XBimmers X1   XBimmers X1
  XBimmers X1

Go Back   XBimmers | BMW X1 Forum > BMW X1 Forums > General BMW X1 (E84) Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-21-2012, 04:35 AM   #1
NausetLight
New Member
3
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: Infiniti
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Boston, Ma

iTrader: (0)

standard vs. sport suspension

how much of a difference is there between the two?
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 05:32 AM   #2
manicm
First Lieutenant
11
Rep
375
Posts

Drives: X1 sDrive18i
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SA

iTrader: (0)

If you have runflats like I do then avoid - cos the ride is pretty firm already on standard suspension.
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 06:20 AM   #3
fdpxfunix
Second Lieutenant
fdpxfunix's Avatar
United Kingdom
182
Rep
287
Posts

Drives: X3 xDrive 30d M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK - West Sussex

iTrader: (0)

Post deleted.

Last edited by fdpxfunix; 06-21-2012 at 06:29 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 06:21 AM   #4
fdpxfunix
Second Lieutenant
fdpxfunix's Avatar
United Kingdom
182
Rep
287
Posts

Drives: X3 xDrive 30d M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK - West Sussex

iTrader: (0)

Post deleted.

Last edited by fdpxfunix; 06-21-2012 at 06:30 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 06:26 AM   #5
fdpxfunix
Second Lieutenant
fdpxfunix's Avatar
United Kingdom
182
Rep
287
Posts

Drives: X3 xDrive 30d M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK - West Sussex

iTrader: (0)

I have sports suspension with 320 style 18's and RFT tyres.

I avoid potholes and sunken drain covers on main roads like the plague.

It is a hard ride on rough roads, but there's still plenty of play in the up/down travel of the suspension. I regularly take my X1 down a long track full of pot holes to get to my daughters horse riding stables. It seems to cope OK.

The car does handle well with sports suspension and for a largish lump of metal goes round corners well.

Would I choose it as an option on a new X1... probably not, and would I have RFT tyres again... no.

J.

Last edited by fdpxfunix; 06-21-2012 at 06:31 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 06:27 AM   #6
fdpxfunix
Second Lieutenant
fdpxfunix's Avatar
United Kingdom
182
Rep
287
Posts

Drives: X3 xDrive 30d M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK - West Sussex

iTrader: (0)

Multipost. Bl**dy iPhone.

J.
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 11:01 AM   #7
Naambezet
First Lieutenant
Netherlands
11
Rep
305
Posts

Drives: BMW X1 sDrive 20i
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by manicm View Post
If you have runflats like I do then avoid - cos the ride is pretty firm already on standard suspension.
I agree, any firmer would be uncomfortable
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 12:58 PM   #8
Mulberry
Catuvellauni
Mulberry's Avatar
5
Rep
92
Posts

Drives: X1 xDrive23d MSport
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NausetLight View Post
how much of a difference is there between the two?
I have run flats, sports suspension, 18"wheels, and sports seats. I live in an area where most of the roads are narrow country lanes, there are a lot of pot holes, and there are speed reduction humps in villages that can be vicious. Yep the ride is hard but in my opinion not uncomfortable. On a motorway or decent roads the handling is brilliant.

At the end of the day you just have to learn to look where you are putting your wheels. The handling is great and I would always go for a sports suspension set up.

I don't think that anybody can really advise you as it depends on your personal preferences and needs. Test drive both over the same stretch of road, and enjoy what ever you decide to go with
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 04:51 PM   #9
NausetLight
New Member
3
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: Infiniti
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Boston, Ma

iTrader: (0)

thanks for the responses. would switching from run flats to non-run flats make much of a difference?
Appreciate 0
      06-22-2012, 04:24 AM   #10
manicm
First Lieutenant
11
Rep
375
Posts

Drives: X1 sDrive18i
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NausetLight View Post
thanks for the responses. would switching from run flats to non-run flats make much of a difference?
I think non RFs would give a slightly better ride. However, I think RFs are mandatory in all markets if you choose the towbar option like I did.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2012, 07:57 AM   #11
brettnosse
Enlisted Member
1
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: Mini
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: St George Australia

iTrader: (0)

I think the Sports suspension that I have helps with towing being firmer... Hooking up my car trailer, the car remains nice and level... and still handles well, brakes well when towing my Classic Cooper S

And I live in the country Australia, and when not towing down our crap roads, Its very liveable... I have sports suspension M sport 17" rims and runflats
Appreciate 0
      07-04-2012, 02:10 PM   #12
insoc
New Member
0
Rep
19
Posts

Drives: X1 xdrive 2.0i Twin Turbo
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: San Jose CR

iTrader: (0)

I had a X1 with M package and as such included the sports suspension and 18" wheels. Let me tell you the only drawback was the fear of hitting a pothole and ruining the wheels BUT apart from that I must say that I never felt the car to be "jumpy" or uncomfortable. I have driven other SUV (from Nissan to Audi) and I find them more "jumpy" than the X1. One thing I do recall is that on some roads and when I was driving fast sometimes it lost traction and even the car warned me about that with the yellow sign but I don't know if that had to do because of the low profiles wheels and the sports suspension but I DIDN'T EVER REGRET my decision of buying the M package. The X1 was SUCH A DELIGHT to drive and every time you take a curve you will remember why you chose the sports suspension.
Appreciate 0
      07-04-2012, 04:42 PM   #13
X1driver
Private
21
Rep
58
Posts

Drives: BMW X1
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

We have two X1s: one with 17" wheels and std suspension, and the other with 18" wheels and sport suspension. The 17" is very comfortable and delight to drive, the 18" is still smooth and manageable but it is much firmer with bumpy character. On general highway drive it is just fine. So to sum up, I like the softer ride of 17" with std for general purpose driving but do appreciate the sportier 18" with sport susp if I want to drive hard. The 17" handles really well with std susp so you don't need to get sport suspension necessarily. Just my opinion
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2012, 03:19 AM   #14
X1blue
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
36
Posts

Drives: X1 sdrive 18d
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: EU

iTrader: (0)

You definitely need to try both before buying, it's a quite personal decision. It is possible to switch back the suspension post-build, out dealer mentioned the other day that they have done that a few times.

We have standard suspension and 17" Michelin ECO tires and the ride is already extremely hard, sufficient to make most of the family car sick on the longer rides. The car bounces, rocks and rolls on any road which is not perfectly flat. The pain in the back of your neck after a few hrs driving at 90km+ is horrible.

If you have kids, you probably want to avoid the sports suspension and zero-pressure tires (runflats) (or get the leather interior which is easier to clean!)
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2012, 10:23 AM   #15
scassio
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: WA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NausetLight View Post
thanks for the responses. would switching from run flats to non-run flats make much of a difference?
When it was time for news tires I put non-run flats on my 135i and I love it. I imagine the results would be the same with the X1. But I've heard the new generation run flats have improved over the original version. We'll see how they feel when the wife's X1 28i with M package gets here in a couple weeks.
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2012, 12:16 PM   #16
Lucky13
Lucky13
United_States
211
Rep
1,762
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30X
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, S.C.

iTrader: (0)

I have a X1 28 sdrive with M Sport and it's a little firmer than my E93 335 with sport suspension but not harsh at all. I had a 2007 X3 with M Sport and 19' wheel and it was brutal, I had several E46 M3's and it's a lot softer than those were. These all had summer performance tires and if you get all season tires it will be a lot softer.
__________________
1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2012, 04:18 PM   #17
paradoxical3
Lieutenant Colonel
1008
Rep
1,563
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (6)

I have the m sport suspension with the 19 inch wheels and I would not trade it for the world. I would have seriously regretted going with out it; but I do drive aggressively. But I do not consider it "hard" at all.
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2012, 02:14 AM   #18
X1blue
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
36
Posts

Drives: X1 sdrive 18d
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: EU

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
These all had summer performance tires and if you get all season tires it will be a lot softer.
Now I didn't know that... switching to all season tires would be worth a try. The present ride is really rather harsh (coming from a non-BMW car..)
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2012, 06:19 AM   #19
BEAMERBOI
Photographer
BEAMERBOI's Avatar
United_States
102
Rep
490
Posts

Drives: x1 35i M version 2013
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by paradoxical3 View Post
I have the m sport suspension with the 19 inch wheels and I would not trade it for the world. I would have seriously regretted going with out it; but I do drive aggressively. But I do not consider it "hard" at all.
+1
__________________
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2012, 07:02 AM   #20
MoxNix
New Member
Germany
0
Rep
19
Posts

Drives: X1 xDrive35i MSport
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Stuttgart Germany

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
These all had summer performance tires and if you get all season tires it will be a lot softer.
Not sure where you got that tidbit, but generally speaking a performance tire will be softer than an all-season. Softer tread more grip, less mileage additionally all-season tires generally have higher sidewalls.

To get a better ride-

Change the height of the tire (more sidewall flex). A 245/55 is taller than a 245/45
Go to a non run-flat. (Again, sidewall flex)
Check for tires that have high comfort rating (TireRack.com has great reviews by category)
__________________
I distinctly ordered the Antartic Blue Super Sports Wagon with the C.B. and optional rally fun pack
2013 X1 xDrive35i MSport
2009 R1200GSA
2006 HP2 Enduro
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2012, 11:10 AM   #21
Lucky13
Lucky13
United_States
211
Rep
1,762
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30X
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, S.C.

iTrader: (0)

Generally speaking the sidewalks on all season tires are much taller than performance tires so I don't where you are getting your information. My neighbor just switched his 535 to all season vs the performance tires he had and they are much taller and a softer ride.
__________________
1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2012, 01:02 PM   #22
Bimmerized
Enlisted Member
United_States
1
Rep
36
Posts

Drives: X1 sDrive
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (0)

Anyone know if the ride height is different with the M-Sport suspension vs. the standard? Anyone care to take mesurements from bottom of fender lip to center of wheel hub?

regarding tires:height of the tire sidewall should not change significantly for a given tire size, no matter if it is summer or all-season... If you want softer tires in the same size look for summer touring tire.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:03 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST