[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

On the e90 the rear subframe needed dropped I believe so guessing that f30 is the same.

Apparently both front and rear subframes need dropping on the F3x series for ARB change.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Apparently both front and rear subframes need dropping on the F3x series for ARB change.

Ok. Which would explain why it's even more expensive than it was before.

Maybe I should steal some other M3 components whilst I'm at it then, try and get better value for the labour involved.

Or just do the whole lot.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Ok. Which would explain why it's even more expensive than it was before.

Maybe I should steal some other M3 components whilst I'm at it then, try and get better value for the labour involved.

Or just do the whole lot.

Yes, if I'm dropping the subframes, then I'd be putting solid subframe bushings back in. I wonder if the M3 bushings fit the F3x range? That would be interesting.

I also wonder if M3 ARB are compatible?

[JonD]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Apparently both front and rear subframes need dropping on the F3x series for ARB change.

Yep, just checked RealOEM, both are above the subframe.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Yes, if I'm dropping the subframes, then I'd be putting solid subframe bushings back in. I wonder if the M3 bushings fit the F3x range? That would be interesting.

I also wonder if M3 ARB are compatible?

The other thing is I'm at 33k miles and my experience from previous cars is that suspension components start to get tired beyond 50-60k so maybe just wait another year, see what other suspension options and experience comes along and then do a full renewal at that time.

[DieselRocket]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

So it's in next week...

Watching with interest!

Very curious as to how different the ARBs are, as this could be a relatively cheap (compared to full suspension change) way just to tighten the handling a little bit more whilst retaining the Adaptive suspension flexibility.

Might give Kevin a call and ask what the plans are for 335d suspension.

Yep - next Friday. Looking forward to seeing how it drives - hope it will be a fair bit tighter.

I don't have adaptive, as I plan to go all the way, but the mix of springs & ARBs (delighted I've collected another TLA!) could well be a good option for people who want to keep adaptive. I notice ACS RS kit for xDrive cars includes a 'mandatory stabiliser' which I'd guess replaces the weedy standard effort at the rear. I'd guess the increase in diameter at front on the setup I'm getting is less to avoid making the car push on.

Hoping the ride won't suffer too much, though I'd guess the bigger bars will mean harsher ride over motorway expansion joints and speed bumps. It'll be interesting to see ...

[Tengocity]

Stiffer arbs shouldn't affect the ride on motorways too much, more when you've got a bump on one side, as you get a bit more lateral stiffness.

Curious to know what the various diameters are of what Birds fit, then what standard and then what the ACS RS kit is. I guess the main thing is that the rear is relatively stiffer than the front in order to dial out a bit of understeer.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Yes, if I'm dropping the subframes, then I'd be putting solid subframe bushings back in. I wonder if the M3 bushings fit the F3x range? That would be interesting.

I also wonder if M3 ARB are compatible?

M3 arb looks quite different:

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by teaston

M3 arb looks quite different:

Good find......yes looks like the M3 attaches underneath and the normal F3x series attaches on top of subframe. That''s that idea put to rest then.

Good news is the rear one looks very similar.

[DieselRocket]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Stiffer arbs shouldn't affect the ride on motorways too much, more when you've got a bump on one side, as you get a bit more lateral stiffness.

Curious to know what the various diameters are of what Birds fit, then what standard and then what the ACS RS kit is. I guess the main thing is that the rear is relatively stiffer than the front in order to dial out a bit of understeer.

I didn't ask about diameters, but I'll check when I'm there next week. Interesting that the ACS RS kit involves just one ARB at the rear, while the Birds kit tackles both ends. I'd guess the biggest gain is from the beefier rear ARB. Interesting that BMW choose to do such strange things with the ARBs on xDrives - i.e. heavy reduction in diameter at the rear. Guaranteed to make the car understeer and make it slow-witted at the front.

In some ways, it feels like a crudely tuned car, where an inexperience owner has done engine mods before sorting out suspension - it really does feel that far out of balance in terms of the mix of sheer grunt and basic stability in bends at perfectly sensible road speeds. I could understand this if it was a 420d, but on something like this, it's plain daft.

You do get the sense of something very good being buried deep down under all the crappy springs and dampers and the heavy feel. Really looking forward to seeing how it drives next week.

All this makes me wonder how a 430d or a 435 would feel in stock form by comparison. I'm guessing BMW don't allow the 'joy-killer' team to spend as much time on joy killing on those models.

[Tengocity]

Yes the beefy rear ARB is the key I'm sure!

I've no doubts that the basic fundamentals of the 3 series platform are great, but it's the decisions on set up and quality/spec of some of the componentry that let it down.

I'd also be curious to see exactly what changes Alpina made with their cars. Different springs, but they use the same dampers, but run different settings, and they use different bushes I believe.

[verheizer]

Since I haven't heard anything negative about the rear subframe bushings of the F30, I would like to know what did they do better?

Is it just a more solid bushing? Or are we still blinded by having a new car or the suspension components are only going to be soft in a couple of years time?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by verheizer

Since I haven't heard anything negative about the rear subframe bushings of the F30, I would like to know what did they do better?

Is it just a more solid bushing? Or are we still blinded by having a new car or the suspension components are only going to be soft in a couple of years time?

There is definitely improvements to be made from changing the subframe bushings, the M3/4 don't have any, the subframe is bolted direct to the body!

[dkmcclelland]

NISFAN, I'm in the US, and maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I can't seem to find the Bilstein PSS10 B16 Comfort coilovers. Is there a separate PN for the Comfort set vs standard B16?

Your help is truly appreciated!

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by dkmcclelland

NISFAN, I'm in the US, and maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I can't seem to find the Bilstein PSS10 B16 Comfort coilovers. Is there a separate PN for the Comfort set vs standard B16?

Your help is truly appreciated!

I will double check for you tomorrow, but pretty sure they were 48-229012

[teaston]

They spell Komfort with a K if that helps

[flwbyu]

I was also looking for these on the Bilstein US website. This was the closest thing that I could find –

BILSTEIN B16 (PSS9/PSS10)
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/p...-b16-pss9pss10

I did confirm that the part number: 48-229012 is correct for this set of coilovers. They also have a video here –

BILSTEIN B14 & B16 Suspension Kits - Product Spotlight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwgvjKnaKdU

[dkmcclelland]

Thanks for the help guys! I'll look at those!

[Gosch]

NISFAN
Are you still happy with the b16 Komfort? Any issues after 3 years?

Thank you

Gosch

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Gosch

NISFAN
Are you still happy with the b16 Komfort? Any issues after 3 years?

Thank you

Gosch

Yes, still very happy with them. They've done something like 85k miles and still look and feel like new.

[Gosch]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Yes, still very happy with them. They've done something like 85k miles and still look and feel like new.

Thx for the fast reply ... :-)

[Dr Forinor]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Type in 48-229012 Bilstein in ebay. Make sure Europe vendors is selected. I used a company called tuning-discounts (Germany), first class delivery, except when it reached parcelforce's hands

By the way that part number is for the KOMFORT system. If you want lower, then you need the standard PSS10 B16 version. Don't know the number. Also these fit F20/F21/F30/F31 models sDrive.

I can't seem to find that vendor any more? Am I doing something wrong?