Adaptive suspension , yes or no ? ( new 3 series )

[kpb]

Nice balanced debate this (mostly thanks to 5to1). Shame I couldnt draw on it when making my own choice, but that said - I am happy with what I specced regarding suspension. I think the general consensus is that if you don't spec 'adaptive', you arent left with a spine-crushingly bad ride, which was how some people viewed the last-gen M Sport with runflats. BUT - there are benefits to having it beyond the obvious pre-set modes.

Personally if I were speccing an F30, I would apply the learning I had from my F20 choices and make sure I tested the sports steering upgrade vs the standard set up. I didnt consider it necessary as i'd de-specced the adaptive suspension but in hindsight the standard steering weight is very light. More weight would give a bit of an illusion of 'feel'. I'm not sure whether the F30 suffers from the same.

[SrMoreno]

This is something I'm puzzling over at the moment. The dealer I spoke to suggested that the x-drive system had some of the characteristics of the adaptive suspension, so ticking that box wasn't necessary. Is that right?

[curley]

SrMoreno said:

This is something I'm puzzling over at the moment. The dealer I spoke to suggested that the x-drive system had some of the characteristics of the adaptive suspension, so ticking that box wasn't necessary. Is that right?

I doubt it .

I posted above that I found the standard MSport suspension acceptable .

I then ordered my x drive and found that the m sport x drive does not have the option 407 m sport suspension included in the price . In fact it's not available because the x drive transmission and lowered springs are not compatible .

As a result of this I ticked the adaptive suspension box on the basis that this was the only way I might introduce a more sporty set up .

I suggest you drive a standard one ( there are a few in dealers now ) and see what you think . On balance I thought I was better off with rather than without . At worst I have thrown £500 away .

[SrMoreno]

curley said:

I doubt it .

I posted above that I found the standard MSport suspension acceptable .

I then ordered my x drive and found that the m sport x drive does not have the option 407 m sport suspension included in the price . In fact it's not available because the x drive transmission and lowered springs are not compatible .

As a result of this I ticked the adaptive suspension box on the basis that this was the only way I might introduce a more sporty set up .

I suggest you drive a standard one ( there are a few in dealers now ) and see what you think . On balance I thought I was better off with rather than without . At worst I have thrown £500 away .

Finding x-drive cars to test drive seems to be an issue at the moment, particularly in my neck of the woods. I had a drive of a 320d x-drive in Sport (I think) trim, which isn't the engine or MSport trim I was considering. It was extremely impressive, though, which put my mind to rest a bit.

I see what you're saying about the £500. It's a bloody expensive car if you're not 100% happy with it.

[nozydog]

Bit late to this thread I know, but thought I'd have my ha'pennies worth! I test drove an F30 (way back pre facelift) with M performance 19's and was so impressed with ride/body control I got back and said to the salesman "I assume this has the adaptive set up" to which he replied "No, standard M Sport".
He went on to say that very few cars are actually ordered with the adaptive set up and all I can say is it would have to go some to beat the standard M Sport set up!! From what I understand, you go for adaptive if you want a comfortable ride but it won't give you 'improved' handling over the standard set up! So I'll stick with standard just in case the adaptive does 'dampen' the otherwise excellent standard M Sport feel... and I like a firm ride anyways!!