E46 Suspension

I've got a 2001 325ci fitted with the standard 17' '7 spoke alloys' and I think you will be dissapointed to learn that the ride ain't any better with 'smaller' wheels.  I posed virtually the same question as yourself some weeks back and got pretty much the same replies.  It's definitely not a car designed for 'around town'.  But hey - you'd buy a Civic if that's what you wanted, no?

I too, find the ride too hard and was also a little dissapointed with the turn in being a little slow to respond.  I feel that the car is a little over-sprung and a little under damped.  Unfortunately with a babbie on the way I don't have the finances to do anything about it!

I wouldn't mind if the rest of the handling was set up for 'trackdays' but it's simply not (too much roll, turn-in is too slow and not much feedback).  The M-Tech standard fit suspension is just wrong compared to the rest of the car (in my humble opinion).  Like you say Ford seem to be able to get the balance 'more' right.  You, of course, could try some aftermarket 'adjustable' shocks/springs/dampers to suit.

As for the overall ride at different speeds - wait a while and when you get it out on to a fast quiet country road the handling set up will be explained - just don't expect it to be great around (pot-holed) towns - cos it's not!

Never mind, it's not exactly the worst car in the world to live with.......

oops should of thought of that   

I live in south essex, near southend.

WHen you say switchable dampers, is that an electronically controlled setting i.e sport, comfort etc. If so then no I haven't unless there fitted standard to 2002 330ci sport coupes, and I've yet to discover the switch!

 Must admit, I haven't as yet checked my tyre pressures, should really do that tomorrow.

Is there anyone local who could sit with me on a test drive to see if I've got a genuine problem or if I'm just being a big girls blouse. 

John,

I've got the 18" MV spoke alloys fitted to the car (what a bugger to keep  clean!!!!!!!!). Would I need to change both? I think I'll enquire about the price of springs/shocks and take it from there. I could be wrong but isn't the standard coupe suspension stiffer than the saloon's?

I'm not adverse to sports suspension cos every car I've had since passing my test has had it in some form or another its just a real pain in the arse (quite literally) that the M Tech has to be so unforgiving. Fine if you're gonna rag the nuts off it at a track but just plain crap on her majesty's highways. Dare I even say it but I think BMW should look at how Ford set up their chassis and take note cos I've got a company mondeo (Zetec) that will blow the socks off my beemer on normal roads in terms of ride quality and feedback, that can't be right can it?  

Hi,

This is my first post seeing as I'm a newbee so hello! 

 I am extremely lucky enough to own a 2002 330 ci sport and am now truly a convert to the blue/white propeller. Thoroughly impressed with every aspect of the car apart from the ride quality. The M Tech suspension fitted is, in my opinion (and this is shared by many motoring journo's) just a little bit too hard. I find the low speed control ok but at higher speeds on anything other than perfectly flat tarmac you get jigged around like your sitting in a max power nova, not good on a car costing this much. Does anybody else share this opinion or am I turning into my dad and secondly what can I do to improve the ride quality i.e fitting standard shocks/springs or both and whats it likely to cost?

It will be much aprreciated for any feed back

Mal