[x3sm]

I have been wanting to invest in some suspension mods to improve handling/steering feel on the X3, but found no sway bar options available for this car. However, l came across the ultra racing company and their tower brace.

Generally I do not think that strut bars make a noticeable difference in handling, especially on a well balanced car like a BMW sedan/coupe. But I do believe that it will make a difference on our little SUV.

The only other option I can think of is upgrading sway bars to the sport suspension found on the X4 M40i

Here is a pictures of ultra racing brace installed on the X3 28i model :



I was also thinking about trying to retrofit the M3/M4 brace, but looks like it is too much work and more money than I want to spend. Shown here in part #2



What do you guys think about the ultra racing bar? Does any have one?

Looking for feedback!

[Wgosma]

Does your car have standard or sport suspension?

If you've got non-sport suspension then I think if I were you I'd be looking at shocks/spring upgrade as a first change.

A lot more $$$ than a strut brace but would yield more sporty handling.

[oVeRdOsE.]

those are good when engine is in front of the tower shocks, it will reduce under-steer thus handling.

On the 4cyl, I doubt. Maybe on the 6...

Try to get something from 3 series sedan , and mod it? more accessible and cheaper.

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Does your car have standard or sport suspension?

If you've got non-sport suspension then I think if I were you I'd be looking at shocks/spring upgrade as a first change.

A lot more $$$ than a strut brace but would yield more sporty handling.

I do not have sport suspension, but I'm also not in a hurry to install springs/shocks as I like the comfort. I also do not like the look of lowered SUVs.. But I'm thinking about retrofitting the sway bars from sport suspension.

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

those are good when engine is in front of the tower shocks, it will reduce under-steer thus handling.

On the 4cyl, I doubt. Maybe on the 6...

Try to get something from 3 series sedan , and mod it? more accessible and cheaper.

Yeah generally I agree, but I feel like on the X3 it will be good mod. I have the N55, so there is some weight on the front axles.

The X3 is a good handling car for the most part, especially after I installed 20 inch wheels and wider rubber. I'm not even complaining about its ability to take corners. But I do feel like the steering could be a bit more stable and precise. Sometimes when driving on the highway I feel like the steering is a bit too "floaty"

Maybe switch to poly bushings in all of the control arms?

[Wgosma]

The poly control and thrust arm bushings might help, but I think without the old school hydraulic power steering you're just never going to quite match the performance and feel/road feedback that many who have driven the older cars are accustomed to. To me, X3 steering feels quick, responsive and precise but lacks that road feedback - the car reacts and responds but we don't get that physical 'feel' of it happening.

Compared to say my old E39 sedan I can see why many would say X3's steering is pretty numb, near zero feedback from the road, etc.

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

The poly control and thrust arm bushings might help, but I think without the old school hydraulic power steering you're just never going to quite match the performance and feel/road feedback that many who have driven the older cars are accustomed to. To me, X3 steering feels quick, responsive and precise but lacks that road feedback - the car reacts and responds but we don't get that physical 'feel' of it happening.

Compared to say my old E39 sedan I can see why many would say X3's steering is pretty numb, near zero feedback from the road, etc.

Yeah I agree! I do feel like the steering is nice and quick, but it is non-communicative. I'm also thinking about upgrading the shocks without doing the springs.

Ultra Racing also has this lower bar, but I can't figure out how it would do anything.

http://ultraracing.my/ecatalog/index...ont-lower-bar/

[TheCoolX3]

It would do very little good if any! All it really would do is add another step to taking your underpan off

Originally Posted by x3sm

Yeah I agree! I do feel like the steering is nice and quick, but it is non-communicative. I'm also thinking about upgrading the shocks without doing the springs.

Ultra Racing also has this lower bar, but I can't figure out how it would do anything.

http://ultraracing.my/ecatalog/index...ont-lower-bar/

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by TheCoolX3

It would do very little good if any! All it really would do is add another step to taking your underpan off

That is exactly what I thought haha!

[najnad]

I have the Ultra Racing tower brace on a 2011 X3 35i M-Sport, non-sport suspension. I think it makes an improvement to the handling. Note that it comes painted white.

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by najnad

I have the Ultra Racing tower brace on a 2011 X3 35i M-Sport, non-sport suspension. I think it makes an improvement to the handling. Note that it comes painted white.

Here we go, tell us more! Also please post pictures! Do you have any other suspension mods?

Thanks for replying

[TheCoolX3]

Just to clarify, I have the M package, does that mean I have sport suspension?

[Wgosma]

I don't think so- believe car can have 'sport pkg' and not have sport suspension. Look up the build options on your car via on an online BMW VIN decoder to verify.

try this: https://decoder.bvzine.com/

[TheCoolX3]

Is 'sport suspension' Called Dynamic Damping Control ?

[Wgosma]

I believe that you may have suspension that is user-adjustable; is there a button or iDrive option to select various driving modes?
Suspension tightens up when you select 'sport' mode...something like that.
You should be able to feel the change in suspension stiffness in different modes.

[scostu]

Via that website ....if it shows you have DDC.... then you have the BMW adaptive suspension.

Otherwise you have standard suspension. Which that site will also list via decoding.

[scostu]

Originally Posted by TheCoolX3

Is 'sport suspension' Called Dynamic Damping Control ?

No.
Sport suspension refers to BMWs static “704 Sport suspension”.

Other choices are standard suspension or Adaptive suspension.

[scostu]

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698812

[TheCoolX3]

Yes I do have the mode button. It does tighten up in sport and then sport plus seems even tighter. Thank you for the info!

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I believe that you may have suspension that is user-adjustable; is there a button or iDrive option to select various driving modes?
Suspension tightens up when you select 'sport' mode...something like that.
You should be able to feel the change in suspension stiffness in different modes.

[________]

Originally Posted by TheCoolX3

Yes I do have the mode button. It does tighten up in sport and then sport plus seems even tighter. Thank you for the info!

All X3 from 2013 have the modes button, but some will not tighten the suspension (if they don't have the adaptive shocks).

[scostu]

Originally Posted by TheCoolX3

Yes I do have the mode button. It does tighten up in sport and then sport plus seems even tighter. Thank you for the info!

When you run your vin...………

that button refers to :

S4U2A ….Driving experience switch incl. ECO PRO

ALL F25s have this function.

[scostu]

If you run your vin and have this:

S225A ...Standard suspension

...then you do not have DDC....Dynamic Damper Control.


S223A ….Dynamic Damping Control....then you have the DHP package.