BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions MSport 704 suspension too stiff for me...

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-11-2020, 05:21 PM   #1
S6F
First Lieutenant
United_States
91
Rep
334
Posts

Drives: '19 540ixMsport
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (1)

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.
‘19 540ixMSport
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 06:37 PM   #2
Superjackson
Second Lieutenant
Canada
122
Rep
294
Posts

Drives: M550i
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

245/45/19 would be more comfortable but I'd expect the 245/40/19 to already be quite comfortable. What do you set the tire pressures at?
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 07:26 PM   #3
S6F
First Lieutenant
United_States
91
Rep
334
Posts

Drives: '19 540ixMsport
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (1)

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!
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 10:22 PM   #4
Superjackson
Second Lieutenant
Canada
122
Rep
294
Posts

Drives: M550i
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

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.
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2020, 07:44 AM   #5
GaSelle
First Lieutenant
GaSelle's Avatar
176
Rep
356
Posts

Drives: ΄23 iX3 M Sport Charged
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: DK

iTrader: (0)

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.
__________________
΄22 iX3 M Sport "Charged" - Cashmere Silver
΄22 Mini Cooper SE "Yours Trim" - Island Blue
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2020, 08:17 PM   #6
tsbrown
Captain
tsbrown's Avatar
United_States
798
Rep
627
Posts

Drives: 2019 540i M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: KY/MA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by S6F View Post
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.
‘19 540ixMSport
Just posted in your other thread on same subject but... Try non-runflat 245/40/19's first. All runflats have stiff sidewalls and I found the P7's better than RFT Bridgestones I had on an F30. The 245/45/19 will give you even more speedometer error than is already built in. If you're worried about getting stranded with a flat and no spare, carry the M Mobility kit or similar from Continental (available at tirerack.com). I've done this for 15 years but never had to use it. Or buy the 5 series spare tire kit that was an option when new.
__________________
Bluegrass Bimmers
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
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2020, 11:04 AM   #7
LuvMyE92
Occasionally frequent poster
LuvMyE92's Avatar
2994
Rep
2,742
Posts

Drives: CT5V-Blackwing
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: RTP NC, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Superjackson View Post
Usually these cars need stiffer rear tires to distribute more weight to the front...
I'm not going to try and disagree with your statement that the car may ride "better" with more pressure in the rear, but I think that the statement that it will "distribute more weight" is misleading and probably inaccurate.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tsbrown View Post
Try non-runflat 245/40/19's first.
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.
__________________
Current inventory:
F22 & G05
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing w/3 pedals
Past: E24,E28(3),E34,E36,E37,E38(2),E39(4),E46,E89,E92 (obviously),F01,F06,F10,F30,F87,G12,G30(2),G82(2)
Appreciate 1
      08-13-2020, 12:30 PM   #8
S6F
First Lieutenant
United_States
91
Rep
334
Posts

Drives: '19 540ixMsport
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (1)

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. Can’t 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, I’ve 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 that’s the way to go.
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2023, 03:58 PM   #9
Alberto540i
Enlisted Member
Alberto540i's Avatar
2
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: BMW 540i G30
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Madrid

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by S6F View Post
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. Can’t 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, I’ve 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 that’s the way to go.
Hello friend, I am on the same path as you, I feel that the suspension of the M 704 bounces a lot, have you managed to improve this? Thanks in advance
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2023, 05:48 PM   #10
S6F
First Lieutenant
United_States
91
Rep
334
Posts

Drives: '19 540ixMsport
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (1)

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 I’m on 19” wheels. If you’re on 20s, then??
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2023, 04:01 AM   #11
Alberto540i
Enlisted Member
Alberto540i's Avatar
2
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: BMW 540i G30
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Madrid

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by S6F View Post
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 I’m on 19” wheels. If you’re on 20s, then??
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.
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2023, 09:44 AM   #12
S6F
First Lieutenant
United_States
91
Rep
334
Posts

Drives: '19 540ixMsport
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (1)

Yes, you can go up one profile size. As in 35 to 40. I did this on my wife’s Audi and it made a significant difference. In fact, the speedometer error that’s built in to all BMWs would be lessened.
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2023, 02:08 PM   #13
Alberto540i
Enlisted Member
Alberto540i's Avatar
2
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: BMW 540i G30
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Madrid

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by S6F View Post
Yes, you can go up one profile size. As in 35 to 40. I did this on my wife’s Audi and it made a significant difference. In fact, the speedometer error that’s built in to all BMWs would be lessened.
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.
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2023, 02:18 PM   #14
DNYC1919
Lieutenant
DNYC1919's Avatar
United_States
478
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: 2021 540ix
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NYC/Long Island

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2021 540IX  [0.00]
I have 19 with runflat. 245 40. Very comfy
Appreciate 1
Warp Ten627.00
      09-30-2023, 03:43 PM   #15
Alberto540i
Enlisted Member
Alberto540i's Avatar
2
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: BMW 540i G30
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Madrid

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DNYC1919 View Post
I have 19 with runflat. 245 40. Very comfy
and you have 704 M non-adaptive suspension?
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2023, 04:29 PM   #16
DNYC1919
Lieutenant
DNYC1919's Avatar
United_States
478
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: 2021 540ix
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: NYC/Long Island

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2021 540IX  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberto540i View Post
and you have 704 M non-adaptive suspension?
Yea. 2021 540x m sport. 19 inch.

My friends and girlfriend who ride shotgun have never complained of harshness or bumps either. Most say it’s a very comfy ride. I also have the luxury seats so maybe that helps a little also.
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2023, 05:22 PM   #17
Alberto540i
Enlisted Member
Alberto540i's Avatar
2
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: BMW 540i G30
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Madrid

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DNYC1919 View Post
Yea. 2021 540x m sport. 19 inch.

My friends and girlfriend who ride shotgun have never complained of harshness or bumps either. Most say it’s a very comfy ride. I also have the luxury seats so maybe that helps a little also.
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.
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2023, 07:05 AM   #18
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberto540i View Post
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.
I believe the personal bit, is a big part in how we assess ride comfort. Add in the particular roads we drive and we can have issues.

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.
Appreciate 1
      10-01-2023, 07:49 AM   #19
Alberto540i
Enlisted Member
Alberto540i's Avatar
2
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: BMW 540i G30
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Madrid

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
I believe the personal bit, is a big part in how we assess ride comfort. Add in the particular roads we drive and we can have issues.

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.
I totally agree with your comment, in my case I am very sensitive to sport driving, but I like that the car behaves stable, it is somewhat complicated, I suppose that the active suspension would have solved this to a large extent. The first test will be to raise the profile of the tire size from 30 to 35.
Appreciate 1
      10-01-2023, 09:48 AM   #20
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberto540i View Post
I totally agree with your comment, in my case I am very sensitive to sport driving, but I like that the car behaves stable, it is somewhat complicated, I suppose that the active suspension would have solved this to a large extent. The first test will be to raise the profile of the tire size from 30 to 35.
Getting the chassis we want can be quite an exercise.

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:
F11 Suspension Selection

I read a lot, discussed with BMW guys, and spend a lot of seat time in F10/11 models, to try and understand the dynamics of the different setups, and wheel performance, before I got my F11 back in 2012.

Passive M-sport (704) was just too firm for my typical driving and the roads I use. I tried different wheel sizes on the F10 with the base suspension. Different ride quality for sure. I didn't try 20" as my dealer had tried and removed them, because the chassis was ruined on anything but smooth surfaces.

I tried an F10 with Adaptive Drive on a 19" staggered set. VDC was going to be the answer, particularly as the F10/11 has 'three' base settings, the middle setting working perfectly around the spring rate for best adaptive damping. The F10 rear spring rate is, IMO, a bit too high, and that resulted in a bit more 'pitter-patter' from the road, than I expected. Sport setting meant it would fidget a bit on poor surfaces.

I was wanting an F11 wagon, so put together the spec', I understood would work best. I gained info' that the F10/11 was optimised on 18" wheels for Adaptive Drive. I didn't want staggered, as the rear wheels would be heavier and cause more rear jitter and interference. As the wagon has rear air springs, I'd not have a higher than needed spring rate. Air springs are a variable rate (due to self levelling) adjust according to the load in the car. With the feeling, "Got it... would it work?"

Absolutely, the best riding and handling F10/11 setup I'd driven. Just what I was after. I drive most of the time in the middle, 'Normal' mode. The chassis and ride is so balanced in the Normal adaptive mode. Use Sport when driving some of the better driving roads and it is a very composed and compliant ride, even on the RFTs.

I know I could possibly improve the comfort a bit with non run-flats, but using a 17" RFT in winter, I know the chassis softens on the 17". I sense with summer non run-flats, I'd be in Sport mode all the time to firm the chassis a bit. Or need to go up to a 19".

I went through the changes of tires and suspension in my E91 wagon, back in 2007, when RFTs were really "night and day" different to the typical UHP tire. Removing the RFTs, gave more comfort, but I had to change (improve) the damping, as it was too soft and handling wasn't good enough.

RFTs are different today, than back in the early E60/E90 days. But we seem to be more obsessed with bigger rims these days and lower profile tires. Scoring a home goal, IMO.
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2023, 10:57 AM   #21
Warp Ten
Captain
Warp Ten's Avatar
United_States
627
Rep
616
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 540xi
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Lake Bluff IL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DNYC1919 View Post
I have 19 with runflat. 245 40. Very comfy
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
__________________
2019 540xi M Sport, Carbon Black/Cognac, 2014 328xi, 2016 Corvette Z06; Previous:2010 BMW 535xi M Sp, 2008 335xi, 1998 M3 Sedan,1980 528i, 1977 320i, 1976 2002
Appreciate 1
DNYC1919478.00
      10-01-2023, 03:35 PM   #22
BimmerGuyFL78
Lieutenant
BimmerGuyFL78's Avatar
567
Rep
471
Posts

Drives: 2023 BMW G30 540i
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Orlando, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LuvMyE92 View Post
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.
You have Vibration problems? I have a standard suspension 2023 540i and I switched from the standard 19” RFT to OEM 18” none RFT Michelin tires and I have zero vibrations.

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.
__________________
2023 BMW G05 X5 xDrive40i
2023 BMW G30 540i
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:16 PM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST