[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by car_fan

If you locate a base X3M/X4M “without” the sport seats you might solve your seat issues, as they are essentially the same as M40i variants.

Exactly, here in the USA you could get an X3 M base (non-comp) & spec it with the 20 in wheels & not sport seats. Surely that would solve most if not all of the OP's issues with the platform.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Jnat

It's interesting isn't it, i don't find the ride harsh at all, really don't. Is it stiff, yep, but it's an Suv M and i've said this before that i'm not sure how BMW could have done it differently. It's a Suv that handles almost and i say almost like a sports car M. This is why comparisons like the OP did are very important because not everyone see's it the same.

Exactly...

[AndyX3M]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Exactly, here in the USA you could get an X3 M base (non-comp) & spec it with the 20 in wheels & not sport seats. Surely that would solve most if not all of the OP's issues with the platform.

In Canada we only get the Competition model - the base model was never brought up here - a real shame!

[Potatohead-M2]

Originally Posted by AndyX3M

In Canada we only get the Competition model - the base model was never brought up here - a real shame!

That’s definitely not true. Maybe true for LCI but you could certainly get non comp pre-LCI. I test drove one.

[e30 4 life!]

Folks get used to the OEM suspension, but you don't realize just how much better than handling of this platform can be until you put it on set of KWv3.

[Mirko]

Swapped over to the winter tires on 20's. Less harsh ride and more compliant. Also feels like there is a difference between comfort and sport plus, which I couldnt tell the difference on the 21's.

Still don't mind the 21's as what I expected and not as bad as I read on the forums. Will change over to different tires instead of the stock bridgestones runflats once they wear out. I am sure being runflat also compounds the harshness.

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by Mirko

Swapped over to the winter tires on 20's. Less harsh ride and more compliant. Also feels like there is a difference between comfort and sport plus, which I couldnt tell the difference on the 21's.

Still don't mind the 21's as what I expected and not as bad as I read on the forums. Will change over to different tires instead of the stock bridgestones runflats once they wear out. I am sure being runflat also compounds the harshness.

Oh yeah, run flats have crazy stiff side walls.

[Potatohead-M2]

Originally Posted by e30 4 life!

Folks get used to the OEM suspension, but you don't realize just how much better than handling of this platform can be until you put it on set of KWv3.

All things being equal it is not possible for suspension to both handle better and also be more compliant. Everything is a trade off. I expect the KW is great product but it had better be for the price they are charging. I’m sure if they came out with a V1 version it would be popular.

[e30 4 life!]

Originally Posted by Potatohead-M2

All things being equal it is not possible for suspension to both handle better and also be more compliant. Everything is a trade off. I expect the KW is great product but it had better be for the price they are charging. I’m sure if they came out with a V1 version it would be popular.

If you meant to counter me with cornering can't be improved, maybe. "Handling" is a very broad term and subjective.

With all things being equal, BMW themselves adjusted the suspension on the LCI in an attempt to improve "handling" and many perceive that it did, but like you mentioned, perhaps at a trade-off to another handling characteristic. Let's face it, this thread wouldn't exist if the handling was perfect. My opinion is that BMW found the limit of a traditional spring/strut setup and for many, even for those of us that own other M cars or track toys, it's just simply over sprung, which helps reduce body roll given it's an SAV with it's higher center of gravity. Some try to "fix" the spring rate with a softer tire and some with a suspension upgrade.

That said, moving to a coilover is not all things being equal, and if you take into account that the V3 have adjustable rebound and compression dampening that could be adjusted for daily driving and track duty and ultimately a lower center of gravity, you can indeed improve handling overall, unless you love the stock suspension side-to-side jostling over highway expansion joints at high speeds. The vehicle on V3s is just that more planted over bumps at speed that it's fascinating how much better it feels than stock and yet you can stiffen it up for track duty.

While cheaper non-adjustable coilovers could be more popular, I doubt it would be a better solution. Who knows, maybe a more affordable or better solution will surface, but I would say that at $3200 shipped the V3 are a fantastic suspension upgrade on what is an $70K+ SAV new. Many owners agree with me.

[BigMonkeyWrench]

Originally Posted by Potatohead-M2

All things being equal it is not possible for suspension to both handle better and also be more compliant.

Sure it's possible. The rule is to run the SOFTEST suspension you can get away with. F1, Indy, Nascar, etc. all run softer suspension when on street tracks.

Yes, the current suspension is fine - even great - on SMOOTH roads. But on the shit streets in the Bay Area, it's a detriment to handling.

There's an onramp I take frequently that has a nasty mid-corner bump. The backend literally hops and jumps to the left in the X3M if taken even at a moderate speed. This was not an issue in the Macan GTS where I could get on the power much earlier and still glide right over the bump.

My opinion is BMW should've softened up the suspension and used wider rubber on the tires for better grip - which is pretty much what they did on the X5M.

[Potatohead-M2]

Originally Posted by BigMonkeyWrench

Sure it's possible. The rule is to run the SOFTEST suspension you can get away with. F1, Indy, Nascar, etc. all run softer suspension when on street tracks.

Yes, the current suspension is fine - even great - on SMOOTH roads. But on the shit streets in the Bay Area, it's a detriment to handling.

There's an onramp I take frequently that has a nasty mid-corner bump. The backend literally hops and jumps to the left in the X3M if taken even at a moderate speed. This was not an issue in the Macan GTS where I could get on the power much earlier and still glide right over the bump.

My opinion is BMW should've softened up the suspension and used wider rubber on the tires for better grip - which is pretty much what they did on the X5M.

Again - All things being equal. The situation you describe is great for bumpy roads, not as much for a smooth, high speed track, and vice versa.

I guess I feel every aftermarket option is still a compromise. I'm sure the KWs are a great product... Which are still not compatible with EDC.

[ajbM4cab]

I Have the pre LCI X4MC and after a few weeks fitted an Eibach pro kit and 10mm spacers allround.
The ride improved a fair bit to make any harshness less noticeable.
Stance massively improved too with the spacers and an average 25mm drop allround.
On standard size Michelin PS4S.
I personally find the seats very adjustable and comfortable too.
Don’t get me wrong, the road imperfections are still noticeable but not where it throws you out of your seat or your denture fillings drop out.
Car still feels like an M car without compromising the option of a comfortable daily.

[AndyX3M]

Originally Posted by Potatohead-M2

That’s definitely not true. Maybe true for LCI but you could certainly get non comp pre-LCI. I test drove one.

Didn't know that! I'll have to look around. I have only seen comp models in person.

[P-ToK72]

Originally Posted by ajbM4cab

I Have the pre LCI X4MC and after a few weeks fitted an Eibach pro kit and 10mm spacers allround.
The ride improved a fair bit to make any harshness less noticeable.
Stance massively improved too with the spacers and an average 25mm drop allround.
On standard size Michelin PS4S.
I personally find the seats very adjustable and comfortable too.
Don’t get me wrong, the road imperfections are still noticeable but not where it throws you out of your seat or your denture fillings drop out.
Car still feels like an M car without compromising the option of a comfortable daily.

That's good to know. Mine is in for Detailing and Ceramic Coating next week and at the same time will have Eibach Pro springs fitted.

[Th3Walrus]

Originally Posted by AndyX3M

Didn't know that! I'll have to look around. I have only seen comp models in person.

I owned one. 2020. They were available pre-LCI only.

[knali8]

Originally Posted by P-ToK72

That's good to know. Mine is in for Detailing and Ceramic Coating next week and at the same time will have Eibach Pro springs fitted.

Keen to hear your thoughts after installing the eibach springs. Smoother ride and better handling.. no regrets.

[ajbM4cab]

Originally Posted by P-ToK72

That's good to know. Mine is in for Detailing and Ceramic Coating next week and at the same time will have Eibach Pro springs fitted.

Few before and after pics to give you an idea of the drop. Nothing major circa 22-25mm. Just enough IMO.
Ride comfort definately improved just enough too, without taking away any of that BMW engineering to maintain great handling.
10mm spacers also just enough IMO to close out the arch overhang.
Couple of mods to achieve how I thought it should have looked as OEM / from factory.
AUTODOC APP had a great deal on the springs.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by ajbM4cab

Few before and after pics to give you an idea of the drop. Nothing major circa 22-25mm. Just enough IMO.
Ride comfort definately improved just enough too, without taking away any of that BMW engineering to maintain great handling.
10mm spacers also just enough IMO to close out the arch overhang.
Couple of mods to achieve how I thought it should have looked as OEM / from factory.
AUTODOC APP had a great deal on the springs.

Is that last photo with the springs installed & the spacers... ?

[ajbM4cab]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Is that last photo with the springs installed & the spacers... ?

Yes. I produced a thread on this. Link below
https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2061950

Also has details of the OEM style 3 piece front splitter I added.