[kolosy]

so about a month in now, and i hate to admit that it's a bit rough on crappy streets. it's probably better than my f80, but i didn't drive it with the mindset of "i'm in an suv."

so. are there slightly softer springs that don't lower the car? i bought it because i wanted a fast suv that's fun to drive, i'm not taking it on the track, and actually like the ride height, so MSSs are out (since my understanding is that even at full extension they're shorter than OEM).

what else is out there?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by kolosy

so about a month in now, and i hate to admit that it's a bit rough on crappy streets. it's probably better than my f80, but i didn't drive it with the mindset of "i'm in an suv."

so. are there slightly softer springs that don't lower the car? i bought it because i wanted a fast suv that's fun to drive, i'm not taking it on the track, and actually like the ride height, so MSSs are out (since my understanding is that even at full extension they're shorter than OEM).

what else is out there?

Don't count out MSS yet.
Fix still on its way.

The other solution, my best guest would be KW V3 coilover or G01 X3 full suspension system with EDC delete from KW.

[evo-mike]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Don't count out MSS yet.
Fix still on its way.

The other solution, my best guest would be KW V3 coilover or G01 X3 full suspension system with EDC delete from KW.

I think the kw max height is still 1" lower than stock. Also, being stuck in a g01 loaner for the last week, it's not what I would call soft. Softer sure. But there's obviously a ton more body roll. I really don't think the small comfort increase would justify that cost and fairly substantial decrease in performance.

You're best bet might be having a set of springs custom made. You can keep stock ride height, and have them reduce spring rate. Would be cheaper than going coilover probably as well.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by evo-mike

I think the kw max height is still 1" lower than stock. Also, being stuck in a g01 loaner for the last week, it's not what I would call soft. Softer sure. But there's obviously a ton more body roll. I really don't think the small comfort increase would justify that cost and fairly substantial decrease in performance.

You're best bet might be having a set of springs custom made. You can keep stock ride height, and have them reduce spring rate. Would be cheaper than going coilover probably as well.

Usually Dinan comes out with spring that is only 0.5" drop.
But their spring is not softer too, just firm.

Tough one here.

[onfireX5]

Quick fix is to change the tires to all seasons non performance. Our roads are good here, so the factory 21’s and ride is fine. But, when I put the winters on for one season for my wife, it really softened the ride.

[forza1976]

Deflate your tires to 25psi. :

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Usually Dinan comes out with spring that is only 0.5" drop.
But their spring is not softer too, just firm.

Tough one here.

maybe i should just punt and get an x5 m50

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

Quick fix is to change the tires to all seasons non performance. Our roads are good here, so the factory 21’s and ride is fine. But, when I put the winters on for one season for my wife, it really softened the ride.

interesting -- i guess it makes sense that performance tires deform less and are therefore stiffer. i always assumed that it was only wall height that mattered, but i guess not?

[dkhm3]

I switched out the 21" contis to 21" Michelins PS4 with 265/295 vs stock 255/265 tires.

The larger footprint and slightly heavier tires have really smoothed out the small bumps imo. It has been I would say a 20% improvement on the ride overall.

I no longer have near as bouncy or jittery handling and even over larger potholes I feel about 20% less shock.

I am very happy with the change so far. Money well spent.

It isn't as massive of a visual difference, but it is over 10% wider:

[satx_yas]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

I switched out the 21" contis to 21" Michelins PS4 with 265/295 vs stock 255/265 tires.
Attachment 2433252

Nice! Any pictures of it with the wider tire installed?

[RoyB]

My solution was to trade it in for an M340i. Rides 100% better. I no longer get sick and my dog doesn't look like she hates her life riding in the back.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by kolosy

interesting -- i guess it makes sense that performance tires deform less and are therefore stiffer. i always assumed that it was only wall height that mattered, but i guess not?

it’s the rubber composition that is different between summer performance and winter tires. winter tires have a higher proportion of natural rubber and silica for enhanced flexibility (= softness) and grip. summer performance tires have a lot of butadiene and styrene butadiene synthetic rubber for less softness but also less rolling resistance and wear.

[allinon72]

Folks think an X3M is a X3 with the M treatment. Really it's an M3 with an SUV treatment. There is a big difference.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by satx_yas

Nice! Any pictures of it with the wider tire installed?

Here is my best attempt with the way the shadows are and the tire sits its really hard to show it.

fyi for those interested my dragy tests before and after the stock vs wider tire change shows less than a .1 of a second slower to 60 mph and less than .2 slower to 80 mph. Very minimal difference, I need to run more dragy's and average them out.

[pluckydks]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

it’s the rubber composition that is different between summer performance and winter tires. winter tires have a higher proportion of natural rubber and silica for enhanced flexibility (= softness) and grip. summer performance tires have a lot of butadiene and styrene butadiene synthetic rubber for less softness but also less rolling resistance and wear.

There goes Alex Googling answers to sound smart again

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by pluckydks

There goes Alex Googling answers to sound smart again

That’s what I do....

[richsnuc]

I had driven the X3 M40i in 20 and 21 inch rims. Then drove the X3m with 21 inch rims. The ride was better controlled and not nearly as rough as the M40i version with the same tires.

So, I bought 20" wheels with Michelin PS3 A/S+ in 20". Perfect. Rides better than my M240i, by far. My wife actually likes this vehicle.

Good all seasons are great on the street, lots of versatility with a quiet and slightly dampened ride.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by richsnuc

I had driven the X3 M40i in 20 and 21 inch rims. Then drove the X3m with 21 inch rims. The ride was better controlled and not nearly as rough as the M40i version with the same tires.

So, I bought 20" wheels with Michelin PS3 A/S+ in 20". Perfect. Rides better than my M240i, by far. My wife actually likes this vehicle.

Good all seasons are great on the street, lots of versatility with a quiet and slightly dampened ride.

@AlexFL , What is RFT? ** Like asking Siri or Alexa.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

@AlexFL , What is RFT? ** Like asking Siri or Alexa.

Siri, when do H&R or MSS springs for F95 come out? Siri, how much will they cost?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Siri, when do H&R or MSS springs for F95 come out? Siri, how much will they cost?

Hahaha.
Soon, soon.
Just get the car delivered to my place first.
A lot of stuff can be done while waiting for the spring.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by richsnuc

I had driven the X3 M40i in 20 and 21 inch rims. Then drove the X3m with 21 inch rims. The ride was better controlled and not nearly as rough as the M40i version with the same tires.

So, I bought 20" wheels with Michelin PS3 A/S+ in 20". Perfect. Rides better than my M240i, by far. My wife actually likes this vehicle.

Good all seasons are great on the street, lots of versatility with a quiet and slightly dampened ride.

was there a noticeable difference with the 20s on the x3m?

easiest thing for me to do is to keep the stock rims and just throw some MPS A/S on there, but wondering if going to 20s with that tire would be materially more effective...

[Lenny_RDM]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

I switched out the 21" contis to 21" Michelins PS4 with 265/295 vs stock 255/265 tires.

The larger footprint and slightly heavier tires have really smoothed out the small bumps imo. It has been I would say a 20% improvement on the ride overall.

I no longer have near as bouncy or jittery handling and even over larger potholes I feel about 20% less shock.

I am very happy with the change so far. Money well spent.

It isn't as massive of a visual difference, but it is over 10% wider:

Attachment 2433252

Same here from stock conti to Michelin ps4 as very big ride difference