[Geradeaus]

Anyone without the Adaptive M suspension - under the Sport Individual settings does it give you the option to set the dampers?

I can't imagine it would as I don't think you have dampers that can be modified. Right?

I'm very confused about what I bought when I added the Adaptive M Suspension option other than lowering the car 10mm. If I set the dampers to Comfort in the Sport Individual mode do I lose the adaptive nature of the suspension? I would like that to be case but I don't think it works that way.

I'm still feeling things out with the settings and would like to find a way to really soften the ride but I think it will always stay in Adaptive mode and firm up the suspension as it sees fit.

[jcard71]

Originally Posted by Geradeaus

Anyone without the Adaptive M suspension - under the Sport Individual settings does it give you the option to set the dampers?

I can't imagine it would as I don't think you have dampers that can be modified. Right?

I'm very confused about what I bought when I added the Adaptive M Suspension option other than lowering the car 10mm. If I set the dampers to Comfort in the Sport Individual mode do I lose the adaptive nature of the suspension? I would like that to be case but I don't think it works that way.

I'm still feeling things out with the settings and would like to find a way to really soften the ride but I think it will always stay in Adaptive mode and firm up the suspension as it sees fit.

Just drive it in Sports Plus and forget about it..😊

[SakhirM4]

Full detailed explanation can be found on page 205 and pp 127-129 of the owners manual.

G29_Print_en-us.pdf

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Full detailed explanation can be found on page 205 and pp 127-129 of the owners manual.

Attachment 2599116

Thanks for the reply. I would hardly describe what is in the owner's manual as a "full detailed explanation". I read the entire manual a couple of times before even getting the car and re-reading it again doesn't clear things up for me.

My question still stands: Do cars with the standard suspension show the option to set the dampers when setting up Sport Individual? My guess is "No". I would add, do all cars have the Adaptive button? My guess is "Yes".

If you search for BMW Adaptive Suspension you'll find a ton of confusing posts. It has been a popular subject for every model offering the option in the BMW line.

One post offered this:

"It sounds like the new driving mode scheme (if you order the adaptive suspension) may be:
- Comfort mode with adaptive suspension "tuned" for comfort driving (somewhat softer?)
- Sport mode with adaptive suspension "tuned" for sport driving (tighter & less body roll?).
- Eco Pro mode with adaptive suspension "tuned" for economy driving (?)
- Adaptive mode with both suspension and drive modes automatically adapted to road conditions and driving style (apparently using real-time self-learning followed by adaptation?)"

My take is that instead of a base suspension that is tuned to be firm but not hard, the Adaptive M Suspension has two modes: Comfort and Sport. The Comfort mode provides a softer ride than the base suspension and the Sport mode provides a firmer ride. I still wonder if it only switches between the two levels of firmness if you select the Adaptive drive mode. I would hope it respects the driver's choice of either softer/firmer dampers and would stay there. If you select the Comfort drive mode then your dampers stay in Comfort and if you select the Sport drive mode your dampers stay in Sport. You have the capability to set your Sport Individual dampers to Comfort and if you select that drive mode then your dampers stay in the softer setting.

Anyway, until I can speak to a bonafide BMW suspension / software engineer about this system or I have real world experience where I've tested the car's various settings over the same road I won't be entirely sure how things work.


But... I would still love to hear whether cars without the adaptive suspension have a software option for Comfort dampers under the Sport Individual setting.

[CJ421]

Geradeaus The base Z4 30i and M40i do not list electronically adjustable dampers in their specs, just "Twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers". (https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/z4/r...-features.html)
There is no mention of electronic control. If you look at a model that comes standard with electronically controlled dampers, like the M5, it states they are electronic on the specifications page. You must get the Adaptive M Suspension if you want electronic control in the Z4.

I think you are also correct that the suspension has two modes, Comfort and Sport, and there is no intelligent adjustment based on road surface, etc.

Charles

[BMWGirlFL]

Read this starting at PDF p. 89 (lower right numbered 85). EDC, Z4 30i option, explained.
https://www.7post.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1443656233

&

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Read this starting at PDF p. 36 (lower left page numbered 32)
https://g29.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...3&d=1569377335

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by CJ421

Geradeaus The base Z4 30i and M40i do not list electronically adjustable dampers in their specs, just "Twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers". (https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/z4/r...-features.html)
There is no mention of electronic control. If you look at a model that comes standard with electronically controlled dampers, like the M5, it states they are electronic on the specifications page. You must get the Adaptive M Suspension if you want electronic control in the Z4.

I think you are also correct that the suspension has two modes, Comfort and Sport, and there is no intelligent adjustment based on road surface, etc.

Charles

All I really know is that ECO mode is something I refer to as "Anemic" mode. Something to be avoided except in stop/go traffic.

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by TAZ007

All I really know is that ECO mode is something I refer to as "Anemic" mode. Something to be avoided except in stop/go traffic.

I think if you put the car in the Adaptive drive mode and you cruise at a steady state on the interstate highways you'll end up in ECO PRO mode. I hit over 35 MPG on my break-in cruise home and read on this forum that an M40i driver hit 37 MPG on a cruise. That was ECO PRO at its finest. I'll take it!

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Read this starting at PDF p. 89 (lower right numbered 85). EDC, Z4 30i option, explained.
https://www.7post.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1443656233

&

Thanks for the reply. I enjoy reading the technical stuff. Not sure I want to think about the applicability of the article to the Z4 as COMFORT PLUS mode was mentioned in it. That's all I need - another drive mode!

I called the BMW Genius line and I'll take what they told me until I can prove otherwise (see below).

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by Geradeaus

I think if you put the car in the Adaptive drive mode and you cruise at a steady state on the interstate highways you'll end up in ECO PRO mode. I hit over 35 MPG on my break-in cruise home and read on this forum that an M40i driver hit 37 MPG on a cruise. That was ECO PRO at its finest. I'll take it!

I will have to try it when my M40 arrives. I'm posting comments based on my first hand experience with my M235. It has no ECO PRO mode and then the ECO would turn off at 80+ mph.

[Geradeaus]

Called the BMW Genius line and this is what I was told:

When you specifically select the drive mode:
ECO PRO drive mode will always use the Adaptive suspension's COMFORT damper setting.
COMFORT drive mode will always use the Adaptive suspension's COMFORT damper setting.
SPORT and SPORT PLUS drive modes will always use the Adaptive suspension's SPORT damper setting.
SPORT INDIVIDUAL will always use the settings you selected for that mode. COMFORT or SPORT dampers.

When you select the Adaptive drive mode:
The actual drive mode used will be variable based on the Adaptive algorithm that looks at throttle aggressiveness, steering angle inputs and GPS road information.

You could be driving along in the comfortable mode (selected by the Adaptive drive mode) with lower RPM shift points but hit a twisty, bumpy section of road and you'll find the dampers set firmer. Or you could be getting after it out of corners and accelerating aggressively in the sportier mode (again selected by the Adaptive drive mode) and then come to a long, flat straight and have the dampers softened up automatically. If you're cruising on the interstate, the Adaptive drive mode will put you in "ECO PRO" (you're still in Adaptive drive mode) and soften the dampers.

So, for my personal driving I will be selecting COMFORT mode for around town driving. For interstate driving I'll select the ADAPTIVE drive mode for the most comfortable and fuel efficient driving. And for mountain / back road driving I'll select SPORT INDIVIDUAL with the dampers set to COMFORT unless I really notice a lot of body sway and then will go to SPORT or SPORT PLUS.

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by TAZ007

I will have to try it when my M40 arrives. I'm posting comments based on my first hand experience with my M235. It has no ECO PRO mode and then the ECO would turn off at 80+ mph.

I had my Active Cruise Control set to 78 MPH on the drive home so I can't comment about it turning off. It was in Adaptive anyway so I assume that it would go back into ECO PRO once things stabilized below 80 MPH.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by Geradeaus

I had my Active Cruise Control set to 78 MPH on the drive home so I can't comment about it turning off. It was in Adaptive anyway so I assume that it would go back into ECO PRO once things stabilized below 80 MPH.

Thanks...oohhh a new toy to learn

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I run sport individual with Sport+ setting for daily driving. Interstate Comfort, Adaptive, CC @ 85MPH

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

I run sport individual with Sport+ setting for daily driving. Interstate Comfort, Adaptive, CC @ 85MPH

I just set my SPORT INDIVIDUAL to COMFORT dampers and SPORT + everything else. May drop the SPORT + settings if it's too revvy.

I'll ride in ADAPTIVE most of the time on regular roads / interstates.

I've got an 800+ mile trip planned for Friday-Sunday and wouldn't you know it there is a gas shortage! I'm driving a lot in Georgia and North Carolina and those two states seem to be the worst right now. I'll keep an eye on it and see but locally (Jax Beach) a lot of the stations are out of regular. Premium's currently available so that's good. Hopefully the demand will lessen as people get filled up.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by Geradeaus

I just set my SPORT INDIVIDUAL to COMFORT dampers and SPORT + everything else. May drop the SPORT + settings if it's too revvy.

I'll ride in ADAPTIVE most of the time on regular roads / interstates.

I've got an 800+ mile trip planned for Friday-Sunday and wouldn't you know it there is a gas shortage! I'm driving a lot in Georgia and North Carolina and those two states seem to be the worst right now. I'll keep an eye on it and see but locally (Jax Beach) a lot of the stations are out of regular. Premium's currently available so that's good. Hopefully the demand will lessen as people get filled up.

Be safe and have fun. I have not heard of a gas shortage, but then again, we here in Texas do process it.

You could always take I10 West for a fillup.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Geradeaus

I just set my SPORT INDIVIDUAL to COMFORT dampers and SPORT + everything else. May drop the SPORT + settings if it's too revvy.

I'll ride in ADAPTIVE most of the time on regular roads / interstates.

I've got an 800+ mile trip planned for Friday-Sunday and wouldn't you know it there is a gas shortage! I'm driving a lot in Georgia and North Carolina and those two states seem to be the worst right now. I'll keep an eye on it and see but locally (Jax Beach) a lot of the stations are out of regular. Premium's currently available so that's good. Hopefully the demand will lessen as people get filled up.

Our local stations are running out. First one was done by lunch time.

EDIT: All done no gas in 10 local stations as of last night. Z4 is at 1/8 tank. Have a few with full tanks so am not trapped in the house.

[z4viper]

On the topic of this - would lowering springs affect the adaptive suspension in any way?
Im looking at the H&R ones:
https://www.manhart-performance.de/s...aptive-chassis

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by TAZ007

Be safe and have fun. I have not heard of a gas shortage, but then again, we here in Texas do process it.

You could always take I10 West for a fillup.

That will happen in September when I drive out to see my daughter in Austin.

Keep refining that black stuff and keep the pumps going until then.

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by G29dante

On the topic of this - would lowering springs affect the adaptive suspension in any way?
Im looking at the H&R ones:
https://www.manhart-performance.de/s...aptive-chassis

The Adaptive M Suspension includes a 10mm lowering from standard but nothing scrapes so it probably isn't low enough for the "Fast & Furious" generation.

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by G29dante

On the topic of this - would lowering springs affect the adaptive suspension in any way?
Im looking at the H&R ones:
https://www.manhart-performance.de/s...aptive-chassis

The car's electronics likely won't care, but you are heading for a rougher/firmer ride since lowering springs will reduce the damper's travel distance.

Charles

[z4viper]

Thanks guys!