335d F31 M Sport LCI Handling
Discussion
I've been reading this thread, among the numerous other threads relating to xDrive M Sport ride and handling, whilst I wrestle with the same issue.
I'm only just approaching 1k miles in my 335d touring (M Sport+ and adaptive dampers). I'm still very much undecided about the ACS upgrade and it's become a much harder decision to make as I'm fast reaching the conclusion that in order to really appreciate the benefit of the new springs I'd need to swap out the RFTs. Suddenly a very reasonably priced upgrade for the springs becomes less reasonable. The fact I have to consider changing tyres and springs on a brand new car in order to achieve the ride, comfort and handling claims of the manufacturer makes me quite unhappy.
The reason I thought I'd jump in on the thread is to share my experience after checking my tyre pressures. My door jam sticker tells me that the pressure range for my 19 inch tyres is 35-42 front and 38-49 rear depending on loading. I always aim at minimum + 1/3rd of the pressure range, so I settled on 38 front and 42 rear. Checking my pressures cold on my drive I was surprised to see then at 31-32 all round (brand new car....!), but I reset them to my target pressures and the difference is very noticeable.
I changed from a reasonably powerful front drive car so I think I had become numb to tram-lining and hadn't really noticed it on the 335d, but after changing the pressures I am now very aware it was there. I've come to the conclusion that my RFTs must have been running on the tyre walls instead of the tyre face when the pressures are low and hence they are 'wobbling around’. There really is a noticeable difference. In addition I had expected the higher pressures to make the appalling ride of the RFTs even worse, but to my surprise and pleasure this also seems to have improved a little. I’ve come to the same conclusion that to correctly on the part of the tyre that was designed to carry most of the load the pressures are critical.
Marbles.
I'm only just approaching 1k miles in my 335d touring (M Sport+ and adaptive dampers). I'm still very much undecided about the ACS upgrade and it's become a much harder decision to make as I'm fast reaching the conclusion that in order to really appreciate the benefit of the new springs I'd need to swap out the RFTs. Suddenly a very reasonably priced upgrade for the springs becomes less reasonable. The fact I have to consider changing tyres and springs on a brand new car in order to achieve the ride, comfort and handling claims of the manufacturer makes me quite unhappy.
The reason I thought I'd jump in on the thread is to share my experience after checking my tyre pressures. My door jam sticker tells me that the pressure range for my 19 inch tyres is 35-42 front and 38-49 rear depending on loading. I always aim at minimum + 1/3rd of the pressure range, so I settled on 38 front and 42 rear. Checking my pressures cold on my drive I was surprised to see then at 31-32 all round (brand new car....!), but I reset them to my target pressures and the difference is very noticeable.
I changed from a reasonably powerful front drive car so I think I had become numb to tram-lining and hadn't really noticed it on the 335d, but after changing the pressures I am now very aware it was there. I've come to the conclusion that my RFTs must have been running on the tyre walls instead of the tyre face when the pressures are low and hence they are 'wobbling around’. There really is a noticeable difference. In addition I had expected the higher pressures to make the appalling ride of the RFTs even worse, but to my surprise and pleasure this also seems to have improved a little. I’ve come to the same conclusion that to correctly on the part of the tyre that was designed to carry most of the load the pressures are critical.
Marbles.
Monty Python said:
Just out of curiosity, does this "problem" affect the 435d X-drive as well?
This from a post on BMW Car Mag When I recently specced a 335d. The sales chap suggested I went for an LCI car which addressed the soft suspension issue on the 3 series X-drives. From driving both pre LCi 330d X-drive and the 435d I say the 435d was nowhere near as wallowy. So maybe the 4's are already sorted.But still have a higher ride height?I would have an extended test drive if I were you.It cost me £1600 in ACS stuff and £600 getting rid of runflats to get my car right,who needs that after buying a new car.
DocSteve – yes, like what Mattt says, the steering and chassis can’t be switched separately. Very early days of testing at this time but I’m optimistic, I went over a typically awfull bit of UK road yesterday on my way home from work where the car would’ve wobbled like a trifle and it seemed much better, wasn’t a particularly damp day though.
Marbles – I have noticed this too, from experience, the pressures of runflat tyres do take a while to settle down before they stop losing pressure, about 3 months say and they want checking roughly every 2-3 weeks. Interesting theory about higher pressures, I run mine 2 psi higher than the 35 psi front and 38 psi rear that’s recommended (it’s only me in the car most of the time) as this tends to show the correct bar readings on the idrive from cold. I may well try going up another couple of psi if I feel the need in future.
Smashy – my sentiments exactly, I would be absolutely furious if I didn’t regard the road holding of my car absolutely perfect after ACS and non-runflats and as the right honourable Lorcan said, it will never be as stable at speed as a 5 series.
Marbles – I have noticed this too, from experience, the pressures of runflat tyres do take a while to settle down before they stop losing pressure, about 3 months say and they want checking roughly every 2-3 weeks. Interesting theory about higher pressures, I run mine 2 psi higher than the 35 psi front and 38 psi rear that’s recommended (it’s only me in the car most of the time) as this tends to show the correct bar readings on the idrive from cold. I may well try going up another couple of psi if I feel the need in future.
Smashy – my sentiments exactly, I would be absolutely furious if I didn’t regard the road holding of my car absolutely perfect after ACS and non-runflats and as the right honourable Lorcan said, it will never be as stable at speed as a 5 series.
Monty Python said:
Looking into it a bit more it looks like the 435d xDrive also has the SE setup so will probably drive much like the 335d. The adaptive M Sport suspension sits 10mm lower so I guess it's the only option without going the ACS route. Think I'll stick with the 35i/40i instead.
I think I would as well ,from all I have read in all sorts of places the MPG of the 3ltr Twin Turbo is a good few mpg less than in my single turbo 3ltr derv so why not 
A bit of a change of subject but still very relevant to the enthusiast chasing perfection, anyone had any problems with a creaky and squeaky interior?
Mine has almost straight away from taking delivery. To cut a long story short, just had new window seals fitted all round on the warranty at a not so local dealer. Local dealer tried to charge me £161 to treat the seals when the car had only 2000 miles on it, said it was down to using silicone based cleaning products at the car wash, obviously told them to get stuffed. It is now very noticeably creaking and squeaking again since having the seals changed last Friday, the only wash the car has had was at not so local dealership after having the seals done. Annoyed muchly, will be going back. Seems to be worse when it’s dry.
Mine has almost straight away from taking delivery. To cut a long story short, just had new window seals fitted all round on the warranty at a not so local dealer. Local dealer tried to charge me £161 to treat the seals when the car had only 2000 miles on it, said it was down to using silicone based cleaning products at the car wash, obviously told them to get stuffed. It is now very noticeably creaking and squeaking again since having the seals changed last Friday, the only wash the car has had was at not so local dealership after having the seals done. Annoyed muchly, will be going back. Seems to be worse when it’s dry.
V10M5talbs said:
A bit of a change of subject but still very relevant to the enthusiast chasing perfection, anyone had any problems with a creaky and squeaky interior?
Mine has almost straight away from taking delivery. To cut a long story short, just had new window seals fitted all round on the warranty at a not so local dealer. Local dealer tried to charge me £161 to treat the seals when the car had only 2000 miles on it, said it was down to using silicone based cleaning products at the car wash, obviously told them to get stuffed. It is now very noticeably creaking and squeaking again since having the seals changed last Friday, the only wash the car has had was at not so local dealership after having the seals done. Annoyed muchly, will be going back. Seems to be worse when it’s dry.
Astounding that this is STILL an issue - it used to plague the E39 5 Series!Mine has almost straight away from taking delivery. To cut a long story short, just had new window seals fitted all round on the warranty at a not so local dealer. Local dealer tried to charge me £161 to treat the seals when the car had only 2000 miles on it, said it was down to using silicone based cleaning products at the car wash, obviously told them to get stuffed. It is now very noticeably creaking and squeaking again since having the seals changed last Friday, the only wash the car has had was at not so local dealership after having the seals done. Annoyed muchly, will be going back. Seems to be worse when it’s dry.
helix402 said:
Try some Gummifledge on the seals. The first X3s had the same problem, we used to put it on n the door seals at the pdi. The noise can be due to the body flexing or poor quality seals. Have a look at F30 panel gaps for BMWs current quality compromises.
I've just put some of this stuff on mine tonight as the squeaking was horrendous. Seems to have done the trick.V10M5talbs said:
Does anybody know of anywhere that runs a demonstrator LCI 335d with the ACS springs? Preferably touring, preferably with adaptive suspension and preferably running on 18’’ rims, I don’t want much hey lol.
V10 can I suggest you ring Lorcan one of the most decent guys in the business he runs the AC Schnitzer dist from Rossiters Kings lynn he will give you an honest assesment of how/if the springs will change much, http://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/contact-us-2-w.asp
VerySideways said:
Spent a few hundred miles in a 340i touring yesterday, on 19" runflats with adaptive suspension.
Solid as a rock.
So what's the issue here? Weight of the 335d engine? Ride height from the x-drive suspension?
Xdrive ride height is higher and softer than the M Sport springs,Solid as a rock.
So what's the issue here? Weight of the 335d engine? Ride height from the x-drive suspension?
people say there SE springs even on a M sport Xdrive thus why so many change them out.. not sure about LCI
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