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      06-16-2021, 12:16 AM   #1
TWO-BMW
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Buying 2018 M4 - How Much Stiffer Is The Competition package suspension Vs Standard?

I realize people say this has been discussed to death. Well, not all that clearly, or in any one place. And I've been searching here for over three hours.

I test drove a 2018 M4 without comp pkg on Friday. Where I am, in Michigan, the roads are not good, bumps, potholes, and everything else. The stock suspension was fine, though any more firm would have been an issue. My friend, who accompanied me on the test drive, and is a certified Porsche instructor completely agreed.

There are so many reasons I want to buy a car with the competition package, but if it causes the suspension to be significantly stiffer, it would almost be a problem on Michigan roads for a daily driver. Much as I would like to track the car, the insurance to do that is crazy, so thats not happening.

It would break my heart to have to decide not to buy a car with the comp pkg, but if the ride does get rougher than the standard, particularly on less than ideal pavement, I may have no choice.

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.
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      06-16-2021, 12:30 AM   #2
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It's a stiff car no matter how you slice and dice it. Just swap on some 18s and you'll be good to go
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      06-16-2021, 01:32 AM   #3
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The competition had a better tune suspension compared to regular version, I would go with competition.
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      06-16-2021, 05:19 AM   #4
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Go with the competition, and if you then find it's too uncomfortable for you (which is unlikely), you can change to 19" or 18" wheels for softer ride. The comp is a better-sorted car.
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      06-16-2021, 06:17 AM   #5
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I can only chime in on the comfort of the standard suspension with OEM 18's

BUTTER!!!
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      06-16-2021, 07:01 AM   #6
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Agree with others here and get the Comp with 18's if you're worried about comfort!
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      06-16-2021, 07:03 AM   #7
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I have comp with stock 20s and have no complaints. Frequently transport my wife and kids.. they enjoy the M3 and find the ride comfortable. With that said, I haven't driven a standard for comparison and roads in my area are tolerable.
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      06-16-2021, 08:03 AM   #8
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If you ever go to resell, comp package might be a factor for future buyers. Comp package w/18's or 19's with the right tire might be the winning ticket.
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      06-16-2021, 08:22 AM   #9
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The comp package is fine with wheels smaller than the stock 20's. It's a bit harsh with the 20" wheels and summer tires on rough roads. However, it's much more comfortable on 19" wheels. I suspect this would also be true of the standard suspension. It's more about the wheels and tires than the suspension itself in terms of comfort.
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      06-16-2021, 11:37 AM   #10
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Get the comp and put some 16's on it with 265/80/16 tires. Inflate tires to 26 psi and it'll ride like a Lexus!
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      06-16-2021, 11:50 AM   #11
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They’re both terrible honestly. KW V3s are first and best mod for these cars imho.
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      06-16-2021, 12:17 PM   #12
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I test drove (and was ready to buy) a base 2016 M3 with the non adaptive suspension and found the ride barely acceptable on the 18s. Any firmer and it'd be a deal breaker. I average 12-15k miles in the Midwest so I can't be absolutely miserable when driving. I took a chance and ended up buying my 2018 comp with the 20s without ever driving one. I think the comp rides WAY better. That was the biggest surprise when I got the car. It's firm for sure but well controlled. Seating position IMO is so good / comfortable that highway cruising for 2+ hours is no problem. This is coming from a guy who took a bath of about 7-8k when I bought my Focus RS and sold it less than 13k miles / 9 months later. Go for the comp! And those 20s are pure sex.
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      06-16-2021, 02:59 PM   #13
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Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on this, so far. I probably should have mentioned that it's not as if I was expecting a non-firm ride. I've owned a Porsche Cayman S, an E36 M3, an E46 M3, and currently have an Audi R8 which I am getting ready to sell, painful as that will be.

I just wanted to get some perspective as to how much firmer the car was with the competition pack, because so many reviews talk about that issue (in both standard and comp pkg versions. While I was able, as I noted, to test drive a standard M4 last weekend, and found its ride just fine, I had just hoped to better understand the difference between that, and one with the comp package. Especially since I've no luck being able to find anyone who would let me try one with the package. I've even reached out to the Michigan BMW club, with no results.
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      06-16-2021, 03:14 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TWO-BMW View Post
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on this, so far. I probably should have mentioned that it's not as if I was expecting a non-firm ride. I've owned a Porsche Cayman S, an E36 M3, an E46 M3, and currently have an Audi R8 which I am getting ready to sell, painful as that will be.

I just wanted to get some perspective as to how much firmer the car was with the competition pack, because so many reviews talk about that issue (in both standard and comp pkg versions. While I was able, as I noted, to test drive a standard M4 last weekend, and found its ride just fine, I had just hoped to better understand the difference between that, and one with the comp package. Especially since I've no luck being able to find anyone who would let me try one with the package. I've even reached out to the Michigan BMW club, with no results.
If they don't wanna let you test drive it, you don't wanna buy it. Or can you just not find one locally? I'm in lansing. Don't think they have any at our dealership, but I get Farmington hills does.
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      06-16-2021, 03:17 PM   #15
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My '18 defaults to EDC sport mode, it isn't too bad really, feels like E46M3 on Bilstein B8s. That being said, I would not drive in any other mode than comfort on NYC-like roads.
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      06-16-2021, 03:20 PM   #16
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OP is the car equipped with EDC or is it standard?
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      06-16-2021, 03:30 PM   #17
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Comp with EDC. Lower on MP HAS and get CS EDC coding
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      06-16-2021, 10:55 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyrix1st View Post
My '18 defaults to EDC sport mode, it isn't too bad really, feels like E46M3 on Bilstein B8s. That being said, I would not drive in any other mode than comfort on NYC-like roads.
And the standard, non competition package, 2018 M4 doesn't even have a "comfort" mode. The one I test drove only offered eco, sport, or sport +. I drove it in both sport, and sport + and found both fine, as far as ride quality.
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      06-16-2021, 10:59 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F82spaceship View Post
If they don't wanna let you test drive it, you don't wanna buy it. Or can you just not find one locally? I'm in lansing. Don't think they have any at our dealership, but I get Farmington hills does.
I know people at both the Farmington and Bloomfield Hills Erhard dealerships. The only used M4 in the past year is the one I drive in Bloomfield Hills last weekend.

My hope, in contacting the BMW Club was that they could hook me up with a southeastern or even central Michigan member with an M4 with the comp pkg. for a test drive. But they never even replied to me.
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      06-16-2021, 11:06 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TWO-BMW View Post
And the standard, non competition package, 2018 M4 doesn't even have a "comfort" mode. The one I test drove only offered eco, sport, or sport +. I drove it in both sport, and sport + and found both fine, as far as ride quality.
I believe what you are describing is a non adaptive suspension car or non edc. Those modes refer to throttle response and steering stiffness. All years with edc will include comfort/sport/sport+
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      06-17-2021, 12:24 AM   #21
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Get one with EDC. Comfort is pretty good for a sports car. Still stiffer than the normal 3 series IMO.
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      06-17-2021, 07:54 AM   #22
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I had an M4 and a M3 zhp. I didn't notice a difference.
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