Adaptive M Suspension on Base vs Sports

I heard/assume

• Sports is lowered and has firmer suspension.
• Adaptive M is also lowered and has sports/comfort setting.
• Adaptive M firm is firmer than Sports

Now the question:

• Does Sports/AdaptiveM:Sport sportier than Base/AdaptiveM:Sport?
• Does Base/AdaptiveM:Comfy comfier than Sports/AaptiveM:Comfy?
• Does Base/AdaptiveM == Sports - cosmetic? In other words, do you get most of the "sport" without the "look"?

Perhaps I missed the change in the 2013 details but I wasn't aware you could get Adaptive M without the Sport Line or M Sport package.

Tim

Originally Posted by tim330i

Perhaps I missed the change in the 2013 details but I wasn't aware you could get Adaptive M without the Sport Line or M Sport package.

Tim

I tried on bmwconfig, it seems to indicate Dynamic Handling Package is a stand alone package. In other cases, the orange square will say "will add ..." or "require ..."

The ordering guides do not list Sport or M-Sport as a requirement anymore for Adaptive M-Sport.
The notes only say that ordering it with Sport or M-Sport deletes 704 Passive Sport suspension.

With the above information in mind here are my answers -

Does Sports/AdaptiveM:Sport sportier than Base/AdaptiveM:Sport?

In terms of pure handling they should be the same. You get the sports seats with the Sport Line so I think that will make the car feel sportier and hold you better in turns but overall they're the same.

Does Base/AdaptiveM:Comfy comfier than Sports/AaptiveM:Comfy?

Adaptive M is Adaptive M, if the car has it they're going to feel the same regardless of the line. I don't believe the Sport Line changes anything else in the suspension.

Does Base/AdaptiveM == Sports - cosmetic? In other words, do you get most of the "sport" without the "look"?

Basically.

don't know about the 328i if with the adaptive M suspension you will need the 18 inch wheels. With the 335i is a mute point as you get them with the base car, which means for 1700 dollars you are basically paying for the sport seats and different wheels (but the same size) and different steering wheel.

so the question is: 1700 for sport seats and steering wheel worth it? I think it is, especially since some folks in here are not loving the standard seats in terms of comfort.

You are right Windsor (also note it's "moot" point, there is no such thing as a "mute" point).

However, the big news (to me and maybe other potential x-drive owners) is that you can now add the adaptive suspension to the x-drive cars, which, if I understand my CA correctly has never before been an option.

So, basically if you get adaptive suspension package on an x-drive BMW (sport or otherwise) you will actually get a sport suspension on the AWD car. It's been particularly frustrating to me that I could easily get a sport suspension on any quattro A4/S4 but it had not ever been available to get an x-drive car and get a better suspension setup from BMW.

Just noticed that it's available on xDrive too (as well as sport suspension in Sports Package). Does this mean we can get a sporty xDrive now? I remember in previous generation, sports package on xDrive is pure cosmetic.

Originally Posted by whoever

Just noticed that it's available on xDrive too (as well as sport suspension in Sports Package). Does this mean we can get a sporty xDrive now? I remember in previous generation, sports package on xDrive is pure cosmetic.

Yes, for an extra $1000 we can finally get a sport suspension on the car that we paid the same price for sportline as a RWD car that has a real sport suspension.

Hopefully someone can confirm, but it was my understanding that ZDH on the 2013 xDrive cars will still sit higher (different springs for xDrive) than the 704 sport suspension. The only real addition is the variable dampers (and the variable steering rack included in ZDH). Do I have that right?

Originally Posted by voip-ninja

Yes, for an extra $1000 we can finally get a sport suspension on the car that we paid the same price for sportline as a RWD car that has a real sport suspension.

LOL. something like that VOIP. thanks for the correction on the moot point btw...

Originally Posted by rtgirard

Hopefully someone can confirm, but it was my understanding that ZDH on the 2013 xDrive cars will still sit higher (different springs for xDrive) than the 704 sport suspension. The only real addition is the variable dampers (and the variable steering rack included in ZDH). Do I have that right?

I'm not sure, what's the source of your information?

The struts and other components are different if I recall seeing videos of different cars when the F30 came out, so I imagine it would be more than just active dampeners.

Originally Posted by voip-ninja

I'm not sure, what's the source of your information?

The struts and other components are different if I recall seeing videos of different cars when the F30 came out, so I imagine it would be more than just active dampeners.

I'm not sure either... may have only been conjecture shared by another forum poster... I'm trying to find what I read.

Here was part of it: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByxQ...cDQ/edit?pli=1

Posted in this thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=621038

I guess I took all of that to be more official than it may be. I'm not sure how accurate it is.

Somehow I think the idea that one can combine Adaptive M with a non-Sport Line or non-M-Sport Line car is a mistake in the ordering guides. Has anyone actually been able to put this combination through the BMWNA ordering process?

Originally Posted by Robert A

Somehow I think the idea that one can combine Adaptive M with a non-Sport Line or non-M-Sport Line car is a mistake in the ordering guides. Has anyone actually been able to put this combination through the BMWNA ordering process?

you would think that. That's why I asked the question on a base 328i to get the adaptive suspension to you need also 18 inch wheels as it comes with 17 inch?

Originally Posted by Robert A

Somehow I think the idea that one can combine Adaptive M with a non-Sport Line or non-M-Sport Line car is a mistake in the ordering guides. Has anyone actually been able to put this combination through the BMWNA ordering process?

The ordering guide is correct. I ordered my no-line 335 with the dynamic handling package.

I saw this when the ordering guides first came out. Unless a dealer can actually punch that configuration into their ordering machines, I think that's going to be corrected post haste. Otherwise, nothing makes sense in this world.

Originally Posted by windsor027

you would think that. That's why I asked the question on a base 328i to get the adaptive suspension to you need also 18 inch wheels as it comes with 17 inch?

I've always found the ordering guides to be accurate about telling you when an option requires something else, or can't be ordered with something else, so since it doesn't say that 18" wheels are required with the dynamic handling package, I'm sure they're not.

When I ordered my non-Sport 335, my CA didn't think I could get the dynamic handling package, but because the ordering guide didn't say Sport was required, I was sure i could. I asked him to try ordering it and it did go through.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...nsion.html#t=l

Adaptive M suspension.
The optional Adaptive M suspension provides further reinforcement for the dynamic driving characteristics of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and exploits their visual effect to the full, without comprising in any way on comfort.

In the optional Adaptive M suspension, a lowering of the chassis by ten millimetres and electronically controlled dampers result in increased agility. 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.
An electronic control unit processes information on wheel, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, on vehicle speed as well as on steering wheel position in order to adapt the damper parameters to the road profile and driving situation. In addition to this, the driver can individually alter the setting of the suspension to increase comfort or sporting character via the Driving Experience Control

So, as mentioned above, when ordered Adaptive M with the Sport Line, you are effectively throwing away the sport suspension upgrade.

Still confused.

335i Sedan ZMM M Sport Line has option 704 Sport Suspension
335i xDrive Sedan ZMM M Sport Line does not have 704 Sport Suspension
//
ZDH Dynamic Handling Package states ZMM will delete 704 Sport Suspension from order
//
Assumption:
2VF Adaptive M Suspension has its own suspension different from stock and 704 Sport Suspension.

Yes or No?

Kevin that would be my assumption as well. The dynamic handling package includes its own suspension. I would be very surprised if they would make it different on x-drive cars than AWD cars, but I suppose it is possible. It would seem to me that the biggest "drawback" on the AWD cars would be a slightly lower ground clearance.

Originally Posted by Robert A

So, as mentioned above, when ordered Adaptive M with the Sport Line, you are effectively throwing away the sport suspension upgrade.

Yea but I want the sport seats. Can I get them as an option? I don't think so, so I need to get the sports line just to get the sport seats and steering wheel. honestly I think this is a huge mistake by BMW, if they are allowing for the adaptive suspension as an option on the base car they should also have the sport seats and steering wheel as an option.

If you get the adaptive suspension AND order sport line it would appear that you are paying for the sport line upgrade to get;

1. Sport+ mode
2. Higher speed limiter
3. shadowline exterior treatment
4. sport wheels
5. anthracite headliner
6. speedo with more granular differentiation
7. and the all important sport seats.

And maybe a few other very minor things.