[denniss]

i personally dont care if it's a bit hard. My wife absolutely hates being in the car when we are on local roads in NY, on highways she doesnt complain. If i wanted a softer ride i would of went for 40 and not x4m. In my opinion a full M car shouldn't have a soft suspension.

[lolo-comp]

I seem to disagree with most of you, 2022 X4MC and its bone jarring on any type of bump. Love the car, hate the ride. Why do you think so many people are looking to change the springs/shocks on these cars?

Even on comfort the ride is harsh and not in any way pleasant.

[Edgar_FriendlyX3M]

My 2020 x3mc does ride stiff but I don't mind it. I have relatively brand new continental dws 06+ tires but the vehicle is tuned to be stiff. Cars now, more specifically SUVs or SAVs are being designed to be everything and do everything for the masses. Sure, some may do certain things better than others.

However, we're talking about a true M vehicle here so like others, there is the more agressive aspect to it. Compromises will be made some places. There is literally a vehicle for everyone out there since there is so much variety and so much customization in drive modes and suspension tuning. I was in my buddies 2011 535i yesterday and I forgot how buttery smooth the drive is. The car soaks up bumps and imperfections so well and glides along.

You want a jarring ride, take out a 2011 or so kia soul with the 18in wheel package. It'll make you think the x3m is supple.

I have no issues with how my x3 rides. I knew it going in. And when I get sick of it, then I'll reassess and either buy something non M or a larger wheelbase car. It really comes down to expectations and knowing what you are getting into with these.

These are my views and opinions and solely explicit based on my experiences and preferences. 😆

[MetaX]

We have both a '22 X3M Comp (my car) and '22 Macan GTS (wife's car) and the Macan rides oodles better than the X3M while still being incredibly nimble and agile. Its an overused phrase but the Macan really handles like a car while the X3M feels like an SUV on overly stiff springs. I wish that weren't the case but I guess thats what you get for paying +$20K for the Porsche marquee with their [air] suspension wizardry. FWIW, both have their merits and demerits (Porsche infotainment is just mind-boggling) such that the end game is that they end up about equal by our accounting.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Here we go again. I for one have never had any complaints about the ride quality. There a little road noise that comes into the cabin from the M specific bushings at key locations in the suspension.

If the M engineers wanted to add additional weight, complexity & raise the price point up quite a few notches they would've built and/or transferred the air ride system. But they didn't and I'm happy the the dynamic F97 platform they built.

[mcjohnsonsg]

There is clearly no correct answer to this one…its subjective. For my part, I am a new X3MC owner and read a lot about the harsh ride before making a purchase and was concerned, particularly as I was unable to do a test drive. I needn't have worried though, the ride is fine for me. I drive in Sport all the time and my wife agrees it is comfortable. I have had my 70 yr old in-laws in the back a few times as well and they haven't complained either (and believe me, they would complain if they thought they had a reason!).

[iMi84]

Originally Posted by MackSea70

Wow. Sign me up for a Lexus I guess. No seriously here's my thoughts.

I've had a bunch of BMWs - this is my third M (had some Porsche in the past as well).

The ride in the F97 is the worst by far of them all. The key word here is harsh. My F80 was firm - very firm and definitely could be harsh. However, the F97 is just harsh over everything with WAY too much rebound in the dampers - this leads to a jarring / uncontrolled feeling.

I was ok with super firm in my F80 platform - because it's the "ultimate" M car. My F90 BTW - very firm, not at all harsh (but also not as precise as the F80). But I'm not ok w the harshness in a SUV - I don't give a crap that it has an M badge on the back - it's not a track car it's a SUV w a great engine.

For reference, drove my neighbor's X5MC - same comment waaaaaaay too harsh over even the smallest expansion joints.

I guess it's pretty obvious I'm not a fan of my F97 and am counting down the days until I can get back into a F90. . I picked up the F97 to have something to drive while I'm playing the allocation waiting game.

This sums up my feeling perfectly. Made me trade my 21 for a g80 that isn't nearly as jarring ride.

[gapband]

Definitely not a myth.

I test drove two 2020 X3M's after driving my Audi S4 and the ride in the X3M's were jarring. I remember asking the sales rep if it was in sport mode already and she told me that it was still in comfort lol.

I was hesitant about purchasing my 2022 without test driving it but I was ready to get into something more sporty. I disclosed to my wife my experience with the pre-facelift and she became hesitant as well.

I'm happy to announce that the LCI is not as bad as the pre-LCI. That is, there is actually a noticeable difference between the drive selects, and the comfort is certainly bearable.

[dmanb2b]

I drive a 2020. Have owned plenty of BMWs, stock suspension, modded, etc. Most recently a G07 which may be the plushest of them all.

Hearing all this bitching about harsh ride had me thinking, damn...here we go, going to need to mod the suspension again. Nope, rides great. Firm yes. Jarring, not even close. I have a 80 mile commute, various road conditions in NY. Construction, potholes, etc.

Glad to hear the 2022 is softer, but I wouldn't change a thing as is. I bought this because it claimed to handle like a sports car and it does, quite impressively for an almost 5k lb vehicle.

[Berzerker]

Finally was able to drive an LCI X3M, and I have to say it felt about the same as my father's pre-LCI F90. Was "smooth" when the road wasn't jarring but you could really feel the bumps where they were. Have to say it was far from "uncomfortable," I don't think anyone should have a problem dailying it.

[STi from DSM]

I had a 2020 X3MC and the ride was firm in comfort, but not terrible. I guess it comes down to what vehicles you have driven to get to the conclusion of a firm ride?
I have had many STi's (3) and those all drove incredibly rough to the point where if you had a full belly you might want to consider waiting to go anywhere for a bit so you don't throw up.
The X3MC I had was equipped with the M-sport seats which made all the difference in the world! Most comfortable seats I have had in any car, and the Merino Leather smelled so amazing, even after 20k miles on the car. Firm ride yes, not livable? Far from not livable. But if you came from a Lincoln Continental, you might think it is un-livable.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by STi from DSM

I had a 2020 X3MC and the ride was firm in comfort, but not terrible. I guess it comes down to what vehicles you have driven to get to the conclusion of a firm ride?
I have had many STi's (3) and those all drove incredibly rough to the point where if you had a full belly you might want to consider waiting to go anywhere for a bit so you don't throw up.
The X3MC I had was equipped with the M-sport seats which made all the difference in the world! Most comfortable seats I have had in any car, and the Merino Leather smelled so amazing, even after 20k miles on the car. Firm ride yes, not livable? Far from not livable. But if you came from a Lincoln Continental, you might think it is un-livable.

Well said. This subject matter that's clearly been beaten way too many times is very relative. I've never considered the ride on my X3 MC harsh. Even the rock hard Continentals that don't exactly provide any plush or compliant damping abilities & don't belong on an M car.