Ride very uncomfortable on uneven roads/ hard suspensio

[Sapiens-demens]

Hi everyone, I am a first time BMW owner, I used to drive a toyota corolla and my girlfriend´s Honda accord. I´ve had my BMW for about 2 months and the first thing I noticed and that was a bit hard to get used to was the hard/stiff gas pedal (I guess it is so with all BMW, right?). But the other thing that is worrying me is the suspension. The roads here im Maputo are horrible and the impact is much higher in my BMW than it was in my corolla or in the Honda, making the ride very uncomfortable. I do not know if this is also common to all BMW (hard suspension), how about you guys, how is the discomfort when you are driving on uneven roads compared to other cars?
Does anyone know anything about FSD (frequence selective dampen) shocks??

 

[moranor@axis]

FSD are great

have a look at my writeup:

Koni FSD

what you have to remember is your car was not made for horrible roads it is designed for performance and feel on reasonable roads while providing a good level of comfort... FSD will go a long way to helping the problem but im not sure you can eliminate it without ruining the handling and the feel of the car...

things like the 'hard/stiff gas pedal' are designed that way to give you the feel needed to able to drive the fast and get the most out of it...

 

[abmi0000]

Was the toyota running the same size tyres?

This will also make a difference

 

[Sapiens-demens]

Was the toyota running the same size tyres?

This will also make a difference

The toyota was running on 13", but the honda was running also on 17".

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where can I buy FSD? how much do they cost?

 

[Twinz]

Bmw suspensions until the 2011 models are very stiff/hard.

But the new F and X models are simply brilliant comfort suspensions. :thumbs:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Corolla's are made purely with comfort and practicality in mind, so as such they generally have very soft suspensions. Drive that at speed as in on the Autobahn for instance, and I reckon it would be terrifying compared to your E46! I also used to have a Corolla, a '99 model and used to love driving along a few tight twisty and bumpy roads where I used to live - car seemed to float over the bumps as if nothing was happening. Take my 330i along the same stretch and it is just not possible to drive at the same pace without probably breaking something and needing a dentist visit afterwards!

Yep, coming from a Toyota to a BMW, things like throttle/clutch pedals and steering wheel is not quite as light on the BMW, but you get used to it and begin to appreciate the better feedback and feel... :thumbs:

 

[XMAX]

It is important to ask what model of BMW is it. The sportspack and Individual models were fitted with sport suspension which is harder than that of the exclusive models. This will affect the ride quality but make a big difference in handling ability.

If it is an e90, coupled with Runflat Tyres, the problem will be compounded.

I have found that the ride quality on the Exclusive models are quite good.

Throttle response will be alot more crisp than a corolla. it may be harder, but the response gained from the pedal is better than that of a corolla.

 

[Sapiens-demens]

In overall, I appreciate much more driving my BMW than any other, that is the only thing that bothers me. When it comes to feeling the car, the road and that amazing movement when you step on the gas pedal and the car pulls you back is amazing...
By the way, where can I find FSD near maputo (nelsprt, mpumalanga, malelane...) and how much do they cost??

Thanks for your contributions everyone, I appreciate them very much.

 

[XMAX]

Dude, What car is it (Series, Model, Package)...

 

[moranor@axis]

Koni FSD E46 sedan: R 8640 all 4

I will ship to you :rollsmile:

 

[Sapiens-demens]

Dude, What car is it (Series, Model, Package)...

It is a 1999 318i e46,standard (no sport)

 

[Nic_s]

Do you know what Shock Absorbers have been fitted? Could have some after market stuff?? Don't know enough to go into detail though. :dunno:

 

[Sapiens-demens]

I imported the car from Japan, and I think it has everythibg stock...

 

[SPIDER]

Well ive had a honda and a couple of toyotas but my BMW still drives the best by far. Throttle problem also but suspension is great and ive driven some crappy roads and she is just smooth.

 

[moranor@axis]

Sapiens-demens maybe they put some bad shocks on your car?

FSD will still deliver a smoother ride over stock... but it could be bad shocks causing your problem...

 

[SPIDER]

Sapiens-demens maybe they put some bad shocks on your car?

FSD will still deliver s smoother ride over stock... but it could be bad shocks causing your problem...

I was wanting to say yay check your shocks

 

[Sapiens-demens]

Ok, I´m going to the dealer in 2 weeks, I´ll have them check the shocks. Thanks guys