335d F31 M Sport LCI Handling
Discussion
I have a 2016 335d xdrive M sport LCI on 18's with factory bridgestone run flats with adaptive suspension. Anyone noticed a bit of tramlining? Nothing like my old E92 335d of course but tramlining none the less.....
Also, i was 'pressing on' on the motorway in comfort mode a few weeks ago, cought a side wind and it scared me quite a bit?? Maybe it's the fact I'm not 24 anymore and nowhere near as brave and stupid...... Maybe ACS springs would be a good idea.....
Would love some opinions from like minded F31 (or F30) LCI owners.....
Only done 6000 miles in the car, should I swap the runflats (when they're ready) for non runflats like i did on my E92? pretty much completely cured the tramlining issues.....
Love the car overall BTW.
Spec - Mineral grey, HK, Pro media plus - HUD is awesome!!, heated seats and steering wheel, adaptive, sun pro glass, high beam assistant, folding and anti dazzle mirrors.
Also, i was 'pressing on' on the motorway in comfort mode a few weeks ago, cought a side wind and it scared me quite a bit?? Maybe it's the fact I'm not 24 anymore and nowhere near as brave and stupid...... Maybe ACS springs would be a good idea.....
Would love some opinions from like minded F31 (or F30) LCI owners.....
Only done 6000 miles in the car, should I swap the runflats (when they're ready) for non runflats like i did on my E92? pretty much completely cured the tramlining issues.....
Love the car overall BTW.
Spec - Mineral grey, HK, Pro media plus - HUD is awesome!!, heated seats and steering wheel, adaptive, sun pro glass, high beam assistant, folding and anti dazzle mirrors.
Thanks for all your reply’s/advice etc folks.
When I ordered my LCI F31 335d Xdrive, I thought it would be almost perfect with the LCI suspension improvements and my research etc. it is narking to have to fettle a car with a list price of almost £47k. My insurance company are fine with me scrapping the run-flats for standard tyres but want to know more info about the suspension springs, is it 10mm that the ACS springs lower the car by?
Has anyone got a car identical to mine that has scrapped the run flats and fitted ACS springs? Would love to chat in more detail if so…….
DocSteve – I’m not sure I know how to send e PM on here as I’m a newbie to the forum world, had my account from when I tried to sell my M5 on here a few years ago. I too deliberately specced 18’’ wheels for the purpose of ride quality and handling etc. The MPSS made a big difference to my E92 335d (bridgestone runflats on 19’s were horrendous!!) when I added them too so would more than likely buy those again I reckon, only problem is though, the standard bridgestone run-flats on my F31 have plenty of tread left, have only done 6,300 miles or so and can’t justify changing before they’re due.
Ratty6464 – yes, this certainly seems to be the way forward, what concerns me though is that I can’t ‘try before I buy’ and even if my insurance are OK with the springs mod, will the next insurance company I go with for the best price be ok with it too? And the non-runflats….
Monty Python – agreed completely.
14-7- do you think I’d of been happier with the road holding if I hadn’t specced adaptive suspension then? I couldn’t agree more about the 5 series, having owned 2x E60’s in the past (530d and M5) I’d say they were much much more stable at high speed, or have our roads deteriorated much more over the last few years…… I have aged a bit too which I don’t think helps…… I live in Leicester and the roads are generally awful but I still agree that the 5 series is in a different league for high speed stability.
GTRmad – thanks for the suggestion, always nice to have cheaper options. If I was going to go ahead with all this work, I think I’d go with ACS due to the write ups and the fact that a friend of mine who would be fitting them recommends them too (BMW master technician).
SEF74 – did you declare the ACS springs to your insurance? If so, what was the damage? I assume your car is LCI? And you’re still on run flat tyres then? How much did the springs lower the car? I quite like having the higher ride height, my E92 was always getting scuffed on speed bumps etc.
SBN – agreed totally!! One of the main reasons I ordered my F31 was due to the fact I’d spent a lot of time in my ex-boss’s 13 reg F30 330d S-drive company car (standard car, only had sun pro glass). I loved this car barring it’s Spartan spec, drove like a dream. much better road holding. Was probably a bit more enclined to push it a bit harder though as it was a company car. This was obviously on run flats too, had 18’s like mine too. Obviously the 335d xdrive seemed to be the car to choose for all year round usability, am beginning to wander if I should’ve gone for an M140i now…… can fit the dog in the back. Had an M135i as a courtesy car for the day once, 2 words – GREAT CAR!! Would I still be saying that now it’s winter though……
Us enthusiasts are a wonderfully yet awkward bunch to please hey…..
When I ordered my LCI F31 335d Xdrive, I thought it would be almost perfect with the LCI suspension improvements and my research etc. it is narking to have to fettle a car with a list price of almost £47k. My insurance company are fine with me scrapping the run-flats for standard tyres but want to know more info about the suspension springs, is it 10mm that the ACS springs lower the car by?
Has anyone got a car identical to mine that has scrapped the run flats and fitted ACS springs? Would love to chat in more detail if so…….
DocSteve – I’m not sure I know how to send e PM on here as I’m a newbie to the forum world, had my account from when I tried to sell my M5 on here a few years ago. I too deliberately specced 18’’ wheels for the purpose of ride quality and handling etc. The MPSS made a big difference to my E92 335d (bridgestone runflats on 19’s were horrendous!!) when I added them too so would more than likely buy those again I reckon, only problem is though, the standard bridgestone run-flats on my F31 have plenty of tread left, have only done 6,300 miles or so and can’t justify changing before they’re due.
Ratty6464 – yes, this certainly seems to be the way forward, what concerns me though is that I can’t ‘try before I buy’ and even if my insurance are OK with the springs mod, will the next insurance company I go with for the best price be ok with it too? And the non-runflats….
Monty Python – agreed completely.
14-7- do you think I’d of been happier with the road holding if I hadn’t specced adaptive suspension then? I couldn’t agree more about the 5 series, having owned 2x E60’s in the past (530d and M5) I’d say they were much much more stable at high speed, or have our roads deteriorated much more over the last few years…… I have aged a bit too which I don’t think helps…… I live in Leicester and the roads are generally awful but I still agree that the 5 series is in a different league for high speed stability.
GTRmad – thanks for the suggestion, always nice to have cheaper options. If I was going to go ahead with all this work, I think I’d go with ACS due to the write ups and the fact that a friend of mine who would be fitting them recommends them too (BMW master technician).
SEF74 – did you declare the ACS springs to your insurance? If so, what was the damage? I assume your car is LCI? And you’re still on run flat tyres then? How much did the springs lower the car? I quite like having the higher ride height, my E92 was always getting scuffed on speed bumps etc.
SBN – agreed totally!! One of the main reasons I ordered my F31 was due to the fact I’d spent a lot of time in my ex-boss’s 13 reg F30 330d S-drive company car (standard car, only had sun pro glass). I loved this car barring it’s Spartan spec, drove like a dream. much better road holding. Was probably a bit more enclined to push it a bit harder though as it was a company car. This was obviously on run flats too, had 18’s like mine too. Obviously the 335d xdrive seemed to be the car to choose for all year round usability, am beginning to wander if I should’ve gone for an M140i now…… can fit the dog in the back. Had an M135i as a courtesy car for the day once, 2 words – GREAT CAR!! Would I still be saying that now it’s winter though……
Us enthusiasts are a wonderfully yet awkward bunch to please hey…..
Thanks for that DocSteve, I have been doing some digging and it will cost me an extra £20.57 per year with my current insurer to do the ACS springs mod. The springs cost £300 and I'll have a price back tomorrow to fit them. Exciting times....
I also had a good chat with Lorcan at ACS earlier who was VERY helpful, really knows his stuff. He did say mind that he couldn't ever see a 3 series being as stable as a 5 series at high speeds, I admired his honesty very much.
I also had a good chat with Lorcan at ACS earlier who was VERY helpful, really knows his stuff. He did say mind that he couldn't ever see a 3 series being as stable as a 5 series at high speeds, I admired his honesty very much.
Thanks again Smashy. I will be getting a price to fit the ACS springs today. One thing I am going to try before taking the plunge though is using the car in sport mode but only on the chassis for daily driving as I have the adaptive dampers. I've not got much in the way of disposable income at this time and the fact that I specced adaptive and 18'' wheels instead of 19's for what I thought would give me almost perfect road holding makes me reluctant to spend the money. I'm 99% certain that when the standard bridgestone tyres are ready to be replaced I will replace them with MPSS tyres which will improve things too and maybe that might be enough.
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.
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.
Smashy – spoke to Lorcan, discussed ACS springs, he very honestly and decently told me that no matter what I do to my F31, it will never drive like a 5 series at speed, having had 2x E60’s and spent a good bit of time in the F10, I don’t want to be disappointed. I’m happier with mine now when I put it in sport mode on chassis only for daily driving and I like to think this will keep me sweet until it’s time for new tyres (MPSS) and if I feel the need after that I will seriously consider the ACS mod, I should have more disposable income in 12/18 months or so anyway so will be easier to justify.
Docsteve – agreed, unfortunately I don’t think BMW will refund me for the adaptive suspension :-(
Osinjak and Smashy – feels almost like the car is airborne!! Horrible and petrifying. Happened in my E92 335d too on the M69, VERY scary. I think the already awful and further rapidly declining quality of our roads has something to do with it but as this has also happened in my F31 I would have to say that the 3 series is a far cry from the 5 series at high speed yet much better on the twisty stuff of course.
Smashy – can’t say it’s ever happened to me either in my years of driving, that I remember anyway.
As I’d say I’m definitely past my driving prime too, might be an idea to not bother with the top end stuff these days. Self-preservation N’all.
Osinjak and Smashy – feels almost like the car is airborne!! Horrible and petrifying. Happened in my E92 335d too on the M69, VERY scary. I think the already awful and further rapidly declining quality of our roads has something to do with it but as this has also happened in my F31 I would have to say that the 3 series is a far cry from the 5 series at high speed yet much better on the twisty stuff of course.
Smashy – can’t say it’s ever happened to me either in my years of driving, that I remember anyway.
As I’d say I’m definitely past my driving prime too, might be an idea to not bother with the top end stuff these days. Self-preservation N’all.
Smashy – I know what you mean. I test drive the new 272ps 3.0 tdi A4 close to when I test drove the F31 before ordering and didn’t like it, gear box felt docile even in full sport mode compared to our ZF’s, tyre roar from the run flats was awful at speed too, a bit numb was my overall conclusion. BMW are much much further with run flat tyre development on the F 3 series. Where do you go? Merc don’t do a particularly decent diesel let alone with 4wd, not sure about Jag and again, no 4wd on a decent diesel.
I think I’d like a 5 series again, pref new shape with xdrive but guess what, can’t fit it in the garage at work lol!! F31 is on the limit!! Can't afford one either at the minute and they're not even available yet, won't be any decent discounts until they've been out for a couple of years anyway. The eternal dilemma……
I think I’d like a 5 series again, pref new shape with xdrive but guess what, can’t fit it in the garage at work lol!! F31 is on the limit!! Can't afford one either at the minute and they're not even available yet, won't be any decent discounts until they've been out for a couple of years anyway. The eternal dilemma……
Smashy – I know what you mean. I test drive the new 272ps 3.0 tdi A4 close to when I test drove the F31 before ordering and didn’t like it, gear box felt docile even in full sport mode compared to our ZF’s, tyre roar from the run flats was awful at speed too, a bit numb was my overall conclusion. BMW are much much further with run flat tyre development on the F 3 series. Where do you go? Merc don’t do a particularly decent diesel let alone with 4wd, not sure about Jag and again, no 4wd on a decent diesel.
I think I’d like a 5 series again, pref new shape with xdrive but guess what, can’t fit it in the garage at work lol!! F31 is on the limit!! Can't afford one either at the minute and they're not even available yet, won't be any decent discounts until they've been out for a couple of years anyway. The eternal dilemma……
I think I’d like a 5 series again, pref new shape with xdrive but guess what, can’t fit it in the garage at work lol!! F31 is on the limit!! Can't afford one either at the minute and they're not even available yet, won't be any decent discounts until they've been out for a couple of years anyway. The eternal dilemma……
LOL indeed!! I’d of been confident with Xdrive as the Audi Quattro parked next to me didn’t have any problems lol. Had to get towed out by a friendly range rover driver.
Yes, I am aware of the E43 and the C43, could be interesting indeed. Need an estate as have got a dog. Know they will be quite a bit heavier on fuel on a run but still, interesting none the less. Like I said earlier, I like the thought of E class/5 series size if it wasn’t for the garage at work. Still, overall am happy with my F31 for now.
Yes, I am aware of the E43 and the C43, could be interesting indeed. Need an estate as have got a dog. Know they will be quite a bit heavier on fuel on a run but still, interesting none the less. Like I said earlier, I like the thought of E class/5 series size if it wasn’t for the garage at work. Still, overall am happy with my F31 for now.
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