320d SE vs MSport ride, please help!

beemerbird · 01-23-2009, 04:48 PM

Well boys.............differences in spring pre-load tension, dampers, suspension geometry ie. the length of the wishbone in relation to the amount of travel required on the suspension arms thus creating less body roll? Possible downsides on our shite, pot holed ridden roads is patter and the shock or force transmitted to the occupants or more importantly the driver.

The above invariably forgiven for the ensuing speed at which the vehicle can negotiate the twisty stuff. Think that sort of covers it. Oh and some how imo Porsche manage to build cars with stiff suspension but without the pitfalls of jarring etc.

dxb335d · 01-23-2009, 04:56 PM

WTF...

Both your E9X had sport suspension. So you dont know the diff between SE AND m sport.

You obviously didnt get what i had written, Will did

willhollin · 01-23-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

WTF...

Both your E9X had sport suspension. So you dont know the diff between SE AND m sport.

You obviously didnt get what i had written, Will did

She's a woman Carlos, they never listen.

beemerbird · 01-23-2009, 05:09 PM

Who said that what/when then.

I'll let you explain then.

dxb335d · 01-23-2009, 05:10 PM

Bah, you have lost it, read what you put after you quoted what someone said about SE and M sport suspension.

Then read what i and Will said and think.... then put pen to paper...oooo i mean finger to keyboard.

Carrera RSR · 01-23-2009, 05:14 PM

Carlos, never ask a women to explain what she meant. What she says and what she meant may or may not be two different things. Never try to to find out as you will never understand.

beemerbird · 01-23-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Bah, you have lost it, read what you put after you quoted what someone said

Then read and think.... then put pen to paper...oooo i mean finger to keyboard.

Ok, I will if you will.

J8TRO · 01-23-2009, 06:02 PM

Personal opinion.....Run Flats are crap. They make the difference. I have an old renault 5 which crashes down the road as its lowered 60mm. My Msport on 19's runs down the road a dream, until you hit a bad bump, and it makes your teath chatter 10x worse than the 5.....you can't win.

On the + side. M sport means it will look loads better. IMO

paulcurtis · 01-27-2009, 03:47 AM

Again thanks to everyone (especially tinka for the offer).

We now have a new (old) 320d MSport touring. I prefer the ride to our old 120d SE, it feels more planted and better around the corners. The wife does too, thankfully she likes her cars to drive properly - we've had a few months of rental cars.

I will look into changing tyres at some point, perhaps when they need changing anyway.

Although, and here's a weird observation i think the seats don't adjust as high as the SE seats (and we had sport seats in that too). Not that we're shortarses or anything but...

(As for the suspension between SE, i thought that even the sport suspension as an extra on the SE model is still not the same as MSport)

thanks again,
paul

(now to upgrade that stock stereo back to the nice bmw stereo i had in the old one...)

Cafe.Racer · 01-28-2009, 07:38 AM

I have an SE with Sports suspension and Sports seats - I understood the suspension to be the same, but I was never POSITIVE about it.

I've always found the back end "funny", it twitches in a funny way whenever it sees a wet manhold cover. You get used to it, though.

Is your M-Sport on 18"?

NFS · 01-28-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cafe.Racer

I have an SE with Sports suspension and Sports seats - I understood the suspension to be the same, but I was never POSITIVE about it.

I've always found the back end "funny", it twitches in a funny way whenever it sees a wet manhold cover. You get used to it, though.

Is your M-Sport on 18"?

There used to be a difference between the 'sports' suspension upgrade on an SE and the Msports suspension.

BMW have done away with this now and if you look in the 'optional equipment' info, the suspension upgrade for an SE is now 'msport' suspension.

Budgie · 01-28-2009, 10:40 AM

Its like sitting on a rock on 19 inch runflats...ouch...ohhhh...owwweee

NFS · 01-28-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budgie

Its like sitting on a rock on 19 inch runflats...ouch...ohhhh...owwweee

19 inch runflats are a mistake.

I had standard tyres on my 04 plate e60 because 19 inch runflats did not exist.

They should have stuck with that as a plan.

Budgie · 01-28-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NFS

19 inch runflats are a mistake.

I had standard tyres on my 04 plate e60 because 19 inch runflats did not exist.

They should have stuck with that as a plan.

A manhole cover feels like a crater and shudders like f*ck ..incrediable how stiff they feel.

tinka · 01-29-2009, 04:07 AM

Not forgetting the tramlining with rft's, which is almost as frustrating.

jpfizz · 01-29-2009, 04:44 AM

I am currently running an e92 325i SE on 18" rfts. My previous motor was an e46 330ci M Sport on regular 18" tyres.. the ride was loads ( and I mean 'loads') better than my current car...

I would go with an M Sport setup any day with ideally non-runflats. In fact, I am up for a change of car - maybe I should call my stealer!

MasonR · 03-05-2009, 10:19 AM

Agree with all comments about harsness of ride with M Sport on RFTs on rough surfaces. One thing no-one has mentioned is its tendency to react to ridges and gullies, such as those from buss/lorry lanes. I often find the steering wheel snatching to turn off the true path.

Anyon had similar experiences? Does replacement of RFTs help?

Carrera RSR · 03-05-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasonR

Agree with all comments about harsness of ride with M Sport on RFTs on rough surfaces. One thing no-one has mentioned is its tendency to react to ridges and gullies, such as those from buss/lorry lanes. I often find the steering wheel snatching to turn off the true path.

Anyon had similar experiences? Does replacement of RFTs help?

Yes. Non RFT have softer side walls and less prone to tramlining.

However it is also a trait of 18 or 19'' rims and low profile tyres with sport suspension on any car. The price you pay for a 'drivers' car.

lons · 03-05-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulcurtis

Hi,

My first post, so please be gentle

My last car was a 120d SE and we're going to get a used 320d (but newer than 55 so new shape). We have a choice between an SE trim or MSport trim.

I much prefer the look of the MSport and the seats and extras are better. But i've heard conflicting reports that say the ride is a *lot* firmer than the SE but i've also heard the opposite - that the suspension in the MSport handles UK potholes better.

Im unable to drive these side by side (to get the msport i will have to travel a long way) and all i have to go on is my 120d SE which was firm but fine and also an older model 330d MSport which i didn't get too much chance with.

So please can anyone that's had the chance to drive both chime in with their opinion - over long distances or short runs?

many, many thanks
paul

Hi Paul

I think everyone's answered your query comprehensively - my 'pennerth is:-

I bought a new 318se Oct 2006. std 16" + runflats and I found the car very comfortable over the 2 years and 11000 miles until change Dec last for a 320d M sport edition with 18" runflats on 216 motorsports

The cars are 'chalk and cheese' and I made the mistake of test driving on dual carriageway so noticed little difference.

cons: Much harsher ride in my opinion (even worse than my wife's cooper) and feel every ridge and hole. Much more careful to avoid them than I used to be.

Pros: Would not go back to an se. M Sport looks, feels, handles better. Much more a drivers car. Wife doesn't like the ride but, who gives a shit? (which is where I'll be if she reads this.

I won't unfortunately get the chance to try non runflats as I never wear out my tyres and can't justify the expense.

Your choice but the M sport every time!

foxy-367 · 03-07-2009, 03:29 AM

As a new BMW owner of a M sport on 18's having come from a Seat Leon FR on 18's even with the run flats I find the ride is much better, more compliant and less jiggly. I used to shake all my fillings out and the girlfriends front airbags on all but the smoothest of roads.

My drive is transformed now! Not that this could help your decisions in anyway I just thought I'd let you know how cack other manufacturers are at making sporty set ups!!!

edowen · 03-07-2009, 03:51 AM

I think BMW is getting better at the runflat thing.

MY 56 335d SE (MSport suspension) coupe had 19's and runflats and the ride was pretty firm, but actually not as bas as the A3 S-Line I had with 18's on.

There are so many factors though. My current 320d is an M Sport, but just has the standard 17's and I find the ride/handling balance/comfort to be a perfect balance.

MasonR · 03-09-2009, 11:37 AM

Thanks to everyone responding. Inevitably, the answer seems to be subjective - it's all a matter of what you want/expect. Personally, I'm a little diappointed by the ride and tramlining, even though I test drove both a SE (on 16" runflats) and the M Sport (17" runflats) before choosing the latter. Looks, seating and availability made the choice, as a "deal" was on.

There seems to be a view that switching to non runflats is a good option, sufficiently widely held to be a safe decision.

Cheers.

01-23-2009, 04:48 PM	#23
beemerbird Major General 175 Rep 7,953 Posts Drives: Merc diesel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 TTRS [9.00] 2007 Audi S5 [0.00] May 2007 Porsche 99 ... [0.00] March 2007 Porsche ... [0.00] Sep. 2007 E92 335d SE [0.00] July 2006 E90 330i ... [0.00]	Well boys.............differences in spring pre-load tension, dampers, suspension geometry ie. the length of the wishbone in relation to the amount of travel required on the suspension arms thus creating less body roll? Possible downsides on our shite, pot holed ridden roads is patter and the shock or force transmitted to the occupants or more importantly the driver. The above invariably forgiven for the ensuing speed at which the vehicle can negotiate the twisty stuff. Think that sort of covers it. Oh and some how imo Porsche manage to build cars with stiff suspension but without the pitfalls of jarring etc.
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01-23-2009, 04:56 PM	#24
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 979 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	WTF... Both your E9X had sport suspension. So you dont know the diff between SE AND m sport. You obviously didnt get what i had written, Will did __________________ 997.2 GT3
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01-23-2009, 05:09 PM	#26
beemerbird Major General 175 Rep 7,953 Posts Drives: Merc diesel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 TTRS [9.00] 2007 Audi S5 [0.00] May 2007 Porsche 99 ... [0.00] March 2007 Porsche ... [0.00] Sep. 2007 E92 335d SE [0.00] July 2006 E90 330i ... [0.00]	Who said that what/when then. I'll let you explain then.
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01-23-2009, 05:10 PM	#27
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 979 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Bah, you have lost it, read what you put after you quoted what someone said about SE and M sport suspension. Then read what i and Will said and think.... then put pen to paper...oooo i mean finger to keyboard. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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01-23-2009, 05:14 PM	#28
Carrera RSR Colonel 75 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Location: Location: iTrader: (1)	Carlos, never ask a women to explain what she meant. What she says and what she meant may or may not be two different things. Never try to to find out as you will never understand.
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01-23-2009, 06:02 PM	#30
J8TRO New Member 4 Rep 12 Posts Drives: AW 320d M Sport Coupe Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 320d [0.00] 1990 Renault 5 Turbo [0.00]	Personal opinion.....Run Flats are crap. They make the difference. I have an old renault 5 which crashes down the road as its lowered 60mm. My Msport on 19's runs down the road a dream, until you hit a bad bump, and it makes your teath chatter 10x worse than the 5.....you can't win. On the + side. M sport means it will look loads better. IMO
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01-27-2009, 03:47 AM	#31
paulcurtis Private 11 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 120d/320d Msport e91 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kent iTrader: (0)	Again thanks to everyone (especially tinka for the offer). We now have a new (old) 320d MSport touring. I prefer the ride to our old 120d SE, it feels more planted and better around the corners. The wife does too, thankfully she likes her cars to drive properly - we've had a few months of rental cars. I will look into changing tyres at some point, perhaps when they need changing anyway. Although, and here's a weird observation i think the seats don't adjust as high as the SE seats (and we had sport seats in that too). Not that we're shortarses or anything but... (As for the suspension between SE, i thought that even the sport suspension as an extra on the SE model is still not the same as MSport) thanks again, paul (now to upgrade that stock stereo back to the nice bmw stereo i had in the old one...)
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01-28-2009, 07:38 AM	#32
Cafe.Racer Captain 30 Rep 896 Posts Drives: 320d Touring Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (1)	I have an SE with Sports suspension and Sports seats - I understood the suspension to be the same, but I was never POSITIVE about it. I've always found the back end "funny", it twitches in a funny way whenever it sees a wet manhold cover. You get used to it, though. Is your M-Sport on 18"? __________________ Phil
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01-28-2009, 10:40 AM	#34
Budgie Major 31 Rep 1,339 Posts Drives: X1 25D M sport Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: BEDS/CAMBS iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 X1 25 D M Sport [0.00]	Its like sitting on a rock on 19 inch runflats...ouch...ohhhh...owwweee
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01-29-2009, 04:07 AM	#37
tinka Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 267 Posts Drives: E90 2.0d M SPORT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Not forgetting the tramlining with rft's, which is almost as frustrating.
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01-29-2009, 04:44 AM	#38
jpfizz New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW e92 330i M-Sport Auto Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Royston, Hertfordshire UK iTrader: (0)	I am currently running an e92 325i SE on 18" rfts. My previous motor was an e46 330ci M Sport on regular 18" tyres.. the ride was loads ( and I mean 'loads') better than my current car... I would go with an M Sport setup any day with ideally non-runflats. In fact, I am up for a change of car - maybe I should call my stealer! __________________ Current: e92 325iSE Auto Previous: '04 330ci M Sport Coupe '02 330i M Sport Saloon '01 323ci Coupe
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03-05-2009, 10:19 AM	#39
MasonR Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Berkshire UK iTrader: (0)	Wandering Agree with all comments about harsness of ride with M Sport on RFTs on rough surfaces. One thing no-one has mentioned is its tendency to react to ridges and gullies, such as those from buss/lorry lanes. I often find the steering wheel snatching to turn off the true path. Anyon had similar experiences? Does replacement of RFTs help?
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03-07-2009, 03:29 AM	#42
foxy-367 Lieutenant 6 Rep 448 Posts Drives: 320d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North West iTrader: (0)	As a new BMW owner of a M sport on 18's having come from a Seat Leon FR on 18's even with the run flats I find the ride is much better, more compliant and less jiggly. I used to shake all my fillings out and the girlfriends front airbags on all but the smoothest of roads. My drive is transformed now! Not that this could help your decisions in anyway I just thought I'd let you know how cack other manufacturers are at making sporty set ups!!!
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03-07-2009, 03:51 AM	#43
edowen Major 37 Rep 1,188 Posts Drives: E90 330i, 991 GTS, Cayenne S D Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	I think BMW is getting better at the runflat thing. MY 56 335d SE (MSport suspension) coupe had 19's and runflats and the ride was pretty firm, but actually not as bas as the A3 S-Line I had with 18's on. There are so many factors though. My current 320d is an M Sport, but just has the standard 17's and I find the ride/handling balance/comfort to be a perfect balance.
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03-09-2009, 11:37 AM	#44
MasonR Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Berkshire UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks Thanks to everyone responding. Inevitably, the answer seems to be subjective - it's all a matter of what you want/expect. Personally, I'm a little diappointed by the ride and tramlining, even though I test drove both a SE (on 16" runflats) and the M Sport (17" runflats) before choosing the latter. Looks, seating and availability made the choice, as a "deal" was on. There seems to be a view that switching to non runflats is a good option, sufficiently widely held to be a safe decision. Cheers.
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