Base M3 Suspension vs Electronic Suspension

henryyxyu wrote

Having driven both, I think the normal suspension feels the same as the normal mode on the EDC suspension. Couldn't really tell much of a difference most of the time. Some roads did feel a little rougher on the normal suspension without EDC though.

IMO its definitely a feature I could live without. KW V3's provide EDC functionality at a fraction of the cost (minus the convenience of adjusting the damping from inside the car).

nachob wrote

When you buy base M3 suspension, what is the equivalent setting in the adjustable version?

Is the base suspension set to comfort equivalent, sport equivalent or stiff?

Anyone own a car without electronic suspension or has facts from BMW on this?

nachob wrote

Yes, I want the 18 inch wheels too. They are made by BBS also and are almost 5 lbs lighter than the 19 inch wheels.

J08M3 wrote

EDC is over rated and unnecessary.

Legion5 wrote

Your order sounds like a super terrible idea for a few reasons:

#1 If you're trying to save money by buying a stripped M3, it would be much better to get a lightly used one with under 10k miles (which will almost entierly result in getting EDC). In fact it would be better in every measurable and conceivable way. I'm a financial analyst and that's a professional oppinion.

#2 If you're trying to increase performance, you're going to noticably decrease it. Eletrconic dampers allow for a vehicle to control how firm the damping is. This allows the car to maintain the same level of comfort (or increase comfort) while increasing performance. The performance isn't just increased by allowing you to make the suspension firm when you want it, but there are downsides to making suspension firm that slow a car down. Eletronic dampers allow a car to have none of the downsides of firm dampers with all of the benefits. This means that a car with EDC is faster than a car without it could EVER be, and more comfortable, assuming the springs are at the same settings, and the dampers are adjustable with both for more comfort and performance like the M3.

So to sumarize, your decision in this case to avoid EDC can only result in negative consequences and won't have any positive reasonably significant positive benefits.

kmarei wrote

my car doesn't have EDC, that's the way i wanted it
and love it
the suspension is perfect
not too firm, as this car is my daily driver so i don't need nurburgring firm
and not too soft for when i do drive fast

i wanted to avoid as many electronic gizmos as possible as i know those things break often
so i don't have idrive, edc, etc
i have premium, cold, ipod/usb, and sat radio (sold and replaced with an amp )

nachob wrote

Everything I do I'm told is terrible. Every dealership tells me that buying a manual is a terrible idea. My current E46 is red with black interior. They told me it was a terrible idea. So I'm used to all this. It's not so much about the money up front. I don't want folding mirrors either, or NAV, or bluetooth.....or butt warmers...I want a Raw M3. I also plan to keep it a long time and maybe race it down the road. All these active things add weight and complexity I don't want. You cannot buy replacement parts for the active suspension but from BMW and who knows how long they will make replacements. The regular suspension has tons of possible upgrades down the road so unless there is some super reason I have to have EDC, I really don't want it. I want my car as light, reliable and raw as possible with a fixed suspension setting that is not making adjustments on me. So if it seems like a terrible idea to you thanks for your input.

In my mind I could make a case for how terrible it is for people to be making M3s into 3800 rolling arcades too.

mkoesel wrote

The most precise answer to this is that there is no equivalent setting for an EDC-equipped car since EDC is an active suspension system that varies the damping rate. And, though non-ZCP cars have a fixed damping rate in EDC Sport Mode, it is generally accepted that the the damping is a bit "harsher" than a car without EDC.



I don't have EDC. Though my car is an E93.

I've never seen hard facts for the actual spring rates and damping for either cars with EDC or without. But the spring rates, at least, may be discussed in the suspension forum.

Edit: here's a thread that compares spring rate for OEM vs. aftermarket, but I don't know if this is for EDC non-EDC, or is the same for both -

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=336450

Of course, this doesn't really cover the damping rates of EDC vs. non-EDC though.

If you are unsure, my suggestion would be to see if you can get a test drive in a non-EDC car. I know they are hard to come by but if you call around to dealerships you should be able to find one. Or, find a forum member locally who doesn't have EDC and is willing to let you try their car.

Kurohouou wrote

Get the ZCP pack, can't go wrong with it for that price. your spending close to 70k already anyways. And when driving around town, especially the city with bumpy pot hole roads everywhere, the comfort mode is the only way to go without loosing your teeth.

Kurohouou wrote

Get the ZCP pack, can't go wrong with it for that price. your spending close to 70k already anyways. And when driving around town, especially the city with bumpy pot hole roads everywhere, the comfort mode is the only way to go without loosing your teeth.

nachob wrote

Thanks, you know I buy a small coke at McDonalds for $.99. Sometimes they sell a giant coke for $.79. I ask for a small coke and they tell me I'm dumb and should take the giant one for less. I ask for the small one for $.79 and they say no so I pay .99 so I can get what I want. I know how much I drink with a small coke and I like it that way. So you are correct in that the value is there but I don't like all the extra complexity because I plan to keep it many years. 15 years from now you won't be able to find replacements and now you are going to have error codes if you take them out, the electronics are tuned for the EDC shocks and I am positive they weigh more.

I have been tempted to get ZCP for the wheels alone. They are very nice especially if the 18s are no longer dark but I prefer simplicity.

Finally, I am a reasonable person which is why I posted here. If everyone that owned a non EDC car said it rode like a Lincoln Continental, I would put up with the extra crap. It sounds that the people that actually own a non-EDC car are happy with it and I'm sure BMW M designed the Non EDC suspension too so I am still leaning that way.

Seattle S65B40 wrote

Don't meant to thread jack, but I have an EDC question that might stump most of you:

Does the EDC raise and lower the car in the various modes?

I would assume the answer is yes, and only very slightly. I was at a stop light and in "sport" mode and I was able to see my car's reflection in the storefront windows of an adjacent building. My car looked dropped compared to how it normally is.

Franken///M wrote

I like your thinking. Exactly my thinking behind my order. You can't go wrong with getting Non EDC. I'll again state that the price was the selling point for me. If it was much higher, I would skip it and go staight aftermarket since it goes against my KISS principal. I like the wheels, the slight drop, and the edc is just extra. I am sure once I am out of warrently and they die on me I'll go aftermarket.

Now my question for you, did you fold and plan on getting leather?

nachob wrote

Me too. Recently I had to replace a headlight bulb for my E46. The parts guy told me it was $400. I almost died, then I told it is looked like an H4 halogen and he said..OK, those are $39 a pair! : ) Things are different when you are out of warranty. I wanted HID when I bought the car but now that it's out of warranty, I love the Halogens.

I also prefer cloth center for autocrossing and in So Cal it gets warm. My favorite is Alcantara inserts with leather sides. I was going to get Speed Cloth, but I finally sat in one and loved the look but it felt abrasive to me. Wish it was Alcantara or softer cloth. I also play soccer 2-3 times a week and get sweaty on the drive home. I try to change shirts and put sweat pants on but my cloth seats tend to absorb sweat so I am now leaning toward leather since I am already used to the maintenance. What are your thoughts on leather? I am positive I don't want NAV and folding mirrors, blue tooth, etc. but I am still torn on that one a bit?

sameh wrote

I actually feel it too, I'm glad someone mentioned this, otherwise I would have never said anything.