[gqbriel]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

a) The suspension does not feel any different in Sport Mode vs Personal. Only thing I can immediately feel is throttle response, steering effort, and holding gears longer.

.

Oh it does the rebound is different for sure,i have been testing it on tje same road - personal/sport and car does changes in the way it interacts on bumps.

But again - subjective feeling - for me it changes but can not say they are electronically adjusted or not.

Thats a personal opinion

[Tsapetro]

Hello guys! I have in possession an U11 X1 23i european model with m pack and m suspension. I’m pretty sure i can feel the difference how the car interacts with bumps on personal and sport mode!

[JFDIT]

As BMW states, they are adaptive. They respond to your driving style but are not electronic.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by gqbriel

Oh it does the rebound is different for sure,i have been testing it on tje same road - personal/sport and car does changes in the way it interacts on bumps.

But again - subjective feeling - for me it changes but can not say they are electronically adjusted or not.

Thats a personal opinion

I can't say for sure if yours are electronic with 100% certainty because there is a lot of variation on spec between markets, however I am 99.9% positive that the US does not get electronically adjustable dampers in the X1. With the M Sport package being a little over $2,000 and including upgraded seats, bumpers, trim, etc., it doesn't make sense that they would include electronic dampers at that price point. With my previous 4 series, the difference in suspension tuning between comfort and sport was night and day. With the X1, I originally thought there was a difference, but as time went on I realized there was no difference in dampening between any of the modes.

[KingSize.Hamster]

I would highly doubt BMW has different definitions/parts of adaptive across markets. I mean, they are so lazy/budget that they couldn't even be bothered to give right hand drive cars a different center console lid that opens properly on the "correct" side. They just recycled the LHD version ones. (clearly just venting here). So I expect these cars to just share the same parts across US and RoW. At the same time I am not keeping my hopes up that these dampers are truly adaptive with all the sensors to do fancy stuff.

In any case, I suppose the only way to really put this to rest is if someone has photos of the actual dampers, parts diagram, and/or service manual for these cars ... time will tell ...

[JFDIT]

Taken from the UK Online Configurator. It explains Exactly what the suspension is.

"M Adaptive Suspension
£0
M Adaptive Suspension has a stiffer spring/damper set-up with the vehicle lowered by 15mm. It features frequency-selective damping elements: mechanical, self-regulating system with regulation depending on road condition and driving style. The M Sport steering gives a more direct steering feedback with lower steering effort.

Available as standard on X1 M Sport models plus the iX1 xDrive30 xLine model."

And here's an article explaining How Frequency Selective Dampers work.
https://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmerica/Car-SUV/FSD/

[KingSize.Hamster]

Originally Posted by JFDIT

Taken from the UK Online Configurator. It explains Exactly what the suspension is.

"M Adaptive Suspension
£0
M Adaptive Suspension has a stiffer spring/damper set-up with the vehicle lowered by 15mm. It features frequency-selective damping elements: mechanical, self-regulating system with regulation depending on road condition and driving style. The M Sport steering gives a more direct steering feedback with lower steering effort.

Available as standard on X1 M Sport models plus the iX1 xDrive30 xLine model."

And here's an article explaining How Frequency Selective Dampers work.
https://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmerica/Car-SUV/FSD/

Ya. This should be it — some kinda mechanical ones like Koni’s FSD or Ohlins’ DFV. Wonder who makes the dampers for these BMWs

[SpaceSilverX1]

while it's probably silly for me to compare apples to oranges.... a family member still has a 20-year-old 325i in mint condition.(i.e. spent way more money than the car is worse to maintain it )

That old 325i handles way better than my new X1 in the numerous curves and hills in my part of the town.

For example, there's a sharp curve 1/4 miles from my home. In my X1, it can only take the curve at around 35mph. Any faster than that, I can hear the tires screeching and starting to lose contact. If I drive through the same curve in the 20-year-old 325i, even 50mph is very doable without losing any grip, not to mention fun.

(yes, I do realize that one is a proper BMW sedan and one is a small SUV)

[sclord]

..so I have read a million articles about this and still haven't received a definitive answer. Does the M suspension provide a smoother experience in downtown drives with a lot of potholes or is it stiffer than the normal suspension?

[SpaceSilverX1]

Originally Posted by sclord

..so I have read a million articles about this and still haven't received a definitive answer. Does the M suspension provide a smoother experience in downtown drives with a lot of potholes or is it stiffer than the normal suspension?

I recently drove my X1 to NYC/Newark area...which probably has the highest concentration of potholes on the East Coast. My X1's M suspension handled those potholes just fine.... meaning not too harsh. Although I do have the 18" M wheels with 225/55/18 tires, so they probably absorb more of the shock?

[tareknet89]

Originally Posted by sclord

..so I have read a million articles about this and still haven't received a definitive answer. Does the M suspension provide a smoother experience in downtown drives with a lot of potholes or is it stiffer than the normal suspension?

From reading many posts in the forum, it seems like the standard suspension is smoother over bumps and potholes, though the M Sport with smaller wheels is also good or at least better than the 20". This is my own conclusion, it may not be 100% accurate so please conduct your own research before taking the final decision.

[MontyB1]

M-Sport is fine for us but it's definitely stiffer than the standard suspension was in the X-line spec we get int he UK. If you want a smoother and less sporty ride then going for the standard not M-sport is the way to go.

[palimad]

Originally Posted by sclord

..so I have read a million articles about this and still haven't received a definitive answer. Does the M suspension provide a smoother experience in downtown drives with a lot of potholes or is it stiffer than the normal suspension?

It is stiffer than the normal suspension, better word to describe it is active, not adaptive. Btw if something has M in the name in BMW world it usually means stiffer and sportier.

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by palimad

It is stiffer than the normal suspension, better word to describe it is active, not adaptive. Btw if something has M in the name in BMW world it usually means stiffer and sportier.

don't forget that if BMW puts "M" on anything, it also means "Money"! it will cost you extra money.