330Ci Harsh Ride

[Railguy]

Hello,

I need advice. My new 330Ci with 18" Wheels, Dunlop Tires(225x35 and 225x40's), Sports Package and Premium package has a much harder ride than I expected. Can anyone give me some advice on how to make the ride more compliant without sacraficing much of the handling? It seems that 2 things are at play. The slightest road irregularity seems to upset the car and set it bouncinig. This is either due to the fact that the springs are too short since this is a stock lowered coupe or maybe the shocks are the problem. When I get up to 80 the vibrations are so strong that it isn't fun to run at that speed for long on California's very uneven pavement freeways.

The dealer told me I can run my tires at 5 psi less than recommended I don't see how that can help but maybe. Or maybe I just need a better shock, something adjustable maybe.

Thanks for any replys.

 

[deutsch100]

330ci Harsh ride

Hi!! Congrats on your new 330ci...that is a beautiful model!! I too have the sport suspension, and yes lowering the psi by 5 does help a little. The sport suspension by nature is of course firmer...but that is what gives BMWs their legendary handling. Try the tire pressure thing though...it helped my ride a bit!!! Good Luck and again, Congratulations. Freude am Fahren

 

[Railguy]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't wanna sacrafice cornering, but at the same time I don't want to have my teeth jarred any more than necessary.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

lower the pressure in the tires like the guy said...have fun with your ride

 

[mscoins]

I also have the Style 71 wheels with Michelin Pilot Sports at 33 front and 39 rear. The ride is noticeably stiff on rough pavement, but not harsh to the point of upsetting the handling. Lowering the tire pressure by 5 psi may soften the ride a bit, but will reduce steering control somewhat with more sidewall flex, yield a smaller contact patch with the road and may cause premature tire wear.

 

[Railguy]

Hmmmm......Yeah I figured I'd pay for lower pressure with faster tire wear. I love the car around town and on smooth pavement. Took it to Ventura this weekend and braved the LA Freeways. The ride was good and stiff. I may still look into Bilsteiin or Koni shocks. Something better than the stock ones.

BTW, my care is Alpine White too. I really love it withe the Dark Brown interior.

 

[jaf211]

I'd be somewhat concerned about lowering the tire pressure on 18" wheels. The chance of damaging the rim increases with lowered tire pressure. If you really and truly want a more complacent ride, swap the 18" for 17" wheels. Otherwise, that is the trade-off with sweet looking rims - a harsher ride.

Congratulations on the new car.

 

[mscoins]

I may still look into Bilsteiin or Koni shocks. Something better than the stock ones.

You might wait to see if you get used to the stock ride before spending $$$ on new shocks.

BTW, my care is Alpine White too. I really love it withe the Dark Brown interior.

Mine has gray leather interior which for me goes well with Alpine White. Post some photos when you get the chance. And congratulations on your purchase.

 

[Xyrium]

Heh, send your shocks, struts, and springs to me and when my 330xi arrives, I'll send you mine.

 

[membim]

Hello,

I need advice. My new 330Ci with 18" Wheels, Dunlop Tires(225x35 and 225x40's), Sports Package and Premium package has a much harder ride than I expected. Can anyone give me some advice on how to make the ride more compliant without sacraficing much of the handling? It seems that 2 things are at play. The slightest road irregularity seems to upset the car and set it bouncinig. This is either due to the fact that the springs are too short since this is a stock lowered coupe or maybe the shocks are the problem. When I get up to 80 the vibrations are so strong that it isn't fun to run at that speed for long on California's very uneven pavement freeways.

The dealer told me I can run my tires at 5 psi less than recommended I don't see how that can help but maybe. Or maybe I just need a better shock, something adjustable maybe.

Thanks for any replys.

You should have bought a Buick.

 

[mikev]

The Tire profile is too low to provide a jolt free ride. swaping them for a set of 17x45 will help you no end. you'll also get slightly better acceleration, Fuel economy, Less "slapping", greater gip in corners and of course...cheaper tires

 

[AWD330XI]

I hate, hate, hate 18" wheels. I will never again buy a car with 18" wheels. They are too harsh, too expensive, too fragile, plus you need a special shop to remove and balance them. Never again...

 

[Railguy]

Yeah, I'll never again do 18" wheels. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! The thing does handle extremely well. But there is a price to pay.

If I swap out my wheels, is there a market for used wheels and tires? I'd like to find a way to not loose the cost of those wheels if possible.

And nobody seems to thing that better shocks/springs would help?

My dealer says to deflate the tires 5 PSI below normal.

 

[mikev]

Your dealers are telling you to deflate already too low tires. If you run at high speed you risk over heating the rubber and suffering a blowout

Guys you get the harsh ride because of the posing factor the 18" wheels give you. There is no reason to have such big wheel hubs. Look at formula 1. Tiny little hubs and a giant side wall of rubber help to give much more grip. The reason upgrading in tire size feals like you get a lot more grip. is that the wider wheels are only available in lower profiles more rubber more grip as they say. However you have very little lateral grip compared to a higher profile tire. That means the limit is more of a knife blade than and edge!

F1 needs high profile so that 'on the limit' racing is possible. they are literaly sliding out of control through each corner. On the road the same is true, But people aren't supposed to drive on the limit so more flamboyant wheels are produced.

In the end if you want ride comfort buy a buick if you want a sports car stop complaining.

 

[Xyrium]

Your dealers are telling you to deflate already too low tires. If you run at high speed you risk over heating the rubber and suffering a blowout

Guys you get the harsh ride because of the posing factor the 18" wheels give you. There is no reason to have such big wheel hubs. Look at formula 1. Tiny little hubs and a giant side wall of rubber help to give much more grip. The reason upgrading in tire size feals like you get a lot more grip. is that the wider wheels are only available in lower profiles more rubber more grip as they say. However you have very little lateral grip compared to a higher profile tire. That means the limit is more of a knife blade than and edge!

F1 needs high profile so that 'on the limit' racing is possible. they are literaly sliding out of control through each corner. On the road the same is true, But people aren't supposed to drive on the limit so more flamboyant wheels are produced.

In the end if you want ride comfort buy a buick if you want a sports car stop complaining.

I agree with mikev on the deflation of air. You are already running minimal rubber as it is, don't push it.

Regarding F1s: I dont think they weigh 3200 lbs. which obviously allows for a larger radiating surface to dissipate the heat.

 

[AWD330XI]

My salesperson warned me about not getting 18" wheels and I am glad I listened. It ruins the delicate balance of ride/handling that BMWs are famous for.

 

[johncarson46]

Looks or handling. Higher profile tires with 18 will help a little. 17's if you really want the problem to go away. Lowering the tire pressure runs the risk of a bent wheel or tire blowout

 

[membim]

My 18's work great. I had 17's on my first E46. They don't ride any noticably worse than the 17's and they handle better.

 

[Railguy]

Sounds like the only answer is shut up and live with it or spend $2,000+ for new wheels and tires. Hmmmm....? Which way to go?

 

[Bryan330i]

I love the ride of my car. It is hard and rough but that is what make it fun. If I wanted something smoother I think I would have purchased the Acura TL instead.

But for a BMW, I personally would only go with the stiff suspension.