[UWBadger]

I have a '22 M340xi with adaptive M-Soort suspension and 18" Blizzaks for winter. It's so damn bouncy that I get car sick lol. Maybe switching to 18s with normal all seasons would be best for your situation.

[kohoutek]

I am 10 or so days into driving my new M340ix. I find the ride is absolutely fine. The seat? I absolutely despise it. I CANNOT find a comfortable seating position. I am disappointed and hoping that in time the seat or I or both will adapt, otherwise I am going to have to take the depreciation hit and buy something else.

[G30M]

i think seat is very personal. i find it fits me like a glove. drove 7 hrs the other day through bumpy windy twisty slippy roads and my brain was hurting but the body was good

[elambo]

Some are fine with their seats, yes. The OP clearly is not.

[Nerdking]

Originally Posted by elambo

Some are fine with their seats, yes. The OP clearly is not.

I'm totally fine with the seat, it doesn't bother me at all. What bothers me is the overly stiff suspension that is literally causing me back pain because it's so damn stiff. I'm likely going to trade it in for a Mazda CX5, assuming the dealers give me a reasonable trade in value.

[wrickem]

Life's too short to spend it with a car you don't love. Hopefully you'll make out well with your trade.

[G30M]

BMW sedan to a Mazda SUV? wow

i think you should seriously consider something with air suspension

[elambo]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

I'm totally fine with the seat, it doesn't bother me at all.

I'd meant "seat" as a generic term for how the driver feels behind the wheel, but in any case I'm sorry to hear that the car couldn't be saved with simple adjustments. No doubt the smooth roads around the dealership provided an incomplete demonstration of ownership.

[DNYC1919]

How about going to 18s. Would that help ?

[Nerdking]

Originally Posted by G80M4

BMW sedan to a Mazda SUV? wow

i think you should seriously consider something with air suspension

I'm probably going to take a 10k hit on trade in just to get out of this car. I'd get a Mercedes GLC but I'd be spending thousands to get into one unless I got a fantastic deal on trade in.

[SpiritedAway]

You crazy. Get some 18 wheels and non rft and chill.

[G30M]

i would not get the mazda if i were OP

they are not known for plush suspension ...

[VICG20M]

Took me a few weeks to get used to the ride, I also got rid of rft and went with a thicker side wall and wider tires. Rides perfect and I love how the car handles.

If it's unbearable then get rid of the car and go look at a A4 with out sport suspension those are softer then the BMW.

How are the roads where you live? Might be you have crap roads and that's why you think the ride is harsh.

[Seaford]

Originally Posted by Nerdking

I'm totally fine with the seat, it doesn't bother me at all. What bothers me is the overly stiff suspension that is literally causing me back pain because it's so damn stiff. I'm likely going to trade it in for a Mazda CX5, assuming the dealers give me a reasonable trade in value.

Have you had the car checked by a main dealer? Not least for transit packing that has been left in place?

If it is as bad as you say there is clearly something wrong with the car. With respect you may not find the answer on here, get it to the dealer.

[Lightngsvt]

Is it possible to swap in base 330 springs and struts? I still feel 18"s with non-RTFs will make a noticeable difference, maybe not perfect but improved. Plus you may be able to trade with someone who wants the 19s for almost nothing, its a lot cheaper than $10k depreciation at least as a start.

[wtwo3]

I came from an Infiniti Q50 which had a pretty soft suspension and very cushy seats. So initially my G20 was very harsh and the seats weren't comfortable. However over time I got used to it, expectations adjusted, and now I don't even notice it. Sure if I spend a week driving my G05 exclusively and hop back into my G20 it's a little shocking, but the fun of driving it more than makes up for a bit of initial harshness.

That being said, I also don't have chronic back issues.

[premier3is]

A good way to determine if a car is suited for you before buying it would be to rent it on Turo for a day and see how you feel with it. A test drive at a dealership never gets you the true feel for a car.

If going this route, that could have potentially saved you 10k or so that you stated you'll be taking a hit on.

Test the Mazda as well in my opinion before buying it.

[Ikester19]

Something has got to be up with your car. I'd take it back to the dealer and have them check over it to ensure the pre-delivery had all been carried out correctly ie shipping blocks removed, check suspension travel, wheels and tyres for any possible issues. I have a M340i with AS and find the ride quality is not harsh at all, in fact I personally find it very compliant and soaks up road imperfections very well.

[sfgator]

FWIW - I have suffered from back issues for a while - a couple of herniated and degenerating disks in the lower lumbar. I cycle but cannot run anymore. Everyone's back is different, so I am not going to opine on your issues, if it hurts it hurts. Over the weekend, I moved from an X5 msport to a m340i that does not have an adaptive suspension. On my daily commute which involves some piss poor roads, I have not noticed an increase in discomfort. Maybe there is something wrong with your car.

[springerdrive]

Originally Posted by Ikester19

Something has got to be up with your car. I'd take it back to the dealer and have them check over it to ensure the pre-delivery had all been carried out correctly ie shipping blocks removed, check suspension travel, wheels and tyres for any possible issues. I have a M340i with AS and find the ride quality is not harsh at all, in fact I personally find it very compliant and soaks up road imperfections very well.

No, there may not be anything wrong with the OP's car. The 330i M Sport has a considerably firmer ride than the M340ix with or without adaptive suspension. I know because I've driven all of them.

[arentz07]

I've probably posted this before, but I find it to be a little firm in our 2021 330i M Sport with run flats as well. It's not too firm for me, but I tend to appreciate the firmness since it keeps the car from feeling heavy or floaty. It also has pretty good reactions during steering inputs and braking/accelerating.

Having said that, I find the body control in my IS 350 to be about the same, but the ride is much better in the IS. It has "normal", non-run-flat Bridgestones on it right now, so that probably has a big effect on the ride. It's also a slightly heavier car, has different suspension design, etc., so it's not an apples-to-apples thing. I find both cars to be very comfortable as long as the road isn't too rough. The seats in the BMW are very supportive (we have the Vernasca Leather seats), while the ones in the Lexus are a bit more bolstered and a bit softer. So, they're good at different things. I also find the BMW easier to get in and out of than the Lexus due to the seat design.

I drove a non-M-Sport 330e not long ago, and it rode softer than our M-Sport 330i. Not sure what tires it was wearing, but they were on 18-inch wheels.

[TTG]

I really don't get this complaint at all. This car is super comfortable and I absolutely won't call the ride "harsh"

Having said that, I have specifically ordered it with go flat tires, 18" wheels and standart suspension. But then I have driven M340s with 19" & 20" wheels with runflats and still would not consider the ride harsh.

I guess it all depends on what the OP is used to. Yes, ride is harsher than a 1996 Caddilac Fleetwood for sure but it is completely acceptable for a modern day sport sedan.