Opinions on dynamic damper control
 

Has anyone experienced dynamic damper control yet? I am thinking the standard suspension will do just fine for me. It will be easier to mod if I choose, one less thing to break, and it's cheaper. Just wondering if anyone thinks I should definitely go for it. Thanks.

I didn't go with this option, but I'd still like to learn more.

For BMW's I believe there is Dynamic Driver Control and Dynamic Experience Control.


Not sure what the mine one does.


DDC (first one) for BMW does this:


"A control unit on each wheel evaluates movements four hundred times a second and adjusts the shock absorbers accordingly. The electronics system works so fast that when the front wheels encounter a pothole, information is sent to the rear wheels so that sufficient cushioning is in place. The rebound and compression damping are continually and independently set to end the need for compromise which means that the dampers adapt to the state of the road irrespective of which Dynamic Driving Control mode is selected, for exceptional ride comfort even when driving hard on bumpy surfaces."


DEC Does this:


"controlled by the button next to the gear shift for Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+ that varies the gear shifting maps, steering assistance, and throttle response"


I think the Mini one is a bit of both. I am definitely down with the first one DDC!

I would hope it is more of the first.

Anyone know more about this feature on the F56? If I order, I had marked it to include, but now I am wondering..??

I ordered it but to be honest all I have to go off of is my very under-informed MAs description. He said that while in Green mode it softens the ride. None of the cars I have test driven have this feature.

I need to do another drive with dealer's car. It has the feature, and when I drove it previously, there was so much else to focus on, I didn't really play with adjusting between SPORT and GREEN and also MID-POINT (not sure if those are correct names?). I think we drove mostly in SPORT, and I was impressed, but need to understand better.

I don't believe that's true. The ring around the shift bezel adjusts steering assist, throttle sensitivity, and possibly turbocharger boost pressure (I'd guess +1-3 psi in sport mode). I've verified it makes a noticeable difference in the steering and throttle. I wasn't flooring it enough to notice if it had more power in sport mode so I'm just guessing on the overboost feature based off of literature I've seen.

I believe the dynamic damper control is exactly what it's name says; it controls the bound/rebound on the shocks and adjusts how firm or soft they are. Since all new Minis have the driving mode selector I doubt it's tied into the shocks (if equipped). But you never know...

AHHHHHH!!!!! Too much!!!!

We have the DDC on our F56. My understanding of the system is that there is two settings a comfort setting and a stiffer setting. The default setting in the car will stiffen the car in sport mode although you can opt out of that in the menu settings. As far as I can tell there no even softer setting in green mode.

Secondly the system sensors monitor the road conditions and vary the damping accordingly. So if the front wheels detect a change in road surface the system adjusts the rear suspension to suit, for example.

I thought default was normal, and there was a softer and a stiffer setting -- 10% each way.

My understanding is that the soft (default) setting is 10% softer than the standard non adjustable suspension and the stiffer setting is 10% stiffer than the non adjustable.

The sport suspension I think read somewhere is 30% stiffer than stock.

And "stock" on the S is stiffer than "stock" on the non-S.

I wonder if a 10% difference is even noticeable.
Road surface varies by 10%
Would you notice if you had 90 cents or 100 cents of coins in your pocket?
9lbs or 10lbs in your backpack ?
Something else to malfunction?
Especially since Sport Suspension is the same upgrade price.
However..
If we move 10% at every indicator, that makes a total of 20%
From 0 to negative is -10%
From 0 to Positive is +10%
then from Negative 10% past 0 to Positive 10% is 20%.

Although still familiarising myself with the MINI version I do have the M active suspension on my M135i and you can definitely notice the difference in ride and stiffness in sport mode on that.

From what I read on this forum, the Sport Suspension option is very popular.

To me 30% stiffer on top of an already firm suspension seemed like it could be too much. I have never wanted a plush ride at the expense of good handling, but I didn't want to risk an uncomfortable ride -- and maybe parts being shaken loose, mine and the car's.

I went with the Dynamic Damper Control.

It seems like a gimmick to be honest. It's a cool little feature but expensive for what you get.

And it will be completely worthless if you ever intend to get coilovers. Something to keep in mind.

I am thinking the same way, get the DDC but pass on the Sport Suspension. I do not wish to toughen up an already stiff ride.


But, we will see.

Not if you get KW DDC-compatible coilovers. They retain the OEM DDC functions while letting you adjust ride-height.
That said, it's not released for the F56 yet.

I had no idea there was such a thing. Now that's pretty cool!

Probably absurdly expensive, but cool :)

i just posted my feedback in 'sport suspension' thread... duh! :roll:

Any who... I like it! And 10% IS noticeable! It is definitely not a must option, unlike JCW roof wing and stubby antenna :thumbsup:, but since there won't be any suspension upgrade for at least another 6 painful months so i figured i just ordered it so I can visit some local track events pronto! :)

Yesterday Motoringfile.com had an article on a Cooper with the CDC option.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/11/...one-week-away/

Nice review, many pics