MCS - Ltd slip & sport suspension options

[danb]

I have SS, LSD and 17" Crown spokes (soon to go to either R105s or my Dare X4s).

Yesterday I fitted eibach springs to get rid of the 4x4 look - I could not believe how much better it is than my R53 with SS+ and Eibachs.

If anyone is thinking the SS is going to be like the old SS+, think again. The handling is better, but you do not feel every little pebble in the road. I would go as far as saying that my R56 with eibachs is softer than standard R53 SS+.

Go for SS, you won't be disappointed

[popey]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

As SS reduces body roll etc, then it must use stiffer damper springs.

Therefore if the car is going to be used for occasional track events, or long journeys on fast roads with good surfaces then SS would offer many advantages.

However for normal use and driving on poor surfaces then it would give a harder ride than the standard suspension.

The other factor is size of wheels and if you use the standard run-flat tyres. These tyres by their nature have very stiff side-walls and have less flexibility to absorb bumps due to poor road surfaces.

In view of the above, I am not convinced that SS offers any advantage to the standard suspension, unless the car is going to be used as per the 2nd paragraph above.

In the case of a soft-top MCS, then it would be advantageous because the car body has more flex due to the lack of a steel cabin roof. The SS would help to reduce the flexing.

I am no expert on these matters, but for what it's worth these are my observations.

Finally, I am still inclined not to order SS for the MCS I ordered yesterday.

As regards LSD...this is a must have !!!

I don't understand how the LSD is a must have as you need to be driving "sporty" to take advantage of it, so with that in mind you would think SS would be good for you to?

[caesar]

You don't necessarily have to be driving "sporty" in order to utilise LSD !

Having LSD has numerous advantages including: -
a) Better traction on slippery and loose surfaces
b) Improved traction when cornering
c) More even tyre wear

I could carry on, but for an extra £100 it is well worth the cost.

[caesar]

For those of you who are interested in LSD, then following link gives a detailed explanation: -

Limited slip differential - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Martin F]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

You don't necessarily have to be driving "sporty" in order to utilise LSD !

Having LSD has numerous advantages including: -
a) Better traction on slippery and loose surfaces
b) Improved traction when cornering
c) More even tyre wear

I could carry on, but for an extra £100 it is well worth the cost.

ASC+T gives both advantage a) and b). However, whereas ASC+T manages this by controlling the throttle, LSD is entirely mechanical and seeks to redistribute the available power rather than restricting it. So if speed is crucial, for example on a track, the LSD will be of benefit, but if the concern is simply to maintain traction then ASC+T will handle it.

At least that is how I understand it.

[popey]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

For those of you who are interested in LSD, then following link gives a detailed explanation: -

Limited slip differential - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Backs up what I said

[caesar]

I think we have general agreement in a slightly roundabout way !!!

All interesting stuff though.

My only concern is when I ordered my MCS on Monday 18th June, I rightly/wrongly opted for no SS. I rang the Dealer on the Wednesday and he said it was too late to add SS as my car was showing on their computer " being built ".

If I find the suspension is too soft, can the Dealer obtain the parts from BMW and up rate the suspension ?

[popey]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

I think we have general agreement in a slightly roundabout way !!!

All interesting stuff though.

My only concern is when I ordered my MCS on Monday 18th June, I rightly/wrongly opted for no SS. I rang the Dealer on the Wednesday and he said it was too late to add SS as my car was showing on their computer " being built ".

If I find the suspension is too soft, can the Dealer obtain the parts from BMW and up rate the suspension ?

I would just recomend geting some after market springs, you can lower it at the same time. Not sure about the anti roll bar that you get with the SS.

[caesar]

Many thanks for the reply Popey.

I will wait until I have the MCS and take it from there.

[TheBigNewt]

Quote: Originally Posted by danb (original)

IIRC, I have read that the difference is with the anti-roll bars not the springs or dampers.

The front and rear antisway bars are 1mm thicker with the sport suspension. I cannot find anywhere where they quote different spring rates or damper rebound settings for the sport suspension. So I got the standard suspension, LSD, and 17" wheels. Works for me.

[caesar]

TheBigNewt

How long have you had your MCS and what car did you have before ?