M Adaptive suspension - M135i
Discussion
Hi guys.
Does anyone know for sure how the M Apdaptive Suspenion compares to the standard suspension on the M135i.
My salesman informed me that in its hardest/stiffest setting, the M Adaptive suspension is only the same as the standard M135i suspension.
So by selecting the M Adaptive suspension this only allows you to make the suspension softer than standard.
Does anyone know if this is true?
Thanks in advance.
Does anyone know for sure how the M Apdaptive Suspenion compares to the standard suspension on the M135i.
My salesman informed me that in its hardest/stiffest setting, the M Adaptive suspension is only the same as the standard M135i suspension.
So by selecting the M Adaptive suspension this only allows you to make the suspension softer than standard.
Does anyone know if this is true?
Thanks in advance.
Think it is a bit more complex than just a switch between soft and hard. Extract from BMW's website about the Adaptive suspension:
During the journey, sensors continuously measure data and control the shock
absorber valves in the Adaptive M suspension according to the driving situation
and road profile. This takes place for each wheel individually so that optimum
road holding is guaranteed at all times.
Have to say on mine it is brilliant. Hit a pothole and the suspension just soaks it up. A nice change from my old Z4m Coupe! The car is simply immense.
During the journey, sensors continuously measure data and control the shock
absorber valves in the Adaptive M suspension according to the driving situation
and road profile. This takes place for each wheel individually so that optimum
road holding is guaranteed at all times.
Have to say on mine it is brilliant. Hit a pothole and the suspension just soaks it up. A nice change from my old Z4m Coupe! The car is simply immense.
I personally found the car quite soft enough with the adaptive suspension in sport mode which I assumed was the equivalent of not having that option at all. So does the adaptive suspension option do more than just make the ride slightly softer? I didn't think it was an active system as such?
TrackdayHiro said:
I personally found the car quite soft enough with the adaptive suspension in sport mode which I assumed was the equivalent of not having that option at all. So does the adaptive suspension option do more than just make the ride slightly softer? I didn't think it was an active system as such?
The BMW website seems to imply it is a kind of active system, which explains why when you hit a pothole your teeth don't fall out. Obviously it doesn't adjust the spring rate. In terms of comparision to the standard set up I can't really comment as haven't driven one with the passive sus. To be honest I haven't found that much technical info on the web and the hand book doesn't tell you much either.
I have found the ride in comfort mode better than most standard cars which was a surprise. Like you, I also find the ride in Sport 'relativily' soft (My previous car was a Z4MC though and the other half's car is a Twingo 133 with cup pack!), but then this was designed as a road car not for track use. I have noticed minimal body roll though given the suppleness of the ride. Still running it in so have yet to really push it to see how the suspension copes with 'spirited' driving.
Got a reply directly from BMW saying that the sport mode in the Adaptive Suspension should feel the same as the normal M135i suspension. There will also be no ride height difference between M135i's with or without Apdaptive Suspension.
Glad thats cleared up as it frees up £500 odd quid to go towards the M-Performance exhaust now available for the M135i.
Glad thats cleared up as it frees up £500 odd quid to go towards the M-Performance exhaust now available for the M135i.
This is what I got back from BMW:
The optional Adaptive M suspension allows the sports tuning of the BMW 1 Series 5-door to be increased as required without compromising on comfort. Lowering the chassis by 10 mm produces increases agility. Using the Drive Performance Control, the driver can also choose between a setting geared towards sports character and one with more of an emphasis on comfort.
During the journey, sensors continuously measure data and control the shock absorber valves in the Adaptive M suspension according to the driving situation and road profile. This takes place for each wheel individually so that optimum roadholding is guaranteed at all times.
The optional Adaptive M suspension allows the sports tuning of the BMW 1 Series 5-door to be increased as required without compromising on comfort. Lowering the chassis by 10 mm produces increases agility. Using the Drive Performance Control, the driver can also choose between a setting geared towards sports character and one with more of an emphasis on comfort.
During the journey, sensors continuously measure data and control the shock absorber valves in the Adaptive M suspension according to the driving situation and road profile. This takes place for each wheel individually so that optimum roadholding is guaranteed at all times.
Yep thats a regurgitation of this.
http://www.bmw.co.uk/en/new-vehicles/1/3-door/2012...
Which I think is a comparison to the standard 1 Series suspension setup.
But they clearly stated to me that there would be no difference in stiffness or "feel" between the Adaptive and normal M135i suspension.
http://www.bmw.co.uk/en/new-vehicles/1/3-door/2012...
Which I think is a comparison to the standard 1 Series suspension setup.
But they clearly stated to me that there would be no difference in stiffness or "feel" between the Adaptive and normal M135i suspension.
I've not tried an M135 without adaptive suspension so have no direct comparison but when I had a test drive in one with it fitted it did make the ride appreciably softer in soft mode. The fact that it's an active system won it for me. I've specced on the M135 I've order today.
You got a link to the exhaust?
You got a link to the exhaust?
Johnb850 said:
I went for the Harmon Kardon upgrade. Its a marked improvement over the standard stereo.
Regarding the suspension, I didnt go for the adpative suspension. The way I see it now, having normal shocks and srpings makes it alot more simple to upgrade the suspension in the future.
Cool, think I might be asking to add that in (I do like a good sound system), after reading a few posts I think the ability to upgrade the suspension may be a preferred option.Regarding the suspension, I didnt go for the adpative suspension. The way I see it now, having normal shocks and srpings makes it alot more simple to upgrade the suspension in the future.
I have driven both suspension types and a non-adaptive M135i has quite a firm ride that never really settles down, even on the motorway. The car I test drove was non-adaptive and the firmness of the ride on the motorway was one of my concerns about it - I wasn't sure if adaptive would help but I took the plunge on the basis that it wasn't likely to be worse.
I'm glad I did because the ride is monumentally better with adaptive. The system is one that constantly adapts meaning that even in sport mode, it still rides better than a non-adaptive car (probably because it's not always needing to operate at it's firmest setting unless it needs to). So, by going adaptive I reckon you don't get any trade off in handling but you do get a welcome dose of compliance on a bumpy road and a better ride in almost all circumstances.
As for HK audio, it's decent enough but not as good as you'd expect if you've heard HK in the bigger BMW's (where I think it tends to sound fairly decent). In the 1 series it tends to sound good at high volumes, but a little lacking in bass at lower volumes which oddly enough isn't typical of other HK systems I've heard. Saying this, it is much better than the standard audio (which is dire) so, if you like your music and don't want to rip out your interior fitting a (probably more expensive) bespoke system, I'd say it is worth it. If you are on a budget, I believe the middling option non-branded upgrade is also noticeably better than standard but, if you're going to buy that then you talking, what, a couple of hundred extra for the HK? Whatever, your talking the equivalent of a pint of beer a week for HK......you pays your money and takes your choice.
I'm glad I did because the ride is monumentally better with adaptive. The system is one that constantly adapts meaning that even in sport mode, it still rides better than a non-adaptive car (probably because it's not always needing to operate at it's firmest setting unless it needs to). So, by going adaptive I reckon you don't get any trade off in handling but you do get a welcome dose of compliance on a bumpy road and a better ride in almost all circumstances.
As for HK audio, it's decent enough but not as good as you'd expect if you've heard HK in the bigger BMW's (where I think it tends to sound fairly decent). In the 1 series it tends to sound good at high volumes, but a little lacking in bass at lower volumes which oddly enough isn't typical of other HK systems I've heard. Saying this, it is much better than the standard audio (which is dire) so, if you like your music and don't want to rip out your interior fitting a (probably more expensive) bespoke system, I'd say it is worth it. If you are on a budget, I believe the middling option non-branded upgrade is also noticeably better than standard but, if you're going to buy that then you talking, what, a couple of hundred extra for the HK? Whatever, your talking the equivalent of a pint of beer a week for HK......you pays your money and takes your choice.
Johnb;
I came to the same conclusion! The ride impressed me on the test drive and that was with RFTs. I find it very good with normal suspension even on our dismal rural roads. You certainly know what's happening under you but it's definitely not too firm like most cars of it's type. And it weighs less...
We got that Advanced speaker setup. Well worth it IMO and better at low volumes than HK. Spending the most doesn't always mean the best.
I came to the same conclusion! The ride impressed me on the test drive and that was with RFTs. I find it very good with normal suspension even on our dismal rural roads. You certainly know what's happening under you but it's definitely not too firm like most cars of it's type. And it weighs less...
We got that Advanced speaker setup. Well worth it IMO and better at low volumes than HK. Spending the most doesn't always mean the best.
Edited by Vladimir on Sunday 26th January 20:46
Vladimir said:
We got that Advanced speaker setup. Well worth it IMO and better at low volumes than HK. Spending the most doesn't always mean the best.
You don't know this Vlad. Edited by Vladimir on Sunday 26th January 20:46
As far as I can see, it's only me spouting this (potential s
te) that HK isn't brilliant at low volumes....but thats in comparison to other cars. The standard audio in the 1 series is atrocious, the HK is much better, but not as good as I think it should be. I highly doubt the middling system sounds better than HK at any volume as it's not going to have superior amplification or speakers and, most importantly, it's still lumbered with at least some of the root causes of the average sound - poor acoustics and very poorly located rear speakers. What is beyond doubt is that one or option or the other does need to be spec'd if you like listening to music....whether the inevitable enhancement you get by going HK is worth the added premium is debatable which I don't think anyone can answer unless they have heard the different systems in the same car - and I don't believe anyone claims to have done so.ETA - having now caught up with comments on another forum, I see someone on there has owned different 1 series and experienced business and HK in their different cars. And the claim there is if the HK is 10/10 then the business is 7/10. I've never heard Business so don't really have an opinion on the comparison of both outside of the assumptions made above.
Edited by Palmball on Sunday 26th January 21:23
Well I've listened to both systems in an M135i; I'm not regurgitating your findings, I'm using others experiences and my own. A number have been disappointed with HK, I haven't heard anyone with Advanced say they don't like it. Having said that many rave about HK but to me, it's not only £300 more, it's not necessarily better. And I don't like the brand.
I know you like to spec any car up to the eyeballs but some of us need to a little more choosy. I also think ticking every box isn't what the car is about.
I know you like to spec any car up to the eyeballs but some of us need to a little more choosy. I also think ticking every box isn't what the car is about.
Edited by Vladimir on Sunday 26th January 22:07
Cheers for the replies guys, hope I've not started an argument. I was reasonably impressed with the basic setup in my mums 123d in terms of sound but reckon I might be aswell upgrading a little as it is something that I enjoy, I'm not sure about the adaptive suspension, and as I've never bought a new car before I find the specification process a little overwhelming, I like my cars simple so I've specced mine as simple as I feel, other than the cruise control and rear parking sensors, I've not gone for anything else, I could've gone mad but I reckon that I'd prefer to save up for an LSD and an Eisenmann exhaust.
FRA53R said:
Cheers for the replies guys, hope I've not started an argument. I was reasonably impressed with the basic setup in my mums 123d in terms of sound but reckon I might be aswell upgrading a little as it is something that I enjoy, I'm not sure about the adaptive suspension, and as I've never bought a new car before I find the specification process a little overwhelming, I like my cars simple so I've specced mine as simple as I feel, other than the cruise control and rear parking sensors, I've not gone for anything else, I could've gone mad but I reckon that I'd prefer to save up for an LSD and an Eisenmann exhaust.
Good on you; I think that approach suits the car perfectly. Again while some swear by Adaptive suspension, several on babynet think they wasted their money on it. I'm totally happy with the ride on ours as is "the boss" (!) The M135i is a fairly well specced car anyway and you have two useful extras with the Comfort pack - keep it light, enjoy it!Could also be worth noting that Adaptive has a GFV after four years of… nothing.
Edited by Vladimir on Sunday 26th January 23:02
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