[jamesems]

Hi again

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by jamesems

Hi again

Confused...? (I just sent a PM)

[jamesems]

Nope just sayin hey to the community

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

Confused...? (I just sent a PM)

[bmrm396]

cause hes on M perf susp ... lookin sic btw

where are u in SD? im doin euro delivery and debating on adding that suspension when the car ships back.

[jamesems]

In Del Sur. I might go to the BBQ on the 18th in OC if you'd like to check out the suspension. I work in Sorrento Valley.

[rallybull]

I just took the plunge just ordered the m Perf suspension kit with the sway bars from Tischer.
Labor has been negotiated to $1000. Really hope this $3000 upgrade is going to be worth it

[rallybull]

So now my question is what could I possibly do with the base suspension that I'll be getting back after the M-Perf suspension goes in? Is there any possibility of selling the suspenion? I could probably just keep it for a few years and use it then to replace the M-perf suspension (when it goes bad), but then can you store a suspension in the garage for so long?

[jamesems]

good question i still have mine

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by rallybull

So now my question is what could I possibly do with the base suspension that I'll be getting back after the M-Perf suspension goes in? Is there any possibility of selling the suspenion? I could probably just keep it for a few years and use it then to replace the M-perf suspension (when it goes bad), but then can you store a suspension in the garage for so long?

Doubt it...when I upgraded brakes, had a difficult time selling stock components despite fire sale pricing...

[bl@ster]

I'm thinking about just giving away my base suspension parts....

[newoldbeemer]

Don't you want to keep them in case something goes wrong with the suspension years later and you might want a cheap repair?

Or are the parts really big enough to need a garage?

(I'm still waiting waiting waiting to do mine ).

[rallybull]

hmmm ...looks like based on you guys' feedback I'll have to donate my BMW F30 suspension to my local goodwill and get some tax benefits out of it !!!

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

Looking awesome, nice stance! I completely agree, this is what a "sports" suspension is, not that wimpy rendition standard on the M Sport.

Which is why I'm pissed at BMW. They should have put in a proper and better sport suspension in a 'sport' or 'Msport' car in the first place.
For the type of non track driving I do the sport suspension in my 03 325i was much better sorted than the M adaptive sport suspension in my 335i Msport.

I was hoping for at least the same level of suspension performance as BMW did 10yrs ago, not a lower level, which is what we got. Even the lack luster sport suspension in my 09 135i was better sorted and suited for the car than this one in my 335i Msport. Aaaargh!

So for me I can't see spending that much to get the "proper" suspension for an Msport.
Ahhh...there. I'm over it and feel better now.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ronin951

Everything seems comparable on realoem. The only exception is the front struts are different on the 335 vs the 328. That seems a little odd IMO. I would think the springs would only be different.

Rears are all the same.

Anyone have a P/N for the M Performance strut?

This makes sense as the actual weight difference is not that much, and nearly all of it is at the front.
There is something like a 110-115lb weight difference between equally equipped 328i and 335i.
Again, most of it is up front due to the larger engine up front.
Then, that weight is half on each side.
So having the same springs for each model isn't that odd at all as the weight difference is pretty small especially since the M Perf spring rate is a good bit higher.

The dampers, it seems, is where BMW tuned for the slight weight difference.
More weight greater effect on the spring so it needs a different damping calibration.

I wish BMW would have spent more time and effort and tuning of the OEM sport/Msport suspension to better compensate for the weight difference between 328i and 335i. The 328i does have a better handling feel as the OEM suspension tune seems better on that variant.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by bl@ster

When I asked why labor was so high, the lead tech replied with this:

"The front and rear sway bars are located between the body and respective subframes. In order to replace/swap the sway bars the subframe has to be partially or almost completely removed. To facilitate this, the engine has to be supported from above for the front subframe and the exhaust and drive train need to be partially removed for the rear subframe in order to allow enough clearance between the body to allow for part removal. The swapping and disassembly of the struts is also somewhat labor intensive as well. I looked up the normal labor time to do these repairs and it shows about 17hrs so the 13-14 is actually lower then what is normally charged. I hope this answers your question."

Considering the huge cost to swap sway bars in your setup, and how much you dealer is charging, I don't know that you'll get as big of a performance increase in relation to the amount of money you are spending.

The springs and dampers will make a HUGE difference in handling.
Sway bars are a 'fine tuning' component. They tie the left and right suspensions so that the car stays flatter in the turns.
But still, most of the weight transfer is being handling by the springs, which you are already greatly improving over what you now have.
And the dampers then control the springs compression and rebound, and you're improving those as well.
The vast majority of sway control is already being improved by those components.

If you have access to try an F30 with the sport springs and M adaptive dampers, go drive it and you can prove this to yourself.
I have M adaptive dampers in my 335i Msport, and it has the large sways stock. Setting the dampers to normal/comfort mode there is a good bit of sway in turns and quite a bit in transitional left to right movements, like lane changes or swerving to avoid something.
When I set the dampers to sport mode the sway motion is markedly improved, and that's with the same sway bars changing nothing, as they are not active nor adaptive.

If you're going to track your car, then it might be worth the investment.
But if it's just for spirited street driving I'd invest in better tires and let your new M Perf suspension do it's job.
You already have sways on your 3, they are just a bit thinner than the upgrades.
The cost to swap they are giving you is HUGE, and frankly I think too much.

If you've already committed, then my comment is moot.
Enjoy you're new setup, I'm sure you will.

[bl@ster]

RPM, that's great advice. However, I already went through with the full upgrade. I was able to negotiate a much more reasonable labor rate and on parts, so it's all good (they tend to perk up when you say you'll have it done at another dealership, lol) I'm loving it!

[jamesems]

I love the ride of the msport with the m performance suspension. Body roll virtually eliminated. Much more road feel. Tracks like its on rails. Should have been made this way from the beginning. Comfy/Cush it's not.

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by bl@ster

RPM, that's great advice. However, I already went through with the full upgrade. I was able to negotiate a much more reasonable labor rate and on parts, so it's all good (they tend to perk up when you say you'll have it done at another dealership, lol) I'm loving it!

Yeah, the 13-14 hour quote is stupid...I told them that, if you read like my 2nd post, and then 18 posts later, they came back with something more reasonable.

When the LSD comes out, I'm sure i'll be doing the same thing...

[jamesems]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

Yeah, the 13-14 hour quote is stupid...I told them that, if you read like my 2nd post, and then 18 posts later, they came back with something more reasonable.

When the LSD comes out, I'm sure i'll be doing the same thing...

What's this LSD talk shiv? U hearing anything forthcoming?

[Alfers]

All,

I have gone through all 21 pages of this thread with interest as I am also looking at this option for my F30.

Despite the increasing clarity over part numbers etc. I still see discrepancies that confuse me.

I have a 2012 335i RWD Sportline (from Canada, without Option 704 Sport Suspension) with a 6 speed manual tranny.

According to two references here, my front and rear spring part numbers should be: 31336860629 and 33536860620 respectively.

1) Post from jamesems on 11-20-2012, 8:02pm:

OK, so you'd need different springs. The part numbers you'd need for the front springs is 31336860629 x 2, for manual transmission, 31336860630 x 2, for automatic transmission, and for the rear springs (for both auto and manual trans) is 33536860620 x 2. The springs are $92.40 each.
regards,
jon@bmwpartspros.com

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...9#post13029564

2) Post from ronin951 on 03-02-2013, 10:31pm:

I looked up the spring codes and they are as follows:

Front springs:
335i 6MT - 31336860629
335i Auto - 31336860630
328i Both - 31336860628

Rear springs:
All - 33536860620

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14394765

However, when I logged on BMW's electronics parts catalog with my VIN, and looked up the Spring Table with the M Performance Suspension kit, the numbers I got are:

Front Coil Spring: 31336860630
Rear Coil Spring: 33536860621

QUESTIONS:
- Does any know what the correct part numbers for the springs are??
- Are there any 335i RWD 6MT owners with this setup and what part numbers are you using??

Thank you.

[rxander]

Awesome thread its really got me on the fence between aftermarket suspension vs OEM but so far looks like I just have to go M Performance route:

Pros:
-You keep your warranty 5 years
-Resale don't have to take it off if you want to trade it back in
-Designed and tuned to the f30

Cons:
-Not as low (for asthetic purposes)
-non height adjustable

I was set on either KW v2 or Bilstein PSS10 ...either one with install would have been 2k-2500k.
M Perf. route looks to be around 3k based the info people in this thread have contributed. Thanks to all that posted their thoughts, labor quotes.

[jamesems]

pros outway it. Too low blows. Sucks scraping your front end on driveways or hunting around for a way out of a place because they driveway is to steep. This is lower but not so low that you run into many problems around town. And its designed specifically for this car. Come check mine out in person to get a feel for the height.