[johan78]

Hello.

New to the forum and looking at buying my first new car and actually my first BMW. Looking at a 114i 3dr.

I've been trying to find info on these and asked about them from my dealer also but his answers didn't convince me.

What does the optional M-Sport suspension include? Is it just lowered springs or is there more to it? Shock's, anti roll-bar's?

If I don't get the sport-line version I don't get the Sport+ option on my Eco/Comfort/Sport/whatever-switch. What is the difference between Sport and Sport+? The only thing I really want from the sportline are the front seats and I can get them seperately.

Thank for any info you guys can provide

[ovekvam]

With M Sport suspension, springs and shocks are different. The swaybars are the same, except with adaptive suspension, which has THINNER swaybars.

Sport+ is the same as Sport, but with reduced DSC (Stability system). Basically less traction control. If you don't have Sport+ mode, you can still disable DSC.

[johan78]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

With M Sport suspension, springs and shocks are different. The swaybars are the same, except with adaptive suspension, which has THINNER swaybars.

Sport+ is the same as Sport, but with reduced DSC (Stability system). Basically less traction control. If you don't have Sport+ mode, you can still disable DSC.

Ok. So the suspension is worth the money i guess. I was thinking that if it's only lowered springs I wouldn't bother. Just get Eibachs later. Any idea if the shock's are bilsteins as they have been on some other BMW-suspension kits?

So Sport+ is kind of between Sport and all off?

Thanks for the quick reply

[MartinHattingh]

Johan, if you're going for a 114i, I don't think upgraded suspension is worth the extra cost and investigation. The stock suspension is already very good, with 17" wheels it's a firm and fairly sharp ride already. If you were going for a 125i, it's obviously a different story, as you'd have the power needed to exploit the suspension to its full potential.

[ovekvam]

BMW has been using many damper manufacturers over the years. I have seen Bilstein, Boge and Sachs. I don't know which one they are using now.

Yes, Sport+ is between Sport and DSC off. It allows quite a lot of wheelspin, and a little more sliding angle than the normal DSC program. It is a natural choice for normal driving in snow with nordic winter tires.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by MartinHattingh

Johan, if you're going for a 114i, I don't think upgraded suspension is worth the extra cost and investigation. The stock suspension is already very good, with 17" wheels it's a firm and fairly sharp ride already. If you were going for a 125i, it's obviously a different story, as you'd have the power needed to exploit the suspension to its full potential.

I disagree. The less power you have, the more reason to exploit the suspension to its full potential.

[MartinHattingh]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

I disagree. The less power you have, the more reason to exploit the suspension to its full potential.

Hmmm, I understand your logic here, but I'm also taking the overall cost into account.

Personally, If I had to choose between a 116i with upgraded suspension and a stock 118i at the same price, I'd take the 118i. I guess it's down to priorities!

(Also see my comment about warranties here: http://f20.1addicts.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=14, my thinking is in this context).

I've never been into modifying cars, but in my sport (mountain biking) which I've raced competitively over the years, it's without exception always been more expensive to fiddle with an entry-level model to get it to the same level of performance as a high-end one, than to just buy the high-end one to start off with. Maybe it's different with cars...

BTW, I get the suspension thing. In downhill mountain biking, suspension is absolutely key to speed, as one has practically no power to speak of. We fiddle with high and low-speed compression damping, beginning and end-stroke rebound damping, spring rates, and blow-off valves all the time. It's a fascinating science!

[johan78]

I'm going for the 14 in favor of the 16 because of the over 3000 euro price difference here in Finland. With less than that I can upgrade the software and get basic 18 power and plenty of torque. I also think that better suspension is never a waste.

[will-w]

Originally Posted by johan78

I'm going for the 14 in favor of the 16 because of the over 3000 euro price difference here in Finland. With less than that I can upgrade the software and get basic 18 power and plenty of torque. I also think that better suspension is never a waste.

It's a no-brainer then really!

The 118i I test drove with it felt so much better with added M Sport suspension, compared to the standard 118d Sport that I drove.

Do it!

[AusF20/F48]

Spend the little extra and go for the 114i M Sport package.

You will kick yourself later if you don't.

It will give you the best of both worlds, if you do the tune upgrade later.

Also, the M Sports package comes with sports seats / interior, lowered suspension and sport dampers.

Also, Estoil Blue is only available in M Sport

[johan78]

Originally Posted by AusF20

Spend the little extra and go for the 114i M Sport package.

You will kick yourself later if you don't.

It will give you the best of both worlds, if you do the tune upgrade later.

Also, the M Sports package comes with sports seats / interior, lowered suspension and sport dampers.

Also, Estoil Blue is only available in M Sport

Actually just did calculations yesterday about the M-Sport package. Seems tempting. I have to get a quote from my dealer about that also. It's just that I would be ok with 17" rims, but they seem to be packaging the M-Sport here with 18" rims which pumps the price up some more.

[ovekvam]

Maybe you can make a deal with your local dealer. If they keep your 18" wheels and provide you with some cheaper 17" wheels (maybe without runflats), you could get a discount. This is basically what I did.

[AlexP]

Originally Posted by johan78

Actually just did calculations yesterday about the M-Sport package. Seems tempting. I have to get a quote from my dealer about that also. It's just that I would be ok with 17" rims, but they seem to be packaging the M-Sport here with 18" rims which pumps the price up some more.

I don't know for Finland, but in UK the M Sport isn't available with the 114i.

[1thomas]

In germany you can order the M Sportpackage for the 14i as well, just not for the 16d EDE. I'd guess it'll be available for the 14d too (higher and variing consumption indicate wider optional tires).

[johan78]

Yes they offer the M-Sport pack here with the 14i and I was thinking about asking the dealer about the wheels. Because in the pricelist the 18"'s cost extra on the M-pack but on the online configurator they force you to select the 18"'s also.

[1thomas]

Thats how it is in germany. 17" 383M are the defaults for M Sport, 18" 386M are optional (+480€). I prefer the 386s looks but I decided to order adaptive headlight package with cornering light and highbeam-assist instead (+500€).