Pre-production drives of the new G20-generation BMW 3 Series have just been released, giving us just a quick taste of what’s to come. Admittedly, these drives were of pre-pro 3 Series’ that don’t exactly represent the final product, though the final product will actually incorporate changes derived from what BMW learned from letting journos drive the prototype cars. However, there was one piece of tech from the new 3 Series that we found especially interesting, as did many of you readers, so we thought we’d break it down for you.
Since these drives came out, there have been a lot of questions about BMW’s lift-related dampers. Now, we weren’t at the press event and the BMW press release was a bit vague on how they work, so we’ve had to learn about these new dampers from other journos that were actually there to witness the tech briefing, on top of our own research. And from what we’ve learned, the new 3 Series should be dynamite.
For the new G20 3 Series, BMW wanted to get back to basics, in the way it drives. So rather than rely on adaptive dampers, speed-variable steering and multiple drive modes, BMW wanted the 3 Series to drive like a proper sport sedan without any of that. So it developed a new suspension setup that would be the 3er’s as-standard, passive suspension. Also, BMW claims that few customers actually paid for the adaptive dampers.
These new lift-related dampers feature both main and auxiliary springs and new internal hydraulic bump stops, which are capable of progressively increasing pressure inside the shock over bumps, while also progressively adjusting rebound. This new tech for the front and rear shocks also do slightly different things in the new 3 Series, with the fronts work on rebound while the rears work on compression. This is a BMW-first technology.
Essentially, this new suspension setup stages compression on both compression and rebound, allowing for a finer-tuned, more controlled ride, which will allow it to both absorb bumps better as well as handle better. And it seems to have worked well.
BMW applied this technology to two passive suspension setups, both regular and M Sport. Neither of which are adaptive, which is the way the car Gods intended. The setup that journalists sampled on the Nurburgring recently was the M Sport one. While it gets similar technology, the M Sport suspension, it’s 10mm lower and features a stiffer setup that doesn’t sacrifice comfort much.
“The suspension hardware means we’ve been able to increase the effective spring rate of the M Sport suspension quite a lot, so there’s now twice as big a gap in terms of handling response and body control between cars with standard suspension and M Sport suspension than before,” according to BMW 3 Series dynamics lead Jon Van As.
“But we’ve also been able to take initial, low-level damping interference away in the stiffer-sprung version, because we’ve got more progressive control available later in the suspension stroke. That actually makes the car’s ride flatter and more supple, because the suspension’s freer to work and to move to begin with; the body doesn’t jostle or fidget as much. Other manufacturers use ‘selective’ dampers in an attempt to achieve something similar, but those can ‘freeze’ when the suspension inputs pass a certain pretty arbitrary frequency — and when they really needn’t.”
While most engineers will rave about the car they’ve just developed to journalists about to test it, it seems as if neither BMW or Van As are being hyperbolic. According to Car and Driver, “Over the Nürburgring’s most abrupt attitude changes, they feel almost as miraculous as magnetorheological dampers in their ability to quell body motion.” That’s high praise indeed, as anyone who’s used magnetorheological dampers knows they feel almost magical.
Motor Trend also had darling things to say about the new 3 Series’ suspension setup. “Application driving dynamics boss Jos van As notes that the test cars are the “worst case for ride”—sport suspension and lowest-profile run-flat tires. Yet body motion control is impeccable, and the vehicle absorbs the sharpest impacts with trademark vintage-BMW suppleness. I can only imagine how cosseting the base car on taller sidewalls will feel.”
So BMW developed the new 3 Series suspension to be a sort of Goldilocks setup. It’s not too stiff, not too soft, nor does it have any settings to make it stiffer or softer, it’s just one suspensions setup that’s just right. Sure, adaptive dampers are available but, at least from the sounds of it, avoid them and get the passive dampers. If you want extra comfort, go for the regular suspension but if you want a lower, sportier ride, go for the M Sport suspension. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.
Fantastic news. This is so key for the 3 Series to be the absolute King of the segment, once again. As it should be. This will be one of the best 3 Series of all time. Actually, this seems a trend. All BMW’s on the CLAR Platform, like the new X3, X4, 5 Series, X5 and so on are all fantastic vehicles that drive fantastic. Seems like they’re nailing it every single time!
Yes you’re right. But that’s not the main key for good sales. They need to make good interiors too.
Don’t you like what you see looking inside a X5 or 8series or new Z4? I’m sure the upcoming 3series will have a gorgeous interior.
Nope. Not so much. The most exciting interior in terms of design is the 6er. And this model is old! Too boring design, lack of aluminum buttons…I love BMW with all my heart but their interiors are main disadvantage comparing to rivals…
Which rival do you mean? Who’s got that high quality good feeling interior you are missing?
Merc and Volvo have it. Maybe BMW is better in quality when you touch deeper and more accurately. But overall design and main buttons…all that you see and touch every day. No doubt BMW’s ergonomics is perfect but it’s not enough.
New videogame vs. old Ikea. Have you been on a BMW configurator? Individual? I have seen stunning BMW interiors. They’re not all black on black analog.
Merc and Volvo don’t need individual programm to make their interiors more premium and luxurious.
I’m driving a MB E-Class at this time and I really miss my 4-series BMW. Nothing is driver oriented, using the media system is not intuitive and everything looks boring after a few weeks in the MB. Large displays are not the key at all. And the materials are not that high quality that they should be for a 70k€ car. Yes, this is all crying on a high level. And of course it’s all an individual experience. But me in person is very very happy that the old and new BMW interior don’t look like Mercedes.
Have you ever seen a MB basic interior? This looks sooo damn cheap and the materials are lowest level, even in an expensive e-class. The large displays and nice materials are all on extra cost.
Nor BMW. Individual is optional. Who manufactures Rolls-Royce? Speaking of premium, luxurious.
Where, who, what and how? Reality is painful but nonsense is pitiful.
It looks like what Renault and PSA use for their models (maybe it the same supplier but with different settings).
https://youtu.be/1AqrchQU8uk
Most probably. I always struggle with “Innovation” wording coming from car makes … usually, besides the engine and the body, nothing comes from them …
I tried to find the name of this supplier but could not find it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLIzz4QXHKA
From ZF then, thanks !
I found out yesterday that the one for PSA is KYB, from Japan.