[moldcad]

Questions to those of you who had a chance of driving a 4 (or 2) series with M-Sport Adaptive Suspension AND with the static Sport Suspension (I'm not interested in the normal version i.e. static non-M-Sport).

1. Do you think the Adaptive Suspension introduces any kind of compromise in handling in its stiff mode (i.e. with the car Sport mode), as compared to the pure M-Sport suspension?

2. On the other hand, do you find the static (non-adaptive) M-Sport suspension's comfort to be less than adequate on an average (bumpy) roads

3. Likewise, don't you find the adaptive suspension stiff enough for spirited driving, or is softer than the M-sport?

[tccox]

As far as having a bad back I think the issue is more with the sorry ^&*&^(&^%^*&%^%^%^%%^%^%^^%$##### crap run flats than the suspension. I cannot wait until I can replace the run flats on my 228 Msport with non run flats. When I did that on my 128 the difference in comfort was amazing.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I've had a chronic lower back for a long time...

I've only had my M235xi for a week, so very early to say....I am very comfortable right now driving in Comfort mode with the shift set to Sport...At times I am in sport/sport.

The issue with the back imo is not how hard of a ride it is, but how low the car sits, how you need to turn and twist getting in and out of something smaller and lower.

Thats what I will really need to watch. The ride itself is actually comfortable on short or longer commutes.

Agree going non-run flats would help too..I love the M-Adaptive suspension btw....Sorry I can't offer a perspective on static vs adaptive suspension.

[Bimmer86]

I test drove both before purchasing the 228i with the adaptive suspension. I found both of them nice and stiff yet comfortable. Even comfort mode drives pretty well, just a bit softer than I like so the suspension usually stays in sport.

Also, ordering the 228i with the THP gives you the adaptive suspension with the non run-flat PSS tires. And with the m235i, that would be your only option (well you could add run-flats as a no-cost option, but why?).

[bladeomatic]

Originally Posted by moldcad

Questions to those of you who had a chance of driving a 4 (or 2) series with M-Sport Adaptive Suspension AND with the static Sport Suspension (I'm not interested in the normal version i.e. static non-M-Sport).

1. Do you think the Adaptive Suspension introduces any kind of compromise in handling in its stiff mode (i.e. with the car Sport mode), as compared to the pure M-Sport suspension?

2. On the other hand, do you find the static (non-adaptive) M-Sport suspension's comfort to be less than adequate on an average (bumpy) roads

3. Likewise, don't you find the adaptive suspension stiff enough for spirited driving, or is softer than the M-sport?

I have M235i and some back issues. Sorry I can't comment re static sport ride. But:

-I love the seats in the car. Was definitely a top 5 consideration for me. I'm tall and all legs, so the extendable thigh support is a blessing.

-The eco or comfort settings are fine around town. Sport as needed when the roads call for it. If the roads are really jacked up, you're going to get bumped around a bit. If the roads are smooth, the car rides great.

-Wife and I take road trips (2-4 hrs) in the car pretty often. I feel fine after getting out.

-During the holidays we took a much longer road trip, cranking about 100-200 miles each day for about 6 days. I definitely felt more wear/tear on me in the M235i than if we'd taken her softer Lexus 4 door. I used to think it would be fun to drive the car across the country. Now I'm thinking it's great for DD and those weekenders up to the foothills, but for me shouldn't be considered for prolonged, long-hauls.

[scrape1]

I don't find the static M Sport suspension overly harsh for my own preference, but it's no S class Mercedes and will definitely jostle you around on rough roads. On a bad enough road, the car will bounce over bumps rather than absorb them.

[MrBucket]

I've got spinal fusion/decompression at L5-S1 and I don't find the suspension to be bad at all for my back, its quite comfortable in fact. Getting in and out of the car is worse on my back than driving in the car.

[moldcad]

Originally Posted by MrBucket

I've got spinal fusion/decompression at L5-S1 and I don't find the suspension to be bad at all for my back, its quite comfortable in fact. Getting in and out of the car is worse on my back than driving in the car.

Which suspension do you have?

[MrBucket]

Originally Posted by moldcad

Which suspension do you have?

The adaptive one, its all the M235i comes with here in the US. I have no trouble driving around with it in sport suspension, but for most normal driving I made it so that sport does the engine settings but leaves the suspension/steering alone. I wish I could get the suspension in comfort, steering in sport, and the engine in sport, but alas thats only for full M cars.

[Pray for Mojo]

He would have the adaptive M suspension which is standard on the M235i.

[Sportstick]

Another bad back and another MAdaptive suspension here in a 228i. I also am spending more time in Comfort than I anticipated. I do plan to install 17" wheels/tires when the 17" winter boots come off in the spring. (This is probably the last thread to find folks interested in buying like-new 18s PSS! LOL!) I think the tire sidewall height will make significant difference if the road surfaces are less than ideal. I also agree that getting in and out of those wonderful seats is more of a challenge to the spine than is the suspension.

[MG 228i]

I have the static M sport suspension, but with run flats.
I find it very comfortable. It absorbs the imperfections well, even at high speeds.


Note: My previous car's spring rate was 560 in/lb front and 672 in/lb rear

[moldcad]

OK guys - thank you for your input; the questions I asked in OP originate from the fact that - while in a car like the F10 - EDC is really efficient and using the Comfort+ mode really allows to float over bumps like in a boat - in smaller, more sports than luxury oriented cars like the 4 or 2 series coupe it is potentially a compromise. I mean - if we have regulated dumper rate - the "soft" is usually not soft enough, and the "stiff" may not be stiff enough for a really sporty handling.

I enjoyed EDC in my 528xi very much, but mainly its soft side; the Sport setting was of no special use as the engine didn't allow for a really sporty driving in that large and heavy car anyway. I'm glad in most opinions expressed here, the Adaptive Suspension (active like the EDC in my F10) actually can be comfortable in the soft setting and stiff enough in Sport mode.

[ska///235i]

Anything adaptive will not be as good as fix applications but you do get best of both worlds