Adaptive M suspension any good?

[vampyren]

Hi folkz,

I'm getting very close to ordering a new 320d. Was almost sure i would get the new Volvo S60 D4 but my BMW dealer added some really nice packages into the mix (for instance i now get automatic sport gear + nav for half the price) and once i tried a newer car i now lean towards the 320D. Previously he only gave me the touring model for test drive and after having tested the sedan it felt totally different in steering and i really enjoyed the ride. Still the S60 has better seats but the rear wheel drive feels nicer.

So now i am making the final decisions about equipment. I'm sure Adaptive M Suspension is great to have but i'm wondering if this addition will breakdown often ? will it cost allot to maintain?

Personally i had the M sport suspension on my previous 325i and did not like it to much, the car was to hard for driving in the city. It was great for long distance travel but annoying when driving through town. SO i prefer the regular suspension but with this Adaptive M Suspension maybe i can have both. Although i'm not fond of adding features that will break often and generate extra costs so that is why i'm wondering if i should tick the box for Adaptive M suspension?

So basically how reliable is Adaptive M suspension? anyone who has experience with this system?
Is there a huge benefit having this ? what is your experience using Sport vs Comfort?

Appreciate some advice!

 

[martinbo]

Sport Line - not M Sport - plus adaptive M suspension would be my choice for my next 3 Series. Best of many worlds. As for the long term longevity of the magnetorheological dampers - I wouldn't fret too much with your fine roads.

I have not ever experienced adaptive M though - BMW SA seem to be unwilling to promote the technology in lower tier 3ers.

 

[vampyren]

Sport Line - not M Sport - plus adaptive M suspension would be my choice for my next 3 Series. Best of many worlds. As for the long term longevity of the magnetorheological dampers - I wouldn't fret too much with your fine roads.

I have not ever experienced adaptive M though - BMW SA seem to be unwilling to promote the technology in lower tier 3ers.

Not fully sure of the name so it might have been sport line suspension as you say, i just know the car was lowered with a harder suspension and a different front grill. it was some sort of promotion thing they had when i bought it 2009. Any how i agree the roads in sweden are not that bad compared to many other places

ps. including an old picture of my good old 325i (which i loved), sadly i dont find any better one right now.



By the way i believe you have allot of experience with BMW (seeing your staff), would you buy the existing model + allot of gear for a good price or rather wait 2 months and get the newer facelift model? i wont get as good of a deal on a new model since most of the options will go up in price. So is the newer facelift + engine worth it in your opinion? decisions decisions

 

[martinbo]

The Lines (Sport, Luxury and Modern) are cosmetic and equipment "packages" which do not alter the standard spring and damper rates of the base F30. The addition of adjustable mode dampers retains the softer, standard spring to the best of my knowledge. Going for M Sport package give you lower, firmer springs but not Adaptive M suspension as this is still a further option.

Where I live the back roads can be particularly poor and the stiff M Sport suspension with 19" wheels is not only intolerably firm - it also exacerbates the F30's slight cabin squeaks and creaks to the point at which they are much much more noticeable.

If you wait you will lose out on the discount - clearly being offered to move stock of the pre-facelift model before the LCI arrives. Personally, if money is not an issue, I would wait for the facelift because of the improved B47 engine which is smoother and quieter and also has better fuel economy in spite of higher outputs (140 kW, 400 Nm). The cabin quality also promises to be improved but the extent of which remains to be seen.

 

[vampyren]

If you wait you will lose out on the discount - clearly being offered to move stock of the pre-facelift model before the LCI arrives. Personally, if money is not an issue, I would wait for the facelift because of the improved B47 engine which is smoother and quieter and also has better fuel economy in spite of higher outputs (140 kW, 400 Nm). The cabin quality also promises to be improved but the extent of which remains to be seen.

I was actually going to get an upgrade for the engine from the BMW dealer so that i get the hp up to 200hp, 420nm with this existing engine. BMW offers this for 1000euro basically you get a 325d.

Of course the new engine will offer 190hp and as you say it might run smoother but then again i will lose 2000euro at the minimum which i'm sure of. The whole advantage package i might also loose and thats almost 4000euro (this might be still available on the new model but the car dealer could not guarantee).
i'm also thinking that the new B47 is a totally new engine so it also might have some hidden issues that would only show after a while. I'm no expert so i dont know how often new engines have had problems in the past? maybe you could share some information from your experience?

2000 euro i could effort but 6k is a bit to much i would say. I'm not really sure if its worth it either. Still very curious what the new one will bring always fun with new engines and new tech of course.

 

[martinbo]

Well then it's a no-brainer. Save the money, get a more powerful-spec engine together with the Advantage package.

I have experienced the B47 in the X3 2.0D LCI and the engine is very impressive in its refinement gains over the current N47. That said, the increased performance that you have offered to you is a big consideration. Like I said, if it were my money, I would steer clear of the M-Sport and M-Performance packages; I use my car for business and not for enthusiast use. The M-Sport suspension is just too stiff on Johannesburg's roads.

I find the standard springs a tiny bit too soft under certain dynamic scenarios: in particular - high-speed, low frequency undulations where vehicle heave results in two compression and rebound cycles [in layman's terms a big "bounce" and then a smaller, settling "bounce"]. That's the only criticism I have of the ride-handling balance on a car with standard springs and dampers with 17" wheels. I cannot criticise body roll performance given the size and nature of the car. However, if I had the adaptive M dampers then I could tailor the car's ride depending on the road: Comfort for suburban and back roads, Sport for freeway use.

So if I am to buy again my preferred choice would be:
320D Sport Line w/ Sport Auto transmission
18" Wheels
Adaptive M Suspension

Regarding the engine - it's a well known fact that Johannesburg - at an average altitude of 1700 m and temperatures ranging from 28 to 35 degrees C in summer is a nasty place for turbodiesels. Turbos overspeed and overheat under high load demands and turbine failure is not an uncommon occurrence. BMW had their own turbodiesel malaise way back with the E46 2.0D LCI which resulted in the red-dot, black-dot turbo saga. I am firmly of the impression that BMW have paid their school fees when it comes to turbodiesel technology and the sophistication of modern ECUs has made such significant progress that any new turbodiesel engine will be an improvement - building upon the lessons learnt in the past. I am pretty sure furthermore that cooler, sea-level climates present less engine failure risk to modern turbocharged engines than "hot 'n high" conditions.

 

[vampyren]

Thanks for the informative reply

I have specced the car exactly like you mention and will be keeping the Adaptive M S.

I been reading allot on the whole N47 issue and i think i will be waiting for the new model. It seems B47 is also used in the 5 series so its not a totally new engine. It just dont feel good that the car can break whenever and the sound from the rattling just wont go away in this model even if the chain is ok.
https://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=156269&start=40
https://www.facebook.com/pages/BMW-Problem-Timing-Chain/293617047394760

As you say BMW has refined the engine even further in B47 and being a technical freak i want the best I guess i have to save a bit more each month now hehe
The waiting will be tough though I can order it at the earliest in Juli or begining of Aug. In May BMW is suppose to announce it officially to the staff (the local saleperson told me). Or maybe it goes public at the same time. Cant wait

 

[330CIZHP]

I am seriously contemplating purchasing an '09 - '10 E90 M3 sedan with 6 speed manual. The one option (other than Silverstone 2 color) I am really not compromising on, is the electronic damper control. From all of the research I have done, it seems to be one of the best things on this car. Essentially it allows three settings for the suspension stiffness. It is the perfect way to balance soft suspension setting for daily driving with the stiffest setting availability for track duty.

 

[klier]

E90 M3 6 speed is an absolute classic with mind blowing engine and sound. Go for it, and never sell it again.
Though, make sure you have the version with the backlights of the E90 facelift. I know it's only optical, but it makes such a big difference!

 

[martinbo]

Good to see this discussion I like to know more about it.

Nice to know - would you also like to know the wingspam of an albatross?

 

[klier]

LMFAO!! The biggest bird in the world, no?

 

[Centurion]

This is a very current topic for me. In the next coming months I will be saying good bye to my Celica as my girlfriend and I are looking to buy a facelifted E90 3-Series. Whether it's a 3er or A4 with sports suspension, the recurring feedback I hear is "the ride is too firm".

Adaptive suspension would be perfect if it enables me to have some fun when I want to, but enjoy a relaxing ride when in the mood for it...............or when the time comes to transport a baby in it.*don't tell anyone*

What I'm anxious about is the suspension breaking but I could live with that anxiety since I'm unlikely to buy an E90 3-er, or a modern technology laden German car, without warranty.

 

[330CIZHP]

E90 M3 6 speed is an absolute classic with mind blowing engine and sound. Go for it, and never sell it again.
Though, make sure you have the version with the backlights of the E90 facelift. I know it's only optical, but it makes such a big difference!

Absolutely. It remains the best car I have ever driven. I never have been able to forget the whole experience and really have wanted to own one ever since. The engine is absolutely phenomenal. Consumer guide actually rates it the most reliable BMW made in recent times, which is amazing. I would like to own it for as long as I possibly can. Even the proportions on the sedan are better than the coupe especially from the sides with a shorter rear overhang.

With 4 doors, it is easy to daily drive with family and the adaptive suspension makes it quite comfortable in daily driving.

Regarding the LCI, yes from 09 onwards all of the E90 M3 had the LCI tail lights. I agree, I am not a huge fan of the 08 tail lights.

 

[martinbo]

LMFAO!! The biggest bird in the world, no?

Actually, the albatross has the longest wingspan (not spam) of any bird but is by no means the biggest flighted bird (the ostrich is of course the largest bird in the world) in the world. The Kori Bustard and Andean Condor are larger and heavier.

 

[vampyren]

@martinbo LOL was thinking of something clever to say also but you nailed it

@Centurion I feel the same way, with one button you can simply transform the car from family mode to sport mode
The sad news is i dont want the "old" engine so now i need to wait atleast 3 months extra.

ps. Why is the site so slow, can barely create post. The previous post happened by itself, tried to do quotes and it posted an empty post :/