06-18-2017, 07:54 PM | #1 |
Major
649
Rep 1,476
Posts
Drives: 2022 G01 X3 M40i (Black/Black)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Little Rock, AR, USA
|
Considering Dinan Shockware, BUT I really like "Comfort" setting as-is
My local dealer (BMW of Little Rock) just became a Dinan dealer (again...they were in the past), and I'm considering adding the Shockware software update for my DHP equipped car now that it's $200. However, I understand it also modifies the existing Comfort mode, which I like as-is.
I looked and looked and looked for a DHP equipped car, for the presumed performance advantage in Sport mode but ALSO because I really wanted an option to dial out the harshness on long road trips, or even around town. My biggest complaint with BMW's DHP (and nearly every other similar system from various manufacturers) is that there is too little difference between modes. So in concept, modifying Sport to a more aggressive setup is perfect, but only if Comfort is left as-is. I've read other's reviews saying it's not harsh, but even Dinan says they change Comfort to about the same level as existing Sport, which is sort of mind-boggling. Why not modify just Sport (or even Sport and Sport+) and leave Comfort as just that? I wish Dinan offered this as an option.
__________________
2022 G01 X3 M40i (Black Sapphire/Black), HK, DAP, PAP, Shadow Line
2014 F30 335i (EB) 6MT, M Sport, Premium, Tech, DHP, HK, CW, M Brakes, M Exhaust 2006 E90 330i (Silver) 6MT, Sport |
06-18-2017, 08:05 PM | #2 |
Major
988
Rep 1,418
Posts |
I agree with you. I would consider Shockware if it left Comfort alone, which I'm fine with when traveling with passengers.
Didn't know they dropped the price on it... it's a lot more appealing to consider now. Worst case, I'm sure you could remove it although that's money gone too... |
Appreciate
1
AudiA4649.00 |
06-18-2017, 08:34 PM | #3 |
Brigadier General
1665
Rep 4,924
Posts |
My guess is it mounts inline with the current setup, so you everything gets stiffer (not just two of the three), so they can't selectively adjust each one.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2017, 08:37 PM | #4 |
Major
649
Rep 1,476
Posts
Drives: 2022 G01 X3 M40i (Black/Black)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Little Rock, AR, USA
|
Hmmm....could be.
__________________
2022 G01 X3 M40i (Black Sapphire/Black), HK, DAP, PAP, Shadow Line
2014 F30 335i (EB) 6MT, M Sport, Premium, Tech, DHP, HK, CW, M Brakes, M Exhaust 2006 E90 330i (Silver) 6MT, Sport |
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2017, 08:58 PM | #5 | |
Colonel
2089
Rep 2,651
Posts |
Quote:
I had a friend drive my car and he told me the car was much more comfortable than his without. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2017, 09:42 PM | #6 |
Major
988
Rep 1,418
Posts |
How can it be more comfortable if it's programmed to be more firm? Serious question! I'm only saying that because I think Comfort is more comfortable than Sport although I do like Sport over Comfort because it's more, well sportier...
|
Appreciate
1
AudiA4649.00 |
06-19-2017, 01:37 AM | #7 |
Sedan Driver
389
Rep 1,018
Posts |
Good luck on your decision. If you enjoy what you have now, it's better not to change it. If you drive Comfort on long rides and even around town, when would you use sports chassis mode? on the occasional on ramp?
If you track/autoX, you'll want shockware to dial down the bouncy shocks.
__________________
Slapping on M Performance parts, ZHP, badges, and stickers does not ///M car make
ZCP | ZHP | ZTR | ZE0 | MSport | ZMP | DHP | MStickerPack | THP | MPPSK | MPPK BMW MSP Lightweight Jacket | DTM Motorsport Team Cap| BMW M Drift Cat 5 | BMW M Thermo Mug |
Appreciate
1
AudiA4649.00 |
06-19-2017, 07:25 AM | #8 |
Major General
1840
Rep 6,993
Posts
Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton, NC
|
OP - have you contacted Dinan to determine whether it does or does not increase harshness in comfort mode? Making it "stiffer" doesn't necessarily translate to "harsher".
__________________
2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey |
Appreciate
0
|
06-19-2017, 08:06 AM | #9 |
Lieutenant
158
Rep 597
Posts |
Honestly after a few days with it you completely forget about the old comfort mode. Firmer but still very comfortable. Do it and don't look back!
-tgm |
06-19-2017, 10:14 AM | #10 |
Brigadier General
4041
Rep 3,548
Posts
Drives: 328d Wagon, M2 Comp, i4 eD35
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bay Area, CA
|
I disagree. There are plenty of times I miss the old comfort mode (particularly when I'm driving off pavement around the ranch, or on the freeway with a ton of expansion joints), however, I love the increased firmness in sport mode (what I usually drive in).
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-19-2017, 11:00 AM | #11 |
Brigadier General
11526
Rep 3,413
Posts |
I've got a MY '14 with DHP and got Dinan Shockware a couple of years ago.
Huge positive difference. Don't worry that comfort mode will be too harsh. It is perfect. With Dinan Shockware, whats most noticeable is Comfort mode is no longer bouncy or porpoising over bumps. It's a bit stiffer than before but not harsh at all. If you really want to smile, get Dinan Shockware and also ditch the runflats. Together, its a completely different car. Go for it. BTW, you are talking $200 here. If you don't like it, i think you can go back to stock. So the risk is low. But, don't worry. You won't look back. Make the change and let us know how you like it. |
Appreciate
1
AudiA4649.00 |
06-19-2017, 05:02 PM | #12 |
Captain
347
Rep 801
Posts |
With Dinan Shockware comfort mode is replaced with Sport and the Sport mode is a completely new program. Drive around in sport mode to see if you can tolerate it. In the new modes the car just feels more planted and less annoying to me than the constant bounce of the factory program.
|
06-19-2017, 05:21 PM | #13 | |
Banned
1412
Rep 3,211
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
AudiA4649.00 |
06-19-2017, 08:12 PM | #14 | |
Brigadier General
11526
Rep 3,413
Posts |
Quote:
For me, the Dinan Shockware does not feel as stiff as my old Sport mode, but I have no way to compare. I'm sure the Dinan guy (and you) are right and I just have a bad memory. In any event Dinan Shockware Comfort is not harsh and the upgrade really improves the ride regardless of mode. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-19-2017, 08:19 PM | #15 |
Brigadier General
11526
Rep 3,413
Posts |
This is where it gets tough. For MY '14 cars with DHP, Comfort was soft and bouncy (porpoise-like). Dinan Shockware eliminated the bouncing. In 2015 and later, I'm thinking BMW changed something because the complaints about bouncy Comfort mode seemed to stop or diminish. If that's true, MY '14 owners may get a bigger improvement than '15 or newer. What I can say for sure is for MY '14, the improvement with Dinan Shockware is awesome.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-19-2017, 09:38 PM | #16 |
Enlisted Member
17
Rep 38
Posts |
I have Shockware installed on my '16 340i Msport with the track and handling package including the 18" Pilot Super Sport tires.
Before the reprogramming, Comfort mode was intolerable to me. It was simultaneously under-sprung and under-damped. The chassis would take more than one motion to settle after a bump. I suspect that the elimination of these overshoot, ring and settle characteristics is what other posters mean by the new comfort mode being more comfortable. The stock comfort mode is inexcusable for a car optioned with more than 1 "sport" option package. After the update, these secondary motions were eliminated without making the car rough riding in comfort mode. My opinion is that this is how the default f30 suspension should have been tuned for all models by default. Sport mode after the Shockware reprogramming is noticeably firmer. Body roll is still there, but the rate of change to reach the eventual roll steady-state lean is far slower. It can be too firm on really choppy pavement. Without shockware, I was experiencing buyers remorse and researching expensive remedies to fix it. None would have had a blue and white roundel on the hood. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-20-2017, 12:11 PM | #17 | |
Captain
270
Rep 887
Posts |
Quote:
Your in Portland and I'm in Seattle and I agree with your assessment of comfort however going through downtown or Ballard every day to work the Comfort is more relaxed but it's far too under-damped for my liking. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-20-2017, 03:46 PM | #18 | |
Captain
347
Rep 801
Posts |
Quote:
Comfort has been replaced with Sport and Sport and Sport + are replaced with the new Dinan program. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-20-2017, 05:18 PM | #19 |
Captain
270
Rep 887
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-20-2017, 10:57 PM | #20 |
Sedan Driver
389
Rep 1,018
Posts |
M-cars except the M2 have 3 settings. So maybe you got mixed up with those.
__________________
Slapping on M Performance parts, ZHP, badges, and stickers does not ///M car make
ZCP | ZHP | ZTR | ZE0 | MSport | ZMP | DHP | MStickerPack | THP | MPPSK | MPPK BMW MSP Lightweight Jacket | DTM Motorsport Team Cap| BMW M Drift Cat 5 | BMW M Thermo Mug |
Appreciate
0
|
06-20-2017, 11:09 PM | #21 |
Captain
270
Rep 887
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-21-2017, 04:47 PM | #22 |
Private First Class
115
Rep 141
Posts |
I recently upgraded to Shockware with my last oil change at 57k miles. I installed Dinan's springs 3 years ago with about 14k miles, along with the wider wheels and run flat tires that I am still using today. While I was over in Germany I didn't really think it was necessary, the roads there are much smoother. Here in Maryland, the car was a mess with all the undulations in the roads. I found myself switching to Sport Mode every time I had people in the car to just make it less bouncy and more comfortable.
The new Sport Mode is even better, the car feels more planted than before. It's the way the car should have come from the factory. With that said, I've also driven quite a few loaner cars from the dealership, 2016 328i and 428GC, 2017 330i and 530i. All of them with xDrive, and I have to say the newer suspension setup is way better. Comfort mode in those cars reminds me of putting my 2014 in sport mode with stock springs.
__________________
2014 328i xDrive M-Sport EBII--M-Performance BBK/LSD/Aero--AA Signature Exhaust--Bilstein B6 DampTronic + Eibach Springs + H&R Swaybars + Millway Street Camber Plates + M3 Bump Stops + Dinan Shockware--Apex ARC-8 18x9.5et35+12mm Front Spacers w/Kumho Ecsta V730 275/35--FL-5/EC-7 18x8.5et35 w/Pilot Alpin PA4/Hakkapeliitta 10 Studded 245/45--BavSound Stage 1+Ghost Subs
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|