[JoeyO]

I thought there was only one suspension available for the M Sport Package on the X3 30. But apparently there are 3 options. The BMW pricing guide says the following suspensions are available with M Sport PackageÂ…

704 M Sport Suspension
223 Dynamic Damper Control + $550
225 Standard Suspension + $0

So my question is which one would give me the most comfy ride for daily driving? I do a lot of highway driving and want something comfortable. I’m tempted to get the 223 DDC because that might give me the best of both worlds. Keep in mind this is for the 30 model, not the M50 model. Thoughts?

[MidnightLight]

"Standard" and "M Sport" suspension are both non-adaptive. The difference is that the M Sport one is set up to be stiffer. It also tunes the steering for sportier control.

In my opinion, you should always go for the adaptive suspension (a.k.a. dynamic damper control). As you said, it gives you the best of both worlds. Even if you don't ever drive in Sport mode, BMW's adaptive suspension does a darn good job of adjusting on the fly to road conditions, which helps a lot with comfort. This is a no-brainer and absolutely essential option if you ask me.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

"Standard" and "M Sport" suspension are both non-adaptive. The difference is that the M Sport one is set up to be stiffer. It also tunes the steering for sportier control.

In my opinion, you should always go for the adaptive suspension (a.k.a. dynamic damper control). As you said, it gives you the best of both worlds. Even if you don't ever drive in Sport mode, BMW's adaptive suspension does a darn good job of adjusting on the fly to road conditions, which helps a lot with comfort. This is a no-brainer and absolutely essential option if you ask me.

Agree completely.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

Even if you don't ever drive in Sport mode, BMW's adaptive suspension does a darn good job of adjusting on the fly to road conditions, which helps a lot with comfort. This is a no-brainer and absolutely essential option if you ask me.

Once set in Sport or Comfort mode how does the “adaptive suspension” adjust on the fly to road conditions (beyond the obvious what suspension does), or do you mean you can switch modes on the fly using the touch screen ?

The adaptive bit is setting the variable electromagnetic valve oil flow rate of the dampers for sport rate map (harder) or comfort rate map (softer), and it is then fixed at that map flow rate as defined by the mode irrespective of the road conditions i.e. sport setting is still sport hard on a rough surface, and the ride will be harsher than softer comfort setting.

There is no Adaptive Driving Experience mode, which constantly switches between modes on the fly, as on some past models, which had Sport (Sport+), Comfort, Eco and Adaptive driving experience modes. The latter was pretty sophisticated, and could adjust damper flow rate based on GPS/mapping data indicating a sharp bend ahead etc.

[worldswinner]

I have M sports and added dynamic damper control
But if you really want to soft and comfy, I strongly recommend go with standard suspension.
Even you can change suspension sport and comfort, still stiffer than standard suspension

[MidnightLight]

Originally Posted by avi66

The adaptive bit is setting the variable electromagnetic valve oil flow rate of the dampers for sport rate map (harder) or comfort rate map (softer), and it is then fixed at that map flow rate as defined by the mode irrespective of the road conditions i.e. sport setting is still sport hard on a rough surface, and the ride will be harsher than softer comfort setting.

No, my understanding is that Adaptive Suspension (a.k.a. dynamic/electronic damper control) isn't merely enabling a binary toggle between two sets of fixed settings. While comfort vs sport does change the computer's overall suspension model, each model itself is active (as opposed to passive). That is, the computer is responding to sensor signals and the driver's actions, and continually calculating and making fine adjustments to the dampers in a matter of seconds. Which is why it does make a difference even if you only drive in one of the modes.

Having said that - I'm a layman in this area and can't explain the detailed mechanics of how the adaptive suspension works. But I remember reading a writeup by an adaptive suspension engineer who haven't a glimpse of the complexity involved in building these active suspension models. It's not foolproof--but it's definitely very sophisticated.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

No, my understanding is that Adaptive Suspension (a.k.a. dynamic/electronic damper control) isn't merely enabling a binary toggle between two sets of fixed settings. While comfort vs sport does change the computer's overall suspension model, each model itself is active (as opposed to passive). That is, the computer is responding to sensor signals and the driver's actions, and continually calculating and making fine adjustments to the dampers in a matter of seconds. Which is why it does make a difference even if you only drive in one of the modes.

Having said that - I'm a layman in this area and can't explain the detailed mechanics of how the adaptive suspension works. But I remember reading a writeup by an adaptive suspension engineer who haven't a glimpse of the complexity involved in building these active suspension models. It's not foolproof--but it's definitely very sophisticated.

I’ve also read the stuff from the claimed chassis engineer on a forum, and also BMW technical stuff.

My understanding of the BMW implementation (using Tenneco CVSAe technology I think) is about reducing the compromise of fitting fixed (passive) dampers which trades off stiffness required for sportier type handling, with the compliance for a more forgiving softer ride quality.

With the electromagnetic valve control map, the driver gets to choose the compromise, and the dampers operate within the map for the selected mode, hence there are lots of adjustments made by the dampers, but within the mode map range, hence you can’t have sport like and comfort like characteristics at the same time, just a user selectable preference.

“According to BMW Group, the continuously variable semi-active (CVSAe) dampers in the Adaptive M Suspension system help balance uneven roads and terrain vibrations in the comfort setting, while tighter damper settings in the sport setting create a more dynamic feel. The sport plus setting allows drivers to master tight, precise turns and higher cornering speeds.

Drivers can alternate between suspension settings by pressing the ‘driving experience’ control button. Sensors on the CVSAe dampers and the steering system continuously transmit data about the condition of the road and the driving situation to an on-board computer, which then adjusts the dampers in real time to get best performance in each of the three selected suspension settings”

The Adaptive Driver Experience mode was more sophisticated, but I suspect costly, hence BMW dropped it for just user selectable sport and comfort.

https://www.monroe.com/en-gb/blog/mo...%20environment.

[l33v0nix]

adaptive suspension is a pain in an ass when want to change to coilovers, have to find the edc delete or add cost to coilovers with edc

[markronnie]

I have true “adaptive suspension” on my 19 Acura RDX advance & I love it. It looks ahead at the road millions of times a second (maybe not quite that much) & constantly adjusts the suspension as you drive. Well worth the $$$$$$💰💰💰💰💰

[srekal34]

Originally Posted by l33v0nix

adaptive suspension is a pain in an ass when want to change to coilovers, have to find the edc delete or add cost to coilovers with edc

I actually prefer to get adaptive for that very reason - you can change to KW DDC and have adaptive coilovers - how cool is that.