ownership but am now kinda ok with it as each passing day goes by.
I do hate the fact the car defaults to Sport Suspension and Sport Steering after every re start. Annoys me..... But I have programmed M1 to the way I want the car.
I Also ordered my 1st mod....
The BMS OBD Can Flap module so I can open the exhaust flaps when I want.
Thanks a bunch guys!!! These SC2's will be perfect for when I go to Atco Raceway to see what this car does in the 1/4 mile. I hear they grip Awesome!!!

[domino_z]

tractive suspension + mp4s

tractive shock dampening is spot on, even bigger gain at speed over stock low rent sachs

ps4s tyres just take the edge off nvh, it's still there, you just can't get around having a 30 series sidewall, but it's enough to warrant the cost

[Alan l.]

Originally Posted by erictrainer

To add to my last post, the cheapest thing and probably most significant thing you can do is check your tire pressures and try running them on the lower side of things. That is where your most gains/dollars will be.

This.....

In all of my past cars i've always ran tire pressues in the 36-40psi range so I did the same on my ZCP M3 with 20" 666 wheels. The ride was bone jarring stiff coming from a X5M with 22" wheels. I was surprised to see that BMW only recommends 32psi all around with the comp pack wheels and once i lowered my tire pressures down it was WAY better.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

This.....

In all of my past cars i've always ran tire pressues in the 36-40psi range so I did the same on my ZCP M3 with 20" 666 wheels. The ride was bone jarring stiff coming from a X5M with 22" wheels. I was surprised to see that BMW only recommends 32psi all around with the comp pack wheels and once i lowered my tire pressures down it was WAY better.

Unless the OP changes tires, I would not recommend going that low with the PSC2.

The BMW's recommendation for the PSC2 is 35psi front and rear. Running too low pressures on stiff sidewalled R-comp tires on a street driven car will usually result in excessive shoulder wear.