[Kolyan2k]

I am not sure I get this suspension.....its M-performance and in Sport mode it feels like any normal car (I think Sport+ doesnt change suspension does it ?) and in Comfort mode it feels even more floaty. I am bouncing left and right in turns my chassis is set to Sport too.

Since suspension is electronic, I wish we could make it a bit stiffer with coding or something

[Cyberdemon]

The suspension on the M235 isn't as taut as a typical M car. Makes for a much more livable daily driver that can still attack turns, but no it isn't going to be nearly as stiff as an M2/M3.

The aftermarket can certainly change that characteristic if you're willing to ditch the adaptive dampers.

[morphomeman]

If you really want to float, try to find a Citroen DS. One of the greatest suspensions ever made, all air. Rock hard does not always mean good.

[XutvJet]

Go drive some other cars and you'll see that the M235 is pretty composed and taut. I've also learned over my years of modding many suspensions, leaving some travel and lean in the car is ideal for one that gets used primarily on the streets. Race car parts don't work well on the street and are tiresome.

[overcoil]

I find it unusual that in SPORT mode w/Michelin PSS your "...bouncing left and right in turns...".
I have no idea how the M235 handles an over corrected oversteer when the rear pitching back and forth - but whether hitting high-speed dips or any kind of high-speed turn...I could never complain about the cars setup.

[Kolyan2k]

I guess I would prefer M2 setup for daily driver.....

I know on my wifes IS350 most floatiness is easily removed with front and rear Fsport sway bars, I was thinking maybe changing those parts to M2s will help....if possible

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I guess I would prefer M2 setup for daily driver.....

I know on my wifes IS350 most floatiness is easily removed with front and rear Fsport sway bars, I was thinking maybe changing those parts to M2s will help....if possible

good luck changing sway bars on the M235

[N55guy]

I also hated the "floaty" feeling. I fell like the dinan springs and bump stops definitely helped with that.

[M235iguy]

I dont feel any floaty feeling. Coming from a 370Z, The M235ix handles far better in corning / sharp turns. Thats just me though. Everyone will have their own impressions.

[Kolyan2k]

PS. I mean floaty for M-PERFORMANCE car......I feel like Sport mode should have been Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings should have been a bit stiffer.

We have 4 modes, how many settings does the actual suspension have? Two is it? Why not 3 or 4 if it's electronic?

Kind of unfortunate that Dinan shockware is not available for M235 but it is for 228

[Transfer]

It floats some. Certainly more than M2 or E90 M3s that I've driven. But that's why the M cars exist and this is a lowly M performance model. Different flavors for different tastes (and budgets!). You'll have to go aftermarket if you don't like it and plan to keep the car. Personally I think the suspension perfectly suits its purpose and power level.

[TWO-BMW]

Agreed that the suspension is virtually perfect for use on actual real life roads. And I also own an M3. I think BMW hit the ultimate formula for a car driven on roads, not tracks (though it should be capable enough there too, all things considered).

If you want something firmer, go for the M2, but realize that either Car and Driver or Automobile (can't remember which) recently said that the M2's suspension was essentially unusable on roads in Michigan, where both they and I are located. They basically said it was so unpleasant an experience that they only completed the full test since they felt they owed it to their readers!

I think the M235i is superbly balanced in all aspects and could not be happier with mine.

[moldcad]

I wouldn't call my M235i floaty; rather bouncy if anything - but it's not as sporty composed as my Golf 7 R. And what's even more striking is that the Golf can be much more comfortable on bad roads, with its Comfort mode much more pronounced than that of the M235i.

[Mywifes335]

Nope. M235i is pretty damn stiff and has some travel. Just enough to keep turn-ins and directional transitions slow enough to stay out of trouble.

I had a messed up alignment from factory that made it feel "off" in corners. Once I got that sorted, it was pretty on-point. Just wish it had more front end grip.

My E60 M5 was MUCH bouncier in the max suspension setting.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

good luck changing sway bars on the M235

I heard it like same cost as installing new turbo?

[internetguru]

I find sport mode acceptable. I rarely get to drive the M235i in sport mode as passengers like soft and cushy luxury ride. My DD C7 is in sport mode 90% of the time, I use weather mode when the roads are wet.

Maybe I need to test drive an M2 for a proper comparison.

[Killramos]

The "floaty" characteristic is exactly what makes the car such a livable DD 365 days a year. For better or worse. Personally I doubt the suspension is the weak link in many of our driving styles lol. The M adaptive suspension does a really good job of keeping the car composed while simultaneously ironing out some of the harshness for the drivers benefit.

In my experience M6's drive about the same way, for exactly the same reason.

[Nahlem]

Hehe floaty? Well unfortunately for me i have the RTI tires, And let me tell ya it ain't floaty its stiff as stiff can get in my opinion the M2 has better suspension for comfort then my 235 due to the damn RTI tires. It's like oh look a small stone now lets brake the drivers back when driving over it, That's the 235i for ya! We have some speed bumps in my town that is paved with cobble stone even when you slow down to 5 km/h it still rattles apart everything on the inside and that includes your organs i don't know how many times my heart has switched place with my liver cause of this car.

So the floaty feel i must disagree with you on that one

[jaboyd]

I feel that the damping is good for non-track use. It's the cornering that is too soft, which means either or both more spring rate thru stiffer springs or larger swaybars. Ideally I'd go for swaybars to provide both a good ride and enhanced cornering but on this car that is an expensive ordeal. Springs would also work but it will tradeoff overall comfort a little, since you can't adjust damping rates beyond stock settings.

Lastly tires can be another factor. While I love the balance of MPSS for DD use and blend of ride and above normal cornering speeds, it does compromise roll bc of softer side walls. There are tires that would overcome the MPSS sidewall deflection but they will provide deteriorated ride quality to some degree.

As others pointed out the M235 is really more like the old IS designation on earlier BMW which ups the braking, handling and hp but is targeted for street ( non-track) users.....M2 is a better choice for those users wanting higher levels. If you're like me and prefer a stiffer/better handling car and willing to give up some of the compliant comfort mode, then your options are: stiffer side wall tires (Bridgestone, Dunlop, Yokohama extreme performance tires), swaybars (expensive option but least intrusive on ride quality) or springs ....or a combination.

[Kolyan2k]

Why are sway bars expensive on this car? Are the also electronicly adjustable? I know on Lexus both are like 400 bucks plus 30 min to install 😃 people say it's a night and day difference in cornering

[Steven1077]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

PS. I mean floaty for M-PERFORMANCE car......I feel like Sport mode should have been Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings should have been a bit stiffer.

We have 4 modes, how many settings does the actual suspension have? Two is it? Why not 3 or 4 if it's electronic?

Kind of unfortunate that Dinan shockware is not available for M235 but it is for 228

I don't know if they set them up differently in the UK but I find comfort almost too stiff on a lot of roads, or maybe we just have crappy roads, TBH I’d like it a little softer in comfort

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Why are sway bars expensive on this car? Are the also electronicly adjustable? I know on Lexus both are like 400 bucks plus 30 min to install �� people say it's a night and day difference in cornering

The bars themselves aren't that expensive. The cost is with the install. You need to drop the front and rear subframes to get the old bars out and the new ones in.

IMO, swaybars are overrated in cars that are already performance focused. Been there, done that on many occasions. Stiffer sway bars will reduce lean in a turn, BUT they will then transfer that load to the tires, potentially REDUCING overall handling limits. Also, sway bars limit independent wheel travel, thus compromising ride quality and handling on bumpy turns.

The M235 already has pretty thick sway bars (I believe they are hollow). if you want less lean, then I'd suggest getting slightly wider front tires with stiffer sidewalls and air up the front tires to around 40 and see where that gets you. You'll improve front end grip and reduce to roll.

I just want a little more camber up front to improve feel and grip, but the options to do that right now have their issues. Adjustable camber plates rattle (all of them) and M3/M4 LCAs create a wonky wheel to wheelwell alignment issue. I'm holding out for someone to make strut mount tophat that has an offset inwards strut hole, creating a degree or so extra camber. I don't want or need any camber adjustability in my street car. I just want a little extra front camber.