[rick7591]

hope someone can help with my dilemma. I am in the process of ordering a 4 series and have decided the 430d m sport model with adaptive suspension is my preference.

Looking at the difference between the x drive and the rear wheel drive model it would appear that the space between the top of the wheel and the body is huge on the x drive, even with 20" wheels, it would appear that the gap is still large.

my question is, is the non x drive m sport lower or is it just my imagination.

I would be grateful if someone can help me out, as the car I have ordered (with x drive) will be going into build next Wednesday.

many thanks in advance

[stormlv]

Xdrive is indeed higher - but I think the difference between the two is just 10mm

[rick7591]

is it possible to lower the x drive without affecting the warranty?

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by rick7591

is it possible to lower the x drive without affecting the warranty?

I didn't think lowering your car affected your car's warranty.
Either way, on a non-lowered car if you hit a rock or something else and messed up your underside, that wouldn't be covered by warranty, right?

If I were you I'd honestly think about whether you need xDrive in the first place.
I don't know how winter in London's like, but I think that a good set of winter tires will surely do their magic.
The RWD will also be a bit lighter and you'll have the option of getting an LSD if you so please (which AFAIK you can't with xdrive).

[MMVI]

Have you noticed in the catalogue that the drive models including MSport have sports suspension removed. Not sure why but this must be relevant to the 4 wheel drive system. I have a 430d MS on order and did not consider the x as it is 90kg heavier and I believe will rarely make a difference.

[rick7591]

Many thanks for the advice i will be contacting my dealer on monday, to change away from the x drive.
Can afford to add the diffuser and rear spoiler on now.

Cheers guys

[x5mad]

As stated by previous posts, the xdrive is 10mm higher. However, adding adaptive suspension will lower it by 10mm and so both cars with same options will sit the same xdrive or not.

[Steven1077]

Originally Posted by x5mad

As stated by previous posts, the xdrive is 10mm higher. However, adding adaptive suspension will lower it by 10mm and so both cars with same options will sit the same xdrive or not.

No it won't. and its more than 10mm

[rick7591]

Wow, now i really am confused which model to get, maybe go back to an xfs jaguar, better wheel choice, but crap in the snow, even with winter tyres fitted
It like torvill and dean.

Cheers for the assist

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

No it won't. and its more than 10mm

Any references for the "more than 10mm"?
All I could find was the 10mm difference.

[Steven1077]

Originally Posted by stormlv

Any references for the "more than 10mm"?
All I could find was the 10mm difference.

I'm sure that’s what BMW say, but when measured it's a lot more than 10mm, I had a 335d and the wheel gaps where huge especially at the front, pretty sure the 4 series is the same looking at the pictures, the springs are also softer than msport suspension even with adaptive

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

No it won't. and its more than 10mm

So you know better than what BMW are stating?

[msej449]

I went for xDrive on my 330d because I prefer the 'neutral' handling of AWD versus RWD. But this is a very personal preference and you'll find a lot of people think this is a travesty. Yes there is more weight but this is only like carrying a passenger. And on more powerful engines I just like the dynamics, especially near the edge of adhesion. If you do a comparison test make sure the specs are truly like-for-like. I live near Brighton and snow is rare but I use winters on all my cars. My xDrive choice is on dynamics, not snow. And for me, modern poor road surfaces mean I'm not prepared to endure bone-jarring lowered suspension just for the occasional blast - but again, that's a personal preference.

[rick7591]

Thanks for that. I have spoken to ac scheider this morning, and even though have springs for the F32 x drive, i am changing my order to a 430d m sport s drive, and once i have delivery i can decide if it needs lowering.

Many thanks for all the replies, i look forward to joining the BMW brigade

[Leo bimmer]

Originally Posted by rick7591

Thanks for that. I have spoken to ac scheider this morning, and even though have springs for the F32 x drive, i am changing my order to a 430d m sport s drive, and once i have delivery i can decide if it needs lowering.

Many thanks for all the replies, i look forward to joining the BMW brigade

Rwd m-sport F3x's are lowered by 10mm standard

[Steven1077]

Originally Posted by x5mad

So you know better than what BMW are stating?

Yes, just take a look at the pictures, it's clearly more than 10mm

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

Yes, just take a look at the pictures, it's clearly more than 10mm

Are you kidding me? By eyeballing a picture and guesstimating you're saying all must be true?

Factory specs are there for a reason. It's a standardization across the board. There may be individual differences due to tolerance as well as other external factors. But you can't base a fact from pictures. Measurements are needed across many cars.

All I stated is what is public knowledge published by BMW. Your own experiences is just that.

[x5mad]

Reading the thread again I am thinking we are referring to 2 different measurements.

I am referring to lowered as in centre of gravity or whatever it is BMW uses to measure ride height differences.

Are you referring to wheel gap size?

[B58_Touring]

If you look at the tech specs shown on this site

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=853135

It states the height of the S Drive is 1362mm and the X Drive is 1377mm a difference of 15mm. Ground clearance is also 130 compared to 145 in the X Drive

As far as I'm aware adding adaptive doesnt alter the ride height at all, 4 series X Drive cars are all the same height regardless. As are all S Drive F32's, M Sport cars have the same ride height as the standard suspension apparently.... See the FAQ's in that link...

Does the coupe still have sport suspension as standard?

No. It really was not standard on the e92 either (only initially when the car first launched). The F32 will come with a standard suspension, with two dynamic settings: Sport and Comfort. M Sport cars will have the same ride height as the standard suspension -- this is something new. Also, xDrive models will have a slightly higher ride height due to their use for driving on snow and ice.

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by x5mad

As stated by previous posts, the xdrive is 10mm higher. However, adding adaptive suspension will lower it by 10mm and so both cars with same options will sit the same xdrive or not.

I read this on the Bimmerfest site regarding the 3 series....

"The Adaptive M Suspension offered for the rear wheel drive F30 includes a 10mm lower sport spring, the same spring that is on the sport suspension.

On the xDrive all wheel drive variants of the 3 series the Adaptive M Suspension will NOT lower the ride height of the car. Regardless of package and options all xDrive F30s will have the same ride height. We believe this is to keep the front drive axle CV joint angles as straight at possible as additional lowering would put them outside of allowable factory specifications"

[x5mad]

Thanks for all your inputs.

Don't know where or why I remember the different specs but I humbly admit I was wrong and the xdrive indeed sits higher.

[B58_Touring]

There is a lot of confusion and i dont think the differences are well communicated by BMW. Seems you've got to hunt around for the information on the different set ups. Which also differ between the f30 and f32, cant generalise it quite as easily as you could with the E9X's

To the OP, if you dont need xdrive and are concerned about the ride height go with the s drive 430d m sport and you know your getting the lowest set up available from the factory. Thats pretty much what i did and Im happy with how it drives and looks.