[sredwine]

I'm considering the purchase of an M-Sport 2015 535i and want to know what makes the suspension M-Sport. Are some adaptive and some not? How can I tell which it has if this is so? I've tried VIN decoders and they give some info, but not this detail.

[Unspec]

M sport suspension lowers the suspension a tad, but no real dampening changes. Adaptive shocks and M sport suspension are mutually exclusive. Option S223A is adaptive, S704A is M sport. mdecoder is the go to site for vin decoding.

[sredwine]

Thanks! Yep, mdecoder looks like the best of the bunch.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Unspec

M sport suspension lowers the suspension a tad, but no real dampening changes. Adaptive shocks and M sport suspension are mutually exclusive. Option S223A is adaptive, S704A is M sport. mdecoder is the go to site for vin decoding.

Something must be different. Our base 535 rides much different than our m-sport 535.

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Something must be different. Our base 535 rides much different than our m-sport 535.

Really? When I drove a friend's M sport suspension equipped car, it didn't feel any different. Maybe you're right, he did have 130k on those dampers.

[Surly73]

On the F10 "M-Sport" means absolutely nothing except appearance items (steering wheel, wheels, //M badges, different shifter, etc....) with the EXCEPTION of RWD cars with "option 704". They are 10mm lower and a little stiffer.

Owners and sellers like to say they have an "M Sport" but you need to look closer to see if it actually makes any difference.

DHP, ARS may or may not be equipped to an "M Sport" car, and "M Sport" is not required to have either.

Option 840 "High Speed Synchronization" can also mean that you get a real oil cooler, higher top speed etc... but calling it "M Sport" doesn't mean you get this.

Pull an option sheet based on the VIN.

[sredwine]

This car does have the S704 "M Sports Suspension" package and the S840 High Speed Synchronization option. I can see nothing else about the suspension. What are the other suspension option codes?

[Blue Angel]

Thanks Surly. I went through this after buying my '16 M-Sport. Changing modes didn't seem to do anything to the suspension, and I just assumed it had adjustable dampers buying the car. How foolish, lol!

I'm not the only one… check out this guy, who installs lowering springs on his F10 550 and has completely convinced himself he has adjustable dampers (mentions the difference in modes at the end), though it's clear during the installation he has the regular dampers. The placebo effect is real!

[Blue Angel]

Originally Posted by sredwine

This car does have the S704 "M Sports Suspension" package and the S840 High Speed Synchronization option. I can see nothing else about the suspension. What are the other suspension option codes?

Is it XDrive or RWD?

[sredwine]

It's RWD.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by sredwine

This car does have the S704 "M Sports Suspension" package and the S840 High Speed Synchronization option. I can see nothing else about the suspension. What are the other suspension option codes?

If it's also got stick you're looking at a unicorn

704 by definition means you don't have DHP, pretty sure no ARS as well. 704 suspension is generally "purist", with no electronic and adaptive mumbo jumbo.

[sredwine]

No stick-I kinda wish it had one (I just had my 2007 328i with 6S manual totaled out from under me)! The auto is a nice one, though.

[Unspec]

704 isn't available for AWD folks, EDC isn't either. Kinda sucks.

Edit:
Correction. See below.

[cdmulders]

Originally Posted by Unspec

704 isn't available for AWD folks, EDC isn't either. Kinda sucks.

Assuming EDC is electronic damper control, then I must respectfully disagree with you. My F10 xDrive has EDC (DDC is what they call it) and active roll stabilization (ARS is what they call it). The two were bundled as the Dynamic Handling Package (DHP) and was a $3500 option that I factory ordered. Both are computer controlled and definitely change the suspension characteristics in sport and sport+ modes. Same for Comfort, but in the other direction.

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by cdmulders

Assuming EDC is electronic damper control, then I must respectfully disagree with you. My F10 xDrive has EDC (DDC is what they call it) and active roll stabilization (ARS is what they call it). The two were bundled as the Dynamic Handling Package (DHP) and was a $3500 option that I factory ordered. Both are computer controlled and definitely change the suspension characteristics in sport and sport+ modes. Same for Comfort, but in the other direction.

Whoops, you're right. Was looking at 528i option list, didn't realize. On the LCI cars, DHP is only offered on 535 and up trims.

[sredwine]

cdmulders, do you know the option code for DHP? I'm assuming it was available on RWD 704 suspension cars, though that may not be correct.

[cdmulders]

Originally Posted by sredwine

cdmulders, do you know the option code for DHP? I'm assuming it was available on RWD 704 suspension cars, though that may not be correct.

As far as I know, 704 and DHP are mutually exclusive. You can have one or the other, but not both. The DHP for the 2013 xDrive was listed as 2VA - Adaptive Drive. You gotta love how the names change from year to year, but the functionality remains the same. Adaptive Drive = DHP = DDC + ARS (for 2013).

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by cdmulders

As far as I know, 704 and DHP are mutually exclusive. You can have one or the other, but not both. The DHP for the 2013 xDrive was listed as 2VA - Adaptive Drive. You gotta love how the names change from year to year, but the functionality remains the same. Adaptive Drive = DHP = DDC + ARS (for 2013).

You are correct. DHP and 704 are mutually exclusive. S223A is adaptive dampers, S2VAA is adaptive dampers + active roll stabilization.