2012 M37S suspension

[rwthill]

After owning and enjoying a 2010 M35, I traded up to a 2012 M37S after a very short test drive. Now that I've lived with it for a while, I can honestly say that it has the worst suspension of any car I've driven in the last 25 years. It is so harsh that passengers ask if there something damaged, especially at low speeds. I'm tempted to ditch it and buy the 2012 BMW 535, but wondering if there is anything I can do to fix this.

[Ilya]

Welcome to the site.

Sounds like might have an issue. I have a 2011 M56x, after coming from a 2007 M35x, and my car rides smoother than my 2007 which was lowered, the same as it was when it was stock. You sure your shocks/struts, links, etc. are all good?

Oh, and you posted in the wrong section. There is a 2011+ M forum specific to this generation of M. I'll move this thread there and leave a shadow topic for now so you can find it.

Thanks!

[Debonair]

Adjustable coilover's with the ride adjusted to be softer. Even if you keep the car at the stock ride right it should ride softer.

[beachbum718]

Its a sport.comes with firmer springs and struts.and bigger rims with low profile tires....which I love.some people don't like it.before I got my m.I test drive. Gs350.535i.and Benz e350.they all drove like family cars.which I didn't want.maybe that's what you want.I personally wanted a M3 converitable. But had a baby on the way.and the m37s was the most sportiest to drive out if all 4 doors.that being said.gtr skyline in 2 years for me.good luck! You can always trade it in for an x model or the gs350 Lexus. Which was a better drive the BMW as nd Benz I listed

[SmoovC]

You didn't mention how many miles were on the car, so that may play a factor. Have the struts (Sport specific) ever been replaced? How are the tires?

I can say that I came from a 2006 M45 that was lowered on the stock 18" wheels, and am now in a 2012 M56S. Yes, the ride is a tad firmer, but nothing that I didn't expect after a thorough test drive before purchasing. Tire pressure makes a huge difference; I would check that before you start throwing money at a perceived problem.

[AlphaSnacks]

Wow, I have an M56S and I drove it through some s*** roads (NYC, parts of Miami) and it was incredibly smooth.

Something's wrong with your car.

[InfinitiAce]

Yeah, Car and Driver agrees with you:

It’s this last element—the firmer suspension—that we regret. The steering didn’t make everyone happy—quick (2.5 turns lock to lock) to the point of dartiness, not much tactile info—and we expected slightly better grip (0.87 in the final test). But the combination of stiff suspension and low-profile tires added up to ride quality that made just about everyone unhappy. The word “harsh” appeared regularly in the logbook.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... est-review

[Ilya]

I'm not sure what Car and Driver is smoking. This car is no worse than any sedan in this class aside from maybe a Lexus GS/ES. Lexus is known to be a sofa on wheels. I've had this car for 20kmi now or so and I have ZERO complaints about the suspension except that perhaps on 'dips' its too 'bouncy'...which will be correct with a nice coilover set .

[Mjkkb2]

If your car still has the original summer performance tire then it is a big part of it. I got mine with the original potenzas and damn, I thought something was wrong with the suspension, brakes and who knows what else. on top of that they were bold to the point of not passing inspection. Once I got new rubber all around the ride improved greatly.