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10-01-2011, 07:29 AM | #1 |
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Zcp ride too hard
Just upgraded from a 320d to M3 with Zcp and am not enjoying the firmer ride. Silly me with more dollars than sense didn\'t test drive the car. I just assumed the \'comfort\' setting on the EDC would actually do what it infers.
Not being a genius around cars (or anything else for that matter), I need all the advice I can get on making the ride a bit softer. Do I lower the tyre pressures? Change the tyres (PS2\'s)? Change the wheels? Or go as far as altering the suspension? The 320d ride was as firm as I really want it to be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. |
10-01-2011, 07:37 AM | #2 |
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EDC is a joke in my opinion. The M3 is a much firmer ride. The best/easiest thing you can do is get a set of 18" wheels instead. You will notice a big difference. I do every year when I switch from my summer 19s to my winter 18s.
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10-01-2011, 07:57 AM | #4 |
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swap for 18's. You can also go with all-season tires, or a softer summer tire but at this point you really paid too much for a feature you didn't need.
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10-01-2011, 08:32 AM | #5 |
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the M3, by nature, is a firmer ride than regular 3 series cars...that's part of the experience of an M3. It's part of it's stiffer suspension, and the mechanics and components that make up its better handling characteristics.
agree w/ the above in switching to 18s, but it's still going to be firm. If you continue to dislike the ride after you change tires, etc out, then maybe the M3 is not the car for you.
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10-01-2011, 09:06 AM | #6 |
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I came from a 328i and this cars ride is by no stretch of the imagination objectionable. In any setting/mode.
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10-01-2011, 09:10 AM | #7 | |
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10-01-2011, 09:53 AM | #8 | |
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The M3 has a firm ride, but not compared to cars like a Porsche 911 or Nissan GTR. With the shipping blocks in, there didn't appear to be a huge change in ride comfort between the different EDC modes. Once they were out, changing the modes definitely changed the ride softness. Overall, I am very happy with the ride/handling balance of the M3 and don't find it harsh at all. Interestingly enough, I actually find the sport setting more "comfortable" than the comfort setting. While the comfort setting is certainly softer, it also tends to produce a "clunkier ride" over uneven pavement. The sport setting provides a more supple ride and I like that better. In any case, check out the shipping block issue if it is a new car.
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10-01-2011, 12:52 PM | #10 |
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Sorry, but the M3 is the wrong car for you by the sound of it.
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10-01-2011, 01:00 PM | #11 |
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Make sure what happened to VVG didn't happen to you. It's not all that uncommon. 18s will help and if all else fails, try a Dinan suspension. It rides noticeably better than stock.
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10-01-2011, 01:10 PM | #12 | |
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+1 that is a good point about removal of the shipping blocks. OP, check your car out.
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10-01-2011, 01:14 PM | #13 |
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And here I was feeling like the M3 is too soft even on the sportiest setting.
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10-01-2011, 01:22 PM | #14 |
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I find it ironic that you bought a M3 ZCP for ride comfort.
Like others mentioned, putting 18s on the vehicle will help. Since you acknowledged the fact that you should have test driven the car before purchasing it, I won't stress that point. Also, don't buy sports cars for ride comfort. Comfort setting in EDC definitely is less harsh than the normal or sport, but it won't turn the car into a 7-series. It's really not that bad, but might feel exaggerated since you are coming from a 320. You may get used to it in a couple weeks.
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10-01-2011, 01:42 PM | #15 |
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OP: Good luck, you have several excellent suggestions to explore.
Just as a point of reference, I feel my ZCP on Comfort is softer than my Wife's Acura RL with Michelin Run Flat Tires.
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10-01-2011, 02:34 PM | #16 |
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Your biggest mistake IMO was getting ZCP, which is even firmer than a regular M3, due to shorter springs and harder ESA shock settings. My car has 19s, and it's firm (just the way I like it), but perfectly acceptable on 'comfort'. Tires are going to make very little difference, especially if you have PS2s already. I switched to Pilot Sport A/S Plus (1 size larger, since nothing is available in stock sizes), and they're quieter, but ride is the same; both are ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires, with super low profiles. A typical all-season tire is not available in our sizes; not even close.
Your only option is to downgrade to 18" wheels, which look like crap to me on the M3 (mostly the size -too small), but hopefully you won't mind. I wouldn't lower tire pressure any lower than the recommended 33 (I use 35 all around), or you'd eat the tires pretty quickly. It's a heavy car. Good luck man, and next time do your homework better . Take care. Last edited by JCtx; 10-01-2011 at 02:40 PM.. |
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10-01-2011, 03:25 PM | #17 |
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who buys a car without test driving it?
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10-01-2011, 03:49 PM | #19 |
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I would change the springs to Dinan. I understand that the newer springs actually make the car ride better in the different EDC settings, plus the 1/8 drop in the front makes the wheelwell gap disappear.
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10-01-2011, 05:45 PM | #20 |
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10-01-2011, 06:28 PM | #22 |
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