[M4_GTS]

Originally Posted by JonBk

Took the car in to Revolution in Gateshead to have the Bilstein B14 coilover kit fitted. The cars been lowered approximately 30mm front and 20mm rear to even out the arch gaps. I asked them to leave a finger gap between the arch and tyre and they've pretty much got it spot on. They can go lower but I'm going to see how I get on at this height and if I have no issues getting around then I might drop them and other 5 - 10mm.

I had already fitted 12mm front and 15mm rear spacers. Before it was lowered the fronts poked out a little too much for my liking so I was going to change them to 10's. However the slight camber they have after being lowered tucks them nicely in to the arches and they now sit perfectly.

I haven't got many miles on them yet but initial impressions are good, there is no significant decrease in comfort over the passive m sport suspension - one of my concerns as this is my main car. You can feel they are firmer especially at lower speeds around town but certainly at higher speed and on the motorway they are an improvement.

I'll live with them a little longer before trying to give an honest opinion on how they perform and how they are to live with day to day. But at this moment I'm very happy.

the rears are installed wrong. The factory upper spring cup should not be reused. tell them to rear the installation manual and have it fixed ASAP!!!

how its supposed to be installed. Bilstein supplied upper mount directly onto body of the car.

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

the rears are installed wrong. The factory upper spring cup should not be reused. tell them to rear the installation manual and have it fixed ASAP!!!

how its supposed to be installed. Bilstein supplied upper mount directly onto body of the car.

Thanks for that! I'll have it looked at as soon as possible.

[B58_Touring]

Had the car back in the garage to look at the rear suspension, thanks M4_GTS for the heads up on that. Got them to remove the rear spring pockets that should have been left off and while it was in I had it lowered a further 5mm before they carried out a fresh 4 wheel alignment.

Also bought a set of Thule wingbar edge roof bars in black and a Pro ride 598 bike carrier, fitted the roofbars but not tried out the bike carrier yet.

[Wayne-G]

Awesome spec/colour .. great choice! Interested to hear about what the coilovers are like to live with day to day as I do 20-25k miles per year and really want bilstein dampers and ACS / eibach springs or just bite the bullet and get Coilovers instead. I'll keep an eye out for you as I'm in the North east too 👍🏻

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by Wayne-G

Awesome spec/colour .. great choice! Interested to hear about what the coilovers are like to live with day to day as I do 20-25k miles per year and really want bilstein dampers and ACS / eibach springs or just bite the bullet and get Coilovers instead. I'll keep an eye out for you as I'm in the North east too

I had non adaptive m sport suspension and 20" run flat tyres and I find the current set up firmer but overall more comfortable (I've switched to non run flat tyres). Around town, on bumpy/rough roads you can feel that they are firmer but not harsh, there is just a more noticeable stiffness to them. They come into their own at higher speeds. On motorways they are a lot more comfortable, also when carrying some speed along b roads they're a lot better than the standard set up both in terms of handling (obviously) and comfort in my opinion. I no longer get the bangs and crashes when I drive over a slight pothole, everything feels a lot more solid and capable of soaking them up.

Can't comment on them fitted with runflats as I'd already ditched them when the coilovers were installed. If you don't mind a firmer, more sporty ride then I don't think you'll be disappointed. Unless you spend all your time driving at slow speed around towns where a slightly more fidgety ride might become tiresome.

As a side note, the other half hasn't even noticed I've changed them...

[Wayne-G]

Originally Posted by JonBk

I had non adaptive m sport suspension and 20" run flat tyres and I find the current set up firmer but overall more comfortable (I've switched to non run flat tyres). Around town, on bumpy/rough roads you can feel that they are firmer but not harsh, there is just a more noticeable stiffness to them. They come into their own at higher speeds. On motorways they are a lot more comfortable, also when carrying some speed along b roads they're a lot better than the standard set up both in terms of handling (obviously) and comfort in my opinion. I no longer get the bangs and crashes when I drive over a slight pothole, everything feels a lot more solid and capable of soaking them up.

Can't comment on them fitted with runflats as I'd already ditched them when the coilovers were installed. If you don't mind a firmer, more sporty ride then I don't think you'll be disappointed. Unless you spend all your time driving at slow speed around towns where a slightly more fidgety ride might become tiresome.

As a side note, the other half hasn't even noticed I've changed them...

That's good news! I don't have run flats at the moment and don't plan on getting any. I have some on my 18" winter wheels and it's very harsh with those and I have non adaptive xdrive suspension.

Any splitter scraping yet?

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by Wayne-G

That's good news! I don't have run flats at the moment and don't plan on getting any. I have some on my 18" winter wheels and it's very harsh with those and I have non adaptive xdrive suspension.

Any splitter scraping yet?

Obviously ride comfort is very subjective as everyone's requirements and opinions differ but for me they're perfectly acceptable, I do around 15k a year. You will notice a bigger difference in stiffness coming from the x drive suspension than I did, the M Sport suspension is a little harsh to begin with. I haven't had any issues with the splitter on my regular routes surprisingly. I've always been careful when parking and avoided multi storey car parks etc anyway though, even before it was lowered.

I see you're fairly local so if you ever want to see what they ride like I'm sure we could arrange to meet up. Best way to know if you're going to like them is to try before you buy

[Wayne-G]

Originally Posted by JonBk

Obviously ride comfort is very subjective as everyone's requirements and opinions differ but for me they're perfectly acceptable, I do around 15k a year. You will notice a bigger difference in stiffness coming from the x drive suspension than I did, the M Sport suspension is a little harsh to begin with. I haven't had any issues with the splitter on my regular routes surprisingly. I've always been careful when parking and avoided multi storey car parks etc anyway though, even before it was lowered.

I see you're fairly local so if you ever want to see what they ride like I'm sure we could arrange to meet up. Best way to know if you're going to like them is to try before you buy

I meant to say 18" winters with runflats, they're so harsh over my OEM 19" 442's with non run flats.

I live over Weardale direction near hartside pass (B road heaven) So if your ever over this way I'll be sure to take up that offer. Did you purchase the coilovers from Revolution motor store or did you source them yourself then chose there for fitting?
Cheers

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by Wayne-G

I meant to say 18" winters with runflats, they're so harsh over my OEM 19" 442's with non run flats.

I live over Weardale direction near hartside pass (B road heaven) So if your ever over this way I'll be sure to take up that offer. Did you purchase the coilovers from Revolution motor store or did you source them yourself then chose there for fitting?
Cheers

Yes I know hartside pass, I was over there not long ago actually. I've been meaning to get back across that way since having the bilsteins fitted to be honest, I'll give you a shout when I do

I bought them separately from a place called JJC Race and rally, I believe they're owned by the same people as demon tweaks? They were the cheapest price I could find them for and also had them in stock where a lot of others had them on back order. I intended to fit them myself but ended up going to revolution on the back of some recommendations from here, had a minor hiccup with the rear install but they sorted that no bother and carried out a fresh alignment for me.

Couple of pictures from my last run up that way, I'd just ditched the run flats and took it for a run out to compare the difference before having the suspension fitted... Shame the cafe is no longer there

[Wayne-G]

Originally Posted by JonBk

Yes I know hartside pass, I was over there not long ago actually. I've been meaning to get back across that way since having the bilsteins fitted to be honest, I'll give you a shout when I do

I bought them separately from a place called JJC Race and rally, I believe they're owned by the same people as demon tweaks? They were the cheapest price I could find them for and also had them in stock where a lot of others had them on back order. I intended to fit them myself but ended up going to revolution on the back of some recommendations from here, had a minor hiccup with the rear install but they sorted that no bother and carried out a fresh alignment for me.

Couple of pictures from my last run up that way, I'd just ditched the run flats and took it for a run out to compare the difference before having the suspension fitted... Shame the cafe is no longer there

That would be great! Just let me know. Been a while since I've been up myself, never taken the 330d up.

Yeah I'll possibly get Revolution or a specialist in Darlington I use to fit them then get them aligned when I do get around to getting some.
Awesome pictures btw!

[B58_Touring]

Little update:

Managed to pick up a used M Performance V2 steering wheel for a reasonable price. I've been on the look out for a used one for a little while because I dont want to keep the original colour/materials as they wont suit my interior at all. I love the flat bottom and profile of the V2 wheel, its much nicer to hold and in my opinion is a nicer shape than the perfectly round M Sport wheel, it suits an M car well but is a bit too sporty looking for my interior with the tri colour stitching and blue top marker. I'll be having it retrimmed in full napa leather (keeping the original top, side and bottom sections) with light grey contrast stitching to match the seats, and a top marker in black alcantara as I want to keep the look subtle and matching the interior of the car. A set of matt aluminum extended paddle shifters will finish it off nicely

[Muscle m]

Awesome car and nice topic to read!

[B58_Touring]

Made a small adjustment to the ride height. Noticed on one or two occasions the fronts rubbing slightly on the inner arches when pressing on with a passenger on some twisty roads. Only very minimal rubbing on bumpy corners but enough to annoy me. It was a combination of the ride height, 12mm spacers and the square side profile of the michellins.

Solved the issue by raising the car all round 8mm and changing the 12mm spacers to 10mm ones on the front. If I'm honest I prefer the more purposeful stance now, it was a little too low before and with passengers in the back the car looked overloaded. That small difference on the front spacers looks better too, the tyres are just under flush with the arches rather than right in line, which I prefer.

Not the best of pictures to show the difference but something to decorate an otherwise pretty boring post

[Ashm3_uk]

Originally Posted by JonBk

Made a small adjustment to the ride height. Noticed on one or two occasions the fronts rubbing slightly on the inner arches when pressing on with a passenger on some twisty roads. Only very minimal rubbing on bumpy corners but enough to annoy me. It was a combination of the ride height, 12mm spacers and the square side profile of the michellins.

Solved the issue by raising the car all round 8mm and changing the 12mm spacers to 10mm ones on the front. If I'm honest I prefer the more purposeful stance now, it was a little too low before and with passengers in the back the car looked overloaded. That small difference on the front spacers looks better too, the tyres are just under flush with the arches rather than right in line, which I prefer.

Not the best of pictures to show the difference but something to decorate an otherwise pretty boring post

Love those wheels! 😍

If you don't mind what suspension setup do you have? Next month is bonus month, and I'll like a set.

[disintegrator66]

Originally Posted by JonBk

Little update:

Managed to pick up a used M Performance V2 steering wheel for a reasonable price. I've been on the look out for a used one for a little while because I dont want to keep the original colour/materials as they wont suit my interior at all. I love the flat bottom and profile of the V2 wheel, its much nicer to hold and in my opinion is a nicer shape than the perfectly round M Sport wheel, it suits an M car well but is a bit too sporty looking for my interior with the tri colour stitching and blue top marker. I'll be having it retrimmed in full napa leather (keeping the original top, side and bottom sections) with light grey contrast stitching to match the seats, and a top marker in black alcantara as I want to keep the look subtle and matching the interior of the car. A set of matt aluminum extended paddle shifters will finish it off nicely

Have you installed the wheel? Need pics!!!

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by Ashm3_uk

Love those wheels!

If you don't mind what suspension setup do you have? Next month is bonus month, and I'll like a set.

Suspension is the Bilstein B14 coilover kit, I've also got 10mm front and 15mm rear spacers.

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by disintegrator66

Have you installed the wheel? Need pics!!!

No it's still sitting in the garage. I'll be sending it off to be retrimmed shortly, I'll post pictures as soon as its on

[disintegrator66]

Originally Posted by JonBk

Yes I know hartside pass, I was over there not long ago actually. I've been meaning to get back across that way since having the bilsteins fitted to be honest, I'll give you a shout when I do

I bought them separately from a place called JJC Race and rally, I believe they're owned by the same people as demon tweaks? They were the cheapest price I could find them for and also had them in stock where a lot of others had them on back order. I intended to fit them myself but ended up going to revolution on the back of some recommendations from here, had a minor hiccup with the rear install but they sorted that no bother and carried out a fresh alignment for me.

Couple of pictures from my last run up that way, I'd just ditched the run flats and took it for a run out to compare the difference before having the suspension fitted... Shame the cafe is no longer there

The last pic.... I'd love to burn down that road on my old ZX11.

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by disintegrator66

The last pic.... I'd love to burn down that road on my old ZX11.

it's a cracking road, even better on one of those machines I imagine.

[B58_Touring]

So I finally put my hand in my pocket and bought a 6WB digital instrument cluster. It's made a huge difference to the interior and brings it a lot more up to date.

I'm still a fan of classic non digital clocks but the F3X ones were starting to look a bit dated, even the 6WA could have done with a refresh during the LCI.

The 6WB unit was prepared and supplied for a DIY install by GA (German Auto) Coding in Southampton. Once I'd fitted the cluster they arranged to code the car remotely, this was my first experience with coding anything on the car and they did a great job. Everything up and running in no time, mileage, service intervals etc all reading as they should. If you're looking to have any coding/retrofits carried out I would certainly recommend getting in touch.

If anyone has this fitted with HUD can you tell me if that totally removes the option of having Nav directions displayed in the center? Same with media/track info? Pretty sure I've read HUD displays all of this info instead and leaves a bit of a blank space in the middle, which isn't a problem as I'd have it set that way

A quick clip and some before & after pictures:

[B58_Touring]

I've just had the M Performance wheel I bought before Christmas re-trimmed by Royal Steering Wheels and installed it yesterday afternoon.

I love the shape and profile of the V2 wheel with the flat bottom. I held off buying one new because I felt the blue top marker, tri colour stitching and Alcantara sections would just look odd with my interior so I waited for a second hand one to come up for the right price and sent it off to Royal steering wheels for a re-trim

For some the re-trim may be a little subtle. Admittedly it looks very similar to the original and only an enthusiast might notice the difference, but I wanted it to look like the car could have came like that from the factory. OEM+ is the look I want, and a few subtle touches here and there can really lift the interior.

I also picked up a set of extended aluminium paddle shifters to finish it off, I love the ones fitted to the Giulia Quadrofoglio so wanted to go for something similar in mine.

The order from Royal steering wheels:

- Full re-trim in smooth nappa leather
- Original pattern
- Original thickness
- Black Alcantara top marker (A subtle hint of the original materials)
- Mid grey stitching - This is to match the contrast stitching in my seats

Very Happy with the end result, it sits perfectly in the cockpit and doesn't look like an aftermarket addition

Lots of pictures of the swap

[B58_Touring]

So back in August I managed to clip my passenger wing mirror on a narrow pass and damaged the indicator and lower housing. I decided to take the opportunity to fix the non dimming passenger side mirror while I had everything off. Its a first world problem admittedly but it irritated me on those long motorway journeys in the winter months, so while everything was off anyway I thought I'd address it.

I picked up an electric folding/heated/dimming mirror off a pre LCI car from ebay for £120. The bracket off the second hand unit was damaged so I removed the control module complete with additional connector for the electrochromatic glass and fitted it to mine. Pretty simple really, just a little fiddly dismantling the housing and routing the wires.

If anyone else can be bothered to do it, all you need is the control module for the mirror and the glass. the wiring to the door is already there. As long as you have the dimming mirror option. Tested it last night and works perfectly...