[yllwwgn]

All of the BMW marketing materials, and press stuff says that the Adaptive Suspension option lowers the car by .4 of an inch... can anyone actually confirm or deny this?

I've seen X3M40i's side by side both with and without this option, and couldn't tell the difference. If I had a tape measure with me I'd have confirmed it, but alas I did not.

[voyagergab]

Let's measure them up.
From the centre of the wheel hub to the bottom of fender.

M40i

440mm front
430mm rear

[yllwwgn]

Originally Posted by voyagergab

Let's measure them up.
From the centre of the wheel hub to the bottom of fender.

M40i

440mm front
430mm rear

Thanks voyagergab... btw are you on the Adaptive or standard suspension? And let’s get someone else to measure theirs (ideally NOT what voyagergab has).

[voyagergab]

Originally Posted by yllwwgn

Thanks voyagergab... btw are you on the Adaptive or standard suspension? And let’s get someone else to measure theirs (ideally NOT what voyagergab has).

M40i only comes with
Adaptive M Suspension (at least in Canada)

[BMWGuySweden]

Originally Posted by voyagergab

M40i only comes with
Adaptive M Suspension (at least in Canada)

It's an option for the m40i in Sweden

[Rbrown]

I dont think the adaptive lowers the suspension. But may be wrong!

[3geekfamily]

Pretty cut and dry, straight from BMW.

[karateboi87]

Originally Posted by 3geekfamily

Pretty cut and dry, straight from BMW.

I beg to differ... I think the OP wants to know what that drops by 0.4 inch means. Is that in "sport+" mode? Or is it always 0.4 inch lower, etc? What are the different things it can do?

IMHO BMW really dropped the ball on all the marketing/option config stuff. How do I know? I was cross-shopping with Audi Q5, you can find a lot more explanations on the options/feature on their config tool.

[3geekfamily]

Originally Posted by karateboi87

I beg to differ... I think the OP wants to know what that drops by 0.4 inch means. Is that in "sport+" mode? Or is it always 0.4 inch lower, etc? What are the different things it can do?

IMHO BMW really dropped the ball on all the marketing/option config stuff. How do I know? I was cross-shopping with Audi Q5, you can find a lot more explanations on the options/feature on their config tool.

Sorry, that might be YOUR question, but that isn't the question the OP asked. I answered the OP's question, in that the suspension is .4" lower with the adaptive M suspension.

I've not read anything at all about the ride height changing at all on the car, and I'm certain that the car does not have an air suspension, so that part isn't likely. It would also add a ton of cost and complexity to the suspension for changing the ride height less than half of an inch.

The SQ5 changes ride height based on suspension modes - but that moves a relatively large 1.5".

[f30ser3]

Originally Posted by karateboi87

I beg to differ... I think the OP wants to know what that drops by 0.4 inch means. Is that in "sport+" mode? Or is it always 0.4 inch lower, etc? What are the different things it can do?

IMHO BMW really dropped the ball on all the marketing/option config stuff. How do I know? I was cross-shopping with Audi Q5, you can find a lot more explanations on the options/feature on their config tool.

With adaptive BMW suspension is regulated only stiffness of dampers so that means X3 with M adaptive suspension is 0,4 inches always lower than without ordering this suspension. If you have suspension button in "comfort" or "eco" ride is more comfy if you have it in "sport", ride is much more stiffer. This function can be used independently of driving modes. So you can have drive mode sport but suspension still in comfort if you like. In sport driving mode car shifts quicker, rpm are higher, steering is more direct and throttle response is more sensitive.

I think that you already know that standard suspension on M40i is lower than standard suspension on for example X3 30i. In the matter of fact "standard" suspension in M40i has different geometry and so on compared with suspension of regular versions of X3( 20i, 20d, 30i,...).

Here you can look briefly when BMW's suspension engineer for X3(g01) talks on this topic.

Otherwise if you want adjustable stifness and height you must buy air suspension which is standard on new cayenne or you can order in GLC, Q5 or Macan. I think that BMW made good decision to not offer air suspension on SUV X3 because it's already height enough for 90% of situation and air suspension adds a lot to vehicle weight. You need air compressor(usually in trunk) for air suspension...
But if you want BMW and air suspension then you can get this in new 6 gt series.

I personally have car at least 6 years and because of that I wouldn't chose adaptive or air suspension as we all know that this things have high tendency to break after warranty is gone. German spare parts are insanely pricy and if you have adaptive or air suspension then you must buy only original parts with big car producer margin. With "regular" suspension you can get same quality parts from Monroe or whatever producers for half of Mercedes', BMW's or Audi's price.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by yllwwgn

All of the BMW marketing materials, and press stuff says that the Adaptive Suspension option lowers the car by .4 of an inch... can anyone actually confirm or deny this? I've seen X3M40i's side by side both with and without this option, and couldn't tell the difference. If I had a tape measure with me I'd have confirmed it, but alas I did not.

Originally Posted by voyagergab

Let's measure them up. From the centre of the wheel hub to the bottom of fender. M40i -

440mm front
430mm rear

We have the X3 M40i but did not opt for the Adaptive Suspension. I measured with a 2' level with metric and inch scales so I could insure I was 90 deg vertical as viewed from the side. Not an exacting measure as hub is inward c/w fender's edge, but I get ~428mm front and rear, +/- 2mm or so.

[yllwwgn]

Originally Posted by Max Well

We have the X3 M40i but did not opt for the Adaptive Suspension. I measured with a 2' level with metric and inch scales so I could insure I was 90 deg vertical as viewed from the side. Not an exacting measure as hub is inward c/w fender's edge, but I get ~428mm front and rear, +/- 2mm or so.

Thanks Max, and everyone else. I was asking about the static height of the Adaptive Suspension... no airbag stuff as our cars don’t have those. I know the marketing materials say it’s lower, I have no reason to doubt that, I just can’t see it even when the models are side by side. No worries, thanks!

[Samartt]

I have standard M sport suspension. I measured 429 mm front only. Is the standard M sport setup .4” lower than adaptive?

[yllwwgn]

Originally Posted by voyagergab

Let's measure them up.
From the centre of the wheel hub to the bottom of fender.

M40i

440mm front
430mm rear

Originally Posted by Max Well

We have the X3 M40i but did not opt for the Adaptive Suspension. I measured with a 2' level with metric and inch scales so I could insure I was 90 deg vertical as viewed from the side. Not an exacting measure as hub is inward c/w fender's edge, but I get ~428mm front and rear, +/- 2mm or so.

Originally Posted by Samartt

I have standard M sport suspension. I measured 429 mm front only. Is the standard M sport setup .4” lower than adaptive?

And this is why I posed the question, because we have 3 responders and the delta/range is basically THE SAME for owners with, and without the Adaptive Suspension. This is also what I've observed on the dealer lot. I'm not stating BMW is intentionally misleading in their marketing materials, but so far NO DIFFERENCE IN RIDE HEIGHT has been observed. I just picked mine up the other day, I'll measure tonight when I get home, and update with my measurements.

[BMWGuySweden]

Does the height in adaptive depend on the setting? Sport+ should be the lowest?

[yllwwgn]

Originally Posted by BMWGuySweden

Does the height in adaptive depend on the setting? Sport+ should be the lowest?

No it's not a "height-adjustable" type of setup, like some of the Audi stuff. The dampening of the shocks changes with the settings... but the ride height is set to a STATIC height, regardless of setting. It's the Adaptive Suspension option that is supposed to lower the height always. At least that's how BMW presents it. But so far it doesn't appear to be the case.

[Tjalle]

Ride height is defined by springs - not shocks. Theoretically BMW could use other springs on adaptive, but probably not. It`s more likely all M suspensions are lowered 10 mm. In that case Marketing screw up with wrong INFO.

I have H&R springs - original M Sport adaptive shocks on my car, X4 35i. A bit rough chassis comfort, but improved steering precision - similar to X4 M40i-even without the Michelins.