Can someone please sum up the various suspension options?

I know the info is out there, but it's scattered and confusing... thought it would be nice to sum it all up in one thread here... apologies if a similar thread already exists, I couldn't find it. I'll populate with answers in bold as they come up.

What's the difference between M sport and non-sport? (what's the non-sport called?)... How much change in ride height/stiffness?
Stiffer with a 10mm drop.

Is there a third option that comes with the M Sport Line? (that's where I'm getting confused... my Sport Line has the M Sport suspension, but obviously it's not the M Sport Line)... If so, how does it differ from the M Sport suspension?
Sport and M Sport both get the same fixed 704 sport suspension standard.

Which Lines have which?
Sport Line and M Sport Line have the M Sport suspension, all others have non-sport

X drives all have the non-sport suspension correct?
All xDrive cars regardless of line come with the base suspension standard, including Sport and M Sport models.

ZDH = the Dynamic Handling Package

Can you have M Sport suspension and ZDH at the same time?
No

What exactly does the ZDH do? How does the Dynamic Handling Package effect the M Sport vs Normal vs _______? (if there is a third)

What if anything happens to the various suspension options when you switch between Eco/Comfort/Sport?

Anything else I missed?

Thanks!

See Sean10mm's post just below... sums it up nicely!

For non-xDrive cars:

Sport and M Sport both get the same fixed 704 sport suspension standard. You can confirm this from the ordering guide. It has a 10mm drop and is stiffer.
All other lines get the base suspension standard, which is softer.
Changing driving modes doesn't change anything about any of the above suspensions. You can look under the car and see that nothing connects any of their suspension parts to the switch.
The Adaptive M suspension (which comes with the Dynamic Handling Package) replaces the other suspensions (the ordering guide explains this, adding Adaptive M deletes 704 if the car has it), has a 10mm drop, and adjusts stiffness based on the Eco/Comfort/Sport/Sport+ setting.

For xDrive cars:

All xDrive cars regardless of line come with the base suspension standard, including Sport and M Sport models. You can confirm this in the ordering guide, Sport and M Sport lines for xDrive models don't include the 704 sport suspension like they do on non-xDrives.
The Adaptive M suspension (which comes with the Dynamic Handling Package) replaces the base suspension, does not have a 10mm drop on xDrive cars, and adjusts stiffness based on the Eco/Comfort/Sport/Sport+ setting.

Annnnnnnd... done.

Wow that was quick. Thanks sean10mm!

"All xDrive cars regardless of line come with the base suspension standard, including Sport and M Sport models."

That is just ridiculous, in my humble opinion. When I think sport vs non-sport I always think of suspension, I really dislike it when car makers call a car "sport" just because it has different trim pieces and a nicer steering wheel... or whatever. Very common on much cheaper cars, surprised BMW is doing it.

Meh... no harm done I suppose

And the Sport and M Sport lines cost the same for both xDrive and non-xDrive models!

Originally Posted by sean10mm

For xDrive cars:

All xDrive cars regardless of line come with the base suspension standard, including Sport and M Sport models.

I would not call it "base suspension", since the xDrive suspension is taller than the non-xDrive base, and stiffer to control the roll due to the taller stance.

Or at least that has always been my understanding (and it was certainly true on my E46.)

Originally Posted by floydarogers

I would not call it "base suspension", since the xDrive suspension is taller than the non-xDrive base, and stiffer to control the roll due to the taller stance.

Or at least that has always been my understanding (and it was certainly true on my E46.)

I'm pretty sure the F30 xDrive is the same height as any non-sport model.

sean10mm, I read your posts with great interest as I am seriously considering a 2013 335xi and think I want the sport susp. It's very hard to test drive one and have not been told of any coming in with ZDH. Can you explain how different the steering is please and if it changes the ratio in a long curve if accelerating through it? The thought of that happening is not up my alley and I remember it being like this on older BMW's. What I mean is the ratio changing according to speed while in a turn. Any other's input would also be appreciated.

Originally Posted by sean10mm

I'm pretty sure the F30 xDrive is the same height as any non-sport model.

Now that the xDrive sedans are on bmwusa.com:

4. xDrive models: 56.5 inches.

That's 0.2 inches higher than 328i.

With the adaptive M suspension, the stiffness is adjustable. How does the Comfort setting with this suspension compare with the standard suspension and how does the Sport setting compare with the fixed 704 sport suspension? I'm talking about a 2WD car.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Now that the xDrive sedans are on bmwusa.com:

4. xDrive models: 56.5 inches.

That's 0.2 inches higher than 328i.

Huh. 5mm difference is so small you wonder why they bothered.

Originally Posted by otonimus

ZDH = the Dynamic Handling Package, I think... what's the Z stand for?

German for "the"...zee dynamic handling package.

Originally Posted by otonimus

Which Lines have which?
Sport Line and M Sport Line have the M Sport suspension, all others have non-sport

Not accurate. Sport and M sport line cars have the sport suspension. There is no such thing as "m sport" suspension on the F30 currently, any such suspension would arrive with the redesigned M3 next year. The "M sport" on the F30 is largely cosmetic with the only performance differences being the thicker steering wheel (not sure if that really counts) and the upgraded brakes. Referring to it this way confuses people who are trying to figure out the difference between sport suspension and adaptive m suspension. See the potential for confusion when you refer to sport suspension as M sport?

Originally Posted by otonimus

X drives all have the non-sport suspension correct? [/b]

Correct, unless they spring for the adaptive suspension and handling package.

ZDH = the Dynamic Handling Package, I think... what's the Z stand for?

Probably something German. It's a package number. Some package numbers are simply a combination of numbers and letters that would only make sense to a marketing/engineering person in Germany.

Can you have M Sport suspension and ZDH at the same time? When you "build your own" on the BMW website it doesn't seem like it...

The ZDH suspension replaces whatever suspension the car would normally have. It's a "sport" suspension with adjustable shocks and wheel sensors. On the x-drive cars it is a taller ride height, otherwise it is the same on all cars regardless of the line.

What exactly does the ZDH do? How does the Dynamic Handling Package effect the M Sport vs Normal vs _______? (if there is a third)

Look here;
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=626706

And stop referring to sport suspension as an M suspension. It's not an M suspension even if you get an "m sport" car. The only cars that have M suspensions are M cars like M3, M5, etc.

What if anything happens to the various suspension options when you switch between Eco/Comfort/Sport?

Do a search, this has come up and been covered many many times. Type adaptive in the search box on this site and look at some of the threads that come up, there's tons of info about this.

Originally Posted by voip-ninja

And stop referring to sport suspension as an M suspension. It's not an M suspension even if you get an "m sport" car. The only cars that have M suspensions are M cars like M3, M5, etc.

Hmmm..... maybe you should tell that to BMW. It's a poor choice on their part, I agree it's a designation that should be reserved for m3, m5, etc. But the fact is, that's what they call it on their website, so it's gonna be called M Sport Suspension. Repeatedly. Get used to it

Originally Posted by voip-ninja

Do a search, this has come up and been covered many many times. Type adaptive in the search box on this site and look at some of the threads that come up, there's tons of info about this.

I'm well aware that this forum has a search function. It's a wonder of modern technology.

The whole point here was to sum up all of the basic suspension questions in one crystal clear thread, whether I already knew the answers or not. Apologies if a thread like this already exists, I didn't find one.

Scattered info on a forum is frustrating, I'm a big fan of when topics get summarized all in one place. This is how stickies come to be.

Originally Posted by otonimus

I'm well aware that this forum has a search function. It's a wonder of modern technology.

The whole point here was to sum up all of the basic suspension questions in one crystal clear thread, whether I already knew the answers or not. Apologies if a thread like this already exists, I didn't find one.

Scattered info on a forum is frustrating, I'm a big fan of when topics get summarized all in one place. This is how stickies come to be.

I did not get a chance to drive XDRIVE + DHP but I have a F30 335 XDRIVE 18" all seasons + base suspension and I think it rides very nicely in comfort and sport.

Originally Posted by kqf30

I did not get a chance to drive XDRIVE + DHP but I have a F30 335 XDRIVE 18" all seasons + base suspension and I think it rides very nicely in comfort and sport.

You got the "Snowboarding, anyone?" package.

Awesome car

Originally Posted by otonimus

I'm well aware that this forum has a search function. It's a wonder of modern technology.

The whole point here was to sum up all of the basic suspension questions in one crystal clear thread, whether I already knew the answers or not. Apologies if a thread like this already exists, I didn't find one.

Scattered info on a forum is frustrating, I'm a big fan of when topics get summarized all in one place. This is how stickies come to be.

Nicely put.

Originally Posted by chasfh

Nicely put.

I fall into the category of also asking questions that have already been answered. So thanks for everyone's patience and for summing up "suspension" so beautifully in one thread.

While we're at it, we might as well document the differences in other suspension parts such as the stabilizer bars/anti-roll bars...

Ok.....for a Canadian dummy like me who needs to see things in black and white....

I drove a 2012 Coupe with M Suspension and loved the handling. The 2013 Sport Line is available with an optional sport suspension. Someone in a previous post said that the M suspension and Sport suspension are the same. Is that right? So, does that mean that the suspensions in both of these cars are identical?

Dazed and confused.

RobertaZ

Originally Posted by RobertaZ

Ok.....for a Canadian dummy like me who needs to see things in black and white....

I drove a 2012 Coupe with M Suspension and loved the handling. The 2013 Sport Line is available with an optional sport suspension. Someone in a previous post said that the M suspension and Sport suspension are the same. Is that right? So, does that mean that the suspensions in both of these cars are identical?

Dazed and confused.

RobertaZ

Yes. Black and white enough for you?

The official BMW ordering guide shows this. Both come with the 704 sport suspension.

If you want to know what actually is and isn't offered on the car you need to read the official BMW ordering guide for your country. The BMW website is not official and I know the US site is full of errors.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by otonimus

Annnnnnnd... done.

Wow that was quick. Thanks sean10mm!

"All xDrive cars regardless of line come with the base suspension standard, including Sport and M Sport models."

That is just ridiculous, in my humble opinion. When I think sport vs non-sport I always think of suspension, I really dislike it when car makers call a car "sport" just because it has different trim pieces and a nicer steering wheel... or whatever. Very common on much cheaper cars, surprised BMW is doing it.

Meh... no harm done I suppose

You need to keep in mind what you are asking for. You want a high performance, rear wheel driving machine from a premier market leader with an all-wheel drive option. There is certainly nothing wrong with this, I can understand you want improved grip in the winter months. But in choosing this option, don't then criticize BMW for making this option available. The suspension has to support an additional 200 pounds of weight for the "X" drive. If you choose the standard 328i or 335i, you can get the improved suspension, and investing money into decent "snows" instead of "X" will get you everything on your wish list. BMW's true driving experience is designed around their rear-wheel drive "i" versions of their sports sedans, no other manufacture can match it (including Audi IMHO). If you want "X" drive, their is a weight penalty, fuel efficiency penalty, and a suspension penalty. BMW modifies the car to provide you (the market for X drive) what they want, but it can't be the same as "i" drive cars.

The only real problem with the suspension options for xdrive is that BMW's own website has bad information about it. It shows xdrive sport and m sport lines with the sport suspension (sometimes called "m sport" on the site, but it's the exact same thing as the sport suspension in the official BMW ordering guide, item code 704) when they don't actually have it.

Originally Posted by sean10mm

For non-xDrive cars:

Sport and M Sport both get the same fixed 704 sport suspension standard. You can confirm this from the ordering guide. It has a 10mm drop and is stiffer.
All other lines get the base suspension standard, which is softer.
Changing driving modes doesn't change anything about any of the above suspensions. You can look under the car and see that nothing connects any of their suspension parts to the switch.
The Adaptive M suspension (which comes with the Dynamic Handling Package) replaces the other suspensions (the ordering guide explains this, adding Adaptive M deletes 704 if the car has it), has a 10mm drop, and adjusts stiffness based on the Eco/Comfort/Sport/Sport+ setting.

For xDrive cars:

All xDrive cars regardless of line come with the base suspension standard, including Sport and M Sport models. You can confirm this in the ordering guide, Sport and M Sport lines for xDrive models don't include the 704 sport suspension like they do on non-xDrives.
The Adaptive M suspension (which comes with the Dynamic Handling Package) replaces the base suspension, does not have a 10mm drop on xDrive cars, and adjusts stiffness based on the Eco/Comfort/Sport/Sport+ setting.

Thanks sean10. So, just so that I'm clear and will beat this nearly dead horse, if I order a Lux model and add adaptive M suspension, I am getting 10mm lowering, bigger/stiffer sway bars, etc, basically all the 704 components + the adaptive technology and h/w too?

Originally Posted by geeman

Thanks sean10. So, just so that I'm clear and will beat this nearly dead horse, if I order a Lux model and add adaptive M suspension, I am getting 10mm lowering, bigger/stiffer sway bars, etc, basically all the 704 components + the adaptive technology and h/w too?

Yes.