[CJBimmer]

Hey fellas. So Im thinking about getting into a 228 and trying to decide between the '15 or potentially a '17 230. I already know I'm set on certain things: MSport, 6MT etc, but Im really sorta stumped on the suspension options and what may actually be the better choice and in this case it sounds like that may kick me from one model year into the other. Ive dug around search-wise but not gotten a great feel for owner opinion and living with the car/choice so any opinions or feedback would be very helpful.

Im wrestling with the difference in drive quality between the static MSport suspension and the dynamic/adaptive MSport/Track package in the later models. There are obviously pros/cons and opinions on both sides but Ive gathered that the track package/adaptive suspension may not be all that great, sort of jack of all trades, master of none trade off. The static MSport with stiffer springs may be a better option, albeit maybe less versatile?

Anyway, I was hoping to find the sort-of enthusiast oriented preference/consensus on the performance aspect of these two options. For perspective Ill probably never track the car. I will take the twisties at every available opportunity, though.

Any help or owner perspective would be appreciated!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by CJBimmer

Hey fellas. So Im thinking about getting into a 228 and trying to decide between the '15 or potentially a '17 230. I already know I'm set on certain things: MSport, 6MT etc, but Im really sorta stumped on the suspension options and what may actually be the better choice and in this case it sounds like that may kick me from one model year into the other. Ive dug around search-wise but not gotten a great feel for owner opinion and living with the car/choice so any opinions or feedback would be very helpful.

Im wrestling with the difference in drive quality between the static MSport suspension and the dynamic/adaptive MSport/Track package in the later models. There are obviously pros/cons and opinions on both sides but Ive gathered that the track package/adaptive suspension may not be all that great, sort of jack of all trades, master of none trade off. The static MSport with stiffer springs may be a better option, albeit maybe less versatile?

Anyway, I was hoping to find the sort-of enthusiast oriented preference/consensus on the performance aspect of these two options. For perspective Ill probably never track the car. I will take the twisties at every available opportunity, though.

Any help or owner perspective would be appreciated!

I never track my car either and am convinced the Track Handling Package is sorely mis-named. I believe you may have the logic reversed of its benefits. By providing the different settings, ranging from Eco, Comfort, Sport, to Sport+, the THP cars are actually not the "jack of all trades/master of none" which suggests a compromise rather than targeting and doing very well at specific capabilities. The Comfort setting, for example, is quite noticeable and allows me to get over poor quality roads or allow my passenger (mostly, my wife) to find general riding around to be comfortable. When alone, Sport or higher changes the personality of the car quite a bit and it does a great job of firming up for more aggressive handling.

The concern you have about the MAdaptive is logically more applicable to a single fixed suspension which has to compromise between ride and handling for all situations. I'm not at all saying the fixed MSport suspension is not well calibrated, but it is only one thing and doesn't have the versatility to provide you with the choice for each situation.

Whatever you do, take one more step. I also go twisty or even traffic circle hunting sometimes, and swapping out the lower control arms for the M2 parts is a great mod....Turner Motorsports has the kit.

Good luck with your choice!

[3rdcoast228i]

There are multiple recent threads on this subject. Look back a few pages.

The best answer anyone can give is drive both. Only you can can really say what you like.

That being said... Most are going to suggest THP. You get the bigger brakes and vss, along with the suspension.

I have the Msport suspension and I love it. I can't give you a comparison of both, but I can say the Msport has a direct feel to it, body roll is minimal, and turn in is good. The car goes where you put it, and is happy to stay there. Ride is also fairly good for a "sporty" suspension, you can still daily and long trips. If you want something even more aggressive, the Mperformance suspension is available and lowers the car another 10mm. NOTE: The Mperformance suspension is not for cars with adaptive suspension.

[BarryJI]

I think the THP gives you a great baseline for enhanced performance as long as you tune it. Stock, I suppose it might seem to be a ?jack of all trades? but with aftermarket springs and retuned shocks (via Dinan?s Shockware mod) the Sport and Sport + settings can be made aggressive enough to turn this car into a pretty uncompromising performance coupe while retaining its good manners in Comfort (although that gets sharpened greatly too). Obviously the M2 has a non-adaptive suspension so there?s no arguing with that but the above approach really worked for me and I cannot imagine enjoying this car half as much without the THP and suspension tune. That?s for the street though; if I tracked the car, a tuned, non-adaptive suspension would make a lot more sense.

[beMtroubleYou]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

I think the THP gives you a great baseline for enhanced performance as long as you tune it. Stock, I suppose it might seem to be a ?jack of all trades? but with aftermarket springs and retuned shocks (via Dinan?s Shockware mod) the Sport and Sport + settings can be made aggressive enough to turn this car into a pretty uncompromising performance coupe while retaining its good manners in Comfort (although that gets sharpened greatly too). Obviously the M2 has a non-adaptive suspension so there?s no arguing with that but the above approach really worked for me and I cannot imagine enjoying this car half as much without the THP and suspension tune. That?s for the street though; if I tracked the car, a tuned, non-adaptive suspension would make a lot more sense.

I am sorry but this all is hard to take in, and I dont know why.

By changin the ammount of time the EDC checks parameters and then call it a "tune" for the suspension, whats that about. It just wears down the sensor even further. The suspension cant get stiffer it just is stiffer more often meaning that pothole will hit harder if the damper is hard as fuck instead of softer. Springs and dampers are what they are, if a software tune could get the job done they would use the same solution on the m2.

Can someone explain exacly what Dinan changes?

I kinnda get the hate against these guys.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by beMtroubleYou

I am sorry but this all is hard to take in, and I dont know why.

By changin the ammount of time the EDC checks parameters and then call it a "tune" for the suspension, whats that about. It just wears down the sensor even further. The suspension cant get stiffer it just is stiffer more often meaning that pothole will hit harder if the damper is hard as fuck instead of softer. Springs and dampers are what they are, if a software tune could get the job done they would use the same solution on the m2.

Can someone explain exacly what Dinan changes?

I kinnda get the hate against these guys.

My constructive post merely makes you hate Dinan?? Congratulations on the constructive response.

[CJBimmer]

Thanks for the responses! I’ll dig a bit more forum wise but I’m sort of glad that adaptive suspension isn’t a bust. I’d love to personally A/B these options but unfortunately the msport cars are few and far between, let alone thp cars.

There’s an M235i locally but I’m nervous it’ll be too difficult to pull the suspension influence out of that car (amongst the other differences) and I may not look back if I drive it!

[caycep]

I suspect it may be something along the lines of the discussion re the Porsche Cayman and other models where some people prefer factory stock suspension, vs the newfangled computationally adaptable suspension ("PASM"). They describe it on subjective terms as "Analog" in feel vs. "digital" on the new PASM suspensions. It may be super subtle for most folks but if you're looking for it, you can probably notice.

I have never had such fortune to drive a porsche needless to say examples of both, so just mere speculation on my part.

[nelsdvn]

Hi there. I just sold my 2014 228i with the 704 M Sport suspension (which i understand to the first step up from stock, 10mm ride ht drop, firmer ride). I bought a 2016 228i with the base suspension. The 704 M Sport is a good upgrade from base if you are looking for a very livable upgrade. That said, I have ordered the M Performance suspension for this new to me car. All of these options are the traditional non-electronically adjustable suspensions. Two weeks ago I rented a 2017 Porsche 911 with the electronic dampers. Really nice to have the adjustability but at the end of the day, they are expensive options, and the long term durability is debatable, and replacing these components over time will certainly cost more. YMMV.

[beMtroubleYou]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

My constructive post merely makes you hate Dinan?? Congratulations on the constructive response.

Trusting blindly in what someone else tells you is being constructive? Thats nice. Love your biased opinion. If you love Dinan so much just give them a sack of money.