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      03-02-2013, 11:31 PM   #1
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M Performance Suspension on 328i M-Sport

Anyone done it? There's another thread active right now, but it's specific to a 335.

Based on some research I've done it appears that the main difference between 328/335 would be the springs used.

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

The issue I'm having is locating these springs. Are they dealer only order? I see some sites overseas carry them.

Also, oddly, if you search Real OEM for 33502320981 (the kit), there are only matches for the 335. However, if you drill down it is a front axle accessory for the 328. Maybe that's just a website issue.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has made this work on a 328i.
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      05-14-2013, 02:48 AM   #2
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Thank you for the information.
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      06-20-2013, 04:20 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Ben C. View Post
Thank you for the information.
Did you pull the trigger? I just went through a relocation, so I never got around to doing it.
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      07-18-2013, 08:31 PM   #4
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Kind of a monologue here, but I picked the car up today and wow what not a big difference. Just kidding. Here are my notes. I will post some before/after pics for those interested in the looks. I paid right at $1k (6hrs) for the install/alignment. Parts were $1700 IIRC from getbmwparts.

- Turn in has much less body roll. Stock M-sport was good, but I still felt there was a little too much body roll and room for improvement. I think this kit kinda put it where it needs to be. At least for me.
- Dampening is definitely decreased. It's not break your back bumpy, but you definitely feel the road more. For better and worse. The RFT's don't help. Minus those I think it'd be much better. Also, it's not bouncy at all. It seems BMW did a good job matching the springs with the shocks.
- I did some 80mph quick left/right's (kinda like a 1 cone slalom in 1 lane) and the suspension settles very nice. The settling is faster and has much more feedback. It's as if I can now feel what the rear is doing whereas before it was muted and seemed as if there was some tail wagging. This is definitely increasing my confidence and probably what I'm most happy about.

Overall I'm happy with my decision. I could have gone with coilovers, but I thought that would be overkill. Plus I trust BMW more to tune the suspension than me I'm looking forward to getting rid of the RFT's at the end of the month. I think that will complete the package. I came from an e46 ZHP and have always felt something was missing with the F30. It's now definitely on-par. Minus my gripes about the electronic steering.
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      07-18-2013, 11:42 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronin951 View Post
Kind of a monologue here, but I picked the car up today and wow what not a big difference. Just kidding. Here are my notes. I will post some before/after pics for those interested in the looks. I paid right at $1k (6hrs) for the install/alignment. Parts were $1700 IIRC from getbmwparts.

- Turn in has much less body roll. Stock M-sport was good, but I still felt there was a little too much body roll and room for improvement. I think this kit kinda put it where it needs to be. At least for me.
- Dampening is definitely decreased. It's not break your back bumpy, but you definitely feel the road more. For better and worse. The RFT's don't help. Minus those I think it'd be much better. Also, it's not bouncy at all. It seems BMW did a good job matching the springs with the shocks.
- I did some 80mph quick left/right's (kinda like a 1 cone slalom in 1 lane) and the suspension settles very nice. The settling is faster and has much more feedback. It's as if I can now feel what the rear is doing whereas before it was muted and seemed as if there was some tail wagging. This is definitely increasing my confidence and probably what I'm most happy about.

Overall I'm happy with my decision. I could have gone with coilovers, but I thought that would be overkill. Plus I trust BMW more to tune the suspension than me I'm looking forward to getting rid of the RFT's at the end of the month. I think that will complete the package. I came from an e46 ZHP and have always felt something was missing with the F30. It's now definitely on-par. Minus my gripes about the electronic steering.
Killer deal on labor cant wait for pics.
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      07-26-2013, 12:47 AM   #6
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Subscribe. Congrats on getting the upgrade! I'm contemplating this (waiting for some $$ but aargh hate waiting). Questions:

- do you think it's worth doing this without a tire upgrade? I can afford only one (m perf or tire upgrade)
- did you have to order springs, roll bars etc like shivaswrath and bananachips had to, or did the dealer take care of everything correctly?

What line is your car? Can you post some pics please.
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      07-26-2013, 07:08 PM   #7
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@ronin951: to add to my previous questions: also, do you have 17" or 18" tires?
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      07-26-2013, 09:20 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newoldbeemer View Post
Subscribe. Congrats on getting the upgrade! I'm contemplating this (waiting for some $$ but aargh hate waiting). Questions:

- do you think it's worth doing this without a tire upgrade? I can afford only one (m perf or tire upgrade)
- did you have to order springs, roll bars etc like shivaswrath and bananachips had to, or did the dealer take care of everything correctly?

What line is your car? Can you post some pics please.
It's an M-Sport.

Ok so I know I owe you guys some pics. I took some before/after and am not happy with how the pictures came out. The differences in angle and shadowing/sunlight makes it hard tell any difference. In a couple of them it actually looks higher. I honestly think it would do a disservice to post an unrepresentative pic. Especially since google will pick up the images.

The advertized drop is about 10mm, which I think is pretty accurate. What I'll do is measure from the center cap to the top of the fender. This will at least give some reference. You can lock a measuring tape rotate to the wheel well to get a better idea of where the wheel will fall in relation to your fender. I think my point is that it's not a drop, but it definitely makes it just a tad more agressive, which I think it could have used.

Because I have an m-sport I did not have to order the sway bar. That made labor much cheaper and if I had it to do over again I would have had an independent shop do it. Dealer rates are $130 here vs $90 independent. It's not rocket science really. I woulda done it myself but I just moved so all my tools are boxed up.

I did have to order springs. Use the p/n's I posted and verify before installing. Front and rears should be red, but still verify (there should be a sticker attached to them).

As for which to do first, that really depends. What line are you and what's your budget? Keep in mind you don't necessarily have to get new tires. You could probably source some really used street tires used to get you by.
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      07-26-2013, 09:56 PM   #9
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Thanks, ronin. I am on a "no line" base 328i. It has 17" wheels and Coti runflats.

Just trying to make up my mind if I should "shelve" tires for later (next year) or shelve the m-perf suspension. I do feel the body roll a lot, and would go for the one of the two that gives the biggest difference. Will have to go with guesswork, as there's no way to test drive a base model with and without the m-perf, and with / without just tire upgrade.

Also, would a tire upgrade would really help if I stuck wth the 17" size? If so, which tires?
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      07-26-2013, 10:59 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronin951 View Post
It's an M-Sport.

Ok so I know I owe you guys some pics. I took some before/after and am not happy with how the pictures came out. The differences in angle and shadowing/sunlight makes it hard tell any difference. In a couple of them it actually looks higher. I honestly think it would do a disservice to post an unrepresentative pic. Especially since google will pick up the images.

The advertized drop is about 10mm, which I think is pretty accurate. What I'll do is measure from the center cap to the top of the fender. This will at least give some reference. You can lock a measuring tape rotate to the wheel well to get a better idea of where the wheel will fall in relation to your fender. I think my point is that it's not a drop, but it definitely makes it just a tad more agressive, which I think it could have used.

Because I have an m-sport I did not have to order the sway bar. That made labor much cheaper and if I had it to do over again I would have had an independent shop do it. Dealer rates are $130 here vs $90 independent. It's not rocket science really. I woulda done it myself but I just moved so all my tools are boxed up.

I did have to order springs. Use the p/n's I posted and verify before installing. Front and rears should be red, but still verify (there should be a sticker attached to them).

As for which to do first, that really depends. What line are you and what's your budget? Keep in mind you don't necessarily have to get new tires. You could probably source some really used street tires used to get you by.
Thanx for the review...what dealer ya get it done at? I'm in nova and toying w this.
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      07-26-2013, 11:11 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dinh335 View Post
Thanx for the review...what dealer ya get it done at? I'm in nova and toying w this.
Oh, man I need to update my profile. Just moved to Jacksonville FL in May. lf I were up there and didn't do it myself I would have taken it to Curry's in Chantilly. They've never disappointed and have a pretty sweet 951 to look at
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      07-26-2013, 11:21 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newoldbeemer View Post
Thanks, ronin. I am on a "no line" base 328i. It has 17" wheels and Coti runflats.

Just trying to make up my mind if I should "shelve" tires for later (next year) or shelve the m-perf suspension. I do feel the body roll a lot, and would go for the one of the two that gives the biggest difference. Will have to go with guesswork, as there's no way to test drive a base model with and without the m-perf, and with / without just tire upgrade.

Also, would a tire upgrade would really help if I stuck wth the 17" size? If so, which tires?
If it were me I'd wait on the tires and go big. Yeah, tires will make a huge difference with traction. In your case instead of sliding of the road you'll roll off the road. If you do the suspension you may still slide off the road, but at least you'll be having fun doing it! Only half kidding.

I'm putting Michelin SS's on in a couple weeks. There's other good tires for much cheaper though. If you're interested in moving to an m-sport setup I'll be selling my old ones. Not that that will really help you, but if you want to get into OE staggered 18's w/RFT's we can work something out. You'll still want to eventually swap the tires out though.
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      07-27-2013, 12:09 AM   #13
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Thanks ronin and thanks for the offer! I'll let you know if I want to go for it.

Yes, the car already slides out quite often (even with traction control on), I didn't realize its because of the tyres. Gives me a childish kick
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      07-28-2013, 09:57 PM   #14
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Found some good light yesterday. Not a huge difference. I'm not sure how long it will take for the springs to set. There's almost 2 weeks on the springs. Sorry about the finger!


F30 328i Pre M Performance Suspension by ronin951, on Flickr


F30 328i Post M Performance Suspension by ronin951, on Flickr


F30 328i Post M Performance Suspension by ronin951, on Flickr


F30 328i Pre M Performance Suspension by ronin951, on Flickr



F30 328i Post M Performance Suspension by ronin951, on Flickr


F30 328i Post M Performance Suspension by ronin951, on Flickr


F30 328i Post M Performance Suspension by ronin951, on Flickr


F30 328i Post M Performance Suspension by ronin951, on Flickr
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      07-29-2013, 02:51 AM   #15
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Thanks for the pics! Car looks great (my fav color btw). The front pic definitely shows the difference, back pic not so much.
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      07-29-2013, 10:29 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newoldbeemer View Post
Thanks for the pics! Car looks great (my fav color btw). The front pic definitely shows the difference, back pic not so much.
YW. Yeah the rear has been a challenge. It's all about the camera angle and I can't seem to get a match like I did in the front.

I will say that IRL the rear actually looks like it dropped more than the front. Also, it *appears* there is a little more negative camber in the rear. The front stayed about the same.
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      08-03-2013, 09:31 PM   #17
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Thanks for the info real helpful. It looks like its about the same height as H&R Sport springs which is good height. Get some aftermarket 19" maybe with 40 front and 35 rear tires would close the gap even more.
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      12-04-2021, 01:46 AM   #18
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I have been dealing for those part numbers for days but still i am unsure about them. I have 328i with non-sport suspension. I will go step by step.

1) M Performance Suspension 33502320980

I guess this is for all 328i.


2) M Sway Bars 31356792125 (Front) 33556853474 (Rear)

As far as i know, there is no "M Performance Sway Bar". Therefore i need to buy sway bars from M Sport.


3) What about the springs?

31336860628 or 31336860629? (Front)
33536860620 or 33536860621? (Rear)

In this topic Ronin says it is "628". Another topic i found this comment:

"I hate to beat a dead horse, but I was just researching springs for 328 using the spring table in the Aftersales portal and noticed a difference between the 328 and 335 front springs.

328 6MT - 31 33 6 860 628 <-- same as ??
328 Auto - 31 33 6 860 629 <-- same as 335 manual

Rears appear the same (33 53 6 860 620).

To me this makes sense as the 335 is a 6-cylinder vs 4, which would be lighter. Assuming the auto is heavier than the manual, which I think is a safe assumption."


I also found some information in a russian forum which says "for heavier vehicles use 629, not 628."

Heavier by how? If you have lots of options (seat heating, NBT, Harman Kardon), does that make you heavier or not? I am very confused and need urgent help.

Last edited by Enel; 12-04-2021 at 03:10 AM..
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