5-link rear suspension. Is this why it feels so good? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Mauricio · 10-14-2005, 04:01 PM

I have nearly 9k miles on my car and I'm still amazed at the way it handles. It was great from the beginning, but I feel like it's gotten better. Or maybe I'm more in tune with the car and can feel the car flow through a curve.

I remember when the salesman told me that "the new 5 link rear suspension is really amazing" and I remember thinking, I'm sure it handles better than the old one, but to notice an extra link in the rear suspension? I think he was right!

Does anyone else feel like the car, how do I phrase this, follows you? It almost feels as though is has 4 wheel steering. I know it doesn't, but it settles into a curve and it feels like the rear end slides or accomodates itself along with the curve.

I find myself swaying from side to side even when I'm on a straight road just to feel the back play this trick. It's awesome.

I was a little skeptical about the improvements over the e46, which I used to own. I didn't like the shiftiness on the hightway caused by the sports package and I felt the e46 was more solid, but after owning this car for 4 months, I must say that I'm convinced that it is an amazing handling car and I don't regret my payment whatsoever.

Let me know if I'm crazy and I'm the only one feeling this in the rear. I don't know how to better describe it or if it is caused by the 5 link suspension. Does anyone agree?

LEDZEP · 10-14-2005, 04:07 PM

I don't disagree. What ever that's worth.

David328M-Sport · 10-14-2005, 06:21 PM

Yes, the entire car is amazing.

Mauricio · 10-14-2005, 06:31 PM

But is this sway a result of the 5 link set-up? Can someone explain the new set up and why it has 5 links? Is this why it "follows you?"

Thanks. Just trying to learn something about the new car.

RichReg · 10-15-2005, 08:10 PM

The larger Series cars have a 4 link suspension. I think as a general rule, if there are more links it gives the suspension that much more ability to absorb the road's irregularities. I think what you are feeling has more to do with the integrated design of the multi-links and how they actually attach to the subframe. Take a look at the suspension from the back of the E90 vs an E46 and I think you'll see what I mean.

Considering the 3 is their biggest seller, BMW probably decided to wait for this car before putting the design into production. I'm sure the other Series cars will get some version of this eventually.

RyBMW · 10-15-2005, 11:27 PM

I thought the 5 series has the 5 link rear suspension.

blackE90 · 10-16-2005, 01:51 AM

...and perhaps the weight distribution all attribute to how the car handles

RichReg · 10-16-2005, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyBMW

I thought the 5 series has the 5 link rear suspension.

Nope.
http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/5/530iSedan/features

As you probably know, the E90 doesn't get Active Roll Stabilization, while the 5 & the 7 do. I think that BMW is working on some way to incorporate ARS into this type of set-up. Probably costs them a lot more to use both.

Sho · 10-16-2005, 10:33 AM

5 series only have 4 links. The 5 links rear suspension design is very new, and I expect BMW will apply it to the newer 5.

thrill30 · 10-16-2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauricio

I find myself swaying from side to side even when I'm on a straight road just to feel the back play this trick. It's awesome.

Funny you should mention this

... I do this very often, on a straight road... and it's usually after exiting one of my favourite bends on my way home... I do it to "re-play" the sensation just felt at the real bend.

Saintor · 10-16-2005, 02:50 PM

Honda Accord had rear 5-link suspension since 1998.

vleivo · 10-16-2005, 04:46 PM

Yeah but that is front wheel driven, which makes it much easier to build and work good.

Wolf359 · 10-16-2005, 09:22 PM

I think if the rear end of the car was not following it's front end, we'd all be in a lot of trouble...

Thavash · 10-17-2005, 07:08 AM

I know what you mean , the car feels so light , so quick to turn , so responsive. My car has almost 9500 kms and I'm enjoying it more than ever.

Mauricio · 10-17-2005, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrill30

Funny you should mention this

... I do this very often, on a straight road... and it's usually after exiting one of my favourite bends on my way home... I do it to "re-play" the sensation just felt at the real bend.

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

10-14-2005, 04:01 PM	#1
Mauricio Private First Class Drives: 2006 330i, MT, SP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 107 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	5-link rear suspension. Is this why it feels so good? I have nearly 9k miles on my car and I'm still amazed at the way it handles. It was great from the beginning, but I feel like it's gotten better. Or maybe I'm more in tune with the car and can feel the car flow through a curve. I remember when the salesman told me that "the new 5 link rear suspension is really amazing" and I remember thinking, I'm sure it handles better than the old one, but to notice an extra link in the rear suspension? I think he was right! Does anyone else feel like the car, how do I phrase this, follows you? It almost feels as though is has 4 wheel steering. I know it doesn't, but it settles into a curve and it feels like the rear end slides or accomodates itself along with the curve. I find myself swaying from side to side even when I'm on a straight road just to feel the back play this trick. It's awesome. I was a little skeptical about the improvements over the e46, which I used to own. I didn't like the shiftiness on the hightway caused by the sports package and I felt the e46 was more solid, but after owning this car for 4 months, I must say that I'm convinced that it is an amazing handling car and I don't regret my payment whatsoever. Let me know if I'm crazy and I'm the only one feeling this in the rear. I don't know how to better describe it or if it is caused by the 5 link suspension. Does anyone agree?
	Tweet

10-14-2005, 04:07 PM	#2
LEDZEP Lieutenant General Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 Posts: 12,277 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [3.93] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I don't disagree. What ever that's worth. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious

10-14-2005, 06:21 PM	#3
David328M-Sport Brigadier General Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 3,173 iTrader: (0)	Yes, the entire car is amazing. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect.

10-16-2005, 10:33 AM	#9
Sho Lieutenant Drives: E90 325i 6-speed Join Date: May 2005 Location: WA Posts: 574 iTrader: (0)	5 series only have 4 links. The 5 links rear suspension design is very new, and I expect BMW will apply it to the newer 5. __________________ 2006 325i Sport - SSR GT7, Euro tails, Rogue Ikon muffler/w custom 3.5" piping, Painted OEM Splitters 2005 Toyota Matrix - Commuter

10-16-2005, 04:46 PM	#12
vleivo Private First Class Drives: e90 325i steptronic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 138 iTrader: (0)	Yeah but that is front wheel driven, which makes it much easier to build and work good. __________________ Bmw 325i -06 "Slush o' matic" 20" Hartge classics with Falken 245/30 and 285/25Eisenmann race 2x76mmK&N Euro cone filterH&R Cupkit raceOem Front and Rear spoiler* Xenon led ringsBlacklines

10-14-2005, 06:31 PM	#4
Mauricio Private First Class Drives: 2006 330i, MT, SP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 107 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	But is this sway a result of the 5 link set-up? Can someone explain the new set up and why it has 5 links? Is this why it "follows you?" Thanks. Just trying to learn something about the new car.

10-15-2005, 08:10 PM	#5
RichReg Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2006 330i Sport & 2000 323Ci. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,866 iTrader: (0)	The larger Series cars have a 4 link suspension. I think as a general rule, if there are more links it gives the suspension that much more ability to absorb the road's irregularities. I think what you are feeling has more to do with the integrated design of the multi-links and how they actually attach to the subframe. Take a look at the suspension from the back of the E90 vs an E46 and I think you'll see what I mean. Considering the 3 is their biggest seller, BMW probably decided to wait for this car before putting the design into production. I'm sure the other Series cars will get some version of this eventually.

10-15-2005, 11:27 PM	#6
RyBMW Major Drives: X5 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 1,016 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 [0.00] 2008 335i [0.00]	I thought the 5 series has the 5 link rear suspension.

10-16-2005, 01:51 AM	#7
blackE90 Private First Class Drives: sp blk 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: east coast Posts: 148 iTrader: (0)	...and perhaps the weight distribution all attribute to how the car handles

10-16-2005, 02:50 PM	#11
Saintor Colonel Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MTL, Canada Posts: 2,231 iTrader: (1)	Honda Accord had rear 5-link suspension since 1998.

10-16-2005, 09:22 PM	#13
Wolf359 Captain Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 942 iTrader: (0)	I think if the rear end of the car was not following it's front end, we'd all be in a lot of trouble...

10-17-2005, 07:08 AM	#14
Thavash Private First Class Drives: Arctic 320i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 162 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320i [0.00]	I know what you mean , the car feels so light , so quick to turn , so responsive. My car has almost 9500 kms and I'm enjoying it more than ever.

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