[JaeP]

Originally Posted by fgoody

Does anyone know if the suspension settings are the exact same for both model years ? Hoping the comfort setting magically changed...

Anyone hear anything yet?

[andysj]

I test drove a 2019 build car, it may be that I'm looking through rose tinted spectacles but my May 2020 build car is much better riding than the car we test drive, although that had covered more miles it was noticeably more crashy over bumps.
I am very pleased with the ride comfort, although it was quite firm heading up a farm track to go shooting last weekend.

[DaMage1913]

Is the back spare tire compartment still raised in the 2021 or flush with the bottom of the trunk area?

[GmanJeff]

Originally Posted by DaMage1913

Is the back spare tire compartment still raised in the 2021 or flush with the bottom of the trunk area?

Raised if you have the spare; flat with under-floor storage space if you opt for the compressor/sealant and no spare.

[dylonsays]

Does anyone else think that the stiffness has to do with the McPherson strut versus double wishbone on other cars. Perhaps that's why is so bouncy compared to the M3. It's a fancy integra suspension!

[cookiesowns]

I just picked up a 2020 X3M that's been updated to 2020 March ISTEP.

Suspension feels great, especially compared to my M2C. No complaints, however I feel that road noise increased with ASD delete... so will have to experiment with that a bit.

[ReMapEveryTHinG]

Originally Posted by itsmabs

This gets rehashed all the time. A fair amount of people think the suspension isn't great, a fair amount love it. I don't think it's something you could convince either side about, as it's their past experience with other cars. My take is it's the dampening that is the problem, it bounces way more than any sports car I've owned. That said it doesn't crash as hard over potholes, say the way a m4 does. The engine is a blast though, and I look forward to the MSS springs helping out. Space, performance, and price make it a winner. Though if out of the factory the seats where a touch more comfortable and it bounced less it would be a absolute dream car.

Spot on. It depends on perspective. I think it's fine for all but about 20% of roads I come across. This is my first SUV and I feel that becos you sit much higher you get the sensation you're being thrown about, and it's roads with corrugated surfaces of a particular amplitude that upset it most. But if it was a coupe/salon this would be more than fine I think. No doubt for the money, its combination and levels of equipment, performance, tech, and space - is unrivaled. So the question now is - to MSS or not MSS..

[itsmabs]

Originally Posted by ReMapEveryTHinG

Spot on. It depends on perspective. I think it's fine for all but about 20% of roads I come across. This is my first SUV and I feel that becos you sit much higher you get the sensation you're being thrown about, and it's roads with corrugated surfaces of a particular amplitude that upset it most. But if it was a coupe/salon this would be more than fine I think. No doubt for the money, its combination and levels of equipment, performance, tech, and space - is unrivaled. So the question now is - to MSS or not MSS..

I love the MSS springs, didn't have any fitment issues(though apparently a bunch did). Also some fresh perspective. I've recently picked up a used TT RS on 20s(I must be getting old, I want cars to come with smaller wheels, Would have preferred the comp with smaller too.). And it's what I remember a "harsh" sports cars to feel like. It does not like potholes, it does not like uneven roads. And it's fine, love the thing, I happily trade some comfort for awesome/fun performance.

Now after driving that around quite a bit, and hopping back into the X3M, the thing feels buttery smooth(though I am on MSS to be fair). It cements my take, the problem with the suspension wasn't that it was too stiff. It just bounced/vertically traveled way too much for a car that tall and heavy.

So depends on the roads you live, but with the springs I am very happy with the car.

[sittingmongoose]

I noticed my 21 x3m Comp was more compliant than the 2020 x3m Comp I test drove. I got the conti tires which are horrendous and just changed to winter tires...what a difference. They are so much more comfortable. The car settled down a lot.

[DaMage1913]

I just picked up my 2021 X3MC yesterday and even in sport plus mode I don't think it rides that harshly. It definitely is softer than the 2009 M3 I used to drive which everytime I drove over a pothole I thought the wheel was going to get dented. There is definitely a difference between comfort sport and sport plus in the suspension settings too. The comfort mode is a little stiffer than the 2011 X5 I used to drive but not by much and if anything actually was more well behaved as far as "bouncing" from construction on the road.

[ReMapEveryTHinG]

Originally Posted by itsmabs

I love the MSS springs, didn't have any fitment issues(though apparently a bunch did). Also some fresh perspective. I've recently picked up a used TT RS on 20s(I must be getting old, I want cars to come with smaller wheels, Would have preferred the comp with smaller too.). And it's what I remember a "harsh" sports cars to feel like. It does not like potholes, it does not like uneven roads. And it's fine, love the thing, I happily trade some comfort for awesome/fun performance.

Now after driving that around quite a bit, and hopping back into the X3M, the thing feels buttery smooth(though I am on MSS to be fair). It cements my take, the problem with the suspension wasn't that it was too stiff. It just bounced/vertically traveled way too much for a car that tall and heavy.

So depends on the roads you live, but with the springs I am very happy with the car.

Good to know MSS is an option! Thanks!

My dilemma is that the warranty, which I have 8 years of as part of the purchase, will certainly be jeopardised. (I'm sure they'll try slither their way out if anything goes wrong). Yet the MSS will pretty much make it the perfect car.. Decisions decisions

[elisiX]

Originally Posted by ReMapEveryTHinG

Good to know MSS is an option! Thanks!

My dilemma is that the warranty, which I have 8 years of as part of the purchase, will certainly be jeopardised. (I'm sure they'll try slither their way out if anything goes wrong). Yet the MSS will pretty much make it the perfect car.. Decisions decisions

There's no way you should worry about a simple spring swap when it comes to warranty.

[MrItaly]

Originally Posted by Carmicro

What’s the cornering/body roll like with softer springs ?

Drop it an inch from factory with the MSS, and I'd say you come out even on perfect asphalt. Throw in a few street imperfections, and you actually come out ahead. This has been my personal experience.

[matt9999]

Originally Posted by ReMapEveryTHinG

Good to know MSS is an option! Thanks!

the warranty, which I have 8 years of

How do you get 8 years of warranty? Is that an aftermarket warranty, or through BMW? Thanks.

[ReMapEveryTHinG]

Originally Posted by matt9999

How do you get 8 years of warranty? Is that an aftermarket warranty, or through BMW? Thanks.

It was through AutoClassic BMW in Perth, they offered extended 3 or 5 year warranty with a third party. I rang around and not many dealers there offered it. It depends on whom they partner with. And if they didnt offer it, they will diss it. I think.. the Brighton dealer offered it, the Adelaide dealer also did.

In the end AutoClassic offered the best deal and best (in terms of both price and duration) extended warranty. As you may know, some extended warranties are heavily conditional, limited to X number of parts etc etc. This one is not, it's basically an extension of the factory warranty.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

I would agree that after the first 1,000-2,000 miles the cars gets much more compliant...