VDC, sport, or normal suspension on X3 35d M? (new member)

Chris55 · 03-07-2012, 08:26 AM

Hi, I'm new to this forum and live in Switzerland... And I just ordered a X3 35d M today!!!

I'm trading in my 2008 335d which has sports suspension. It's a bit on the hard side but overall I'm very happy with it as I like to drive a bit fast and corner hard when conditions permit.

For some reason I went along with the dealer's recommendation of "normal suspension" rather than the "Sport" or even the VDC which I originally wanted, and now think it might not have been the right decision.

I do like to drive a bit fast, often drive on the German Autobahn and am used to a relatively firm ride. I do not like much body roll or wallowing and expect good control at all times.

Can someone give me some advice? Is the expensive VDC worth it (I plan on keeping the car for awhile)? Is the "normal" suspension to soft compared to the "sport"?

Any advice is appreciated!

Chris

lbjgh · 03-07-2012, 08:40 AM

I've opted for the dynamic dampers on my order so that I can have the best of both worlds.

A nice comfortable ride in Normal mode (when the mother-in-law is in the car) and a firm suspension in Sport of Sport+ mode to enjoy the corners.

Ural · 03-07-2012, 09:55 AM

Change the order immediately if you can, and opt for the VDC . It is definitely worth the money. In normal it is one of the most comfortable rides an SUV can give you, and in sport mode, feeling is a lot similar to a non M sport 320d for example. Especially on the autobahn switching from normal to sport makes a significant difference in handling and stability.

E92LNGCGY · 03-07-2012, 12:09 PM

Get the adaptive suspension you'll love it. Normal gives a very good comfortable ride, sport & sport + firms up suspension and reduce body roll making it feel/handle like a 335 (only a bit taller).

torzeck · 03-07-2012, 01:39 PM

You're lucky you can get the sports suspension as a stand alone option and if I were you, I'd opt for it. The simple mechanical solution for stiffer dampers is more robust in the long term and I don't think the ride is compromised.

I special ordered the sports suspension by jumping through some hoops for our 35i and I think its fine. I certainly would not want it softer.

Good luck.

Le Chef · 03-07-2012, 02:54 PM

Get VDC on your order even if it means. An ell

Le Chef · 03-07-2012, 02:56 PM

Get VDC on your order even if it means canceling your first order and starting over. It makes a huge difference if you like driving.

Chris55 · 03-08-2012, 02:51 AM

Thanks guys, that's what I suspected. We just called the dealer and had it changed to the VDC. I feel a lot better now!

clivem2 · 03-08-2012, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris55

I do like to drive a bit fast, often drive on the German Autobahn and am used to a relatively firm ride. I do not like much body roll or wallowing and expect good control at all times.

I hope you've made the right decision! When I read your comment your requirement sounds like mine. I opted for sport suspension (which the US don't get BTW, they get a standard setup softer than European "normal").

I find that on the UK's poor roads sport suspension is perfect for me. It's nowhere near as hard as sport on my 335i was (which was too hard). It's a really good setup, firm but comfortable. VDC just didn't work for me, I prefer a consistently firm setup. As Torzeck says, the ride is really good.

Chris55 · 03-08-2012, 06:46 AM

If the only choice was between "normal" and "sport I would definitely, without hesitation, choose the sport, but with VDC I can switch as needed and have the best of both worlds: Sport - autobahn and back roads; Normal - town, cobblestones and bad French roads.
As far as being robust, I think BMW probably has a dependable system.

clivem2 · 03-08-2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris55

If the only choice was between "normal" and "sport I would definitely, without hesitation, choose the sport, but with VDC I can switch as needed and have the best of both worlds: Sport - autobahn and back roads; Normal - town, cobblestones and bad French roads.
As far as being robust, I think BMW probably has a dependable system.

Then you have made the correct choice!

03-07-2012, 08:26 AM	#1
Chris55 Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	VDC, sport, or normal suspension on X3 35d M? (new member) Hi, I'm new to this forum and live in Switzerland... And I just ordered a X3 35d M today!!! I'm trading in my 2008 335d which has sports suspension. It's a bit on the hard side but overall I'm very happy with it as I like to drive a bit fast and corner hard when conditions permit. For some reason I went along with the dealer's recommendation of "normal suspension" rather than the "Sport" or even the VDC which I originally wanted, and now think it might not have been the right decision. I do like to drive a bit fast, often drive on the German Autobahn and am used to a relatively firm ride. I do not like much body roll or wallowing and expect good control at all times. Can someone give me some advice? Is the expensive VDC worth it (I plan on keeping the car for awhile)? Is the "normal" suspension to soft compared to the "sport"? Any advice is appreciated! Chris Last edited by Chris55; 03-07-2012 at 08:28 AM.. Reason: addition
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03-07-2012, 08:40 AM	#2
lbjgh Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,511 Posts Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto iTrader: (0)	I've opted for the dynamic dampers on my order so that I can have the best of both worlds. A nice comfortable ride in Normal mode (when the mother-in-law is in the car) and a firm suspension in Sport of Sport+ mode to enjoy the corners.
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03-07-2012, 09:55 AM	#3
Ural Private First Class 4 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 20d Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Istanbul,Turkey iTrader: (0)	Change the order immediately if you can, and opt for the VDC . It is definitely worth the money. In normal it is one of the most comfortable rides an SUV can give you, and in sport mode, feeling is a lot similar to a non M sport 320d for example. Especially on the autobahn switching from normal to sport makes a significant difference in handling and stability.
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03-07-2012, 12:09 PM	#4
E92LNGCGY Lieutenant Colonel 433 Rep 1,732 Posts Drives: F97/Q5/982 GT4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Get the adaptive suspension you'll love it. Normal gives a very good comfortable ride, sport & sport + firms up suspension and reduce body roll making it feel/handle like a 335 (only a bit taller).
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03-07-2012, 01:39 PM	#5
torzeck Lieutenant 52 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i, 2020 X3 30i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Oregon iTrader: (0)	You're lucky you can get the sports suspension as a stand alone option and if I were you, I'd opt for it. The simple mechanical solution for stiffer dampers is more robust in the long term and I don't think the ride is compromised. I special ordered the sports suspension by jumping through some hoops for our 35i and I think its fine. I certainly would not want it softer. Good luck.
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03-07-2012, 02:54 PM	#6
Le Chef Banned 16 Rep 412 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Get VDC on your order even if it means. An ell
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03-07-2012, 02:56 PM	#7
Le Chef Banned 16 Rep 412 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Get VDC on your order even if it means canceling your first order and starting over. It makes a huge difference if you like driving.
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03-08-2012, 02:51 AM	#8
Chris55 Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, that's what I suspected. We just called the dealer and had it changed to the VDC. I feel a lot better now!
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03-08-2012, 06:46 AM	#10
Chris55 Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	If the only choice was between "normal" and "sport I would definitely, without hesitation, choose the sport, but with VDC I can switch as needed and have the best of both worlds: Sport - autobahn and back roads; Normal - town, cobblestones and bad French roads. As far as being robust, I think BMW probably has a dependable system.
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