S Line Suspension or Standard Sport Suspension on Avant Black Edition - Confusion?

[Medrep]

Hi...again!

Im literally just about to order my vehicle, and noticed that the S Line suspension is optional?

I didnt know this and dont know what was on my test drive/s?

Is it worth it for any particular reason, i.e. handling/appearance etc etc?

I am an enthusiastic driver, but the ride of my old M Sport's with 17" and 18" was a bit uncomfortable, especially with the family in the car? Is the S Line set up as hard as an M Sport, better or worse? What about the Sport Suspension in terms of performance/ride?

Im not too bothered if its firm, I like that, but I will be putting in some daily long motorway miles and live in a rural area? The BMW M Sport was excellent on the motorway, very surefooted!

Any thoughts from the experts?

Thanks for any feedback!!

Dave

Sigh...there's always something

 

[johnnythepie]

Must have the 30mm drop sline suspension.The 20mm sport is like driving a 2cv.Unfortunately when i ordered mine, i could only have 19" wheels with the 20mm drop.Big mistake.Even some stiff arb's dont make up the differance.Dont expect it to handle like an m sport.Its chalk and cheese.As ive stated previously, you buy the audi for the complete package, not its driving prowess!!

 

[Medrep]

Wow, I wasnt expecting such a sure nod to the S Line set up. Ive been browsing threads and some people hate it? Thanks for the honest response.

I actually quite liked the handling from the test drives, it felt more planted, wider, flatter...if that makes sense?

 

[eno394]

I had the B7 Sline which was harsh and expected the same again but the B8 with the 30mm drop is superb. The dealer was strongly against it when I'd ordered. Covered 19k since Sept and can't complain at all.

 

[skodaudi]

I was going to ask exactly the same question as I too was thinking about going for the 30mm drop.

Looking to order one around September time.... unless the new A3 comes along sooner and it sways me.

 

[Scotty]

Adaptive

 

[johnnythepie]

I had the B7 Sline which was harsh and expected the same again but the B8 with the 30mm drop is superb. The dealer was strongly against it when I'd ordered. Covered 19k since Sept and can't complain at all.

+1.The B7 sline was a boneshaker, but the B8 sline 30mm drop is firm but accomodating.Its a better set up.Damn wish i had settled for the 18" with 30mm instead of the 19" with 20mm.Didnt know just how much a diff 10mm makes!!

 

[johnnythepie]

Adaptive

£££

 

[94jdh]

when I ordered the Black edition in November last year, I opted for the S line suspension & supposedly will get the extra 10mm drop with the 19" wheels. I questioned it at the time but was assured at the time of ordering this was available, will have to seen when it arrives in March

 

[Medrep]

Great. Ive been reading lots of stories on this, from reports of a 'firm ride' to 'skittish and fidgety'. I can handle firm, but a nervous chassis and fidgety handling I cannot!

I out took my mums 57' A3 170 TDI Sportback S Line last night, on 18"s, and it felt too light and skittish for my liking.

I would hope the A4 would feel heavier, more planted and definitely not skittish and bouncy??

I am going to ask my manager if I can pay the extra for Adaptive and Driver Select, I doubt it but can only ask? Hopefully this is an option with S Line suspension and 19"s ?

 

[Medrep]

Just checked with dealer and S Line suspension is not available with Damper Control and Driver Select. Poop.

 

[Scotty]

That's right. Adaptive comes with a 20mm drop. It goes firmer than S-Line suspension and also softer than standard or SE suspension. It does give the best performance/best ride etc but at a cost and without the possibility of the 30mm drop.

 

[Medrep]

Ive revised my order now to include the S line shocks!!

I have a 24 hour test drive booked in on the 21st with S Line suspension, but as thats quite a while away im going to try some local dealers tomorrow?

Would I be right in thinking there is little difference in ride characteristics between the saloon and the avant, just in case the only demos are saloon only?

 

[johnnythepie]

correct decision.not much if any diff between the two

 

[eno394]

I found the steering not to be as light as the B7 when cornering or turning at any given speeds. It feels like the B8 is much heavier at slower speeds and opens up as your foot does. Not a bad thing as the B7 didn't allow for any errors. As stated above the 7 was a true boneshaker, my wife hated it and comments how much smoother this one is even with the 30mm drop.

 

[Medrep]

Just got back after an hour test drive in an A4 143 TDI S Line with S Suspension, 18" wheels.

After almost 7 continuous years of BMW ownership in 4 vehicles, the S Line is considerably better. I took the car around where I live, rural country roads, speedbumps, huge potholes, off camber roads and uneven surfaces, and was pleasantly surprised.

To describe the difference, the BMW would send a shock through the cabin, steering wheel, and occasionally emit a bang, adamant that I had just bent a wheel!?

The Audi was more compliant, and only the sensation of a muted, dull thud was felt in the shocks, no more. The ride was even better than my wifes Zetec Focus on 17"s.

I thought the chassis was superb, admittedly not as point and shoot as the beemer, but conversely I felt safer pushing along at speed knowing the **** end wasnt going to sway out and slide without warning!

I would guess a lot of this was due to having normal tyres on the A4, as opposed to the RFT's on the beemer? Didnt notice any issues with the offset pedals, if I hadnt had read that in the reviews I wouldnt even have noticed it.

Im never going to trust a car review again. The S Line set up and A4 is a very good car IMO. The B&O system is overrated though, wasnt that impressed tbh, and the seats despite being fine, werent the 'most' comfortable ive sat in in the past. The S Line steering wheel also isnt particularly brilliant, the BMW M Sport wheel is beautiful to hold.

But if thats all the criticism I can come up with then im just being plain picky.

Im very happy now, so order will be confirmed Monday.

Thanks for all the help and advice.

David

 

[Scotty]

I thought the chassis was superb, admittedly not as point and shoot as the beemer, but conversely I felt safer pushing along at speed knowing the **** end wasnt going to sway out and slide without warning!

That's why I always believed my B6 S4 was faster than the M3 (at the time). Although in theory the M3 would have it, only someone with great skills could unleash it. That could be why I never had anyone in an M3 play with me in the 5 years I had it ...despite provocation ...... oh and I was running more than stock power just in case

You've done you're homework and choosen what suits you. Good effort......now nail them to the floor and get the best price you can

 

[johnnythepie]

last thursday in the month is the best time to barter

 

[Medrep]

I have no choice to barter unfortunately, the car list is very good, and the extras are already discounted, all 'bartering' was done at the contracts stage between fleet, dealer and company.

Can you believe I can have a 330D tourer or a 520D with full satnav and extras, Merc C250 Sport etc and still have around £50 per month extras to spend on it, whereas the Avant 2.0 TFSI, leaves me with £1.70 left per month to spend!? Im getting a tyre pressure sensure, woohoo lol!

I believe they take into account running costs, resale value etc etc?

Still, the Black Edition is kitted with more extras ive ever usually had before anyway so im very grateful to be able to have this car.

The A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI has just appeared, but sometimes when I see the car im not sure, other times it looks stunning?

The Avant fills me with more reassurance and practicality.

 

[Medrep]

That's why I always believed my B6 S4 was faster than the M3 (at the time). Although in theory the M3 would have it, only someone with great skills could unleash it. That could be why I never had anyone in an M3 play with me in the 5 years I had it ...despite provocation ...... oh and I was running more than stock power just in case

You've done you're homework and choosen what suits you. Good effort......now nail them to the floor and get the best price you can

I was never brave enough to push the BMW in anything less that dry conditions, even in a 320D. My dad used to regularly lose the back end of his 535M and wasnt even doing anything, he's 60 for gods sake! He was going through a pair of 19" tyres every 6000 miles?

A family friend is a police traffic instructor, and apparently they all complain about the 330D and 530D being skittish and twitchy. Again probably RFT's and all that torque?

And weirdly, I saw for the first time today an Audi traffic car, and it was an A4!! It was a sign lol!!!

 

[eno394]

The B&O really comes into its own on certain tracks. If using the AMI, ensure your ipod is playing 256kbps to get the best CD clarity. Itunes will shrink them to as low as 64 to fit more tracks on the ipod. The best part of the Sline is defo the Xenon's when night driving.

 

[Big Bird]

A family friend is a police traffic instructor, and apparently they all complain about the 330D and 530D being skittish and twitchy. Again probably RFT's and all that torque?

Rubbish!! I've been an advancved instructor for 11 years and yes, the BMW's are far from perfect, but they're certainly not skittish and twitchy. Well, not if the student is instructed correctly and drives properly....!!!!

 

[Big Bird]

And weirdly, I saw for the first time today an Audi traffic car, and it was an A4!! It was a sign lol!!!

Audi have been providing traffic cars for years, i used a 3.2 V6Q A3 from 2006 and also have access to 3.0 TDI Q A6's as well as A4's. Depends on where you live i suppose, but there are plenty Audi traffic cars going around.

 

[Medrep]

Rubbish!! I've been an advancved instructor for 11 years and yes, the BMW's are far from perfect, but they're certainly not skittish and twitchy. Well, not if the student is instructed correctly and drives properly....!!!!

A slightly abrasive opening there, and your basically suggesting my friend is either lying or wrong, but you are obviously better qaulified to comment on this than myself as you are a professional driver.

My friend generally finds they are not the easiest to control in pursuit situations, twitchy was the word he described to me the other week. I also found this a long time ago when researching a Volvo V70, cant believe I found it again so easily?

Police Forum: Best car?

 

[Medrep]

To quote a few first hand comments from traffic officers?

Welcome to the Forum and welcome to to idiosyncracies of the BMW 330D. We have these in saloon form for over a year now and they have always been a bit skittish when cornering due to the run-flats. We have binned the originals and replaced with Goodyears, but it hasn't made any real difference. In greasy conditions, these cars are wild. As for the weight, yes we had the same problem. We are limited to carrying one passenger on top of the crew. I have moved stations now where they have the 530D and Volvo T6s. The 530D handles even worse than the 330 but at least there is plenty of load weight free for us doughnut munchers !!

Hi everybody. I'm new to the forum so I thought i'd give myself an easy introduction by posting a reply on this topic. We've just started using the BMW 330D Tourer up north. It looks the business, but, with all the kit and radio packs that we have to carry, it is bang on the weight limit when crewed by two 15stone officers. That makes it skittish on winding roads, and watch for the run flats. I had a near death experience when the rears on my patrol car exploded going around a roundabout. Had only done 3000 miles from new. The tyres failed completely and the matter is being looked into by manufacturers. We have changed brand and only run them for 4000 miles before replacing. Give me the Vauxhall Vectra VXR any day of the week.

[QUOTE
BMW offer two Police specs for its 5 series, apparently based on the wishes of the MET, which I presume is because they are the biggest buyer. There is a city spec and a county spec. Our force ordered the city spec and I can tell you, being a county officer, they are not very good on open country roads. Fine in a straight line, but rubbish on the curly bits.
][/QUOTE]

 

[funkycat]

I ordered my Black Edition in Nov '10 and added 30mm S-Line suspension, no noise from dealer about it not being compatible with the Titanium 19" alloys which come with the Black Edition. Was hoping to find how it performed in March, but it would seem that Black Editions are delayed until July, well at least mine is.....................