[AllBlackBimmer]

If peaking through the window or not having a build sheet...
Is there a visual way to tell if an m40i has REAL leather by look?
Is there a visual way to tell if an m40i has the M adaptive suspension?

Thanks!

[oasis3582]

1) Yes, the leather seats have a different stitch/cushion pattern. You can see the back to back differences in the build configurator (look at the seatback especially).

2) No - no real difference as far as I can tell.

[myprojectX3G01]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

If peaking through the window or not having a build sheet...
Is there a visual way to tell if an m40i has REAL leather by look?

Look at the door cards, Sensatec does not have the stitching detail down the middle of the panel.

[wdeerfield]

Run the VIN through mdecoder. The VIN plate in the windshield is visible

https://www.mdecoder.com

[sikedsyko]

Adaptive dampers are going to have some additional wires/hardware on the shock body. Should be visible behind the wheels.

Adaptive on the left here:

[abbike18]

All LCI have adaptive dampers. For pre-LCI adaptive dampers have the "adaptive" mode on the mode selector.

This was the easiest way I found to quickly tell when I was shopping for my X3 M40i

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by abbike18

All LCI have adaptive dampers. For pre-LCI adaptive dampers have the "adaptive" mode on the mode selector.

This was the easiest way I found to quickly tell when I was shopping for my X3 M40i

Thanks!

Does pressing this actually do anything? I thought “adaptive” was always ‘on’ or enabled

I pressed it in a test drive today and it brought up adaptive suspension on the screen but there weren’t options or settings to choose from?

[abbike18]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

Thanks!

Does pressing this actually do anything? I thought “adaptive” was always ‘on’ or enabled

I pressed it in a test drive today and it brought up adaptive suspension on the screen but there weren’t options or settings to choose from?

If you have adaptive dampers then in sport/sport+ the dampers are in sport and in comfort/eco pro the dampers are in comfort (not including any individual mode where you may set it differently).

The adaptive button automatically decides what mode to be in based on your driving style. Honestly I should try it out at some point, because I'm not sure if it swaps the engine/transmission/steering and dampers separately or not, or even how well it decides.

[dmicah]

Just thought I'd add that while all LCIs have the adaptive suspension, I believe the adaptive mode itself has been removed.

• If you have a pre 22 M40i without adaptive, the suspension doesn't change based on whether you choose "Comfort," "Sport," etc (just shift points and steering weight). And there's no adaptive button.
• If you have a pre LCI with adaptive, as abbike18 points out, it will have a button that says "Adaptive" and the suspension will behave differently based on which button is selected. And you can choose "Adaptive" as well, which behaves as he explained above.
• If you have an LCI, then it has the adaptive suspension which will change based on which mode you select. But it no longer has "Adaptive" as one of those modes. And, you shouldn't worry if you don't see the adaptive button through the window.

Finally: you're right to make sure you get the adaptive suspension. It's the way to go.

[AllBlackBimmer]

The m40i I’m picking up is a used 2019… so pre-lci

I pressed the ‘adaptive’ button today and was trying to feel a difference but honestly was too much traffic and busy roads to tell.
On the screen it doesn’t really tell you anything.

Cycling through sport, comfort, eco there is a very noticeable difference in suspension feel.

[abbike18]

Totally agree with dmicah...adaptive dampers are a really good option to go for. In my search I found that it was actually not a common species option. Maybe 1 in 5 cars had it.

In comfort mode the thing is really a highway cruiser. And in sport mode it's impressive how much stiffer it makes the suspension.

[admranger]

I wish our 2019 had adaptive dampers (and a factory trailer hitch/wiring). Great vehicle but the ride isn’t as comfy as I’d like.

Made the adaptive suspension a must have when I purchased a used 2018 m550i.

[titomi]

People are still confused with the whole adaptive thing.

Firstly, the Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ MODES are ALWAY there no matter whether you have adaptive suspension or not.

Having adaptive suspension gives you adaptive MODE activated by adaptive BUTTON. What is does, it adapts the suspension to the driving conditions. Let's say, you have a trip with different types of roads. On a highway it sets them to comfort setting (not comfort mode!), if you enter some hilly section, or curvy backroads, it stiffens them up (again, not set them to sport mode!), and when you are back on the highway, comfort settings again. You don't need to press any buttons, no need to change the modes. When you're using NAV, it is preconditioning the dampers to the road situation from the map. There is no visual confirmation about changing the suspension behavior. There are no more settings for adaptive mode. The changes made can be subtle, or you have to be an experienced driver to notice the change in suspension. Some say, that adaptive mode also changes other aspects of the car (steering, transmissions, ...).

This is what I gathered here on the forums about the adaptive suspension and how I understand it. I'm sure there is more to it, and if you do a search you may find more about this (even on this board).

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

The m40i I’m picking up is a used 2019… so pre-lci

I pressed the ‘adaptive’ button today and was trying to feel a difference but honestly was too much traffic and busy roads to tell.
On the screen it doesn’t really tell you anything.

Cycling through sport, comfort, eco there is a very noticeable difference in suspension feel.

That sounds right to me. You will need different driving conditions to get the feel of how the ADAPTIVE Mode has a wider degree of control, (overlapping map) than either Comfort or Sport. Remember ADAPTIVE is still comfort biased, only stiffens up when deemed necessary.