rinthiran

I've test drove a IS350 sport and stock suspension, a 2006 330i sport package and an older 2004 325i with stock package. Also tested a C350 with sport package. Both the IS350 had the 18" rims; the 325i had 17" rims. All were tested in San Francisco (BMW & Mercedes) and Serramonte (Lexus). Downtown SF (where I live have some of the worst maintained roads, plenty of potholes, steel grates, half-patched roads, ruts, etc. The freeway isn't much better. From a suspension stiffness perspective, I place from softly sprung to harsh: (1) 325i 17" stock package, (2) IS350 stock, (3) 330i sport package, (4) IS350 sport package. I was looking for a sport LUXURY sedan, not a SPORT luxury sedan; hence I have an order for a IS350 with the stock suspension. Also, just driving aggressively on the street with stock suspension, I never got the VDIM to activate even after taking a sharp 90-degree turn at ~40mph and the car had minimal body roll. That's ample traction for me since I'm not going to take this car to the track. The IS350 with sport suspension felt even stiffer. (seems like they reduced spring height (by 1/2") and over-dampened the shocks).

If you're looking for a certain degree of comport during day-to-day driving, then IMHO don't go for the sport suspension.... or move to Florida with their fantastically well-paved roads.

For comparison, I did find that the 330i had the best handling and feedback. It was very easy to feel very connected to the road, ample feedback, excellent steering (although a bit to heavy for me at low speeds); but it was still a bit too harsh when encountering bad roads... and I just couldn't live with the budget quality interior and questionable exterior.

HTH