[montsov]

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

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

Sorry i meant that we in Bulgaria have the worst roads in Europe.

[xtopher84]

Originally Posted by G80M4

i would not get the mazda if i were OP

they are not known for plush suspension ...

I had a CX-9 as a rental car last week. I would consider it softer than my X3 M40, and the handling was terrible. Didn't hold the road at all. While X3 feels firmer, it does accommodate potholes well. 19" all seasons run flats.

[G30M]

i did test drive the m40i, even the adaptive suspension was hard, i think it's because the car is heavy

[Herakles]

Don't worry when I first got my e90 woth the 18s I almost returned it - the runflats are terrible get rid of them should help

[RoGo330i]

"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:
I have been having similar problems adjusting to my new 330i. I did pre-order 18 inch non-runflats, so that's all good. But the seats have pretty hard and really uncomfortable for me. So I did a ton of research, and I ordered a Sheepskin seat cover by Overland. It has helped my comfort dramatically, and now my tushy and back are doing way better.

I love my car otherwise, so I am still trying to keep it.

I also took my car to my physical therapist to show me how to sit better with the off set pedals. We are working on a better angle for my back.

But like others have said, maybe you could ask your dealer to try for a loaner BMW, that's not an M car, to drive for a day or two to see if that makes a big difference (which it might). Then, you could try to sell like on Carvana and maybe go with a non M sport.

Good luck! I know how it is. Please let us know!

[DNYC1919]

I had 330 loaner when my 2021 540 m sport /nappa leather was being serviced. The 330 was a non m sport on 18s and I must say the ride was real comfy and did not feel floaty at all. Not sure if it had leather or sensetac but seats were a lot comfier then expected also. Surpassed my expectations of comfort and ride quality for sure.

[adamg13]

Originally Posted by RoGo330i

"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:
I have been having similar problems adjusting to my new 330i. I did pre-order 18 inch non-runflats, so that's all good. But the seats have pretty hard and really uncomfortable for me. So I did a ton of research, and I ordered a Sheepskin seat cover by Overland. It has helped my comfort dramatically, and now my tushy and back are doing way better.

I love my car otherwise, so I am still trying to keep it.

I also took my car to my physical therapist to show me how to sit better with the off set pedals. We are working on a better angle for my back.

But like others have said, maybe you could ask your dealer to try for a loaner BMW, that's not an M car, to drive for a day or two to see if that makes a big difference (which it might). Then, you could try to sell like on Carvana and maybe go with a non M sport.

Good luck! I know how it is. Please let us know!

Can we get some pics of the sheepskin seats?

[RoGo330i]

https://www.overland.com/products/un...at-cover-80801

This link should work! If not, I can try to post a pic of it in my 330i tomorrow. I bought the tan one. It really has made a huge difference.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by RoGo330i

But like others have said, maybe you could ask your dealer to try for a loaner BMW, that's not an M car, to drive for a day or two to see if that makes a big difference (which it might). Then, you could try to sell like on Carvana and maybe go with a non M sport.

This is from BMW's press release material for the G20 suspensions.

G20 Suspensions

The increased rigidity of the mountings enables the M Sport suspension and Adaptive M suspension to go about their work with even more of their natural flair, with an increase in the suspension spring rate of some 20 per cent over the previous-generation BMW 3 Series Sedan.

M Sport suspension features more rigid bearings and additional body struts, firmer springs and anti-roll bars, and an even higher degree of wheel camber. During fast compression and rebound, the damping forces are some 20 per cent greater than the values with the standard suspension. This means that the difference between the two suspension options is about twice as great as on the predecessor model.

[jg4c]

Originally Posted by RoGo330i

https://www.overland.com/products/un...at-cover-80801

This link should work! If not, I can try to post a pic of it in my 330i tomorrow. I bought the tan one. It really has made a huge difference.

Please post some photos of these on your seats.
A couple of different angles would be great.

Had them in old cars and they were great. Thanks!

[RoGo330i]

Originally Posted by jg4c

Please post some photos of these on your seats.
A couple of different angles would be great.

Had them in old cars and they were great. Thanks!

I will take some pics tomorrow — and look up on the Forum how to post them from my iphone! Glad to hear yours worked out.

Sorry for the delay! I finally figured out how to post pictures! I have now driven 3,000 miles with the sheep skin cover on my driver's seat. It has made the total difference to my backside being cushioned; it also served to elevate a bit from being directly on the harder seat bottom. Love the car and appreciate the forum advice of trying out the sheep skin! It only cost $200 which is way cheaper (and much, much better) than having to give up the 330i!

[jmg]

I don't have the severity of back issues you have, but I do suffer lower back pain. Before you spend a bunch of money on your car, consider your body.

A strong core helps distribute the load work of your back muscles, and for lower back pain in particular, your abs. Years ago I started seeing a trainer three to four times a week and he did a lot to strengthen my core. I've been active in the gym before, but always on the basic bro workouts: bench, biceps, tris, thighs, calves etc. he had me doing weird stuff I never done in my life.

It worked

Back pain is largely gone. Sitting in the car for 30 minutes used to be painful and in extreme cases, back spasms. All gone just from changing my exercise routine.

My last three cars have been M3/4s, lowered, on the harshest settings. They don't bother me like they used to. The worse I get is a little stiffness from sitting for over an hour. That's quickly solved by moving my seat a little bit so a different set of muscles are used. It lets the others rest. I just switch back and forth from memory 1 and 2 every hour or so.

[G30M]

haha that reminds me.

injured something under the collarbone. nothing works saw a therapist, tried everything for 12 months then i just said stuff it i'm going back to the gym to move weights.

cured within a few weeks of moving heavy weights.

[Seaford]

I’m still wondering if the original poster has checked for transit packing, checked the tyre pressures or taken the car back to the dealer to be checked over…….

[Sight22]

I just went from M340i standard suspension (that I owned over 2 years) to M440i GC adaptive and its night and day. The 440 in sport is still softer than M340i. Comfort mode is like riding in a lexus.

[Falcoray]

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 not sure if you’ve fixed your problem yet, don’t change wheels I have 18” just fitted non run flat tyres and it’s still way to rough on uneven roads. I am now thinking about changing the suspension units from and back I am hoping that will fix it. Has anyone on this forum changed suspension units yet?

[G30M]

no. change car if too rough eg Audi. G20 is a stiff car. the only thing i can suggest is change to M Sport seats with lumbar support - they are meant to be better.

[upstate650]

Switch to 18” wheels, switch to go flat tires, and lower tire pressure to 35 lbs to maximize ride comfort.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Falcoray

Hi not sure if you’ve fixed your problem yet, don’t change wheels I have 18” just fitted non run flat tyres and it’s still way to rough on uneven roads. I am now thinking about changing the suspension units from and back I am hoping that will fix it. Has anyone on this forum changed suspension units yet?

Have you been able to try a similar model with the standard suspension, to gauge whether BMW's own suspension will be soft enough?

BMW uses the lift related dampers, so should be softer until working them harder. Alternatives could be something like the Koni Special Active * dampers. Even the Actives would probably be better riding if matched with the standard suspension springs.

* I used the original Koni FSD selective dampers on my E91, made a superb riding 3-series, without losing primary control.

[Falcoray]

I have and the ride was much smoother I noticed on mine the springs ade really short which wouldn’t allow much movement. I think I might go for a set of Koni’s

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Have you been able to try a similar model with the standard suspension, to gauge whether BMW's own suspension will be soft enough?

BMW uses the lift related dampers, so should be softer until working them harder. Alternatives could be something like the Koni Special Active * dampers. Even the Actives would probably be better riding if matched with the standard suspension springs.

* I used the original Koni FSD selective dampers on my E91, made a superb riding 3-series, without losing primary control.

G20 is a stiff chassis, and my non-M standard suspension is a bit harsh to me on road imperfections esp. after recent atmospheric rivers in my locales.

I am glad I don't have M sport suspension, which is even stiffer than standard suspension based on loaner experience.

I still have factory square 18-inch RFTs and I put 36psi on all corners.

[PVC]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

G20 is a stiff chassis, and my non-M standard suspension is a bit harsh to me on road imperfections esp. after recent atmospheric rivers in my locales.

I am glad I don't have M sport suspension, which is even stiffer than standard suspension based on loaner experience.

I still have factory square 18-inch RFTs and I put 36psi on all corners.

It's not stiff enough. It's s a sport sedan. Not a luxury focused car like a Lexus or a Mercedes. Anything with an M badge (even a fake M badge) should be a lot more driver and performance focused than the current platform.