1M Ride Quality - How HARD?

[Z4Mr]

Just wondering how all you folks with your 1Ms are finding the ride compared with your previous cars - such as M3, Z4M, TT RS, 335i (18s or 19s - I had a 335d with 19s and that was haaaaard!).

The press tends to say that the ride is yes hard, but still fine for everyday use and not shaking your fillings out as such.

Any input here from 1M owners comparing the ride of the 1Ms to the other cars listed/cited above would be a big help - to me at least - as regards what to expect ride-wise!

Cheers and TIA,

M1ke

[Dee Pee]

All of the sudden I've got a 70's porno guitar riff going in my head right now...

Sorry but there's an adolescent in me that is trying...trying to hold back whenever someone asks "how hard."

On a serious note, as soon as my car gets here I plan to take it on a road trip to Vancouver BC or San Fran and I'll post my comparison to the previous cars I've driven.

Someone tell the Antares Leader's Captain to step on it!

[Dan Parker]

I owned a Z4MC before this car and as you probably know it had 18" wheels vs. the 1M's 19's. I drove the Z4MC 2012 miles to get it home from Vegas so I quickly put a lot of miles behind me, mostly on route 40 (Most of the trip was straight and bumpy). I think the 1M soaks up the bumps a little better than the Z4 did, even with the 19's. I never felt BMW got the shock/spring rates right on that car from the get go while the 1M seems spot on for many different conditions. Keep in mind I live in a place where the roads are in excellent condition but I did take my daughter to Chattanooga a few days after I bought it and the roads weren't as nice over there. I was still quite impressed and she slept for 2 hours over bumpy roads so it can't be that harsh.

[rogbmw]

Is it harder than the SUV I went from: Yes. Is it firmer than my 850 CSi: yes. But, do I call it hard: no. It just lets you know where it is -and I think that this is what at least I feel is important: in my opinion it is not jarring or go-kart hard. I realize that suspensions are a personal choice - even some have elected to switch to coil-overs without living with the car for a period of time. I would not do it, but to each his own. Bottom line: Kinda like the three bears - not to hard, not too soft - Just right (for me anyway).

And oh yes - my 1M is my daily driver.

[My135]

If you are looking for softer suspension (or comfy) car, look else where since 1M means to be a sport car. A well design sport car should have a well damped firm suspension to control the body motion in all directions and not feel boncey or harsh. You should feel direct connecting to the road surface.

[Sy546]

I'm coming from a 2011 GTI and a 2007 Honda s2000 (Coilovers, lowered, x brace, sway; etc). Only drove the 1 M once and it is a perfect balance IMHO. Honestly to me it's comfortable but than again I'm used to a track ready S2000.

[ADVANT123]

My 1M is smoother/more comfortable than my 09 335xi non-sport package with 17" wheel/tires (non-run flat). Its great!

[Z4Mr]

Many thanks for the helpful responses guys.

M1ke

[hlmiii]

I prefer the ride of the 1M over the 135.
It's tighter and at the same less brutal on bumps.

[!mspinster]

It's more brutal than E46 and E92 M3 for sure.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by !mspinster

It's more brutal than E46 and E92 M3 for sure.

As a relative term.... yes.. it's firmer than the E46/E92 probably.. but I think one would be hard pressed to consider the ride brutal. it's not jarrring or harsh in any way... unless you happen to be on a cobblestone road. i think rogbmw is spot on.

[!mspinster]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

As a relative term.... yes.. it's firmer than the E46/E92 probably.. but I think one would be hard pressed to consider the ride brutal. it's not jarrring or harsh in any way... unless you happen to be on a cobblestone road. i think rogbmw is spot on.

My bad, I meant brutal if you are on bumpy road like cobblestone, once you hit a bump it's more jolting than the two M3s. On a general road I don't see the much difference, I would avoid pot holes and bumps.

[hollysmac]

Originally Posted by Z4Mr

Just wondering how all you folks with your 1Ms are finding the ride compared with your previous cars - such as M3, Z4M, TT RS, 335i (18s or 19s - I had a 335d with 19s and that was haaaaard!).

The press tends to say that the ride is yes hard, but still fine for everyday use and not shaking your fillings out as such.

Any input here from 1M owners comparing the ride of the 1Ms to the other cars listed/cited above would be a big help - to me at least - as regards what to expect ride-wise!

Cheers and TIA,

M1ke

I owned a modified e36 325is , a very stiff e36 M3, a e46 M3 and a z3 3.0. Also like a stiff sidewall and do not find the 1m harsh. It's stiff but not harsh.
I live outside Buffalo NY with awful roads and find it very comfortable. You don't need to worry; it is a very comfortable car and handles wonderfully. If you are used to a sports car ride you won't be bothered at all. What would bother me is a soft ride. BTW the press always said the e46 was harsh ands it wasn't I routinely drive to North Carolina (a 11 hour ride ) in one sitting and am quite comfortable.

[sparoz]

Soaks small bumps better than a 135i with rft, but bounce off big bumps more. It is only marginally worse. M3 has a better ride in comparison.

[Sy546]

Originally Posted by sparoz

M3 has a better ride in comparison.

m3 also feels like a cadillac compared to any real sports car