Dynamic Damping - same in the 520i and 528i M Sports?

[Juan Powerblow]

Hey fellow F10ers, I'm puzzled why my 520i after changing to Style 350 M 18" rims like the 528i M Sports doesn't have the same ride height? Isn't the suspension the same since both come with Dynamic Damping? The only theory I have is my car is still 3 weeks old and perhaps the springs haven't quite settled. It's like 4 and a half fingers gap in the rear when a lot of 528i M Sports I been fingering in public car parks have only 3 fingers gap?!!!On another note, the M Sports bodykit becoming increasingly tempting! Pwobwem is, it's my dad's car but I have to foot the bill coz he wd never get it himself but I beh tahan lookin' so less sporty!

 

[HypoGXII]

Do what any good son would do so that his father will look good! Trick him! Dad, RM 12,000 and we add a BMW filter that will make fuel consumption 10x more efficient! Plus as a bonus they will also add all these parts to the body that will make it more aerodynamic, reducing wind resistance and it will pay itself in a few years! The icing on the cake, your son is gonna snatch all the chicks.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Let me check... Yup, tried that b4, didn't work. Almost got killed! Any inputs on the dynamic damper question?

 

[morrogan]

Not too sure how BMW's active suspension system work. Those in Range Rover Vogue (similar to airmatic system), when switch off engine, the whole car will goto lowest height setting. Once re-start the engine, it will go to last setting. I woud think that the active suspension will have adjustable orifices to control the fluid flow in the shock to achieve hard/soft damping effect.

 

[willie]

if i am not wrong, the ride hide remains the same in different setting, just the "firmness" is different

 

[RH5]

The 528i comes with M Sports suspension and it is lower and firmer than the standard suspension like the one that u have on the 520i. I think thats explained the gap difference.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

The 528i comes with M Sports suspension and it is lower and firmer than the standard suspension like the one that u have on the 520i. I think thats explained the gap difference.

I recall Paul Tan explaining that M Sports suspension doesn't come with Dynamic Damping i.e. M Sports suspension is static. There are only 3 types of suspensioon for theF10, stock, dynamic and M Sports. If M Sports suspension was specified in the 528i M Sports, it would have been in the specs sheet which is not. My prevailing theory is since my dad's F10 (which I just took custody today) is only 3 weeks old, the springs and dampers are still new and yet to properly settle. I'm quite perturbed by this issue and will certainly address it with Ingress.

 

[RH5]

I recall Paul Tan explaining that M Sports suspension doesn't come with Dynamic Damping i.e. M Sports suspension is static. There are only 3 types of suspensioon for theF10, stock, dynamic and M Sports. If M Sports suspension was specified in the 528i M Sports, it would have been in the specs sheet which is not. My prevailing theory is since my dad's F10 (which I just took custody today) is only 3 weeks old, the springs and dampers are still new and yet to properly settle. I'm quite perturbed by this issue and will certainly address it with Ingress.

The M Sport version will automatically get the M suspension right away, unless the owner decide to change it to standard or dynamic suspension which we cannot do that in Malaysia unless buy directly from germany or buy a recon car.

 

[paultantk]

Are you sure that the 528i M Sport in Malaysia comes with an M suspension? From what I understand, the suspension is the same as the regular F10 - there's only 1 spec for adjustable dampers.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

I can't seem to find definitive answers. Have even spoken to technicians at dealerships only to get the same conflicting answers. If anyone knows for sure, which I'm also trying to determine, please report here. I too, thought Paul's view made sense i.e. there can't be different spec-ced springs / suspension components for cars with dynamic dampers.

 

[RH5]

Are you sure that the 528i M Sport in Malaysia comes with an M suspension? From what I understand, the suspension is the same as the regular F10 - there's only 1 spec for adjustable dampers.

In UK/Germany/Ireland or Europe the M Sport version will automatically come with M Sport suspension. But u also have the option to delete it and they will swap it with the standard suspension or u may also pay more for the adaptive drive.

So to answer your question, by right the M Sport version should come with the M Sport suspension unless BMW Malaysia decide to swap it with the standard suspension. They have 3 suspension option, which is the standard, M-Sport and the Adaptive Drive. I think the 535i comes with the Adaptive Drive.


Adaptive Drive.
On every curve, on every road surface: Adaptive Drive counteracts the forces that cause body roll. Your BMW handles with outstanding sporting agility, while also ensuring a very comfortable journey for you and your passengers. Body roll is practically eliminated, and winding roads can be enjoyed with a maximum of stability and safety.

The proven effectiveness of BMW's innovative chassis control systems, Dynamic Drive and Variable Damper Control (VDC) work closely together to deliver an outstandingly smooth ride and enhanced agility. Sensors in your BMW permanently monitor vehicle speed, steering-wheel position and the pitch and yaw forces acting on the chassis. Using this data, the system precisely adjusts the stabilisers and the dampers, changing their settings quickly and accurately. This coordinated interaction of dampers and stabilisers counteracts the forces that cause the body to roll or sway. Your BMW hugs the road, delivers neutral self-steering behaviour, outstanding agility and shorter braking distances.
Furthermore, Adaptive Drive adjusts the suspension settings to suit the character of the road surface. Each axle has its own independent motor that can adjust the dampers on each individual wheel. When the road surface under one side of the vehicle differs in character from that on the other side - such as when driving on roads with gravel shoulders - Adaptive Drive instantly adjusts the suspension settings of the wheels on one side to practically eliminate any perceptible unevenness in the road. In addition, you can choose between a more comfortable default setting for the suspension, or a more sporting setting.
Such high-speed calculations and responses demand a high-performance electronics system. Adaptive Drive utilises FlexRay, a high-speed data transfer system that networks sensors, control units and stabilisers.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Thanks RH5. I can confirm that for Malaysia, both F10 520i and 528i M Sports come standard with Dynamic Driving Control and Dynamic Damping Control i.e. the cumulation of both = Adaptive Drive. Hence, based on what you said, they have the same suspension. This means there's something seriously wrong with my dad's F10 520i cos it's at least 10 mm higher than all the 528i M Sports I have come acrossed, about 5-6 of 'em. Understand I have changed my dad's rims to Style 350 M and exactly the same tire specifications with the 528i M Sports. Yes, I been sticking my fingers, fingering a lot of 528i M Sports around my area. Sri Hartamas / Mont Kiara has the highest concentration of BMWs in Malaysia. They should set up authorised workshop and give resident discounts!

 

[RH5]

well good luck then..

 

[paultantk]

All the F10 have variable dampers, but the 535i has an even funkier suspension with active anti roll bars.

 

[RH5]

VDC/ Variable Damper Control will add the Comfort suspension setting on the Dynamic Drive options. I did not spec my car with VDC, so I dont have the Comfort setting. I have the Standard, Sports and Sports+. Decided that I dont need the Comfort setting.

I can confirm that the 520i and 528i does not and COULD NOT come with the adaptive drive which add the active roll stabiliser. Its only available for 535i and above. How did I know? I study this when i customized my car order. You could look at the BMW UK website, build your car section. There is no way you could spec the adaptive drive on lower engine variant.

So, I still think the 528i M-Sports in Malaysia comes with the M Sport suspension, which is they are a tad lower than the SE suspension. The ride is also firmer if they are on it. Unless, they decide to delete it due to Malaysia road condition which is I dont think so.

 

[paultantk]

yup, 520i, 520d, 528i does not have adaptive drive, but it has variable damper control.

(i'm speaking malaysian spec context only)

 

[willie]

Hi, i am more confused now... so my malaysia spec 520d that has this comfort, normal, sport, sport+ setting means i can only choose to set throttle response, steering ratio and gearbox response, but there will be no changes in the suspension setting???

I thought differences between the 523i/520i and 520d are the active steering, and 4 zone climate control only??? and of course the engine la...

 

[primus2211]

Hi, i am more confused now... so my malaysia spec 520d that has this comfort, normal, sport, sport+ setting means i can only choose to set throttle response, steering ratio and gearbox response, but there will be no changes in the suspension setting???

I thought differences between the 523i/520i and 520d are the active steering, and 4 zone climate control only??? and of course the engine la...

As Paul has mentioned above, the 520d comes with variable damping, which means that when you set to "sport", the dampers will actually stiffen a little bit which in effect is change in the suspension setting.

 

[RH5]

As Paul has mentioned above, the 520d comes with variable damping, which means that when you set to "sport", the dampers will actually stiffen a little bit which in effect is change in the suspension setting.

The only thing the VDC adds is the additional dynamic drive setting which is the COMFORT mode. VDC does not affect the Sport and Sport+ mood setting. I dont spec my car with VDC but I still could set my car mood into SPORT and SPORT+ setting (chassis and drivetrain or just one of those at one time).

 

[RH5]

Hi, i am more confused now... so my malaysia spec 520d that has this comfort, normal, sport, sport+ setting means i can only choose to set throttle response, steering ratio and gearbox response, but there will be no changes in the suspension setting???

I thought differences between the 523i/520i and 520d are the active steering, and 4 zone climate control only??? and of course the engine la...

You only missing out on the Adaptive Drive (active body roll stabilizer) which only found in 535i and above. Suspension would still behave differently in Comfort, Standard, SPORTS & SPORTS+ mode, only your body is still moving a bit when layan corners because of the Adaptive Drive absence.