THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Suspension | Chassis | Brakes Suspension Journey 101 - TracTive & Team DNA Autosport

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-06-2023, 08:22 AM   #1
TTR M240i
Enlisted Member
TTR M240i's Avatar
Australia
6
Rep
30
Posts

Drives: 2019 M240i
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Suspension Journey 101 - TracTive & Team DNA Autosport

As some of you would know, I own an 2019 M240i.
A new purchase and a little cracker of a car.

As with all my cars, within the first or second week of ownership, the first port of call is... suspension of course!!!
To be fair though, the car's ride was good but as with all of my cars, they need to sit right..... right????
I like a car to sit flat. No positive rake. No negative rake... and definitely not a fist full of arch gap.

Available at the time was a height adjustable kit - [no brand mentioned] - but, I think you all know which one.
I went for this kit because a specific spring only drop was unavailable.
I wanted a 25mm drop in the front and a 30mm drop in the rear so to have an identical arch gap also.
On went the kit, well it did but it also came off quick!
Even before the front adjusters went on, quality issues were raised with regards to fitment.
We were too far in the discovery so we kept going.
Hmmmmmmmm.......!!!!!
A quick drive around the block and it was straight back in!
Yep!
The front sounded like a well used spring mattress - you know what I mean!!!!!
The adjusters didn't seat correctly over the shock body.
But you know what... the spring rates were spot on.
Nevertheless they were removed and a set of H&R lowered springs were installed.
Here we go again....
Advertised on the box and the coils themselves was a drop of 25mm for both the front and rear.
After install, front drop was like between 30-35 and rear was 25mm.
For anyone who has lowered there car by 35mm on the front and with an M Performance spoiler will know that this spells CATASTOPHE.
So... a special spacer was made (8mm) which raised the front by 5mm which equals - positive rake and two new spoilers later got me thinking again.
As sad I liked the ride quality with the H&R's but I had to invest in a system that gave me everything: ride height adjustment, performance based ride, inboard adjustment, handling
but most important compliance as I'm not tracking this car.
Am I asking for too much?
Hello KW DDC.
Just based on looks alone all my wishes were going to be answered.... right?
Hmmmmmm.......
You see, I also looked into the Bilstein B16 DT but the kit was unavailable at the time - 2019/20 - peek COVID - logistics nightmare etc....

On with the KW then....
I had butterflies in my stomach when picking the car up. After driving it I had moths..... thousand's of them.
You see, I thought I owned a sporty performance based car but drove out driving a Cadillac.
Comfort mode was just like having a waterbed for your seat.
Sport mode was sport mode.... on the bouncy side.
KW were awesome though!
They sent out a variety of different rate springs as my issue was more the rear. In comfort and going over speed bumps it would oscillate 4-5 times before settling.
Sport mode did not have this issue.
To me it is a big deal though.
It's in the damping of the shock and not the springs and they do use the BMW valve/solenoid.
Unfortunately Australian conditions vary to those overseas. In saying that, there'll always be happy customers as much as unhappy ones.
But the support from both KW and the Australian Distributor - Alessio from City Performance was outstanding!

Back onto google...........

"TracTive" I hear!
Night after night, day after day searching for........................ the perfect shock - within budget after already spending $$$$$.......... !
Now... wouldn't it be great to have a system with inboard adjustment? [TICK].
Wouldn't it be great to have the firmness/softness damping adjustment inboard? [TICK]
What? Roll/Pitch adjustment also???
All of this at the touch of a button and you don't have to get under the car every time to alter settings.....!!!!!

Here we go a gain...

A call to DNA Autosport (Australian TracTive Distributor) was made as soon as the clock chimed for open office.
Speaking with Andre (Owner) I gave him a list of what I wanted, had a great chat and organised to meet up.

The place is amazing!
The Team are amazing!

Andre promised me that the kit he specifically choose for my car would put a smile on my face like a split watermelon.
We opted for the TracTive Standalone Touring Line Kit.
This would call for the coding out of my adaptive suspension and then use TracTive's brain, G-Sensor and Touchscreen for the adjustments.

Deposit laid down.

Then the call... 'they're here'....!!!!

So a slot was available in the coming week and I took it.
After two days my car was ready.
And.... guess what?
Andre greeted me in an Santa Outfit....!
Why you ask?
I said the same......!
I've granted you your wishes!
Just kidding, no Santa outfit but can I tell you all something......... well I am anyway...
This kit is: AMAZING!
It has five modes that you can configure all at a touch of a screen.
Each increment is noticeable!
Comfort is as comfortable as you want it and Sport is as sporty as you want it.... and three other presets in between.
And no more oscillations..... yeahhhhhhh.

This has been one hell of an expensive journey for me so hopefully my story can help those that are sitting on the fence and wondering.

Once again a special shout out to DNA Autosport for and outstanding effort.
The attention to detail was amazing and so to are all the Team.

There has just been a video that has been uploaded on DNA's YouTube channel and feel free to have a quick look at the kit.
It can be found here:


You only need to look at what's inside the workshop to appreciate how fortunate we are to have technicians as such performing wonders and making us smile.
Can you guy's tell I'm happy...????

Please do reach out to Andre for any suspension queries.... He's the guru...

I'm going to bed now.... ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

Ohhhh.... did i mention I'm happy.....................

Last edited by TTR M240i; 02-06-2023 at 08:29 AM..
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2023, 04:03 AM   #2
perfectoverdue
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: BMW 3
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Almont

iTrader: (0)

Really surprised with the information you provided drift boss
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2023, 09:36 PM   #3
TTR M240i
Enlisted Member
TTR M240i's Avatar
Australia
6
Rep
30
Posts

Drives: 2019 M240i
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

In a good way ???
Appreciate 0
      05-25-2023, 03:23 PM   #4
marcthedark
Lieutenant
120
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: M240i xdrive Convertible
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Phoenix Metro Area

iTrader: (0)

If that suspension wouldn't be that much $$$ I would be all over it.

Great write-up
Appreciate 0
      05-25-2023, 08:56 PM   #5
TTR M240i
Enlisted Member
TTR M240i's Avatar
Australia
6
Rep
30
Posts

Drives: 2019 M240i
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Cheers 'marcthedark'.....!
Yes it is pricey but an amazing bit of kit.
Even adjusting either the roll or pitch settings individually, you notice the changes immediately through not only the behaviour of the car but also steering wheel feel.
Our cars had a tendency when braking to a stop to rock back and forth. This has now been eliminated.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:01 AM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST