At BMW, handling is pursued with a mix of big-company resources and plenty of individuality, according to M3 chassis engineer Uli Phundmeier. “Good handling is a well-controlled body, good steering response, good steering feedback, and well-balanced integration—with all of the different systems tuned together so that none is sticking out.”
For new models, BMW looks at many inputs. “We do both objective and subjective evaluations of competitors. We have customer feedback and comments from the press. And we develop internal targets based on previous models. Once you drive these cars, you know where you need to improve.”
BMW maps out a vehicle’s basic layout and dimensions five or six years before production. “We try to simulate a lot and estimate how the car will handle,” says Phundmeier. “But we add the new chassis specifications to existing cars and use measurements to verify our simulations.”
Phundmeier and his team start tuning work about two years before production begins. “We make an agreement on how the car should handle quite early. Then we determine what must be improved. Every eight to 12 weeks we check on something.
“Of course, we run the 18-meter slalom test, the skidpad, and laps at the Nürburgring.” But Phundmeier and BMW are not slaves to the numbers. “We might have targets for the Nordschleife, but the new car does not necessarily have to be faster than the old one. Our task is much more subjective than objective.
“Maybe in 20 or 25 years we might be able to [assess handling] more objectively. But today, we can’t even do a definition of comfort [solely with data]. Finally, if you want to find out how a car feels, you go on the road.”
For new models, BMW looks at many inputs. “We do both objective and subjective evaluations of competitors. We have customer feedback and comments from the press. And we develop internal targets based on previous models. Once you drive these cars, you know where you need to improve.”
BMW maps out a vehicle’s basic layout and dimensions five or six years before production. “We try to simulate a lot and estimate how the car will handle,” says Phundmeier. “But we add the new chassis specifications to existing cars and use measurements to verify our simulations.”
Phundmeier and his team start tuning work about two years before production begins. “We make an agreement on how the car should handle quite early. Then we determine what must be improved. Every eight to 12 weeks we check on something.
“Of course, we run the 18-meter slalom test, the skidpad, and laps at the Nürburgring.” But Phundmeier and BMW are not slaves to the numbers. “We might have targets for the Nordschleife, but the new car does not necessarily have to be faster than the old one. Our task is much more subjective than objective.
“Maybe in 20 or 25 years we might be able to [assess handling] more objectively. But today, we can’t even do a definition of comfort [solely with data]. Finally, if you want to find out how a car feels, you go on the road.”
