Does the BMW 3 Series have a double-wishbone suspension?
4 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.
As a frequent visitor to tuning shops, I've studied the 3 Series chassis structure. The front suspension isn't a traditional double-wishbone setup - officially called a double-joint spring strut. Sounds fancy, but it's essentially splitting the MacPherson strut's lower control arm into two links. The actual performance rivals double-wishbone while being more space-efficient. Last year while helping a fellow enthusiast install coilovers, I noticed a detail: its steering knuckle has two ball joint connections, making tire angle changes more linear during cornering. This G-generation shows noticeably improved support over the F30, though the front suspension response feels less crisp than an Alfa Romeo Giulia during aggressive driving.
From the perspective of a chassis engineer, the suspension design of the BMW 3 Series is quite ingenious. The front suspension indeed features a double-joint spring strut structure, utilizing two independent control arms to achieve functionality similar to a double-wishbone setup. The key lies in the virtual kingpin design, which significantly improves steering precision. While the rear suspension is often referred to as a five-link system, it actually consists of four main control arms. The separated layout of the spring and shock absorber is a highlight, providing noticeably more trunk space. During aggressive driving, the rear axle exhibits excellent followability, making it more sporty than the multi-link setup in the Audi A4.
