Does the BMW 3 Series have a double-wishbone suspension?
2 Answers
BMW 3 Series does not feature a double-wishbone suspension but instead uses a MacPherson strut suspension. The presence of the M3 model with its large 4.0-liter engine makes the double-wishbone suspension impractical due to excessive lateral space occupation, which would not accommodate the engine. Trailing arm suspension system: The trailing arm suspension system is specifically designed for rear-wheel suspension systems. European models such as those from Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel often prefer this type of suspension system. Multi-link suspension system: The multi-link suspension system is further divided into a 5-link rear suspension and a 4-link front suspension system. As the name suggests, the 5-link rear suspension system includes five links: the control arm, rear locating arm, upper arm, lower arm, and front locating arm, with the control arm capable of adjusting the front wheel beam.
Having driven several generations of the BMW 3 Series, I find the suspension tuning of the new model quite interesting. Although officially called a double-joint spring strut front axle, it feels just like a double-wishbone setup when driving. Two control arms replace the traditional wishbone, and you can clearly feel the tires' exceptional grip during cornering. My G20 handles speed bumps much more crisply than the older models, and there's noticeably less body roll when driving on mountain roads. However, the multi-link rear suspension is where the real magic happens—it provides rock-solid stability during high-speed lane changes in the rain. A mechanic mentioned that this design is cheaper to repair than a true double-wishbone setup; replacing bushings doesn't require dismantling the entire suspension.
