[parapaul]

Anyone who's experienced both - how do they compare?

I had a ride in my uncle's E92 M3 and was very pleasantly suprised at how compliant it felt - having heard so many people say how crashy and hard the M Sport suspension setup is, I was expecting the M3 to be similar.

Or perhaps I wouldn't find the m sport setup as bad as some other people?

[Penyfan1960]

Originally Posted by parapaul

Anyone who's experienced both - how do they compare?

I had a ride in my uncle's E92 M3 and was very pleasantly suprised at how compliant it felt - having heard so many people say how crashy and hard the M Sport suspension setup is, I was expecting the M3 to be similar.

Or perhaps I wouldn't find the m sport setup as bad as some other people?

The suspension of my 320D M-Sport (59 reg) is less crashy and noisy than my previous 320i SE (55 reg). Together with the sports seats and steering wheel it is a nicer car to drive.
May also be due to the improved run-flats which I believe the M-Sport has. The tyres have a ridge that runs round the periphyry of the tyre close to the alloy wheel which the 55 reg SE did not have which seems to indicate the run-flat tyres are different.
I have no probs with run-flats or the M-Sport suspension.

[Oli]

The M3 has EDC suspension, which is fully adjustable, whereas the M Sport doesn't - Maybe your Uncles car was in the softest setting when you went in it?? Compared the to M Sport, with 19's and RFT, it will seem quite crashy - remember the M cars don't have RFTs ( I wonder why??)

[Dave_3]

Different setup entirely on the M3 - with physically different parts.

Different mounting points for different roll bars, and unique castor, camber settings.

No sloppy hydraulic bushes.

All designed to be used with normal performance tyres.

Some versions do have EDC which adjusts the shock absorbers.

M-Sport is just a lowered suspension with hydraulic (soft/pliant) mounts to try and counteract the hard, heavy RFTs on large diameter wheels. Looks good but is crashy and jiggly at best on rough roads.

D.

[ed335d]

M Sport with RFT's on 19'' wheels and M3 with non-RFT on 19'' wheels and EDC full on feel fairly similar from a 'crashiness' POV. The M3 feels taughter and more compliant, but you can (with EDC adjustment) make the ride more comfortable on poor surfaces.

[Penyfan1960]

Further to my above post, the possible reason why my 320D M-Sport is NOT crashy and jiggly over not-so-good roads is that I run on OEM 17 tyres
Why not give them a try?

[swanseahammer]

Originally Posted by Penyfan1960

Further to my above post, the possible reason why my 320D M-Sport is NOT crashy and jiggly over not-so-good roads is that I run on OEM 17 tyres
Why not give them a try?

+1 on my SE and have kept RFTs (but not Bridgestones or Contis)

[M3-FAST]

I had an E93' vert running on 225M's with 19" RFT tyres on for two years - the ride was bone shakingly bad, and pot holes would rattle your fillings out!

My current E90 M3 also has similar sized 19" wheels/tyres BUT non RFT and the ride is 10x better. Mine is a non EDC model so is not being artificially damped on soft setting. You no longer feel every bump in the road. I reckon in the 'vert you could tell if you ran over a peanut lol

Definitely a huge difference (for the better!!)

[themetz]

The Msport suspension on the LCI has gone a long way to combat some of the previous ride complaints. It is no longer as spine breaking as it previously was on poor surfaces, whilst retaining all the composure.

[parapaul]

Thanks for all the replies

I did know that the M3 runs on proper tyres, but I didn't realise that the whole setup was completely different.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by themetz

The Msport suspension on the LCI has gone a long way to combat some of the previous ride complaints. It is no longer as spine breaking as it previously was on poor surfaces, whilst retaining all the composure.

I read with interest that they have used better dampers, to try and control the secondary ride. [Autocar : New, smoother-reacting, dampers were generally impressive - EVO : adoption of non-linear dampers (which do admittedly make a small, positive difference).]

Haven't taken one for a spin yet, so can't comment. Just don't get a good feeling when I know they are penny-pinching and have downgraded some interior spec compared to my old model.

D.

[Yahoo]

Originally Posted by parapaul

Thanks for all the replies

I did know that the M3 runs on proper tyres, but I didn't realise that the whole setup was completely different.

Yep - all suspension components are different on the M3.

The good news is that these can be added to a standard 3er to achieve M3 like handling.

I have upgraded to M3 front and rear ARBs, rear subframe bushes, control arms, tension struts and strutt brace. With upgrated springs and dampers my e91 handles and rides much better than stock.

[Rocky_12]

Originally Posted by Penyfan1960

Further to my above post, the possible reason why my 320D M-Sport is NOT crashy and jiggly over not-so-good roads is that I run on OEM 17 tyres
Why not give them a try?

Hay!
I own bmw e90 with m sport suspension, i also habe 17" oem wheels, is it normal that on small holes on road or even in flat road my steerimg wheel sometimes shake a little bit, is that how it needs to be or?

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by themetz

The Msport suspension on the LCI has gone a long way to combat some of the previous ride complaints. It is no longer as spine breaking as it previously was on poor surfaces, whilst retaining all the composure.

The LCI is better (I've had both) but still firmer than it needs to be IMO, ditching RFT's improves things again, one of the best things I've done.



*edit: just realised how old this thread is

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Rocky_12

Hay!
I own bmw e90 with m sport suspension, i also habe 17" oem wheels, is it normal that on small holes on road or even in flat road my steerimg wheel sometimes shake a little bit, is that how it needs to be or?

Is this a troll? No, your steering wheel shouldn't shake, especially on smooth roads.

Also nice necro...