Top Gear says.....

[mynameisplayer]

"The X7 M50d version, a 2,450kg diesel off-roader, equals the Nordschleife time of the V8-engined E90 M3." Wow.

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by mynameisplayer

"The X7 M50d version, a 2,450kg diesel off-roader, equals the Nordschleife time of the V8-engined E90 M3." Wow.

But wasn't as much fun to drive?

[domino_z]

developing cars on the ring just makes them shit on the road, but the marketing departments know this creates hits/interest

ime the best cars to handle a bumpy broken aussie b road are cars developed on UK roads

[BLKM4]

Originally Posted by domino_z

developing cars on the ring just makes them shit on the road, but the marketing departments know this creates hits/interest

ime the best cars to handle a bumpy broken aussie b road are cars developed on UK roads

I remember reading in one of the car mags some time ago that a relatively small number of laps around the Nurburgring could replicate the wear & tear of thousands of kilometers of real-world mileage.

I can't remember the numbers used in the article but it could be one of the reasons why some manufacturers are spotted at the 'Ring with prototypes but don't publish any lap-times.

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by BLKM4

I remember reading in one of the car mags some time ago that a relatively small number of laps around the Nurburgring could replicate the wear & tear of thousands of kilometers of real-world mileage.

I can't remember the numbers used in the article but it could be one of the reasons why some manufacturers are spotted at the 'Ring with prototypes but don't publish any lap-times.

Maybe, or maybe it's just easier and cheaper to rent the ring and the marketing department gets to brag about the times to sell clicks

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by domino_z

developing cars on the ring just makes them shit on the road, but the marketing departments know this creates hits/interest

ime the best cars to handle a bumpy broken aussie b road are cars developed on UK roads

I tend to agreed dom, except I can attest to the fact that a 991.2 Carrera takes the urban rough stuff much more smoothly than my M3 Comp did. And they are known to blood the odd 911 at the Ring

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by Alpine*

I tend to agreed dom, except I can attest to the fact that a 991.2 Carrera takes the urban rough stuff much more smoothly than my M3 Comp did. And they are known to blood the odd 911 at the Ring

Agree Porsche setup the dampening extremely well, even the gt cars we've had/have ride well for what they are, but that is more a virtue of the packaging

There's a lot you can do with dampening when you don't have to run front springs/shock that need to control weight of an engine hanging over them

[mmmmQuattro]

Originally Posted by Alpine*

I tend to agreed dom, except I can attest to the fact that a 991.2 Carrera takes the urban rough stuff much more smoothly than my M3 Comp did. And they are known to blood the odd 911 at the Ring

Porsche do a much better than BMW when it comes to suspension.
BMW really do need to lift their game a few notches when it comes to suspension tuning.

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by mmmmQuattro

Porsche do a much better than BMW when it comes to suspension.
BMW really do need to lift their game a few notches when it comes to suspension tuning.

Although I get that 911's are in the same short-list as M3/4's for many owners they are a totally different beast. The BMW's come from a humbler place (a standard 3 Sedan/4 Coupe chassis) which they beef up to be a sporting car whilst retaining much of the practicality. The 911 is designed as a sports car from the ground up - meaning it's lighter, you sit lower, it has less practicality but drives sublimely.

It's kind of what I hoped the Z4 would be....

Anyway, just because BMW *could* create a massive SUV that can lap the 'ring quickly did they ever stop to ask "should we?"...I've driven fast SUV's on a track at experience days and its impressive in the same way an elephant ballet dancing would be.

[henrylee]

But why? I don’t want an x7 to lap rings. Want a comfortable SUV.

[domino_z]

the biggest barrier BMW have to sorting dampening is their persistence with using mcpherson struts, whereas most of their competitors have started switching to the double wishbone front ends - giulia, c class, a4

i do believe bmw are now using a double wishbone setup on the g20

edit! nope, still cheap mcphersons

[mmmmQuattro]

Originally Posted by domino_z

the biggest barrier BMW have to sorting dampening is their persistence with using mcpherson struts, whereas most of their competitors have started switching to the double wishbone front ends - giulia, c class, a4

i do believe bmw are now using a double wishbone setup on the g20

edit! nope, still cheap mcphersons

WTF???
I can't believe that BMW aren't on the double wishbone band-wagon...

Seriously, I had Fiat's and Alfa's with double wishbones in the 70's.

I am not sure that BMW really need to change their suspension too much.
Just go for some better rated springs and much better dampers.
Hey, and they can even change for the privilege - call it M-Sport suspension.

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by mmmmQuattro

WTF???
I can't believe that BMW aren't on the double wishbone band-wagon...

Seriously, I had Fiat's and Alfa's with double wishbones in the 70's.

I am not sure that BMW really need to change their suspension too much.
Just go for some better rated springs and much better dampers.
Hey, and they can even change for the privilege - call it M-Sport suspension.

You can buy a 30 grand brand new mx5 with aluminum stamped double wishbone front end

Bmw has no excuse, it's simple cost cutting

[05C4R]

that's impressive when you consider the aero of X7 LOL


yeah I have never owned a car with a ride as bad as the M3

[04S]

Originally Posted by 05C4R

that's impressive when you consider the aero of X7 LOL


yeah I have never owned a car with a ride as bad as the M3

Which is why I have had to swap out of the car. Seriously, the ride has been killing me.

[HiFi]

Aftermarket Coilovers are meant to make a big difference to the dampening. Check out Tractive, Bilstien PSS10/16 and KW DDCs if you are interested in going down this path.

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by HiFi

Aftermarket Coilovers are meant to make a big difference to the dampening. Check out Tractive, Bilstien PSS10/16 and KW DDCs if you are interested in going down this path.

Yep I've been running the tractive setup for a while now - with the oe ceramic brakes for the lower unsprung weight

Best this chassis is going to get dampening wise imo, they're a proper Motorsport shock, ridiculously better than the oe sachs over a bumpy Aussie B road - but my giulia qv with a double wishbone front end feels more solid/less jittery over broken tarmac

[HiFi]

Originally Posted by domino_z

Yep I've been running the tractive setup for a while now - with the oe ceramic brakes for the lower unsprung weight

Best this chassis is going to get dampening wise imo, they're a proper Motorsport shock, ridiculously better than the oe sachs over a bumpy Aussie B road - but my giulia qv with a double wishbone front end feels more solid/less jittery over broken tarmac

what did it cost you if you don't mind ?

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by HiFi

what did it cost you if you don't mind ?

$7k'ish

[mmmmQuattro]

Originally Posted by domino_z

$7k'ish

$7k
OUCH...

worth it in a convertible?

[mynameisplayer]

Review on new Bilsteins

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by mynameisplayer

Review on new Bilsteins

Interesting as the B6 is the sports OEM swap so its not all that expensive an upgrade. I thought the B8 was the version to use with lowering springs, I guess they're not available with EDC yet.