[64-bit]

The other day I test drove a X3 M40i and it had passive suspension, which made the ride experience not pleasant at all, specially over bumps, it was so bad that I think that my kids would throw up in 30 min

My 2016 M3 with Adaptive M Suspension has way better suspension feeling

Any input from those who tested drove both setups?

[Zirenz2006]

I test drove M40i without adaptive and also found it a bit harsh. I have adaptive in my F30 and I will option it when I get an M40i X3.

[64-bit]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

I test drove M40i without adaptive and also found it a bit harsh. I have adaptive in my F30 and I will option it when I get an M40i X3.

I think it is a MUST have, as HK sound, Nav and Heated Seats

[Covfefe]

Everything I've read about the previous generations has indicated that the adaptive suspension on the M40i and dynamic damper control on the 30i make a big difference. Plus, for $700 for the adaptive M vs the $1,000 for dynamic damper control on the 30i, its a steal imo.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by 64-bit

The other day I test drove a X3 M40i and it had passive suspension, which made the ride experience not pleasant at all, specially over bumps, it was so bad that I think that my kids would throw up in 30 min

My 2016 M3 with Adaptive M Suspension has way better suspension feeling

Any input from those who tested drove both setups?

First review which suggest the ride is harsh, what size of rim was this?

The Australian 30i seems to be firm with bigger 20” rims on run flats , could be the issue ——->>> http://www.caradvice.com.au/603453/2...ive30i-review/

[edcrane]

I drove an m40i without adaptive suspension on 19” wheels. Ride felt relativey smooth — better than the GLC 43 I tested, which had standard 20” tires, but a little less grippy/precise. Reviews seem to suggest that the larger wheeled m40is are significantly less compliant.

I wish I could find tires/wheels for a compact suv that would yield a similar level of grip and compliance as the 18” michellin pilot super sports on my m235i.

[sor]

Originally Posted by edcrane

I drove an m40i without adaptive suspension on 19” wheels. Ride felt relativey smooth — better than the GLC 43 I tested, which had standard 20” tires, but a little less grippy/precise. Reviews seem to suggest that the larger wheeled m40is are significantly less compliant.

I wish I could find tires/wheels for a compact suv that would yield a similar level of grip and compliance as the 18” michellin pilot super sports on my m235i.

It looks like your M235i probably had 225/40R18. That has a sidewall height (road to rim) of about 3.5 inches.

You could do the Michelin Pilot Super Sport 255/45ZR19 on the OEM X3 19" wheels. It would have a side wall of 4.5 inches, making them slightly more compliant than your M235i. Obviously the vehicle dynamics are different.

The 21" wheels could do 255/35ZR21 Super Sport on the front and 285/35ZR21 in the rear. Those would get you back to a 3.5" sidewall height comparable to the M235i with 18".

[Rbrown]

Current wife’s F25 has adaptive and ride is very comfy.

If I go for M40i, I will definitely be specing them again.

[edcrane]

Originally Posted by sor

It looks like your M235i probably had 225/40R18. That has a sidewall height (road to rim) of about 3.5 inches.

You could do the Michelin Pilot Super Sport 255/45ZR19 on the OEM X3 19" wheels. It would have a side wall of 4.5 inches, making them slightly more compliant than your M235i. Obviously the vehicle dynamics are different.

The 21" wheels could do 255/35ZR21 Super Sport on the front and 285/35ZR21 in the rear. Those would get you back to a 3.5" sidewall height comparable to the M235i with 18".

Thanks for the suggestions! I would love to somehow get PSSs--best tires I've ever experienced--on the X3. The BMW configurator says the stock 19" wheels are 7.5" wide, and it seems as if that will not accommodate 255 wide tires: http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-...ismetric=False

I could buy new wheels but prefer the OEM look. Also a little worried that 21" will get more harsh than the m235i, even if it's the same sidewall height, because of the difference between the vehicles (i.e., weight/suspension tuning).

[sor]

Originally Posted by edcrane

Thanks for the suggestions! I would love to somehow get PSSs--best tires I've ever experienced--on the X3. The BMW configurator says the stock 19" wheels are 7.5" wide, and it seems as if that will not accommodate 255 wide tires: http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-...ismetric=False

I could buy new wheels but prefer the OEM look. Also a little worried that 21" will get more harsh than the m235i, even if it's the same sidewall height, because of the difference between the vehicles (i.e., weight/suspension tuning).

You're right. Sorry, I thought I checked the rim width range. Going off actual tire specs, it doesn't even look like the PSS 245s fit a 7.5" rim. I think I was looking at the ordering guide, shopping for all of the sizes and probably got confused.

What about 20"?

PSS 245/40ZR20 front, width range 8-9.5"
PSS 285/35ZR20 back, width range 9.5-11"

Those sizes give a 3.9" sidewall. They're a little smaller than the stock tire overall, though.

[edcrane]

An update: took a second test drive of the X3 m40i with my wife this afternoon. Turns out the vehicle has 21" wheels with adaptive suspension. Ride was fairly compliant in comfort mode -- significantly better than the GLC 43 with 20" wheels in its most comfortable setting. My wife thought the ride in comfort mode was on par with our 2015 X3 with 18" wheels and non-run flat all seasons, which is completely daily driveable.

The tires equipped on the X3 m40i were apparently Bridgestone Alenza run flats. Dealer said these are OEM. The regular Alenza and Alenza plus tires don't appear to be made in this size, and I haven't been able to track down any specs. I've attached a few pictures for reference.

The equipped tires are a little bit of a mystery to me, and I'm trying to square our impressions of the ride quality with comments from other reviewers on the sometimes harsh ride.

[edcrane]

Originally Posted by sor

You're right. Sorry, I thought I checked the rim width range. Going off actual tire specs, it doesn't even look like the PSS 245s fit a 7.5" rim. I think I was looking at the ordering guide, shopping for all of the sizes and probably got confused.

What about 20"?

PSS 245/40ZR20 front, width range 8-9.5"
PSS 285/35ZR20 back, width range 9.5-11"

Those sizes give a 3.9" sidewall. They're a little smaller than the stock tire overall, though.

Thanks. I think that would throw off the speedo a little bit, but if it wouldn't affect the safety systems, seems like that could be an acceptable compromise. I'm going to check out the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss as well.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by edcrane

Thanks. I think that would throw off the speedo a little bit, but if it wouldn't affect the safety systems, seems like that could be an acceptable compromise. I'm going to check out the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss as well.

I have the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on my M3. They are amazing tires. Great grip in the wet and dry. They are also quieter than the PS2's In terms of ride comfort, I have no complaints at all. They are non run flats but I would consider getting the BMW M Mobility kit

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by edcrane

...The tires equipped on the X3 m40i were apparently Bridgestone Alenza run flats. Dealer said these are OEM. The regular Alenza and Alenza plus tires don't appear to be made in this size, and I haven't been able to track down any specs. I've attached a few pictures for reference. The equipped tires are a little bit of a mystery to me, and I'm trying to square our impressions of the ride quality with comments from other reviewers on the sometimes harsh ride.

Greetings, edcrane. I'm trying to put together a list of G01 tire specs on the 'G01 X3 Highway Fuel Econ - Form data' thread { http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1440682 }. I'm not finished yet as there isn't a list one can easily reference and this is turning into a scavenger hunt. But the Bridgestone Duler Alenza with BMW specs may be one of the custom types it seems. Here is what I have found so far on Bridgestone, for what it's worth.

[edcrane]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Greetings, edcrane. I'm trying to put together a list of G01 tire specs on the 'G01 X3 Highway Fuel Econ - Form data' thread { http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1440682 }. I'm not finished yet as there isn't a list one can easily reference and this is turning into a scavenger hunt. But the Bridgestone Duler Alenza with BMW specs may be one of the custom types it seems. Here is what I have found so far on Bridgestone, for what it's worth.

Helpful, thanks! Good to confirm that these are apparently oem. Will still investigate summers as the handling did not feel quite as sharp as it might.

[voyagergab]

Quick question. Is there a sport plus mode on these cars?

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by voyagergab

Quick question. Is there a sport plus mode on these cars?

Yes, only on 30i, 30d and M40i.

[Tjalle]

Good to know:
-MY17 X4 M40i was solely delivered with Michelin PSS non RFT:s. 20", staggered. In most markets other X4 models were delivered with (bad) RFT:s of various brands.

PSS and now PS4 have been best tires in most Ultra High Performance Tire tests in Europe during recent years.

[Slalom]

I tested an X3 M40i with the 21" Bridgestone staggered setup for an hour on a variety of roads. It had M adaptive suspension. It did not matter what mode I put the vehicle in, the ride was choppy. It felt as though the tire pressure was too high. Compared to the Audi SQ5 and the Volvo XC60 the BMW was dead last for ride quality. The X3 3.0 with standard suspension and 19" tires handled much better.
I am hoping that this was simply a reflection of the setup (pressures) and the temperature (just below freezing is not recommended for the Bridgestone summer run flats).
As others have said, my M3 with adaptive suspension is much more comfortable.

[edcrane]

Originally Posted by Slalom

I tested an X3 M40i with the 21" Bridgestone staggered setup for an hour on a variety of roads. It had M adaptive suspension. It did not matter what mode I put the vehicle in, the ride was choppy. It felt as though the tire pressure was too high. Compared to the Audi SQ5 and the Volvo XC60 the BMW was dead last for ride quality. The X3 3.0 with standard suspension and 19" tires handled much better.
I am hoping that this was simply a reflection of the setup (pressures) and the temperature (just below freezing is not recommended for the Bridgestone summer run flats).
As others have said, my M3 with adaptive suspension is much more comfortable.

Interesting. When you say the x3 30 with 19's "handled much better," do you mean that the ride quality was much better, or that it actually cornered better? The latter would be pretty surprising to me, unless it's purely a function of the difference in tire compounds.

I didn't realize that the bridgestone's are summer run flats. This is the same setup I drove during ~55 degree weather, and it felt pretty comfortable to me and my wife. Much better than GLC 43. We're going to test drive SQ5 this week and will compare.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by edcrane

Interesting. When you say the x3 30 with 19's "handled much better," do you mean that the ride quality was much better, or that it actually cornered better? The latter would be pretty surprising to me, unless it's purely a function of the difference in tire compounds.

I didn't realize that the bridgestone's are summer run flats. This is the same setup I drove during ~55 degree weather, and it felt pretty comfortable to me and my wife. Much better than GLC 43. We're going to test drive SQ5 this week and will compare.

I was surprised too. However it was not a back to back test. The external temperature when I drove the 3.0 was about 55F, It was over 20F degrees colder when I drove the M40i.

Not only was the ride more comfortable in the 3.0, but because it was less choppy, the 3.0 gave me more confidence that the tires were always in contact with the road surface.

I hope that this is just a matter of temperature and the compounds.

[edcrane]

Originally Posted by sor

You're right. Sorry, I thought I checked the rim width range. Going off actual tire specs, it doesn't even look like the PSS 245s fit a 7.5" rim. I think I was looking at the ordering guide, shopping for all of the sizes and probably got confused.

What about 20"?

PSS 245/40ZR20 front, width range 8-9.5"
PSS 285/35ZR20 back, width range 9.5-11"

Those sizes give a 3.9" sidewall. They're a little smaller than the stock tire overall, though.

I've thought about this a bit more and am thinking Pilot Sport 4S 255/45ZR20 for both front and rear (i.e., square stance, like the default 19" setup). This is very slightly larger in diameter than the 20" OEM setup (29" vs 28.7"), but the delta is far smaller than it is if I went with MPSS at the sizes you suggested above. Spec sheet claims these tires can be mounted on 8-9.5" rims, which would match up to the OEM 20" rims.

Do you think this would look terrible? Any other obvious issues?

Hoping that this would sharpen up the handling a bit and give better lateral grip.