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      10-19-2009, 01:13 PM   #1
BennyBee
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X3 M sport suspension

Hi, I own a four year old X3 M sport. Now that my wife is pregnant we are finding the firm ride on the Xw, a bit too firm, and just enquiring if there is a way of softening the suspension?
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      10-19-2009, 01:23 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by BennyBee View Post
Hi, I own a four year old X3 M sport. Now that my wife is pregnant we are finding the firm ride on the Xw, a bit too firm, and just enquiring if there is a way of softening the suspension?
You could which to an aftermarket spring and damper set but that would set you back the best part of a couple of grand. Apart from that I can't think of any other way to soften the suspension which I agree is very firm, especially on UK roads which aren't the best.
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      10-21-2009, 12:56 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by BennyBee View Post
Hi, I own a four year old X3 M sport. Now that my wife is pregnant we are finding the firm ride on the Xw, a bit too firm, and just enquiring if there is a way of softening the suspension?
Yes, buy all season tires!

I'd go with the Pilot Sport A/S' if I had to choose...
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      10-21-2009, 12:40 PM   #4
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You can try a set of the factory 17" wheels and tires. The larger sidewalls on the tires will soften things up. Plus, you can probably find a used set for a reasonable price.

It will be much easier to install new wheels and tires rather than new suspension parts.

Good luck
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      10-22-2009, 11:15 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by BennyBee View Post
Hi, I own a four year old X3 M sport. Now that my wife is pregnant we are finding the firm ride on the Xw, a bit too firm, and just enquiring if there is a way of softening the suspension?
Never entirely sure what people mean by firm.

My 2009 X3 bounces all over the place. I am wondering whether it has gone too far in the opposite direction and the dampening system isn't working well enough.

It is so springy that it can't control its own movement and continues to bounce-bounce-bounce down the street. I don't think this is a tire-related thing but a suspension problem. Who knows. At any rate it induces nausea on some roads.

If this is BMW's idea of softening up the suspension from the original 2004's then providing cabin comfort wasn't on their agenda.
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      01-19-2010, 12:32 PM   #6
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I hear ya. the suspension on the M is very stiff and is even more noticeable in the back seats. I fin that with my winter wheel set, which is smaller, the ride is more comfortable. So you could look into smaller wheels that will take bigger rubber.
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      01-27-2010, 06:48 AM   #7
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Fit normal tyres (non-RFT) as most UK X3 are fitted with RFTs which are hard as hell.

I did this on my 330d M Sport and it soften it up a little (enough!!). Only got my the wifes X3 at the weekend so time will tell (as she too is pregnant). The X3 is nowhere near as firm as my E90 though.
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      01-30-2010, 09:55 AM   #8
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Yep, make sure they are non rft's and check that you have right load range. Dont get too tyres with too firm sidewall.

I got new winter that had load range 100W as the old ones were 96W and 96W and boy were there a huge difference. I had to lower the tyre pressure lower (still in rabge) to get a lot smoother ride.
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