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      10-30-2014, 08:14 PM   #1
seis-speed
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Passive Suspension?

For those that have had the car for a little while, how do find the ride quality? Thanks!
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      10-30-2014, 08:31 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seis-speed
For those that have had the car for a little while, how do find the ride quality? Thanks!
I have passive and I don't regret it. It is more firm than my 328i sport but that's what I wanted.
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      10-30-2014, 08:31 PM   #3
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Firm, sporty and utterly wonderful

Best street suspension I ever had. Firmer than the E90 M3's that was on the softer side of excellent. Not recommended if you want a cushy more isolated ride but it's not rough and makes for an excellent long or short trip suspension. It's not punishing just firm.
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      10-30-2014, 08:39 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice View Post
Firm, sporty and utterly wonderful

Best street suspension I ever had. Not recommended if you want a cushy more isolated ride but it's not rough and makes for an excellent long or short trip suspension. It's not punishing just firm.
What he said
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      10-30-2014, 09:04 PM   #5
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wonder how the ride quality would suffer with a set of lowering springs on passive suspension
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      10-30-2014, 09:10 PM   #6
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This is not going to help you much but after 5 yrs with RFTs on my 335i coupe w/ sport pkg, the passive suspension on my F80 is like heaven.

Bottom line, if you need to use the extra $1000 elsewhere, do so, if not, it's nice to have the middle button on the left of the shifter occupied.
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      10-30-2014, 09:28 PM   #7
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It is firm, but never harsh. And we aren't know for having the finest streets here in Houston. For me it's just on the right side of acceptable for a daily driver, which is what I was looking for. If I was building another one I might go for the adaptive, just for the slightly cushier ride when I have clients in the car.
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      10-30-2014, 09:46 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffM-Houston View Post
It is firm, but never harsh. And we aren't know for having the finest streets here in Houston. For me it's just on the right side of acceptable for a daily driver, which is what I was looking for. If I was building another one I might go for the adaptive, just for the slightly cushier ride when I have clients in the car.
I was going to say, I'm not sure how you'd deal with it down here in Houston. These roads are so bad! I had a Boxster loaner with PASM and on some of the roads by my house, it was virtually undrivable.

Good to hear that it maintains some civility.
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      10-31-2014, 12:02 AM   #9
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I'm so glad I've ordered the adaptive suspension.
Find myself setting the dampers to comfort the moment I start my car.
Once I'm on the freeway I activate my m1 button which has my suspension setting to sport.
I believe the sport setting is still more comforting than the passive setting.
I could not live with that setting throttling around my neiberhood
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      10-31-2014, 12:25 AM   #10
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The latest video comparing the lexus and M4 has a car with fixed suspension and they rave about it! Firm but not harsh and predictable. See it for yourself.
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      10-31-2014, 05:20 AM   #11
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In the UK 19" rims are standard as is adaptive suspension and I'm in Comfort much of the time as some of the roads here are really poor. Only on our major roads are the surfaces smoother for which Sport would be more appropriate.
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      10-31-2014, 06:34 AM   #12
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The latest "Smoking Tire" podcast has Johnny Lieberman from Motor Trend as a guest and he relates his experience with both for their best driver's car article. He's the only person I've heard a first-hand account from with extensive back-to-back testing of both. He says that despite BMW's claim of the passive suspension being between the adaptive suspension sport & sport+, the active suspension is MUCH better overall, especially on rough pavement here the passive suspension becomes unsettled. That was enough for me to switch my order from passive to adaptive.
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      10-31-2014, 08:35 AM   #13
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The passive suspension is very sporty. If you want luxury and comfort, it might be best to get the adaptive. I don't have experience with adaptive but if it works as advertised, it is a cheap up front option. The downside is the replacement down the road when it wears out is going to be pretty damn pricey.
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      10-31-2014, 08:54 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Needsdecaf View Post
I was going to say, I'm not sure how you'd deal with it down here in Houston. These roads are so bad! I had a Boxster loaner with PASM and on some of the roads by my house, it was virtually undrivable.

Good to hear that it maintains some civility.
Where do you guys live in Houston? I know the Woodlands road are fine, cant complain about those. I live near Memorial and Beltway 8 and love the roads by me, especially the feeder roads along the beltway from I-10 to 59.

We live in Texas, not Louisiana.
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      10-31-2014, 09:04 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Damasconian View Post
Where do you guys live in Houston? I know the Woodlands road are fine, cant complain about those. I live near Memorial and Beltway 8 and love the roads by me, especially the feeder roads along the beltway from I-10 to 59.

We live in Texas, not Louisiana.
I live inside the loop, and the roads are beyond terrible. there is construction everywhere and there are massive dips and potholes everywhere. it looks like a war zone

im also from LA, and the roads there are no worse than here (unless you live in new Orleans)
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      10-31-2014, 09:45 AM   #16
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I have had mine now for only three weeks and love it . Coming from my 2010 335IX it is a little stiffer but compared to my wifes MiniSRoadster it is great. Love it
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      10-31-2014, 09:51 AM   #17
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If I have the chance to re-order my car, I will definitely grab the adaptive suspension. It is a relative low cost for additional settings to improve comfort or improve performance (depending on your need at the time). Versus the suspension being passive and you are stuck with 1 way the suspension will react. Lastly, it is much more aesthetic to have a real button than a blank black block

With that said, I am very happy with the passive suspension. It is soft enough that I am not getting compressed discs in my spine after a tiny bump, but tight enough that turning is fun. I would not dislike my car just because of the suspension.

Cheers.
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