[nadeem]

Hi All,

Just order my F20 116i M last week, due to arrive in September.
Something's been bothering me: The M Sports package is costing me the same price with or without the M Sports suspension. The salesman recommends using the stock suspension because our roads here in Mauritius have quite a fair number of potholes and damages, and the ride will feel too harsh. But it kills me to pay for something then not getting it.

Should I get the Sports suspension or not? I don't like too harsh drives. I Currently drive a Mazda 3 2006, and this will be my first ever BMW.

your input is welcome.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by nadeem

Hi All,

Just order my F20 116i M last week, due to arrive in September.
Something's been bothering me: The M Sports package is costing me the same price with or without the M Sports suspension. The salesman recommends using the stock suspension because our roads here in Mauritius have quite a fair number of potholes and damages, and the ride will feel too harsh. But it kills me to pay for something then not getting it.

Should I get the Sports suspension or not? I don't like too harsh drives. I Currently drive a Mazda 3 2006, and this will be my first ever BMW.

your input is welcome.

I have M-Sport suspension, and it is quite compliant compared to earlier generations. I recommend non runflats, light wheels with rather tall profile for comfort.

[johnnydad]

The non-sport suspended cars I've driven (loan 118i/118ds) have been a bit underdamped for my tastes and as ovekvam says the Sport is nicely compliant.

Can you option M-adaptive on the 116? That might be the safest option.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by johnnydad

The non-sport suspended cars I've driven (loan 118i/118ds) have been a bit underdamped for my tastes and as ovekvam says the Sport is nicely compliant.

Can you option M-adaptive on the 116? That might be the safest option.

Yes, you can. I didn't.

[nadeem]

I didn't get the adaptive suspension. Too expensive. The car cost me $45k...image the taxes I paid...
Runflats 17' were standard on the 116i M. Are they harsher than normal ones?

[AusF20/F48]

Originally Posted by nadeem

I didn't get the adaptive suspension. Too expensive. The car cost me $45k...image the taxes I paid...
Runflats 17' were standard on the 116i M. Are they harsher than normal ones?

Good to hear that you went for the M Sport package.
(did you also get Xenon's?)
The 17" run flats are fairy compliant and work well with the ride.
You will enjoy driving the 1er everywhere there, whether it be the new bypass road past Port Louis or the winding roads near the mountain or cruising along the boulevard at Grande Baie
Enjoy

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by nadeem

I didn't get the adaptive suspension. Too expensive. The car cost me $45k...image the taxes I paid...
Runflats 17' were standard on the 116i M. Are they harsher than normal ones?

The non runflats are more comfortable due to softer sidewalls and lower unsprung weight.

Our 116i was 44k Euro without adaptive suspension, so we also have some taxes.

[nadeem]

@AusF20: I did get the xenons...!!!
Since you do know our roads, what do you suggest about the M Sport suspension?

What exactly is the M Sport Suspension anyway? Just the springs??

So, when my runflats wear out, can I swap them with non-runflats?

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by nadeem

What exactly is the M Sport Suspension anyway? Just the springs??

So, when my runflats wear out, can I swap them with non-runflats?

Yes, you can swap out the runflats on the same wheels. Some countries require runflats because of some road side assistance deals.

I didn't check the parts list now, but the M-Sport-suspension usually include springs, dampers, swaybars and some bushings.

[AusF20/F48]

Originally Posted by nadeem

@AusF20: I did get the xenons...!!!
Since you do know our roads, what do you suggest about the M Sport suspension?

What exactly is the M Sport Suspension anyway? Just the springs??

So, when my runflats wear out, can I swap them with non-runflats?

Good to hear that you got xenons
The M Sport front with the angel eyes Xenons has the better looks.
M Sport Suspension allows you to select different settings for the dampers, steering and along with engine management improves the driving by giving you better handling (in theory).
I have driven both variants. I found that the M Sport package -slightly lowered suspension (without M adaptive Suspension) is well balanced and good for most driving situations.

[AusF20/F48]

Yes you can swap to non-runflat on those rims, however you then need a spare wheel

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by AusF20

Good to hear that you got xenons
M Sport Suspension allows you to select different settings for the dampers, steering and along with engine management improves the driving by giving you better handling (in theory).

Not necessarily. On our M-Sport car, there are no adjustments for dampers or steering. And the engine management is locked in "Comfort"-setting when you select the DSC Off, which is mandatory for advanced driving. Without this setting, you don't get the fake differential brake, and the car keeps interfering with your driving inputs all the time.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by AusF20

Yes you can swap to non-runflat on those rims, however you then need a spare wheel

Or do like me, and carry a worm kit, jack, compressor and a torque wrench.

[Bob UK]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

Or do like me, and carry a worm kit, jack, compressor and a torque wrench.

The only viable solution unless you like carrying a spare in the luggage space or on the roof

Bring back wheel wells I say.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by Bob UK

The only viable solution unless you like carrying a spare in the luggage space or on the roof

Bring back wheel wells I say.

I have noticed that the new (BMW made) Mini F56 Cooper can carry a mini-spare under the trunk. It also has some interesting options like LED headlights, camera controlled auto braking and cruise control, and head up display. Maybe some of these things will show up on the facelift version of F20/21?

[nadeem]

So, I think I should get the m sports suspension then. I will ask the salesman to update my order.

[Wozich]

If I were you I would definetely get the M sport suspension (or the adaptive). I've tested both and while the standard suspension on the F20 is good and FAR better than the one on the previous 1 series I had, the M sport suspension is slightly better, a little more stiff (not much), but it has less body roll and it feels that the car doesn't understeer as much as on the standard suspension.

[hollpe]

Originally Posted by Wositsch

If I were you I would definetely get the M sport suspension (or the adaptive). I've tested both and while the standard suspension on the F20 is good and FAR better than the one on the previous 1 series I had, the M sport suspension is slightly better, a little more stiff (not much), but it has less body roll and it feels that the car doesn't understeer as much as on the standard suspension.

This ^^^^

[johnnydad]

Originally Posted by AusF20

Good to hear that you got xenons
The M Sport front with the angel eyes Xenons has the better looks.
M Sport Suspension allows you to select different settings for the dampers, steering and along with engine management improves the driving by giving you better handling (in theory).
I have driven both variants. I found that the M Sport package -slightly lowered suspension (without M adaptive Suspension) is well balanced and good for most driving situations.

M-adaptive allows changes in the dampers, not the standard M-sport.

Nadeem, the M-sport suspension is lowered 10-15mm (IIRC), firmer springs and different dampers. As said, it's not vastly harsher or firmer than standard and is certainly a better compromise.

In our market, the extra amount for M-adaptive over the M-sport pack is trivial - might be worth asking the salesman what it would cost to include if you are indeed worried about poor roads. M-adaptive is lowered a similar amount however if that's a concern.

[dape90]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

Not necessarily. On our M-Sport car, there are no adjustments for dampers or steering. And the engine management is locked in "Comfort"-setting when you select the DSC Off, which is mandatory for advanced driving. Without this setting, you don't get the fake differential brake, and the car keeps interfering with your driving inputs all the time.

And this feature is a pain on the arse on the track.
I wish I could switch it out but I can't! Really takes the edge off what would be a well balanced car.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by dape90

And this feature is a pain on the arse on the track.
I wish I could switch it out but I can't! Really takes the edge off what would be a well balanced car.

Which feature? The fake differential brake? I like it for track use.
It takes away the regular power understeer on corner exits away by braking the inside rear wheel. This torque vectoring makes the car very neutral out of corners, which allows me to go early on the throttle.

[dape90]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

Which feature? The fake differential brake? I like it for track use.
It takes away the regular power understeer on corner exits away by braking the inside rear wheel. This torque vectoring makes the car very neutral out of corners, which allows me to go early on the throttle.

I meant having the Full control of DCS without having to be in comfort setting.
They way I see it, it's my car. I should be able to control all chassis settings with DCS on or off.
I am not keen on the nannying that BMW have put in place here.