[Boostedphil698]

Hi everyone,

Since completing my OE M Sport conversion I've begun research on my suspension. I'm Xdrive with a rear LSD, so I'm looking for something that will perform great but still have some comfort. I have my wheels and tires picked out but I'm looking to lower first and then put on some wheels (I don't want wack fitment lol). The route I'm taking this car is GT inspired. Please let me know your thoughts and experiences with the suspension listed in the title! Keep in mind, I plan to also replace all control arms with the solid bushing arms offered by VAC or Turner Motorsports.

Thank you.

[cfm56d7b]

Boostedphil698 What's your budget for the suspension upgrade?

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Boostedphil698 What's your budget for the suspension upgrade?

$2500-$3500. Sweet spot would be right around $2800.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

$2500-$3500. Sweet spot would be right around $2800.

Thanks for the details. This is a reasonable budget. Suggest to plan for a 4 wheel alignment after installation.

Any concerns about comfort while driving on less-than-perfect East Coast roads? Bilstein coilovers would not be my first choice - they tend to be too harsh.

Any lowering target in mind?

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Thanks for the details. This is a reasonable budget. Suggest to plan for a 4 wheel alignment after installation.

Any concerns about comfort while driving on less-than-perfect East Coast roads? Bilstein coilovers would not be my first choice - they tend to be too harsh.

Any lowering target in mind?

I'm also trying to figure out if I need camber plates. I don't want to go really low because I don't want Xdrive issues and I need to be able to fit Apex VS-5RS wheels. Going 18x9 all the way around on those with either 245/40/18 or 245/35/18 tire. Offset will be +30. I just need to clean up the horrible wheel gap I have now. I'd say an 1-1.25 inches would be good. 1.5 inches might be too much.

[DrBall]

Hey - im xdrive and on kw street comforts, obviously deal with the same roads you have, and have had a set of wheels that were 18x9+32 squared and only had to trim some of the front bumper bracket to eliminate rubbing (tire was believe a 255/40). dont see a need for camber plates.

just had monoball bushings done up front also. great all around package.

I'll have to get my new height measurements but believe im lowered around 1.5" give or take.

pics are from that wheel setup and height of car, wouldnt suggest going much lower on xdrive.

[Jvac]

I don't recommend combining monoballs with bilstein shocks and or camber plates. All together this will be a harsh ride as each of them increase noise, vibration or harshness. . Potentially intolerable for a daily driver depending on the roads where you live. At your quoted budget I'd consider looking into custom dampers (as I did) or just doing the coilovers first. Then deciding if you really need camber plates or control arms on top of that. It's tempting to do it all at once and save on labor overlap but you won't be able to tell which bits push the car past the point of acceptability and will potentially spend more time/money removing parts to answer the question at that point. Aside from wheel gap( easily remedied with mild lowering springs) , tell us what you aim to improve and we can try to make more targeted recommendations.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by Jvac

I don't recommend combining monoballs with bilstein shocks and or camber plates. All together this will be a harsh ride as each of them increase noise, vibration or harshness. . Potentially intolerable for a daily driver depending on the roads where you live. At your quoted budget I'd consider looking into custom dampers (as I did) or just doing the coilovers first. Then deciding if you really need camber plates or control arms on top of that. It's tempting to do it all at once and save on labor overlap but you won't be able to tell which bits push the car past the point of acceptability and will potentially spend more time/money removing parts to answer the question at that point. Aside from wheel gap( easily remedied with mild lowering springs) , tell us what you aim to improve and we can try to make more targeted recommendations.

The car isn't my daily but I understand where you're coming from as a overly harsh ride isn't what I want. I'm trying to take the body roll, floaty feeling, and vague steering out of the car.

[alohasurftoad]

in your situation, this is what i'd do...

eibach pro-kit 5-22 springs wrapped over koni sport yellow dampers and F80 bumpstops.

however, if you're set on coils, my 1st choice would be Ohlins, KW SC(2nd)

i have VAC thrust arms and highly recommend at least it(UCA), or both.

for wheels, consider staggered, especially if you're making big power...
18x9 ET30 front, 18x10 ET40 rear with
245/40/18(25.7")+275/35/18(25.6") or
255/40/18(26.0")+285/35/18(25.9").
either combination is suitable for x-drive. rotate across axle with non-directional tires.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

in your situation, this is what i'd do...

eibach pro-kit 5-22 springs wrapped over koni sport yellow dampers and F80 bumpstops.

however, if you're set on coils, my 1st choice would be Ohlins, KW SC(2nd)

i have VAC thrust arms and highly recommend at least it(UCA), or both.

for wheels, consider staggered, especially if you're making big power...
18x9 ET30 front, 18x10 ET40 rear with
245/40/18(25.7")+275/35/18(25.6") or
255/40/18(26.0")+285/35/18(25.9").
either combination is suitable for x-drive. rotate across axle with non-directional tires.

I was going to put 10s in the rear but I feel like it's pushing it. Still on stock tune, but plan on building the motor in about two years.

[mike@x-ph.com]

The choice ultimately depends on your priorities, as you can't have everything.

Bilstein suspension setups are primarily oriented toward track use.
Ohlins, on the other hand, offers a more balanced approach.
Lastly, KW provides a wide range of options, catering to anything from street to race car applications and everything in between.

[mobbinthesteez]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

in your situation, this is what i'd do...

eibach pro-kit 5-22 springs wrapped over koni sport yellow dampers and F80 bumpstops.

however, if you're set on coils, my 1st choice would be Ohlins, KW SC(2nd)

i have VAC thrust arms and highly recommend at least it(UCA), or both.

for wheels, consider staggered, especially if you're making big power...
18x9 ET30 front, 18x10 ET40 rear with
245/40/18(25.7")+275/35/18(25.6") or
255/40/18(26.0")+285/35/18(25.9").
either combination is suitable for x-drive. rotate across axle with non-directional tires.

I have tried searching for Eibach springs for my application and only come up with E10-20-031-18-22

What is the 5-22 kit?

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

I was going to put 10s in the rear but I feel like it's pushing it. Still on stock tune, but plan on building the motor in about two years.

Id get the 18x10 rear. Imo 255 rear is narrow, even for stock power

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

Id get the 18x10 rear. Imo 255 rear is narrow, even for stock power

I just don't wanna rub

[eleven11]

Might be a bit outside your budget, but check out the DDC suspension line from KW (if you're not familiar). They are coilovers that allow you to adjust the damper stiffness from the cabin. If your vehicle has the M Sport suspension from the factory, it's plug-and-play. Otherwise, they have a version with a controller. If not, I'd go with Ohlins; however, they didn't offer an xDrive version when I was looking years earlier (F31).

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by eleven11

Might be a bit outside your budget, but check out the DDC suspension line from KW (if you're not familiar). They are coilovers that allow you to adjust the damper stiffness from the cabin. If your vehicle has the M Sport suspension from the factory, it's plug-and-play. Otherwise, they have a version with a controller. If not, I'd go with Ohlins; however, they didn't offer an xDrive version when I was looking years earlier (F31).

My budget for the coilovers alone is 2500-3500. Not including labor and alignment. But, I'm hoping they offer Xdrive application, if not then KW it is.

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

I just don't wanna rub

245/40/18@ET30+275/35/18@ET40 won't rub
235/45/18@ET30+265/40/18@ET40 even though it's slightly taller, won't rub due to stretch

here is a lowered F30 with 245/40/18 on 18x9 ET29 front + 275/35/18 on 18x10 ET40 rear, OEM 513M
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1445526

255/40/18+285/35/18, unlikely to rub, but front could possibly graze fenderwell liner at full lock and rear could possibly graze fenderlip under compression. since it is not 100%, i'll eliminate that combo out.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

245/40/18@ET30+275/35/18@ET40 won't rub
235/45/18@ET30+265/40/18@ET40 even though it's slightly taller, won't rub due to stretch

here is a lowered F30 with 245/40/18 on 18x9 ET29 front + 275/35/18 on 18x10 ET40 rear, OEM 513M
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1445526

255/40/18+285/35/18, unlikely to rub, but front could possibly graze fenderwell liner at full lock and rear could possibly graze fenderlip under compression. since it is not 100%, i'll eliminate that combo out.

Was thinking of doing 19s with front 235/40/19 with rear 265/35/19. Think that works with Xdrive. Was told it won't rub. It's funny how this thread went from suspension to wheel fitment lol.

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by mobbinthesteez

I have tried searching for Eibach springs for my application and only come up with E10-20-031-18-22
What is the 5-22 kit?

5-22 is for F36 and F30 xdrives

for your vehicle F32(440i), 18-22 is correct. it depends on the weight over the axles. F36x has more weight over the rear than F32x

https://www.eibachshop.com/index.php...gs-bmw-4-coupe

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

Was thinking of doing 19s with front 235/40/19 with rear 265/35/19. Think that works with Xdrive. Was told it won't rub. It's funny how this thread went from suspension to wheel fitment lol.

i believe N8_Fury grazed the fenderwell liner during full lock turn at stock height. he was planning to lower it but his car got totaled and he's moved on to something else.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...-5RS+black+F36

N8_Fury and two other members with F36x and 235/40/19(26.4")@et29/30 front+265/35/19(26.3")@et40 rear have grazed the fenderwell liner/tab at full-lock. they were all unlowered. lowering the car adds slightly more negative camber and the tire position moves up in the well, increasing the distance at the closest point of contact to the fenderwell liner at full lock. this seems to eliminate any rub.
.

[B58 parts]

I've never had rubbing with 18x8.5 et38 245/40/18 square winter and 19x8.5 et33 245/35/19 summer. Lowered on kw v3 which is a great kit, though a bit stiff for normal dd. It's low but not slammed, I would say perfect. The travel on the v3s is excellent, it soaks up big changes in the surface really really well. I don't hit things and have bad noises, I have to be careful and go slower over bad things, but really no problem. If you're scraping and having noises all the time you're too low or running wheels that don't fit.

After removing the rear shocks 3 times to get the adjustment right the handling is good, nice and neutral just a bunch of slop and body roll. I am considering the mono ball, but really need sway bars first. I don't need camber plates but if certain wheels I wanted to run needed a little camber to fit, I'd be open to the milway kit.

I currently have a 3mm spacer up front to keep it away from the strut. With the new wheels I think I will end up with a 2mm all around.

Adjustable sway bar end links helped as well.

I had the Bilstein b16 and they were good too but maybe a notch stiffer and I couldn't get the front low enough. I still have them actually, the one shock rod needs repaired, Bilstein said said no problem, send it in, and I just never did. At this point I should just sell them super cheap, dm me.

Sadly ohilins didn't make a kit for the xdrive at the time. I forget, but I think you could run the rwd kit with slight modification. Maybe someone remembers the difference.

The street comforts are probably a great choice

[anielsen71]

Hi there
Lowered on KW DDC’s
Wheels are front 8,5”, 235/40/19 ET35 and rear 9,5”, 265/35/19 ET40.
Don’t know how it drives yet, picking up from the shop this afternoon