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      12-28-2014, 07:54 AM   #1
Jedi_M
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Passive vs. Adaptive M Suspension for Comfort

I have a bad back and am looking for the suspension option which gives the most comfortable ride on roads that are less that ideal, which seem to be most of them When I say comfort, I mean minimizing road vibration and harshness. I will use the car as a daily driver with no track use. Price is not as issue, since the adaptive option is only $1,000 more.

I test drove an M3 with passive suspension and thought that the car in comfort setting was acceptable. Unfortunately, here are no cars in my area that have Adaptive M Suspension that I can demo and compare with the passive suspension.

I have searched this forum and have found that people are split on these two suspensions in terms of comfort. For example, one person thought that the Adaptive comfort setting felt harsher than the Passive comfort setting. Other people have said that the Adaptive in comfort is softer than the Passive suspension and ideal for everyday use and is a bargain at $1,000.

For those who have driven both suspensions, I would like to get your opinion on which you think offers a more comfortable ride.
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      12-28-2014, 07:59 AM   #2
JeffM-Houston
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Mine has the passive suspension, I think the active in comfort mode is much softer, but I've only driven one example.
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      12-28-2014, 08:13 AM   #3
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There is no comfort or any setting on passive

I ordered adaptive but if I was buying off the lot I would be open to passive.

I do think active performs better on rough or bouncy tracks and road conditions. That's why I got it.

It's truly an active suspension which is beneficial when calibrated well
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      12-28-2014, 10:07 AM   #4
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If you read this interview about the F8x chassis, particularly the part about the shocks, I think you will find the right answer:
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1005164
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      12-28-2014, 11:38 AM   #5
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Types play a big part of this as well. If you want the most compliant riding car, then get the Adaptive suspension with the 18" tyres and set it to Comfort mode. Next option would be 19"s with the AS followed by the 18"s with the passive suspension. Worst compliance would be found with the 19"s and the passive suspension.
Bish
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      12-28-2014, 12:02 PM   #6
jeff4598
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I have a bad back and finder the stiffer the suspension the less it stresses my back as the road's inputs pass thru quickly and are gone quickly vs a softer suspension that converts them to a slower wave that moves you around for longer.
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      12-28-2014, 01:10 PM   #7
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The Adaptive Suspension will give you options to determine which setting is best for you.

I clearly notice a difference between comfort and sport and sport plus settings with the Adaptive M Suspension.
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      12-28-2014, 01:56 PM   #8
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I have passive and it's pretty stiff. I always planned to do suspension so I didn't get adaptive.
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      12-28-2014, 05:35 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thebishman View Post
Types play a big part of this as well. If you want the most compliant riding car, then get the Adaptive suspension with the 18" tyres and set it to Comfort mode. Next option would be 19"s with the AS followed by the 18"s with the passive suspension. Worst compliance would be found with the 19"s and the passive suspension.
Bish
Thanks for the tips thebishman.
I now plan on getting the Adaptive M suspension combined with the standard 18" wheels/tires to maximize the riding comfort. I also think that the standard 18" wheel design looks better than the optional 19" wheels, so that is a plus along with some weight savings.
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