Adaptive suspension or not?

[Ed Okin]

Has anyone driven G70s with both regular and adaptive suspension?

I’d like some real life comparison between the two, if anyone has driven both. I also don’t know if AWD or RWD makes a difference.

Trying to decide between 3.T Prestige and Sport. I know I will ultimately need to drive both.

Thank you for the help!

 

[xKingfisher]

Google is failing me ATM, but I remember some of the reviewers saying the adaptive suspension didn't change things all that much. Especially since the basic chassis tuning is already very good.

Maybe it was from one of the video reviews after that event a couple months ago.

 

[Ed Okin]

Thank you. Good memory! I webt back to the AoA video. In his review Alex on Autos said “you’ll actually be fine with the regular suspension in the G70...” I don’t think he drove the 3.3T Sport, so there’s not a side by side comparison.

 

[PD705]

The regular suspension is fantastic, actually - strikes the perfect compromise between the Comfort and Sport modes of the adaptive suspension. Many around the office actually prefer the response of the fixed-rate dampers. In a nutshell, they're both excellent.

 

[TOGuy242]

I have the 3.3T Sport with Adaptive, and love the suspension. I did test drive the 2.0T without it, and loved the suspension. I chose the Sport for other reasons: I liked the appearance package, the LSD, headliner, seats etc. So basically if that's the ONLY thing that would make you choose one versus another, probably go with the other. The AWD is really the only option here in Canada (other than in the manual model), but would be been a requirement for me.

 

[Ed Okin]

The regular suspension is fantastic, actually - strikes the perfect compromise between the Comfort and Sport modes of the adaptive suspension. Many around the office actually prefer the response of the fixed-rate dampers. In a nutshell, they're both excellent.

Thank you PD705! Which G70 trim do you have, if you don’t mind me asking? Thx!

 

[Ed Okin]

I have the 3.3T Sport with Adaptive, and love the suspension. I did test drive the 2.0T without it, and loved the suspension. I chose the Sport for other reasons: I liked the appearance package, the LSD, headliner, seats etc. So basically if that's the ONLY thing that would make you choose one versus another, probably go with the other. The AWD is really the only option here in Canada (other than in the manual model), but would be been a requirement for me.

Thank you TOGuy242! When you say “go with the other” do you mean go with the regular or adaptive? Thx!

 

[JayceM]

I was kinda wondering about this as well. I really like the design edition, didn't want to miss out on the adaptive suspension.

 

[TOGuy242]

Thank you TOGuy242! When you say “go with the other” do you mean go with the regular or adaptive? Thx!

Well you mentioned the 3.3T “Prestige” - that wasn’t an option here in Canada (I don’t think) so not sure what the other differences are. Just pointing out that if that’s the only difference, then you’re probably good with the Prestige! The 3.3 engine is fantastic, and you’ll like the handling regardless of which suspension.

 

[TO Genesis]

Kind of wish Canada got the 3.3 T Prestige as a bridge between the poverty spec 3.3 and the Sport. I prefer the interior colour offerings available for the Prestige and given it's a commuter car for me I'm happy without adaptive suspension , LSD and the Brembos. Given I spend more time looking at the interior than the exterior I might end up sticking with the 2.0 T Prestige. First world problems, I know.

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[Edmguy]

I have the 3.3T Sport with adaptive, but I had a 2.0T Elite without as a loaner and I don't think it is a big loss to not have the adaptive suspension. That said, for me to not have it would mean giving up too many other features. But I wouldn't worry about a compromise in handling. I would drive both with the same engine though, as the 2.0T is definitely lighter in the front so it feels different (in a good way) compared to the 3.3T in handling already.

 

[PD705]

Thank you PD705! Which G70 trim do you have, if you don’t mind me asking? Thx!

I have a 3.3T Sport but have driven all variations extensively.

 

[KusaKusa]

While we are on the topic of suspensions, is there any perceivable difference between the 2.0T normal suspension and the 3.3T sport-tuned suspension?

 

[PD705]

While we are on the topic of suspensions, is there any perceivable difference between the 2.0T normal suspension and the 3.3T sport-tuned suspension?

Yes, but they're subtle. Really, all G70 models have a sport-tuned suspension in that they're all quite firm. The "standard" suspension strikes a pretty great middle ground between firmness/wheel control and ride compliance. The 3.3T Sport with the adaptive suspension, meanwhile, splits the gap - the Comfort setting is softer, with noticeably less rebound than the standard suspension. The Sport setting, meanwhile, is firmer than the standard suspension, and gives the car a slightly heavier feel.

In terms of raw performance I'm not convinced there's any difference at all, and I say this having driven both back to back on a racing circuit. If I'm being completely honest, I think the standard suspension is the most enjoyable, but there's no denying the advantage of having the ability to adjust the setting in the 3.3T Sport - Comfort for commuting, Sport for more spirited driving.

 

[Bald Eagle]

It's been almost two months since the last post on this thread, and there are a lot more cars on the road, so it's time for some more comments. I'm looking for a car with firm, "European car" handling. Not a harsh or "Wanna be race car" harsh, & jiggly ride. It cost me quite a bit of money to sell two cars within a year of purchase because they were tuned badly. Every car built is some sort of compromise, and the two cars that I sold quickly went way too far toward "track car" to be a reasonable, (for me) daily driver.

The car I'm planning to replace is a '16 BMW 340i with adjustable suspension (they did a 'mid-cycle' refresh, and cured a lot of the ills of the '15 335i). I have owned and or driven a number of adjustable suspension cars including my nephew's new McClaren 725S. I'm not sure how many adjustments that car has, but there were no jiggles in either sport or comfort modes. (I have driven a lot of 'fast' cars, but now I know why they are called super cars.)

I'm asking for info rather than being able to test myself because I'm a California boy with a lease that ends in February & no dealerships in the state in the immediate future. I think PD705 answered my question pretty well, but it would be nice to hear from others who have tested the two suspensions on the 3.3 cars.

 

[Beefer]

^ I will go out on a limb and say that they pretty much perfected this car in regards to the chassis. Sport is awesome...very firm but no rattling your brain. Comfort is your typical Euro great handling car.

 

[Ed Okin]

It’s been a while since anyone’s posted and I’m grateful for all of the prior replies to my initial question.

Now that I’ve had the ‘16 535i for almost a year, it’s starting to get more expensive and lacks so much technology.

I’m more seriously reconsidering the G70 and want to have that balance of stability, comfort and handling I get from my car. I’m interested in whether Bald Eagle has tested the G70 models and comment on comparing either the regular or adaptive G70 suspensions to a ‘16 BMW.

Thanks!!

 

[Springer]

The Sport adaptive suspension is MUCH better than the 2014 335xi that I traded in. I leave on Sport 100% of the time.

 

[Ed Okin]

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[Toddasaurus]

I agree with the above - Sport mode the suspension does feel nice and tight, but not overly firm, nor anywhere near having a jarring effect. It's not a ton stiffer than when in comfort or eco mode, but you do notice it, especially when you start driving more aggressively and/or the roads are relatively bumpy. Still, that all being said, I would still feel pretty comfortable keeping the suspension in sport while driving all the time. Also, it certainly does complete the effect that makes the car seem like a sport sedan.