Anyone have the BMW M Performance Suspension?

Richy_Boy · 09-21-2016, 10:32 AM

I *nearly* bought the M Performance kit for my M235i (UK), but ended up going with a H&R/Koni yellow combo for less money.

In the UK, this kit is ~£1,000.. the H&R/Koni was £680 and obviously allows me to adjust the shocks to suit my needs/preference.

From what I could read (and there's very little out there!) was that the kit was really good, compliant yet improved handling over the M Sport passive setup.

Whether it's worth £1,000 I guess is personal opinion, but of course the 'full' kit is only available for cars with passive suspension from the factory.

For active, I think BMW sell a 'spring only' M Performance upgrade now?

If I were to choose again, I'd probably go for it, as the ride height isn't as low as the H&Rs.. allowing me to fit the M Performance front lip again (which I like a lot, but smashed mine up going up a slope)

Richard

Ace604 · 09-23-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchfort

I paid a bit under $3k for the suspension, springs, install and alignment at an AZ dealership. I did have to remind them about ordering the correct springs (check the thread in the 3-series forum) and it was (I believe) the first time they had done the install but they did a great job on it overall. I did check with getbmwparts.com and at the time they only had a kit that was compatible with the 235i so the dealer was just as good a deal as I could find elsewhere. I'm happy--still pleased with the result overall. It really does transform the handling of the stock 228.

Mind if you let us know which springs the kit requires?

cadreamn · 02-04-2018, 11:40 AM

I was looking into upgrading a US 230i with the M performance suspension or the M sport suspension (the one that comes stock on the M Sport package). When I followed the link provided by the OP for the M performance option on the BMW site, it indicated this was only available with the M235i. Does anyone know if this or the M sport suspension is available for a stock 230i? If not, other upgrade options?

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/44...NCE-SUSPENSION

nelsdvn · 02-10-2018, 05:55 AM

It is available, but not exactly easy to do. BMW USA no longer sanctions the installation on the 228/230i (although ROW it is still an option for dealer installation) so your dealer will not install. I just ran in to this a few months ago. I had purchased the M Performance Suspension as part of a new car deal and upon delivery they balked and would not install the parts. Typical disconnect between sales and service. I wound up taking the parts to an independent shop for install and alignment. I have a draft post of my experience but haven't gotten around to finishing it yet. Overall I'd say it is well worth the hassle to take the base suspension, or even the 702 M Sport option to the next level. I am very happy and would highly recommend the M Performance Suspension.

nelsdvn · 02-10-2018, 06:00 AM

I'll add that I have owned a 2014 228i with the 702 M Sport which I replaced with a 2016 228i that (unfortunately) had the base suspension which I upgraded to the M Performance Suspension. With significant miles on all three hands down the M Perf is the way to go. Keep in mind that I live in Wisconsin and daily drive this car. Consider the severe winter weather and the absolutely horrid roads up north and I'd still have the M Perf every single day. It is not harsh and integrates perfectly with the car. Over my 30+ years of enthusiast ownership I have made my fair share of bad suspension/spring decisions. This is not one of them.

moldcad · 02-11-2018, 02:02 AM

Well - i do have the M-P lowering kit installed. The drop is very moderate, which is what I was after; the ride and handling - very slightly better (interestingly Comfort mode is a bit more comfortable, while Sport/Sport+ have become significantly stiffer).

One thing: as I'm traveling 100% on my own and w/o heavy luggage in the trunk, it took a long time before the rear springs settled - for the first several weeks I was disappointed not seeing a difference in height vs. stock. Therefore, I think the springs (especially the rear ones) will settle even more, and the drop will be even more visible.

One thing is important: I'm keeping the original BMW warranty on my entire suspension!

Piotr

Gman235 · 04-15-2018, 09:06 PM

I just test drove a fully optioned 230i with the M-performance suspension. I'm coming from an FD RX-7 on ohlins for what it's worth, and I felt like the handling was very comparable and felt great. The only negative is that it seems to be a drive by wire system so while the system is tight and feels precise and you can tell what the wheels are doing perfectly, you don't get a lot of feedback on the little things if that makes any sense. I went from that to a m235i and was a little let down tbh (engine was way better though).

09-21-2016, 10:32 AM	#23
Richy_Boy New Member 12 Rep 28 Posts Drives: M235i & e46 M3 CS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I nearly bought the M Performance kit for my M235i (UK), but ended up going with a H&R/Koni yellow combo for less money. In the UK, this kit is ~£1,000.. the H&R/Koni was £680 and obviously allows me to adjust the shocks to suit my needs/preference. From what I could read (and there's very little out there!) was that the kit was really good, compliant yet improved handling over the M Sport passive setup. Whether it's worth £1,000 I guess is personal opinion, but of course the 'full' kit is only available for cars with passive suspension from the factory. For active, I think BMW sell a 'spring only' M Performance upgrade now? If I were to choose again, I'd probably go for it, as the ride height isn't as low as the H&Rs.. allowing me to fit the M Performance front lip again (which I like a lot, but smashed mine up going up a slope) Richard __________________ - '14 M235i - KONI Sport, H&R Sport, M Performance Exhaust + Aero.. Last edited by Richy_Boy; 09-21-2016 at 10:37 AM..
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02-04-2018, 11:40 AM	#25
cadreamn New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: Infiniti G35x Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Near BMW USA iTrader: (0)	Does this fit 230i? I was looking into upgrading a US 230i with the M performance suspension or the M sport suspension (the one that comes stock on the M Sport package). When I followed the link provided by the OP for the M performance option on the BMW site, it indicated this was only available with the M235i. Does anyone know if this or the M sport suspension is available for a stock 230i? If not, other upgrade options? http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/44...NCE-SUSPENSION
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02-10-2018, 05:55 AM	#26
nelsdvn Gangnam Member 229 Rep 136 Posts Drives: '17 M2, '15 X5d Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	It is available, but not exactly easy to do. BMW USA no longer sanctions the installation on the 228/230i (although ROW it is still an option for dealer installation) so your dealer will not install. I just ran in to this a few months ago. I had purchased the M Performance Suspension as part of a new car deal and upon delivery they balked and would not install the parts. Typical disconnect between sales and service. I wound up taking the parts to an independent shop for install and alignment. I have a draft post of my experience but haven't gotten around to finishing it yet. Overall I'd say it is well worth the hassle to take the base suspension, or even the 702 M Sport option to the next level. I am very happy and would highly recommend the M Performance Suspension. __________________ Current: 2015 BMW X5d \| 2017 BMW M2 \| 1976 BMW 90S Gone but not forgotten: 2016 BMW 228i, 2014 BMW 228i, 2008 BMW 535xiT, 1998 BMW 328iC, 1991 BMW 325iC Last edited by nelsdvn; 02-10-2018 at 06:03 AM..
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02-10-2018, 06:00 AM	#27
nelsdvn Gangnam Member 229 Rep 136 Posts Drives: '17 M2, '15 X5d Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	I'll add that I have owned a 2014 228i with the 702 M Sport which I replaced with a 2016 228i that (unfortunately) had the base suspension which I upgraded to the M Performance Suspension. With significant miles on all three hands down the M Perf is the way to go. Keep in mind that I live in Wisconsin and daily drive this car. Consider the severe winter weather and the absolutely horrid roads up north and I'd still have the M Perf every single day. It is not harsh and integrates perfectly with the car. Over my 30+ years of enthusiast ownership I have made my fair share of bad suspension/spring decisions. This is not one of them. __________________ Current: 2015 BMW X5d \| 2017 BMW M2 \| 1976 BMW 90S Gone but not forgotten: 2016 BMW 228i, 2014 BMW 228i, 2008 BMW 535xiT, 1998 BMW 328iC, 1991 BMW 325iC
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02-11-2018, 02:02 AM	#28
moldcad Major 262 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	Well - i do have the M-P lowering kit installed. The drop is very moderate, which is what I was after; the ride and handling - very slightly better (interestingly Comfort mode is a bit more comfortable, while Sport/Sport+ have become significantly stiffer). One thing: as I'm traveling 100% on my own and w/o heavy luggage in the trunk, it took a long time before the rear springs settled - for the first several weeks I was disappointed not seeing a difference in height vs. stock. Therefore, I think the springs (especially the rear ones) will settle even more, and the drop will be even more visible. One thing is important: I'm keeping the original BMW warranty on my entire suspension! Piotr Attached Images __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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04-15-2018, 09:06 PM	#29
Gman235 New Member 4 Rep 10 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	I just test drove a fully optioned 230i with the M-performance suspension. I'm coming from an FD RX-7 on ohlins for what it's worth, and I felt like the handling was very comparable and felt great. The only negative is that it seems to be a drive by wire system so while the system is tight and feels precise and you can tell what the wheels are doing perfectly, you don't get a lot of feedback on the little things if that makes any sense. I went from that to a m235i and was a little let down tbh (engine was way better though).
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