08-11-2020, 05:21 PM | #1 |
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MSport 704 suspension too stiff for me...
Even with regular P7 tires, under inflated, I find the suspension unable to soften some of these local NJ roads. Thinking of moving from 19 to 18 with the taller side-walls. Or, possibly keeping the 19s and getting 245/45 to replace the 245/40 tires for a similar profile. Do you think that would make a significant difference? Thanks for your help.
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08-11-2020, 07:26 PM | #3 |
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Thanks for the reply. Instead of the door-jam pressures of 35/41, I have mine at 32/32. The car still gets bounced around too much. I kick myself daily for not checking the inexpensive variable-damper option. But too late now!
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08-11-2020, 10:22 PM | #4 |
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Based on my calculations, I would try 33/41. Usually these cars need stiffer rear tires to distribute more weight to the front for absorbing bumps equally, due to the rear suspension being softer than the front. I've found the higher rear pressure to be necessary for a smoother flat ride, and I've found that compliance over bumps is mainly dependent on front tire pressure being not too high.
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08-12-2020, 07:44 AM | #5 |
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Just bought a G31 with 704 M-Sport suspension and came from a G30 without. Both running 245/45-18. The new car handles remarkebly better than the old one, but is still comfortable. But, each to their own.
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08-12-2020, 08:17 PM | #6 | |
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Current: 2019 G30 540i M Sport | 2022 & 2018 G01 X3 xDrive30i Past: 2017 F30 340i M Sport/6MT | 2013 E70 X5 3.5 | 2011 E90 ///M3 6MT | 2005 E46 330i ZHP 6MT | 2001 E53 X5 3.0 | 2000 E39 528i Sport/5MT | 1998 E39 528iA | 1997 E38 740i | 1993 E36 318is |
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08-13-2020, 11:04 AM | #7 | |
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This. Conventional tires will ride better, and if you can (you probably should, in NJ) get all seasons instead of summer performance tires, those will also have a softer sidewall, generally speaking. Then move to 18". Or just trade it in on a standard suspension car, which is what I have, and it's a nice ride (except for the vibration problems). FWIW, the first thing I did when I got my car was to take off those lousy RFT and lower the pressure to 30 psi all around.
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08-13-2020, 12:30 PM | #8 |
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Thanks for the replies. In my post I said that I was using regular P7 tires. By that I meant non-runflats. Run-flats were standard equipment on my last three BMWs and I immediately replaced them with regular(non-run-flat) tires in each case. But even so, the suspension, and especially the rear 704 suspension on the 540, tends to bounce or hop over small road irregularities when the tire-pressure is as recommended. Cant describe it better. Regarding going to 245/45s, the inherent error always built in to our BMW speedometers would actually be largely corrected by that change, not made worse. Anyway, Ive been reading about the two newer tires, one by Bridgestone and the other by Vredestein(?), which are both getting rave reviews for their comfort. Maybe thats the way to go.
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09-29-2023, 03:58 PM | #9 | |
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09-29-2023, 05:48 PM | #10 |
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I went with Pirelli AS+3 non-run-flats, and keep them at around 30-31psi. Much happier with my 704 suspension this way. Then again Im on 19 wheels. If youre on 20s, then??
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09-30-2023, 04:01 AM | #11 |
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That's right, I have 20" wheels, I think I could raise the rear profile to 275 20 35 and this might help, what profile do you have? Thanks for your response.
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09-30-2023, 09:44 AM | #12 |
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Yes, you can go up one profile size. As in 35 to 40. I did this on my wifes Audi and it made a significant difference. In fact, the speedometer error thats built in to all BMWs would be lessened.
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09-30-2023, 02:08 PM | #13 |
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It makes me a little angry that I have this luxury Berlina and that the trip is uncomfortable, I will try to upload my profile and tell you real sensations from a personal perspective. My feeling is that when hitting a bump, the car returns the strong rebound and transmits it to the body, especially in the city, my back hurts with this.
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09-30-2023, 04:29 PM | #16 |
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Yea. 2021 540x m sport. 19 inch.
My friends and girlfriend who ride shotgun have never complained of harshness or bumps either. Most say its a very comfy ride. I also have the luxury seats so maybe that helps a little also. |
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09-30-2023, 05:22 PM | #17 |
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I have luxury seats too, it must be the 19" wheel in that case, I'll try and tell you, this comfort thing is very personal.
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10-01-2023, 07:05 AM | #18 | |
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M-sport suspension and the larger rims won't be helping your situation. IMO, it is not just the setup, but also how we react to the higher frequencies such a combination gives us. My body has always been sensitive to ride quality. Takes a lot of effort when testing models, to get to a setup where I'm happy with the ride and handling compromise. It's not just the G3x models where we see this, goes back several generations, due to how BMW setup the chassis for load and high speed. In my experience, 'driver only' is often very compromised, unless we back off with softer suspensions and smaller rims and higher sidewalls. IMO, your best option is downsizing the rims to 19" and a softer touring tire. Even better, 18" rims, if they fit around your brakes. |
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10-01-2023, 07:49 AM | #19 | |
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10-01-2023, 09:48 AM | #20 | ||
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I have posted the following comments in previous discussions, gives a bit of background to my findings with the F10/11 generation. I know with the G30/31, I'd want to be on adaptive suspension, with careful wheel selection, definitely not bigger than 19" rims. M-sport on 19" RFTs is too jittery for my driving roads. Quote:
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10-01-2023, 10:57 AM | #21 |
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I have to concur. My 2019 540xi M Sport with 19" wheels and the OEM Goodyear run flats is quite comfortable. It is slightly firmer than other similar cars but I like that as I feel it provides better handling control. But no complaints from me or my wife on the ride comfort. --Bob
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10-01-2023, 03:35 PM | #22 | |
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Have you had your dealership checked to see what the road force number comes out to? It should be below 15 to feel as smooth as possible.
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