[victorobain]

Guys

I have a G20 330d 2019. The ride is too harsh and whilst I love everything else about the car I am on the verge of swapping it for something else as it hurts my back.

Looking at car prices, moving to something else comes with significant costs too - so I may as well spend it fixing this great car. So does anyone know any aftermarket springs / similar I can get which will fit this car but that are not lowering ones - and are softer - 5 series like soft. I don't care how much it costs.

Previously some people have suggested getting a smaller wheel with bigger tyre. This made a marginal difference only.

[Trevski220]

Originally Posted by victorobain

Guys

I have a G20 330d 2019. The ride is too harsh and whilst I love everything else about the car I am on the verge of swapping it for something else as it hurts my back.

Looking at car prices, moving to something else comes with significant costs too - so I may as well spend it fixing this great car. So does anyone know any aftermarket springs / similar I can get which will fit this car but that are not lowering ones - and are softer - 5 series like soft. I don't care how much it costs.

Previously some people have suggested getting a smaller wheel with bigger tyre. This made a marginal difference only.

Are you running on run flats? If so maybe try switching to non run flats

[victorobain]

Thanks but I'm not on run flats. changing them out made a small difference but not nearly enough.

[xenon]

You don't say if you're on M-Sport springs or "SE" springs. If you have M-Sport springs then the SE springs are considerably softer.

[victorobain]

I believe I must be on the M-Sport springs, it's that model.

Any idea where I can get the SE springs?

thanks

[Beemer5to3]

I'd look on eBay, but the challenge you'll have is that BMW will shift far less SE spec cars than they will M-sport, so will be like rocking horse sh1t.

Best bet is probably main dealer - springs shouldn't be too expensive.

[xenon]

Agreed, springs shouldn't be too dear.

[victorobain]

thanks chaps

[335dX]

I understand your quandary. I got rid of my g20 330i for the same reason and have give back to an f30 because of back issues and sciatica. I never had any issues with my previous f30.

Good luck.

[Jim_330e]

The 330e runs a softer spring as well. It's not lowered though but neither is the SE so not sure if new springs would end up increasing the ride height?

[ramparts]

Why don't you just get some decent after market springs and shocks. Get some coil overs and leave them on the highest setting

[gregch]

Interested in this discussion because I find our G22 MSport 4 series (on the standard MSport non-adjustable dampers) a little firmer than I'd like.

It's my understanding that in Europe the "standard" (less firm, very slightly higher-riding) suspension is, well, standard - and you pay extra for MSport, or more extra for MSport "pro" ie adjustable.

But in the UK, on the 4 series you can only get MSport suspension, or adjustable (which strikes me as near impossible to retrofit because the wiring and buttons aren't there if it wasn't specced during build).

In theory, it seems it should be relatively straightforward for a BMW dealership to order and fit the "standard" suspension parts as fitted to cars in Europe? Since it's all standard official BMW parts fitted by a BMW dealership, is there a chance it might not void warranty or insurance requirement (I'd want to ask them before doing it, obvs)? I guess the bigger issue would be that the finance company bought an MSport car, which would be worth less without its MSport suspension. If I return the car rather than buying it, I'd obviously put it back to its original spec, but I can imagine BMW finance might not be happy with me messing with it at all??

Sorry OP for highjacking thread, and for stream-of-consciousness rambling.

[Rhino at Work]

Hi victorobain - just curious as to whether you have adaptive suspension or not. I do and find the ride fine in Comfort.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by gregch

Interested in this discussion because I find our G22 MSport 4 series (on the standard MSport non-adjustable dampers) a little firmer than I'd like.

It's my understanding that in Europe the "standard" (less firm, very slightly higher-riding) suspension is, well, standard - and you pay extra for MSport, or more extra for MSport "pro" ie adjustable.

BMW used to offer the M-Sport suspension 'delete' option, on previous generation models. You then had the standard spring/damper setup.

Key to changing springs, for a softer ride, is having dampers that match. M-Sport dampers may not work too well with standard springs. Besides the firmer damping rates, the lift related dampers may not be in the optimum height range, for the best damping balance.

[gregch]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

BMW used to offer the M-Sport suspension 'delete' option, on previous generation models. You then had the standard spring/damper setup.

Key to changing springs, for a softer ride, is having dampers that match. M-Sport dampers may not work too well with standard springs. Besides the firmer damping rates, the lift related dampers may not be in the optimum height range, for the best damping balance.

Exactly so; both springs and dampers would need to be changed. I don't think standard suspension was an option on the G22 in the UK; also when I was looking at ordering I don't think it was even possible to specify the adaptive suspension other than as part of the pro pack.

In any case, I bought a car that was already built (so as to get all the other stuff that is currently deleted and/or avoid build delays); and of those the only available car that had HK, HUD, comfort plus et al didn't have the pro pack (plus, I actively didn't want all the other pro pack stuff).

I was hoping that with the smaller wheels it would be less firm that the cars available to test drive (that all had pro pack), and it's not a disaster, but it is very definitely on the firm side!

[victorobain]

Thanks all for your suggestions. @davidoff86 are you able to point me at some please? I see the KW ones but they are lowering springs which seems may not provide Desired result.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by victorobain

Thanks all for your suggestions. @davidoff86 are you able to point me at some please? I see the KW ones but they are lowering springs which seems may not provide Desired result.

Don't overlook something like the Koni Special Active dampers with standard springs, if you are after a more refined and comfortable ride.

[victorobain]

Spoke to Koni, they are likely to get them in end of this quarter. They look from what I read to be what I am after, adaptive suspension. Although I would happily go with comfort suspension if it exists

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by victorobain

Spoke to Koni, they are likely to get them in end of this quarter. They look from what I read to be what I am after, adaptive suspension. Although I would happily go with comfort suspension if it exists

I fitted the original Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Dampers) to my E91 touring. They do work as described. I was on the standard suspension, and when I fitted non run-flats, the primary control was underdamped and ride a bit bouncy. I needed a solution which made the car more planted, without degrading the comfort levels. The Koni FSD sorted the primary control, but kept the secondary ride comfort better than OEM.

I have described the resulting ride as "more 5-series like". Rather than trade out early, kept the car for over 6-years. Konis were still fitted when I traded the car.

[victorobain]

Thanks for the reassurance. Do they come with the springs too or I have to find some of those elsewhere?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by victorobain

Thanks for the reassurance. Do they come with the springs too or I have to find some of those elsewhere?

Dampers won't include springs. From your description, IMO you really need the standard springs for the model, or a similar spec. The extra ride height helps in giving a lower spring rate, which in turn improves the comfort.

[SilverZeus]

victorobain How did you go with the coilcover or springs? I came from F30 and feel the G20 330i M-Sport with Adaptive Suspension is stiff, even in Comfort mode.
F30 in Comfort compared to Sport feels like two different cars. In G20, the change is not very noticeable. I prefer F30 suspension.