Adaptive Suspension v Normal?
Discussion
I believe you're looking at getting an M140 in which case Adaptive is well worth it. It does exactly what it says on the tin, adapts the shock absorbers (via driver-selectable modes and also to a lesser degree by monitoring how it's been driven and road conditions) to suit how you want it to ride/handle. In comfort mode it's softer and more compliant so ideal for the daily commute etc, then in sport/sport+ its stiffer and more responsive when cornering for when you want to have a bit more fun and don't mind a more jarring ride. In comparison a "normal" (passively suspended) car sits somewhere in the middle in terms of damping regardless of what mode the car is in which might suit you well, but personally I love the way adaptive changes the car's feel and attitude to suit the type of driving I'm doing.
As someone else has posted, when looking into adaptive suspension it seemed the consistent message was to spec adaptive. I have it on my 440 and you can really notice the difference when changing modes (e.g sport to comfort), the car’s character changes and you can feel the suspsension firm up or soften depending on the mode. This is particularly useful when still on run flats on crappy UK roads, I read that stock suspension is not brilliant when driving day to day.
Not sure how it’s priced on the 1 series however it wasn’t overly expensive on the 440, so seemed like a sensible option.
Not sure how it’s priced on the 1 series however it wasn’t overly expensive on the 440, so seemed like a sensible option.
Just be aware that on non M cars the adaptive modes are tied to other certain modes of throttle and steering and auto box settings.
Ie, if you want sporty throttle response and steering, but comfort suspension, you can't.
Or if you want the firm ride but with lazy gearing, you can't.
This may or may not be an issue.
I'd really try test drive one and play with all the modes fully so you know what you get in each.
In my 335d for example I like the sport steering and throttle response all the time, but to be lumbered with the sport damping all the time would make it an undesirable feature.
Ie, if you want sporty throttle response and steering, but comfort suspension, you can't.
Or if you want the firm ride but with lazy gearing, you can't.
This may or may not be an issue.
I'd really try test drive one and play with all the modes fully so you know what you get in each.
In my 335d for example I like the sport steering and throttle response all the time, but to be lumbered with the sport damping all the time would make it an undesirable feature.
F355GTS said:
Have it on my M135i and it's superb, definitely spec it for £550 or whatever it is now
Thank you (and to all), as you say it's not expensive so it's more that it isn't a backward step (can't see how it can be but would prefer to understand any downsides).Woolley question perhaps but you own some exotic stuff - how does the 135i compare?
You're in a fortunate position and I'm curious when you walk towards the garage at what point you'd think "I'll go in the 135i today"?
I have adaptive on my 2014 330d and like others feel it's a good thing to have. Comfort feels too soft once driving briskly down a twisting road but Sport seems spot on. I even find that Sport feels more stable on a motorway especially in a cross wind.
Sport mode is configurable so you can have firm suspension and steering while leaving the throttle response and gearbox as if in Comfort. You can also stop that pointless graphic appearing when swapping modes.
Sport mode is configurable so you can have firm suspension and steering while leaving the throttle response and gearbox as if in Comfort. You can also stop that pointless graphic appearing when swapping modes.
I didn't have it on my previous 330d xDrive Touring and opted for it on the replacment M235i Convertible. I'd say that it was worth it as mentioned above, in terms of allowing you to switch into a relaxed mode for routine motorway journeys (Comfort) versus more dynamic setup for cross-country etc. (Sport).
EcoPro is a separate fuel efficiency mode which is most use when you're running a bit low on a long motorway or autoroute journeys. In EcoPro, with the Sport Auto gearbox, it will quietly freewheel downhill but immediately re-engage if you press the brake or accelerator. I reckoned that this summer, on my long Autoroute drive to the Alps, it was saving me about 58Kms per tank of fuel, which was useful. It doesn't engage coasting if you've got cruise control on. I also use it when driving to the gym locally, as we're in a very hilly area, and I save about 12%-15% fuel on the downhill stretches and in the rush hour the traffic is slow anyway, so no opportunity to go into Sport mode.
I'm also impressed by the BMW Adaptive Headlights. The technology is impressive. If you do a lot of winter, cross-country driving this is an option I'd recommend as well.
EcoPro is a separate fuel efficiency mode which is most use when you're running a bit low on a long motorway or autoroute journeys. In EcoPro, with the Sport Auto gearbox, it will quietly freewheel downhill but immediately re-engage if you press the brake or accelerator. I reckoned that this summer, on my long Autoroute drive to the Alps, it was saving me about 58Kms per tank of fuel, which was useful. It doesn't engage coasting if you've got cruise control on. I also use it when driving to the gym locally, as we're in a very hilly area, and I save about 12%-15% fuel on the downhill stretches and in the rush hour the traffic is slow anyway, so no opportunity to go into Sport mode.
I'm also impressed by the BMW Adaptive Headlights. The technology is impressive. If you do a lot of winter, cross-country driving this is an option I'd recommend as well.
Edited by msej449 on Monday 1st January 11:38
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hstewie said:
hstewie said: Looking at BMW and one of the factory options is "adaptive suspension".
YouTube and Google await but I'm more interested if it's something noticeable in normal day to day driving?
Have it on my M140 and the difference between sport and comfort is very noticeable, definitely worth having for the cost in my opinion.YouTube and Google await but I'm more interested if it's something noticeable in normal day to day driving?
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: Thank you (and to all), as you say it's not expensive so it's more that it isn't a backward step (can't see how it can be but would prefer to understand any downsides).
Woolley question perhaps but you own some exotic stuff - how does the 135i compare?
You're in a fortunate position and I'm curious when you walk towards the garage at what point you'd think "I'll go in the 135i today"?
I love my M135i, it's almost certainly the quickest car point to point that I own. I rarely use the Ferraris for everyday so don't really have the 'which one to take' thoughts but never tire of driving the little Beemer. It's certainly my first choice over the Disco 4 or Z4 35iS Woolley question perhaps but you own some exotic stuff - how does the 135i compare?
You're in a fortunate position and I'm curious when you walk towards the garage at what point you'd think "I'll go in the 135i today"?
I'll be ordering a new m140i in the next few months myself to replace the M135i
F355GTS said:
I love my M135i, it's almost certainly the quickest car point to point that I own. I rarely use the Ferraris for everyday so don't really have the 'which one to take' thoughts but never tire of driving the little Beemer. It's certainly my first choice over the Disco 4 or Z4 35iS
I'll be ordering a new m140i in the next few months myself to replace the M135i
Thank you, so far nobody is doing a very good job at putting me off I'll be ordering a new m140i in the next few months myself to replace the M135i
Mr Whippy said:
Just be aware that on non M cars the adaptive modes are tied to other certain modes of throttle and steering and auto box settings.
Ie, if you want sporty throttle response and steering, but comfort suspension, you can't.
Or if you want the firm ride but with lazy gearing, you can't.
Errr, i'm going to have to beg to differ.Ie, if you want sporty throttle response and steering, but comfort suspension, you can't.
Or if you want the firm ride but with lazy gearing, you can't.
My 2016 340i touring has adaptive dampers, and when i roll the performance control to sport mode i have an option to specify what that does;
Chassis and drivetrain
Chassis only
Drivetrain only
Chassis only seems to give me the stiffer dampers and heavier steering
Drivetrain only (which i use a fair bit as i live in the pothole-ridden Cotswolds) gives me soft suspension and light steering but with the better throttle and gearbox response.
Perhaps this changed at some point? Is your 335d pre-LCI?
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: Thank you, so far nobody is doing a very good job at putting me off
Gives you more flexibility. Good option to have for most people i would think.Weirdly, whilst i have it on my family car (340i wagon) i don't have it on my 2 work cars (both M235i's, though they're about to be replaced).
When you turn traction control fully off (long press of the DTC button) then it doesn't matter what mode you were in before, it puts the chassis and drivetrain back into the comfort settings. Soft dampers, soft throttle pedal, light steering.
I don't for a moment imagine that's a problem for most people but it's just something you should be aware of.
VerySideways said:
Errr, i'm going to have to beg to differ.
My 2016 340i touring has adaptive dampers, and when i roll the performance control to sport mode i have an option to specify what that does;
Chassis and drivetrain
Chassis only
Drivetrain only
Chassis only seems to give me the stiffer dampers and heavier steering
Drivetrain only (which i use a fair bit as i live in the pothole-ridden Cotswolds) gives me soft suspension and light steering but with the better throttle and gearbox response.
Perhaps this changed at some point? Is your 335d pre-LCI?
But you can't get heavy steering (chassis), without firm suspension too (chassis also)My 2016 340i touring has adaptive dampers, and when i roll the performance control to sport mode i have an option to specify what that does;
Chassis and drivetrain
Chassis only
Drivetrain only
Chassis only seems to give me the stiffer dampers and heavier steering
Drivetrain only (which i use a fair bit as i live in the pothole-ridden Cotswolds) gives me soft suspension and light steering but with the better throttle and gearbox response.
Perhaps this changed at some point? Is your 335d pre-LCI?
I can't cope with the non-sport steering, it's so light and lifeless.
So if you're likely to want sport steering all the time you *have* to have the firm suspension... and vice versa.
The solution is more granularity in the settings as per M1 and M2 on the M cars.
Without that you are stuck with certain things being bound when they may not be to your preference.
From an ultimate performance point of view it is far better for damping to be constant - ie passive as the car is far more predictable on and near its limit. For a driver who wishes to track his car regularly, passive would the better option. The last thing you want at 10/10ths is variation beyond the control of the driver. I’ve seen several nasty accidents which decent drivers at the wheel that have been caused by active damping. Also, for best performance, spring and damping rates will be matched. Active damping by its nature will change the damping rate and its relationship with the spring rate. This is not ideal. Basically, if you want the best damping performance then a decent passive set up is the way to go. But for most drivers, most of the time an active/adaptive set up offers a reasonable solution. One of the main reasons that I chose my M2 over other other M cars was because of its passive damping set up.
Both systems are a compromise. Active/adaptive gives a damping option for several damping scenarios but with compromised performance in each when compared to a passive set up. A passive set up will give better performance but in a narrower window. Ie, the window that it was specifically designed for. The best compromise is a set of adjustable passive dampers - but these will need to be adjusted manually to suit the drivers requirements. Over time, this often proves tiresome when compared to adaptative systems which are activated real time.
Both systems are a compromise. Active/adaptive gives a damping option for several damping scenarios but with compromised performance in each when compared to a passive set up. A passive set up will give better performance but in a narrower window. Ie, the window that it was specifically designed for. The best compromise is a set of adjustable passive dampers - but these will need to be adjusted manually to suit the drivers requirements. Over time, this often proves tiresome when compared to adaptative systems which are activated real time.
Edited by Steve Rance on Tuesday 2nd January 06:19
Mr Whippy said:
But you can't get heavy steering (chassis), without firm suspension too (chassis also)
I can't cope with the non-sport steering, it's so light and lifeless.
So if you're likely to want sport steering all the time you *have* to have the firm suspension... and vice versa.
Oh i see! Then i apologise, you're absolutely right on that.I can't cope with the non-sport steering, it's so light and lifeless.
So if you're likely to want sport steering all the time you *have* to have the firm suspension... and vice versa.
I'm happy with the sport drivetrain and comfort chassis for my day to day driving, but i take your point.
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