BMW F30 335i rubbish handling
Discussion
When I bought my 335i I stupidly didn't take it on a very long test drive, now I've had it a few months I am very disappointed with the handling.
Its the M sport with the 20" M Performance wheels but doesnt have the adaptive dampers,it just feels really soft and soggy to the point of feeling dangerous when pushing on in the twisties.
Ive had an E61,E60,E90 all M sports in the past few years and they all felt better than this. Ive had it at the dealers to look at it but they couldnt find anything wrong although I'm not sure they were that thorough, all they said was the tyre pressures were a bit out!
Are they all like this or do you think I should get an Indy to give it a good checking over and give me a second opinion?
Its the M sport with the 20" M Performance wheels but doesnt have the adaptive dampers,it just feels really soft and soggy to the point of feeling dangerous when pushing on in the twisties.
Ive had an E61,E60,E90 all M sports in the past few years and they all felt better than this. Ive had it at the dealers to look at it but they couldnt find anything wrong although I'm not sure they were that thorough, all they said was the tyre pressures were a bit out!
Are they all like this or do you think I should get an Indy to give it a good checking over and give me a second opinion?
Not seen people complain about cars with M-Sport suspension feeling soft and I'm surprised yours does (especially if it's running 20" wheels!). However, you've no doubt seen the other thread that's running where people with SE suspension on F30's aren't happy and it appears there are decent after-market solutions out there which would address the sort of problems you're describing. Does seem ridiculous that cars of this price don't come with properly sorted suspension as standard but fitting one of the after-market upgrades is almost certainly cheaper than changing the car and hence perhaps worth exploring if you're really that unhappy with things as they are?
rix said:
Take another for a test drive as a comparison?
Yes, not a bad idea. I haven't driven an F30 335i but I have driven a 435i M-Sport on 19" wheels with passive suspension and that didn't feel soft and soggy to me; drove it back to back with an F30 330d X-Drive and that certainly did feel soft in comparison because, like all X-Drives, it was on SE suspension. I can therefore understand why people with X-Drives on passive suspension are finding them too soft but I'm surprised an F30 335i M-Sport is feeling that way (especially on 20" wheels). Having said that I suppose it all depends on what your reference point is; if you've come from something like a Cayman I imagine any F3x derivative will feel poor in comparison across a twisty, undulating, road!JNW1 said:
Yes, not a bad idea. I haven't driven an F30 335i but I have driven a 435i M-Sport on 19" wheels with passive suspension and that didn't feel soft and soggy to me; drove it back to back with an F30 330d X-Drive and that certainly did feel soft in comparison because, like all X-Drives, it was on SE suspension. I can therefore understand why people with X-Drives on passive suspension are finding them too soft but I'm surprised an F30 335i M-Sport is feeling that way (especially on 20" wheels). Having said that I suppose it all depends on what your reference point is; if you've come from something like a Cayman I imagine any F3x derivative will feel poor in comparison across a twisty, undulating, road!
The standard M Sport set up is relatively soft, although firmer than SE and xDrive. It is nothing like the E9* M Sport suspension, although I thought they rode dreadfully. xDrives with ACS springs handle better than sDrive M Sport F30s, so just the springs is one option. Perhaps you need to get the full spring and damper set if handling is the main priority.
I have actually come from one of the bounciest and hardest damped cars around the Abarth 500! Obviously this is a completely different car but I'm not using this as a reference point against the BMW.
Not really wanting the expense of retro fitting the adaptive dampers, springs might be an idea but not sure how that will work with warranty cover?
Not really wanting the expense of retro fitting the adaptive dampers, springs might be an idea but not sure how that will work with warranty cover?
Col 666 said:
I have actually come from one of the bounciest and hardest damped cars around the Abarth 500! Obviously this is a completely different car but I'm not using this as a reference point against the BMW.
Not really wanting the expense of retro fitting the adaptive dampers, springs might be an idea but not sure how that will work with warranty cover?
The AC Schnitzer springs in effect do not impact the warranty cover - in that the ACS warranty dovetails with the BMW one, so anything that BMW refuse on the grounds of the modification, will be covered by ACS. Many BMW dealers will fit them as well, which is the route I went. Not really wanting the expense of retro fitting the adaptive dampers, springs might be an idea but not sure how that will work with warranty cover?
abarber said:
It's a real shame the F30 series are generally less involving compared to the E90s.
Still great cars and the F30 cabin is in another league. However for me, the main reason to opt for a 3 series over it's competitors, is much reduced.
My brother had one for a couple of days, he liked it but didn't feel it was much better than his E90, and worth the money.Still great cars and the F30 cabin is in another league. However for me, the main reason to opt for a 3 series over it's competitors, is much reduced.
Nice car but underwhelming was his impression.
abarber said:
It's a real shame the F30 series are generally less involving compared to the E90s.
Still great cars and the F30 cabin is in another league. However for me, the main reason to opt for a 3 series over it's competitors, is much reduced.
Try one with the adaptive dampers - transforms Ride and handling and turns the F30 into the car it should be.Still great cars and the F30 cabin is in another league. However for me, the main reason to opt for a 3 series over it's competitors, is much reduced.
Helicopter123 said:
Try one with the adaptive dampers - transforms Ride and handling and turns the F30 into the car it should be.
That isn't a realistic modification for the OP - I assume that BMW would charge an insane amount for the retro-fit. I have them on mine and am not quite as enthusiastic about them, although they do allow flatter cornering. The combination of ACS springs and adaptive dampers is very good though - springs and dampers seem far better matched than the original xDrive pairing. It always used to feel like the dampers were trying to compensate for the overly soft springs on the xDrive.The realistic options for the OP are firmer springs, or the more expensive option of firmer springs plus uprated dampers.
I actually drove an M235i with the adaptive dampers before I bought the 335 and it felt fantastic.
Retro fitting them would prob cost in the region of 2k and that would just be ridiculous, for that price id be better getting a proper set of KW coilovers or similar.
Looks like springs are the way to go.
Retro fitting them would prob cost in the region of 2k and that would just be ridiculous, for that price id be better getting a proper set of KW coilovers or similar.
Looks like springs are the way to go.
I'd suggest a set of Eibach springs - they apparently make Alpina and ACS springs anyway but the 30mm lowering kit should do the job. That's when you'll find a soft damper or a ropey suspension bush somewhere.
I've had Eibach springs on just about everything including a Vauxhall tram and they've always been very good. Ariuynd here the M Sport F30 just rides too poorly, crashing and banging over the millions of asteroid style potholes and bodged road repairs.The SE and Sport models ride so much better but not everyone likes the handling. I find the Sport model (as opposed to M Sport) is a decent compromise.
I've had Eibach springs on just about everything including a Vauxhall tram and they've always been very good. Ariuynd here the M Sport F30 just rides too poorly, crashing and banging over the millions of asteroid style potholes and bodged road repairs.The SE and Sport models ride so much better but not everyone likes the handling. I find the Sport model (as opposed to M Sport) is a decent compromise.
I agree. Didn’t see the date of this post so apologise if I’m way past it. Just picked up a f31 msport 2013 and the handling ain’t great and I’m a bit disappointed tbh. My old e46 was so much better, absolutely no comparison and my previous car, an A3 sline was more exciting, cornered flatter and steered better, you didn’t have to second guess everything. I’m not talking about street racing, just normal driving with a bit of fat added when in the mood. Think the newer car bug got me and I overlooked what we all value if you’re on this website; actually driving. Prob won’t get another BMW.
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