[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

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.

I am at 36/42 psi now

[junx]

I find the suspension much more reasonable after having owned a m3. The stiffness is great when you are in the mood but it gets old quick especially when the roads are uneven and bumpy. My back definitely appreciates the forgiving suspension on the 235

[Kenetic]

My first initial thought of the m235i was that it was a bit to floaty on the road. But after about a week with the car I have adapted to it and although it is still a bit to floaty, it makes for an awesome daily driver. With the few off ramps I have had a little bit of fun on, even with this stock suspension setup, I feel more comfortable in this car than I did in my lowered WRX. And im on run flats too.

[jaboyd]

^^^^agree that adding stiffer sways should be accompanied w/stiffer side wall tires. The swaybars + extreme performance tires (stiffer side walls) and ideally a wider wheel/tire combo will improve cornering with marginal reduction in overall ride quality. I've found this approach works well for an improved DD setup. If the driving is more aggressive the springs might be needed. In general the order of effect for suspension/handling in descending order is: swaybar size/setting, springs then damper setting. Since we can only change the first 2 and retain the adaptive suspension, you're limited ....adding the stiffer side walls/wider wheels will also help. Boils down to $ vs desired handling/ride quality tradeoffs.

[Boosted_six]

I wonder if the spring rates are different on active vs passive, as well as EU vs US variants.

I have a passively suspended EU car and find it stiff enough!

[Kolyan2k]

A bit ridiculous that Dinan cant crack BMW code in nearly 2 years now to make Shockware for M cars. What the hell did BMW do that makes it so hard.....I spoke to Dinan and unfortunately its almost a dead end project now....

[jaboyd]

One other contributing factor to body roll, at least in automatic cars is that the car in sport or sport+ tend to downshift too late when entering a corner....even in most aggressive chassis/drive train settings. If you're getting corner entry roll, using the paddles to downshift into a gear that puts you in the 3500 rpm or higher rpm range before entering the corner will "set " the front tires and reduce roll.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Originally Posted by 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.

This I would say is a more accurate description, I wouldn't call it floaty, but definitely bouncy. I am reminded of just how bouncy it is whenever my girlfriend complains about the ride over bumps hehe. She has an Msport 135, and while it may be pure perception I feel like her car is stiffer than mine.

I would imagine the Dinan springs will definitely help this situation, I am just debating whether to keep the car or not when my lease is up. So probably wont mod anything until I make that decision.

[bobby66]

I am running 19' RFT and the suspension on sport mode is definitely on the stiff side and a lot of feedback to steering wheel.

[Dylan86]

I actually find the stock suspension very compliant, although the ride height isn't exactly 'ideal' for me. I have put the car in many situations that would typically make most OE suspensions very upset, and it just eats it up. Almost a bit scared to loose that extra travel when I install my springs. I have a set of Dinan springs to go in, hoping to have a nice ride height along with a sportier "comfort" mode, and beast mode in sport+.

As is, in stock form the suspension settings are instantly noticeable through my back/neck/hands as the car gets much more "rigid" and direct, in feel.

[zenmaster]

How do you get the sport steering activated in comfort mode? Below sport, the steering is way too loose.

[griz31]

After briefly owning an E90 M3, the handling in the 235 leaves a little bit to be desired. Definitely not in the same league as the an M car. It feels a little more floaty and less confident pushing in the corners. I would definitely like the M setup more, but the 235 is great for what it is.

[Corinne]

The floatiness is one of the things that turned me off the M235i and made me order an M2. My daily drive for the last 14 years is a 330d touring on which I specified sports suspension when I bought it. That car has tighter handling than the M235i so I was horrified when I tested the latter. After 10 minutes I'd made the decision not to order one. Admittedly I've always been a hard suspension junkie so perhaps it's just me.

[Beef Supreme]

How are the ride and handling affected by lowering springs? Or is this mainly a cosmetic thing?

[Kolyan2k]

I guess switching to M2 suspension KW V3 is doable, but at the same time I do like the electronic one in 235i. I use Sport everywhere and switch to Comfort on bad roads.

The solution is actually cheap and easy with Dinan Shockware, unfortunately they can't crack ECU on M cars.

[Vortexginge]

Just picked mine up the other day and yes I would agree it is a bit floaty but as many have pointed out its a good compromise if you want a daily driver
After having RS 250 though everything feels soft!!

[redontheline]

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 tend to agree, wishing each mode was bumped up one notch. I actually mentioned this in my "things you don't like" post a couple weeks back. And I very well may be crazy, but I felt the stiffness of my 08 Si was closer to what I was hoping for with this car.

[Deutsche-Broke]

Originally Posted by 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.

Tested the M2.. Looked at the waiting list and gladly bought the 235.. The suspension was 80% of the decision.. While I loved the noise, engine and aggressive stance, it was clearly not set up for a quiet trip to work, or a comfortable 700 mile road trip.. It was designed for folks who want track it and beat the shit out of it. BMW Gods bless them for it as that's really what the //M department is all about..

The 235 tosses really well into the corners once you get used to the adaptive steering and has power to back it up and eventually make you smile. I'm also just happy to have some of the "M" bits incorporated to make it that much more fun..

Couldn't agree with you more..

[steve1980]

I also felt mine was slightly more floaty than I like, but still was quite good and more so when I got used to it. The Dinan springs and bumpstop set up took care of that for me.

[amw896]

in comfort it's a bit bouncy but in sport mode with 19's I find it quite stiff. The adjustability is one of the best features!

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Originally Posted by Beef Supreme

How are the ride and handling affected by lowering springs? Or is this mainly a cosmetic thing?

I have heard the dinan springs + bumps stops help a lot with this. Just sad they haven't cracked the M performance shock software.