[Nerdking]

Originally Posted by adamg13

Sounds like something is up to me too. BMW does screw up sometimes with things that slip through QC. One of my seatbelt connectors was attached to the belt in the wrong place, and it made it all the way to the dealer like that. You'd think something like that would be the most serious level of QC, but mistakes happen. Wouldn't be totally surprised if the shipping blocks or something like that were still in there!

I tried to check the front drivers side wheel but didn't feel anything under the dust cover. Though I will say, there must not be much wheel travel. It looks like the rod on the strut is only like a couple inches long.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

Well, this IS a 330i. My last 3 series was an E90 and it had the 704 suspension with run flats. It was nowhere near as harsh as this car is. I'm taking off the run flats and I'm going to look at changing the springs and dampers to get a more reasonable ride.

Good luck, I hope you are able to come up with a combination that lets you enjoy it pain free.

You are not alone in the feeling, supposedly BMW was considering softening it up. https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/02/27/i...-bmw-330i-g20/

[dr_frankfurter]

I have a base (sport line) 330i with the 19" 793I wheels. The ride is very compliant most of the time and not too stiff at all. A little busy over imperfect surfaces but doesn't hurt my bad back one bit. I had a loaner 330i with the standard 18's and it was a bit more forgiving than mine. You'll definitely benefit from at least throwing on some non-RF tires.

[oz555]

I know what You're talking about. I have tested 330i with 19" and M sport suspension. Unimaginable harsh drive. Only solution I see is complete KW coilover kit V3. Where You can adjust compression and rebound. https://www.kwsuspensions.com/produc...-352200ck.html check exact model for You wehicle. Or AC Schnitzer coilovers https://www.ac-schnitzer.de/en/bmw/3...g20-sedan.html
KW is better choice.

[Nerdking]

I'm looking at realoem and it's looking like swapping the suspension would require extensive work, more than just springs and dampers. I might just sell this car and buy either a softer 330i or just something different altogether. I don't see how the tires would help much.

[elambo]

Forgive this for sounding overly obvious if in fact it is, but does Comfort mode not offer a decent ride? I tend to drive in Sport+, because I enjoy a sportier ride, but when the family jumps in I click into Comfort and feel that it's actually sort of pampering and, well, comfortable. Smooth. I'd think it would be better for the back, but maybe not enough in the right direction?

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

I'm looking at realoem and it's looking like swapping the suspension would require extensive work, more than just springs and dampers. I might just sell this car and buy either a softer 330i or just something different altogether. I don't see how the tires would help much.

Maybe a dumb question: did you test drive one at the dealership before purchase? Folks have been complaining about the seat; I also find that it takes a little bit of getting used to so that probably contributes to your problem. Otherwise I don't see how tires/suspension, etc can contribute to this issue if driving on smooth road.

Sorry to hear that you get back pain from driving the car.

[springerdrive]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

I'm looking at realoem and it's looking like swapping the suspension would require extensive work, more than just springs and dampers. I might just sell this car and buy either a softer 330i or just something different altogether. I don't see how the tires would help much.

I test drove a 330i M Sport and a 330i Sport Line before purchasing our M340xi. Night and day between the two suspensions. The M Sport was way too rough for me. The Sport Line was a much more civilized ride. You might want to test drive a 330i Sport Line. If you like it, there's never been a better time to sell your present car and get something you really like.

[Nerdking]

Originally Posted by elambo

Forgive this for sounding overly obvious if in fact it is, but does Comfort mode not offer a decent ride? I tend to drive in Sport+, because I enjoy a sportier ride, but when the family jumps in I click into Comfort and feel that it's actually sort of pampering and, well, comfortable. Smooth. I'd think it would be better for the back, but maybe not enough in the right direction?

I don't have adaptive suspension, so it's the same in any mode.

[Nerdking]

Originally Posted by zazzau

Maybe a dumb question: did you test drive one at the dealership before purchase? Folks have been complaining about the seat; I also find that it takes a little bit of getting used to so that probably contributes to your problem. Otherwise I don't see how tires/suspension, etc can contribute to this issue if driving on smooth road.

Sorry to hear that you get back pain from driving the car.

The dealership is an hour away, and the roads there are in good shape so I didn't notice. It's only after driving it in my town is it more painful. I've had back problems for a while but it's worse these days. I think the car is just making it worse those.

[Nerdking]

Originally Posted by springerdrive

I test drove a 330i M Sport and a 330i Sport Line before purchasing our M340xi. Night and day between the two suspensions. The M Sport was way too rough for me. The Sport Line was a much more civilized ride. You might want to test drive a 330i Sport Line. If you like it, there's never been a better time to sell your present car and get something you really like.

I just mainly like the looks of the M sport model more. It has the more aggressive looking front and rear bumpers, sensatec dash, etc. I don't know if I'll be able to trade in for a good deal or not. I'm not even sure if I'd stick with a 330i or not. I'm 6'5 and I'm realizing it might be nicer to have an SUV since I would have to crawl In and out. Mazda CX5 signature is on my shortlist.

[madpistol]

That's crazy. I have an M340i, which comes standard with the M-Sport suspension and run flats, and I've never felt the ride was too harsh. It is firm, for sure, but I've actually found that the shocks soak up road imperfections like wizardry. Are you sure the dealership removed the suspension stoppers from shipping?

[Nerdking]

Originally Posted by madpistol

That's crazy. I have an M340i, which comes standard with the M-Sport suspension and run flats, and I've never felt the ride was too harsh. It is firm, for sure, but I've actually found that the shocks soak up road imperfections like wizardry. Are you sure the dealership removed the suspension stoppers from shipping?

As far as I can tell yeah. I looked at the drivers side front strut and couldn't see anything. It's just very bouncy. I came from a 535i with DHP and it was like a magic carpet ride. Maybe I'll trade and try to find a used 740i instead.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

As far as I can tell yeah. I looked at the drivers side front strut and couldn't see anything. It's just very bouncy. I came from a 535i with DHP and it was like a magic carpet ride. Maybe I'll trade and try to find a used 740i instead.

If you decide to go with the CX5 Signature, I'm sure you will love it. Mazda's suspension tuning/driving characteristics is bordering on "Perfect" nowadays, and that 2.5 Turbo engine has plenty of punch.

[Nerdking]

Originally Posted by madpistol

If you decide to go with the CX5 Signature, I'm sure you will love it. Mazda's suspension tuning/driving characteristics is bordering on "Perfect" nowadays, and that 2.5 Turbo engine has plenty of punch.

My partner has a 2021 CX5 but it's not a turbo. It's very refined and comfortable but seems to handle well. I'm sure the turbo model is even better. I'll miss BMW, but I think since I'm approaching 30 and have back problems already, I'm starting to care more about comfort than anything else. I guess I'll test drive one soon. I feel like Mazda is in a class all on its own these days, since a CRV or Rav4 feels like much cheaper and more basic vehicles than the CX5. When I bought my X3 35i years ago, I cross shopped it to the CX5 at the time and would have bought the CX5 if they had the turbo at the time.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

I'm come to the conclusion that I can't live with my new car how it is. The ride is so harsh that anytime I drive it my lumbar spine hurts to the point where I can barely walk. It's so damn stiff. It's a 2021 330i M Sport with 19 inch run flats. Is there anything I can do to make this car less miserable on bad roads? I'm looking at maybe swapping out to a regular suspension and seeing if someone would buy my 19 inch wheels and tires and I could buy 18 inch wheels and non run flat tires.

Has anyone here driven both an M Sport equipped car and base model car suspension? Is the normal car better in ride quality?

You have two options:

1 - get coilovers and 18" std all season tires with the largest sidewall possible

2 - buy new car

There is no reason to hate the car just because you made a wrong purchase decision for your condition.

gl

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by springerdrive

I test drove a 330i M Sport and a 330i Sport Line before purchasing our M340xi. Night and day between the two suspensions. The M Sport was way too rough for me. The Sport Line was a much more civilized ride. You might want to test drive a 330i Sport Line. If you like it, there's never been a better time to sell your present car and get something you really like.

M340i also has same 704 M sport suspension as 330i M sport, so your experience is that M340i is not as rough a ride as 330i M sport?

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

Has anyone here driven both an M Sport equipped car and base model car suspension? Is the normal car better in ride quality?

US spec G20 M sport 704 suspension in both 330i and M340i is stiffer than base 330i(18-inch RFT), and I opted for 330i base suspension as it is sufficient for my DD outrunning Tesla's at cloverleafs/corners.

One option to consider is to swap your 19-inch RFT to 18-inch A/S non-RFT like PilotSport, or 18-inch A/S RFT like Driveguard.

[denius]

The car really isnt that stiff, in comfort its quite soft. Not the softest ride ever but for a sport sedan it is. You should have drove my 2010 550i m sport that was a stiff suspension

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by denius

The car really isnt that stiff, in comfort its quite soft.

Changing Drive modes has no effect on the suspension. That would only happen if you have the Adaptive M suspension.

[denius]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Changing Drive modes has no effect on the suspension. That would only happen if you have the Adaptive M suspension.

I had a 330i loaner and it felt like it does a little bit. Maybe it was a placebo effect or maybe the 330i can also come with adaptive suspension. I don't know.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by denius

I had a 330i loaner and it felt like it does a little bit. Maybe it was a placebo effect or maybe the 330i can also come with adaptive suspension. I don't know.

It doesn't do anything with the passive suspensions. It could have had the Adaptive M suspension.