Passive suspension verus Adaptive be a deal breaker for most?

[Carcollector212]

One of my clients drove my M3 and i have been trying to steer him into getting one. He is not an M owner prior but a Porsche owner. My car has Adaptive and he felt the Passive was great but on rough roads a bit like his 997 GT3 in ride quality. he liked my comfort mode however we all know everyone can live without it.

He found a car in the color he wants inside and out and with 98% of the options he desires EXCEPT it doesn't have M Adaptive suspension or the HK audio which lets be honest isn't anything to rave about.

Would any of you guys say this is a deal breaker and would it justify waiting for a custom order for 4+ months or should he take what is on the ground and enjoy it. Im pushing him to grab this car tomorrow.

[jbraslins]

If he likes 997 GT3 like ride quality, then I would not wait for custom order.

[Carcollector212]

Originally Posted by jbraslins

If he likes 997 GT3 like ride quality, then I would not wait for custom order.

he drives his GT3 sparingly and does PCA events mostly the M3 will be his daily commuter car all across the NY Tri State. there are no cars on the ground now with 6 speed manual gearbox anywhere and he liked the colors and everything else. tough call i say go for it but curious what some of you guys feel are ABSOLUTE MUST HAVES and other options that wouldnt matter.

[Gearhead999s]

It was a deal breaker for me as my 1st order was misordered without.My 2nd order came in proper & I am glad that I waited to get the adaptive.

[Carcollector212]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

It was a deal breaker for me as my 1st order was misordered without.My 2nd order came in proper & I am glad that I waited to get the adaptive.

thank you for the feedback, so you noticed a major ride quality improvement between the two?

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by Carcollector212

thank you for the feedback, so you noticed a major ride quality improvement between the two?

I never drove a F8x without the adaptive so I would not do.There is quite a difference between the settings for sure.Both my E92 M3's had adaptive dampers and one was a ZCP.I was very happy with both.

[Carcollector212]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

I never drove a F8x without the adaptive so I would not do.There is quite a difference between the settings for sure.Both my E92 M3's had adaptive dampers and one was a ZCP.I was very happy with both.

I quickly drove passive and it was much more taut over bumps and noticed some interior rattles that my car with Adaptive did not show on the same roads so in theory and from my quick drive there is a difference. but how much of a difference i do not know. he clearly doesn't want a car to be too stiff over our rutted roads out East.

[Damasconian]

Factor in the cost of only $1000 and Adaptive suspension is the only option I would think this car is required to have.

I could skip most options, but the bargain of the bunch is the one that Ill appreciate most over the lifespan of the car.

[nasdaq100]

I have passive and I have tested an adaptive after I got my car. For my part, I prefer the passive for sport driving because it's stiff enough for efficiency and funnier than the adaptive one even in sport and sport plus. But, and that is my main point, if I have to re-order my car I will take the adaptive one without hesitation. For daily drive it's much more convenient and comfortable. As it says before, I also have rattles inside the car because of cobblestones or holes on the road... It makes me crazy.

FYI, in France the adaptive option is 1800 Euros (2300 USD)

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Damasconian

Factor in the cost of only $1000 and Adaptive suspension is the only option I would think this car is required to have.

I could skip most options, but the bargain of the bunch is the one that Ill appreciate most over the lifespan of the car.

Krmm, moon roof!

OP I passed on an M3 because of no adaptive and I'm happy with mine.

[sunnyboy]

I have not tried the adaptive but I have a passive M4. I have driven the E46 and this suspension is light years better. It is stiff enough for quick corner and fast driving. Still, the suspension is forgiving and is quite comfortable in daily driving.

I also had sport suspension and 19" rim on my 335i and the ride is more comfortable than that but it still feel great ripping a turn.

For me, like nasdaq, I would get the M adaptive suspension without a through, if I re-order. However, I would not consider it a deal breaker, unless the intention for this car is to run track with it.

[MaynardZed]

Deal breakers, especially for a daily driver. Just wait and get what you want.

And yes, the HK is not great, but for $900, its definitely worth it. I can only image how anemic the stock radio is.

[Carcollector212]

guys thanks for all your feedback it appears the margin is go for adaptive by a landslide.

can any of you guys explain the idiocy of why dealers order these M3 and M4 with every single option with MSRP of $80,000 to $85,000 yet they FAIL to order the two least expensive options, HK and Adaptive. Why are so many cars on dealers lots all built this way and now i wonder why none of them are selling it seems. There are a ton of these cars sitting around in the NY, Nj and CT area that do not have these options and have been sitting around for months.

So peculiar meanwhile my car is a stripped down car and i have HK and Adaptive go figure my MSRP was only 66k

[Andrew115]

If people are going to spend this much money on a car most - not all will get what they want and to me that's the point of ordering a m- car.

[parky1215]

I find passive to be excellent choice for daily driving.
It feels very sporty yet quite comfortable unless you go really crappy road.

[Damasconian]

Originally Posted by Carcollector212

guys thanks for all your feedback it appears the margin is go for adaptive by a landslide.

can any of you guys explain the idiocy of why dealers order these M3 and M4 with every single option with MSRP of $80,000 to $85,000 yet they FAIL to order the two least expensive options, HK and Adaptive. Why are so many cars on dealers lots all built this way and now i wonder why none of them are selling it seems. There are a ton of these cars sitting around in the NY, Nj and CT area that do not have these options and have been sitting around for months.

So peculiar meanwhile my car is a stripped down car and i have HK and Adaptive go figure my MSRP was only 66k

I agree with this a lot. The vast majority of people would choose to put their option dollars in things like adaptive suspension and better stereo than $9K ceramics. And yet I see a surprising number of ceramics on dealer lots. So many inventory models are fully loaded. Put a couple 70K twins on your floor and they will probably sell a lot faster than the 86K optioned out models.

[elias]

Originally Posted by Carcollector212

guys thanks for all your feedback it appears the margin is go for adaptive by a landslide.

can any of you guys explain the idiocy of why dealers order these M3 and M4 with every single option with MSRP of $80,000 to $85,000 yet they FAIL to order the two least expensive options, HK and Adaptive. Why are so many cars on dealers lots all built this way and now i wonder why none of them are selling it seems. There are a ton of these cars sitting around in the NY, Nj and CT area that do not have these options and have been sitting around for months.

So peculiar meanwhile my car is a stripped down car and i have HK and Adaptive go figure my MSRP was only 66k

The M buyer is a different breed, most of the time they aren't going to buy an
M car off the lot. They will order their cars exactly the way they want it.
They know the experience they are looking for and the performance that the
car must put out. Only a car built to our specs will do, nothing less thats how
I feel.

[RobRed]

I held out for an adaptive car. If you are daily driving it makes things much more livable and frankly the adaption algorithms are very good. Worth a grand.

[SOM3]

Originally Posted by Carcollector212

guys thanks for all your feedback it appears the margin is go for adaptive by a landslide.

can any of you guys explain the idiocy of why dealers order these M3 and M4 with every single option with MSRP of $80,000 to $85,000 yet they FAIL to order the two least expensive options, HK and Adaptive. Why are so many cars on dealers lots all built this way and now i wonder why none of them are selling it seems. There are a ton of these cars sitting around in the NY, Nj and CT area that do not have these options and have been sitting around for months.

So peculiar meanwhile my car is a stripped down car and i have HK and Adaptive go figure my MSRP was only 66k

I guess that's why that car remains unsold.

[solstice]

Different stroke for different folks. For me, adaptive is a deal breaker. You got to try it and see what you like best. What you don't is a deal breaker. Be patient and get what you/he want. Passive is obviously better for long term owner costs but that should not be a deciding factor. It's all about the feel of the car.

[audihere]

Why is passive obviously better for long term owner costs?

If you put H&R springs (or some sort of coilovers) on the car, does this affect the Adaptive Suspension option?

Chris

[solstice]

Originally Posted by audihere

Why is passive obviously better for long term owner costs?

The components of the passive dampers are simpler and cheaper. At some point everything needs to be repaired or replaced. Well, unless it's a Volvo B18 engine