[d1217]

hi guys,
thought i would join as i am definately buying an f20 in the near future. i want to ask a few questions about the car as i cant find much info online.

does the standard 116i m sport have the sport+ mode???
except from visual differences, what effect does the m sport braking system have ????
i love listening to music in the car, so is the HK worth it, or would i be ok sticking with the standard???
finally, is the adaptive m suspension worth it, does anyone have any reviews on it or should i just stick with the standard m sport susp???

sorry for all the q's guys

hope you can help

cheers

[1thomas]

Originally Posted by d1217

does the standard 116i m sport have the sport+ mode???
except from visual differences, what effect does the m sport braking system have ????
i love listening to music in the car, so is the HK worth it, or would i be ok sticking with the standard???
finally, is the adaptive m suspension worth it, does anyone have any reviews on it or should i just stick with the standard m sport susp???

1.) Yes, M Sport brings Sport+, but its just the Sport setting with DTC enabled instead of DSC (allows more slip/wheelspin)
2.) M Sport brake is bigger and for the rearaxle also ventilated discs instead of solid ones. Effect: Faster stopping, also probably more durability (f.e. sporty/track use)
3.) Question is what are you used to, what do you expect from a sound system. If you got a 1000GBP-stereo at home just for your TV and you enjoy music on that, HK it is. If you're just listening to some mp3s or fm and like a somewhat better sound and some bass, HiFi should do. If you just wanna listen to fm while driving to work and to the stores and you barely ever turn louder than room volume level, standart will be sufficient.
4.) In german reviews they like to use cars with the adaptive ride for the tests all the time (don't remember seeing one not having it), then they complain about the price, but then they say its great and offers everything from rock to pillow. I considered it for like.. a second, but too expensive, would never use it proplery, not with my 16d. I got M Sport and I very much like it. Still about as sporty as my old E87 ride, but what feels like 250% more comfy .

Hope that helps
Thomas

[d1217]

thanks for the response, would you suggest adding the brakes as an option?????

[1thomas]

I didn't see the need for it. For my completely average driving with added sporty b-road-driving I think its completely useless in terms of *need*. And for the looks I am not willing to pay the 600€ they're asking here for them. Besides the fact that I don't even like the blue color they got, unless you order Estorilblue. I'd have paid for not having blue brakes on my valencia orange car :P

[Superspeed]

I'd say if you listen a lot to music in the car, then the H/K is worth the money.

Adaptive suspension: I would not spend money on it. The standard M chassis is a perfect combination of sport and comfort. You won't miss a softer driving mode, unless coming from (and appreciating) a Citroën sofa
Save the money for some other goodies!

[d1217]

thanks guys, what about the variable sport steering, recommended or not??

[1thomas]

I say: Oh hell yes!

For me that was a must-have option, coming from the quite hard e87 pre-facelift mechanical steering. BUT: For the choice of steering I always recommend testdriving all 3 options (default, servotronic and variable sport), you don't need 1hr of driving with each to notice the difference, you'll figure out quite fast what you prefer.

For me both standard and servotronic are way too soft all the time, while the variable sport steering is at least giving a noticable amount of resistance, but providing still supereasy turning while standing or slow driving around city-corners.

Others complain that they can't get along with the variable part of the steering, and they are happy to not have it. Thus: Go and testdrive all 3, even if its just a 5min ride.

Anyway, past midnight and a long workday ahead, I hereby hand over to the nightshift .

[Superspeed]

I decided for the standard steering on my F20, and is totally happy with it.
However on the larger F12 I've got the variable sports steering which really shrinks the car through tight turns, making it incrediblly handy (for it's size). Besides it's very comfortable when parking.
I figure there is a similar effect for the 1-series, so it's worth checking it out, allthough I found the standard steering good enough.

The servotronic is a solution I personally find unneccesary.

Unlike Thomas I'm on vacation and entitled to stay up as late as I want!

[1thomas]

Originally Posted by Superspeed

Unlike Thomas I'm on vacation and entitled to stay up as late as I want!

You.... I'm already at work..

I'd love to try the variable sports steering in the 6er. Will you happen to be in germany with it anytime soon, so I can take it for a ride?

[Superspeed]

Originally Posted by 1thomas

You.... I'm already at work..

I'd love to try the variable sports steering in the 6er. Will you happen to be in germany with it anytime soon, so I can take it for a ride?

Actualy I am going to be in Hamburg next week end. But only a for short ride through Jutland and back to Oslo from Kiel
Have a nice day at work!

[ovekvam]

The regular brakes have very good stopping power, but the M Sport brakes will be able to cope with a lot more stops in a row before fading. In a 116i, it is limited how much speed you can build up between each corner, so it is not easy to fade the regular brakes. Considering the increased unsprung weight of the M Sport brakes, it is probably not worth it on a 116i. On more powerful versions I would have bought it, since I use my car on track days.

If you go for adaptive suspension or steering, you will probably find it too soft in comfort mode, and definitely in Eco Pro mode, causing you to drive in Sport mode all the time. I want consistent behaviour from the car, so I selected basic M Sport with no adaptive options.

A lighter steering feel is something you adapt to in less than a week.

[Fanis]

Originally Posted by d1217

thanks guys, what about the variable sport steering, recommended or not??

I have it and I absolutely love it! It is a bit expensive and the standard steering is fine. It is just that the adaptive is even better for me. Perfect around town and in the city, as you only need to turn the wheel a little to take the corners and it gets really heavy with a nice solid feel on the motorway. I recommend it, if you do not mind the price.

[d1217]

thanks for all the advice, does the f20 m sport come with cruise control as standard or does it only come with it when you add the driver comfort package

[1thomas]

In germany its an option that can either be ordered separately or in the mentioned package. But it seems in .uk you have to go for the package, or don't get it at all. Upside of the driver comfort package: If you tested the variable sports steering and liked it, its just 220gbp with extra with it, instead of 340! Also pdc rear is like a must-have with all modern cars, especially with cars like the 1 where you can't see shit. Possible issue: If you do not like the variable sports steering, you have to at least deal with the servotronic or don't get the cruise control.

[Patrick BMW]

I had it optional in package....I think it was the comfort package

[Bogus]

The package is £500 for rear parking sensors, cruise control and upgraded steering if my memory is correct

[1thomas]

It is. But as mentioned, he should testdrive all 3 steerings (default, servotronic and var. sport), as the driver comfort package forces him to take either the servotronic or the var. sport (+220gbp). That can be an opportunity if he likes the var. sport and wants it anyway, or an issue when he dislikes it and the servotronic too.

[Patrick BMW]

and don't forget the reverse view camera to help with parking. REALLY useful

[1thomas]

Really? I think its an overpriced and useless toy. If you got the budget for toys like that, ok, but otherwise, save it. Also it looks stupid on anything but black with M Sport, due to the ridiculously bad positioning - IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FUCKING REAR BUMPER!

[Meanie]

Originally Posted by 1thomas

Really? I think its an overpriced and useless toy. If you got the budget for toys like that, ok, but otherwise, save it. Also it looks stupid on anything but black with M Sport, due to the ridiculously bad positioning - IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FUCKING REAR BUMPER!

Agreed, that is the only reason I never put it on my options list. It is truly horrible in positioning.

[1thomas]

Saved me the trouble to decide wether to go for PDC rear only, or the full parking deal up to assist.

[Superspeed]

Originally Posted by Patrick BMW

and don't forget the reverse view camera to help with parking. REALLY useful

If you don't have it you probably won't miss it (as long as you at least have rear pdc), but once got used to it you see what a huge comfort feature it is, especially with the green and red lines showing actual and max turning curve.
I bet I could set a new track record at the Nordschleife in reverse, by only following the camera