[DazC]

My RFT's have saved me on a few occasions to-date.

Whilst I'm sure standard tyres offer a better ride. The security of remaining somewhat mobile have been a godsend particularly with the mileage I do.

[dopper99]

If run flats are so great then why do 90% of car manufacturers NOT use them!!

I would be quite happy to swap out my tyres for non-run flats (like I did in my E90) and take the "risk", like every other car on the road, that if the worse happens I'll have to get the goo out or call the breakdown wagon!!!!! (Bear in mind that LOTS of car manufacturers dont supply a spare wheel either these days )

[davethefish]

drove my wifes fiesta to work today,
on the A46 between the M6 and A45 there is a big dip/subsidance in the road.
which bottoms out the suspension of my F30 sport at 60-70mph.

wifes fiesta flies over it with barely a dip, didn't think a 1.4 mk6 fiesta would have firmer suspension than my car....
i know theres a weight difference but surely the spring rate should account for that....

i'm definately going to look at firmer springs,
my standard non msport springs are massively too soft with no progression.

i quite like a smooth and comfortable drive over a bumpy full sport set up.
but these are just too soft and wallowy.

[ossanboy]

how does this compare to Bird B3 suspension? Many good review on it.

[JoshB25]

The pitcures on page2 of your car..... is that set at the lowest setting on the coilovers? Ive been looking at the B14 kit for my car but I would like a slightly lower ride height.

[Tengocity]

Nisfan has the KOMFORT springs for his car which allow for a higher ride height. I'm pretty sure you can get the same kit with the standard (lower) ride height range too, so even if this is the lowest that kit goes to, another is available.

[JoshB25]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Nisfan has the KOMFORT springs for his car which allow for a higher ride height. I'm pretty sure you can get the same kit with the standard (lower) ride height range too, so even if this is the lowest that kit goes to, another is available.

Thank you

[ossanboy]

Any comment for B3 Bird suspension?

[DieselRocket]

Originally Posted by ossanboy

Any comment for B3 Bird suspension?

No experience yet, but I've got my 435d booked in at Birds next week to get first stage suspension upgrade. They're still working on fine tuning compression and rebound valving on the Bilsteins, but they've have got the springs sorted.

The first step (next week) will be to fit bigger anti-roll bars front and rear, along with new springs. The drop isn't much, but I'm after handling rather than looks - think it will be 20mm front & 15mm rear. Looking at the car, I think this will give it a nicely balanced look, without that overtly lowered look (which I'm not keen on).

I'll make a second visit in two or three months to have new dampers fitted when Birds have decided on valving they want. Kevin says the rear anti-roll bar is much bigger than standard and will really sort out the dull turn in and understeer. The absolute control won't be there until the new dampers get fitted of course (given the car is heavily under-damped), but I hope the springs and roll bars will make a significant difference.

When the new dampers go in later, I'm hoping I'll end up with something quite special in the way of both ride and control - at least in the context of a fairly heavy car with xDrive. I'm frustrated at the moment, as you can't steer a clean line through bends much above 5 tenths. There really is very little control when you start moving the car around at the moment. There is just no confidence that you can steer an accurate line at any meaningful pace.

I'd guess this setup is loosely based on the B4 kit (clearly closely related to the B3 kit), so I'll keep you posted on how it feels when the first stage is done.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by JoshB25

The pitcures on page2 of your car..... is that set at the lowest setting on the coilovers? Ive been looking at the B14 kit for my car but I would like a slightly lower ride height.

Sorry Josh, didn't see this. I can go another 5mm, so if you want it lower, you need the standard PSS10 not KOMFORT.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by DieselRocket

No experience yet, but I've got my 435d booked in at Birds next week to get first stage suspension upgrade. They're still working on fine tuning compression and rebound valving on the Bilsteins, but they've have got the springs sorted.

The first step (next week) will be to fit bigger anti-roll bars front and rear, along with new springs. The drop isn't much, but I'm after handling rather than looks - think it will be 20mm front & 15mm rear. Looking at the car, I think this will give it a nicely balanced look, without that overtly lowered look (which I'm not keen on).

I'll make a second visit in two or three months to have new dampers fitted when Birds have decided on valving they want. Kevin says the rear anti-roll bar is much bigger than standard and will really sort out the dull turn in and understeer. The absolute control won't be there until the new dampers get fitted of course (given the car is heavily under-damped), but I hope the springs and roll bars will make a significant difference.

When the new dampers go in later, I'm hoping I'll end up with something quite special in the way of both ride and control - at least in the context of a fairly heavy car with xDrive. I'm frustrated at the moment, as you can't steer a clean line through bends much above 5 tenths. There really is very little control when you start moving the car around at the moment. There is just no confidence that you can steer an accurate line at any meaningful pace.

I'd guess this setup is loosely based on the B4 kit (clearly closely related to the B3 kit), so I'll keep you posted on how it feels when the first stage is done.

Interested to hear how you get on with the new ARB.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Interested to hear how you get on with the new ARB.

Don't forget he's coming from the thinner xdrive ARB's.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by teaston

Don't forget he's coming from the thinner xdrive ARB's.

Oh....even M Sport xDrives? Front and back?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Oh....even M Sport xDrives? Front and back?

Yep. Not a huge difference on rear though, 12mm vs 13mm.

Front is 22.5mm vs 25mm

[JoshB25]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Sorry Josh, didn't see this. I can go another 5mm, so if you want it lower, you need the standard PSS10 not KOMFORT.

Thanks mate, I'm either thinking H&R sport springs or the Bilstein B14 kit. Would like to go about 10-15mm lower than you.

[JonD]

Another suspension mod, M3/M4 control arms fit other other Fxx models http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1079766

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by JonD

Another suspension mod, M3/M4 control arms fit other other Fxx models http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1079766

Thanks for that. I remember on E90s that folk often swapped suspension parts from the M3 to the rest of the range, so wondered how long it would be till it started happening on F30s!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by DieselRocket

No experience yet, but I've got my 435d booked in at Birds next week to get first stage suspension upgrade. They're still working on fine tuning compression and rebound valving on the Bilsteins, but they've have got the springs sorted.

The first step (next week) will be to fit bigger anti-roll bars front and rear, along with new springs. The drop isn't much, but I'm after handling rather than looks - think it will be 20mm front & 15mm rear. Looking at the car, I think this will give it a nicely balanced look, without that overtly lowered look (which I'm not keen on).

I'll make a second visit in two or three months to have new dampers fitted when Birds have decided on valving they want. Kevin says the rear anti-roll bar is much bigger than standard and will really sort out the dull turn in and understeer. The absolute control won't be there until the new dampers get fitted of course (given the car is heavily under-damped), but I hope the springs and roll bars will make a significant difference.

When the new dampers go in later, I'm hoping I'll end up with something quite special in the way of both ride and control - at least in the context of a fairly heavy car with xDrive. I'm frustrated at the moment, as you can't steer a clean line through bends much above 5 tenths. There really is very little control when you start moving the car around at the moment. There is just no confidence that you can steer an accurate line at any meaningful pace.

I'd guess this setup is loosely based on the B4 kit (clearly closely related to the B3 kit), so I'll keep you posted on how it feels when the first stage is done.

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.

[JonD]

An ARB upgrade could be intresting, although I wonder why the fitting cost is so expensive? are they situated above the subframe, therefore you have to drop the subframe to change them.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by JonD

An ARB upgrade could be intresting, although I wonder why the fitting cost is so expensive? are they situated above the subframe, therefore you have to drop the subframe to change them.

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

[dopper99]

Bit of a curve ball……the M3/M4 has a wacking big strut brace across the engine bay. Can something like this be fitted (or is available) for the 3-series?
I fitted one years ago to a Vectra and it improved body roll a bit.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Bit of a curve ball……the M3/M4 has a wacking big strut brace across the engine bay. Can something like this be fitted (or is available) for the 3-series?
I fitted one years ago to a Vectra and it improved body roll a bit.

All F30's already have a strut brace, so it probably wouldn't make a huge difference.