[TruthOne]

So a 330 is stiffer than an M340i? How and why?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by TruthOne

So a 330 is stiffer than an M340i? How and why?

I'm not getting this either. Slightly different I can understand, but not the M Performance car being 'softer' than the lighter M-Sport model.

BMW match springs and dampers to the model, wheels/tires are the variable, which could be the main ride control difference.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by TruthOne

So a 330 is stiffer than an M340i? How and why?

either the struts have the shipping stopper plastic still blocking compression

OR

tyre pressures are 48 psi

[oonowindoo]

No complaint here as far as stiffness.

You can't have a good handling car with little to no body roll in corners, less weight transfer Front <-> back and left <-> Right and yet still expect to have comfortable ride quality like Camry and Avalon.

M340i has very good balance between comfort and performance.

OP if you think G20 is too stiff, i suggest to you look into F30 Msport with X drive. Those have all the M sport bits without the M sport suspension. I personally find F30 even with M sport suspension way too soft. But it might be good for you.

[Airplane]

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?

Hi Nerdking,
If i understand correctly, you have an MSport suspension. If so, I don't have experience with that. Maybe the below would help.
I had a G20 with adaptive suspension running on 18" run-flats. While I found the corner stability great, I was frequently annoyed when going over bumps, any small bump for that matter. I could feel almost anything on the road surface (although the roads are really good in my country).
I like BMW handling but I want it paired with comfort, especially for daily driving.
Because of this and especially the boot accessibly I made the change to a G26. Also with adaptive dampers, but on 19" non run flat tyres. I can definitely say that the ride is significantly improved, it is close to perfect. I guess 18" tyres (non run flat) would get that 2-3 % to perfection.
Perhaps you could consider the change to non run flat. I can imagine it is never cheap but sure it is the cheapest first choice?

[G30M]

i recall that when i first took delivery of my m340i the rear was bouncing over things like a pogo stick

after 2 weeks i checked the tire pressures

front 36 rear 48 psi

[TruthOne]

Originally Posted by G80M4

i recall that when i first took delivery of my m340i the rear was bouncing over things like a pogo stick

after 2 weeks i checked the tire pressures

front 36 rear 48 psi

LOL yeah over inflated tires does this

[oonowindoo]

Mine is set at about 39-40psi in all 4 corners. Pretty bumpy even by my standard and I prefer stiffer ride.

The day/night temp difference here in LA is about 30-40 degrees. I was getting tired of having to inflate my tires every other week . So i just overinflated them somewhat on purpose.

I will change it back to 36 all around when the temp become more consistent.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by G80M4

i recall that when i first took delivery of my m340i the rear was bouncing over things like a pogo stick

after 2 weeks i checked the tire pressures

front 36 rear 48 psi

Our cars warn us when pressure is too low. Does it ever warn us if pressure is too high?

[arentz07]

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

Mine is set at about 39-40psi in all 4 corners. Pretty bumpy even by my standard and I prefer stiffer ride.

The day/night temp difference here in LA is about 30-40 degrees. I was getting tired of having to inflate my tires every other week . So i just overinflated them somewhat on purpose.

I will change it back to 36 all around when the temp become more consistent.

What does the iDrive system recommend for your car?

Depending on temp, ours will recommend anywhere from 34 front/41 rear to 36/43. I try to stay within a PSI or two of what it recommends. (We have the run-flat Pirellis btw.)

Conversely my IS 350's go-flat tires are recommended to be set at 35 front, 36 rear when cold.

[adamg13]

Originally Posted by elambo

Our cars warn us when pressure is too low. Does it ever warn us if pressure is too high?

I don't think so, maybe only if it's really excessive. Mine should be at 36 all around and the dealer delivered at 41 all around. A ladyfriend of mine had a puncture on an X3, so i purposely overinflated hers to give her some extra time before it went flat again. Probably 45 on a 36. No warning on either.

[billnchristy]

Originally Posted by Airplane

Hi Nerdking,
If i understand correctly, you have an MSport suspension. If so, I don't have experience with that. Maybe the below would help.
I had a G20 with adaptive suspension running on 18" run-flats. While I found the corner stability great, I was frequently annoyed when going over bumps, any small bump for that matter. I could feel almost anything on the road surface (although the roads are really good in my country).
I like BMW handling but I want it paired with comfort, especially for daily driving.
Because of this and especially the boot accessibly I made the change to a G26. Also with adaptive dampers, but on 19" non run flat tyres. I can definitely say that the ride is significantly improved, it is close to perfect. I guess 18" tyres (non run flat) would get that 2-3 % to perfection.
Perhaps you could consider the change to non run flat. I can imagine it is never cheap but sure it is the cheapest first choice?

I can agree to this, my g26 is on 20s and still a very smooth ride.

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by arentz07

What does the iDrive system recommend for your car?

Depending on temp, ours will recommend anywhere from 34 front/41 rear to 36/43. I try to stay within a PSI or two of what it recommends. (We have the run-flat Pirellis btw.)

Conversely my IS 350's go-flat tires are recommended to be set at 35 front, 36 rear when cold.

It is all over the place.

It would tell me 36 psi and 40 the next day. It depends on the environment.

[zazzau]

Mine is set to 39f/42r - no issues. After 4,000 miles tires are all wearing evenly. I had to check recently after replacing a tire.

That said I still don't get the logic of how tire pressure can cause back problems. It's clear that this car may not be for OP considering OPs health challenge with back pain. OP probably needs a car with plush suspension - no amount of tire pressure adjustment will suffice.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by zazzau

That said I still don't get the logic of how tire pressure can cause back problems. It's clear that this car may not be for OP considering OPs health challenge with back pain. OP probably needs a car with plush suspension - no amount of tire pressure adjustment will suffice.

I personally don't see pressure changes being a solution, not even RFT to non-RFT tires in the same size. Back in the beginning of RFTs, there was a big difference, but now hardly any change. Not sure even a wheel change and non-RFTs will be enough.

I suggest the OP try an example with standard suspension. If that is not suitable, move on to a softer riding vehicle.

[springerdrive]

Originally Posted by G80M4

either the struts have the shipping stopper plastic still blocking compression

OR

tyre pressures are 48 psi

Originally Posted by TruthOne

So a 330 is stiffer than an M340i? How and why?

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I'm not getting this either. Slightly different I can understand, but not the M Performance car being 'softer' than the lighter M-Sport model.

BMW match springs and dampers to the model, wheels/tires are the variable, which could be the main ride control difference.

Understand it or not, it's true. 330i M Sport has a much harsher ride than M340i. I own an M340xi and have driven both.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by springerdrive

Understand it or not, it's true. 330i M Sport has a much harsher ride than M340i. I own an M340xi and have driven both.

Are you comparing xDrive in both cases? If not, RWD 330i ride could be influenced by total and unsprung weight.

[oonowindoo]

I have driven plenty of 330i M sport as loaners... harsh ride has never crossed my mind once when i drove it... stiff yes. But I never expected it to feel like an ES350 either.

I feel my M340i with 39psi all around feel more stiff than any 330i M sport I have driven.

[montsov]

I drive 330i xDrive with base suspension and 18” wheels with summer RFT and winter non RFT. I really love the comfort and in the same time it feels so solid in the corners, but honestly i think the ride with non RFT its too soft for me. I have not driven an M sport G20 so my opinion is based only on my car, but i really love this machine.

Edit: We have the worst roads in Europe, so for me was important to have a softer ride.

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by montsov

I drive 330i xDrive with base suspension and 18” wheels with summer RFT and winter non RFT. I really love the comfort and in the same time it feels so solid in the corners, but honestly i think the ride with non RFT its too soft for me. I have not driven an M sport G20 so my opinion is based only on my car, but i really love this machine.

Edit: We have the worst roads in Europe, so for me was important to have a softer ride.

Trust me when i say this, you do not have the worst roads in Europe.

[SteveinArizona]

My prior car, a 2016 330e, had the MSport suspension. I was fine with it but my wife hated it. So when I replaced it with the 2018 530e, I got the adaptive suspension.

[adamg13]

Originally Posted by springerdrive

Understand it or not, it's true. 330i M Sport has a much harsher ride than M340i. I own an M340xi and have driven both.

I've seen this confirmed by quite a few owners. People gotta remember that the 340 and 330 have different weights and different weights distributions bc of different drivetrain components, so the 340 suspension is going to have to be tuned differently or possibly even have different/additional components altogether that may make for a more balanced and refined ride than the 330.

Ride in the 440 coupe is super smooth, even in sport modes. Lowering the tire pressure did make a difference. Dealer had it too high when I bought it at 42 all around so i took it down to 36. Still had a fairly smooth ride, but it was alot noisier on crappy roads when it was at 42.

I'm on 19" summer RFTs filled with that Costco Nitrogen. Doubt the nitro makes a difference but I know people here like to know all variables.