[deadserial]

So i have looked over this forum the best I can and still cant find a definitive answer for my question. Feel free to direct me if you can find it. If not, here is my dilemma.

I'm looking to lower my 320i Xdrive with base suspension just a little, say less than an inch (20mm or so. I'm not looking to track the car or anything, just want to take away some wheel gap since i installed 19inch CSL style wheels. I'm leaning towards eibach springs since they seem to have the slightest drop and are the least stiff of the aftermarkets.

Originally I wanted to go M-springs but it sounds like those are more stiff and should be paired with the struts as well. Most people seem to have that suspension or the adaptive so it's hard to compare apples to apples with what I would like to do. So if you have a base suspension with aftermarket springs, please chime in, or if you have an opinion, that is welcome too! Thanks!

[VP_56]

My 2016 340i came with the base suspension non adaptive. It is rwd. I always hated the wheel gap, so I ended up replacing the suspension with Dinan lowering springs, and koni sport shocks/struts. The wheel gap is gone, and it handles way better but still provides a comfortable ride. I've come across many posts on here where if you only change the springs, you will quickly wear out the stock shocks, as they are not designed for lowering springs. Since I did not want to fool with the suspension twice, and pay for multiple wheel alignments, I decided to do it right the first time.

[cfm56d7b]

Very well described by VP_56 . Doing it right the first time is the most sensible course of action. Matching stock softer shocks with stiffer springs will lead to the shock unable to stop spring oscillations. This will surface as a "unwanted bounce' symptom.

[VP_56]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Very well described by VP_56 . Doing it right the first time is the most sensible course of action. Matching stock softer shocks with stiffer springs will lead to the shock unable to stop spring oscillations. This will surface as a "unwanted bounce' symptom.

thanks bro. hopefully this all can help the OP in his decision.

[deadserial]

I have ran springs with bilstein struts, springs with factory struts, and full coil overs. I definitely know the positives of having the higher end suspension setups but unfortunately it’s not really in my budget right now. We just had a baby and my wife decided to stay at home the first year. I enjoy wrenching on my car, so wouldn’t mind going back in and upgrading struts if the springs wore out the factory ones or didn’t ride well. I usually only keep my cars for 1-2 years anyways. The ACS and Donna springs look to lower more than I want and with a firmer spring rate than I want too.

[bheng89]

why not look into dinan springs? i think they lower by an inch for the 328. pretty sure its the same one for the 320. and if I am not mistaken, they are compatible for the stock shocks (probably not an ideal set up) but as you said if you dont like it, you can always upgrade shocks at a later time

[deadserial]

Originally Posted by bheng89

why not look into dinan springs? i think they lower by an inch for the 328. pretty sure its the same one for the 320. and if I am not mistaken, they are compatible for the stock shocks (probably not an ideal set up) but as you said if you dont like it, you can always upgrade shocks at a later time

Because between the dinan and eibachs the eibachs seem to have a softer spring rate closer to stock and lower it slightly less, which I thought would put less stress on the factory components and not be as mismatched with the factory struts.

[bheng89]

Originally Posted by deadserial

Because between the dinan and eibachs the eibachs seem to have a softer spring rate closer to stock and lower it slightly less, which I thought would put less stress on the factory components and not be as mismatched with the factory struts.

that makes sense. looks like you found the route you want go with then

I am saving up for adjustable coilovers or hoping to find a used set decently priced. I went with the springs and shocks route in a previous car, while it was nice and sporty when I was 20, I want something softer now just not xdrive soft.

Anyhoo, let me know how you like the eibachs (or whichever you choose). I might just go with a soft spring because this wheel gap is horrendous

[sspade]

AC Schnitzer spring kit. TRUST ME.

$350 shipped from ACS USA.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by VP_56

My 2016 340i came with the base suspension non adaptive. It is rwd. I always hated the wheel gap, so I ended up replacing the suspension with Dinan lowering springs, and koni sport shocks/struts. The wheel gap is gone, and it handles way better but still provides a comfortable ride. I've come across many posts on here where if you only change the springs, you will quickly wear out the stock shocks, as they are not designed for lowering springs. Since I did not want to fool with the suspension twice, and pay for multiple wheel alignments, I decided to do it right the first time.

In the end... this is exactly true.

I went springs only first (ACS) and a few months later installed Bilstein B8 dampers. Luckily I do the work myself (sans alignment) but still a pain in the ass overall.

Long run, you wont love springs only.

It becomes very bouncy over time.

[deadserial]

Originally Posted by sspade

In the end... this is exactly true.

I went springs only first (ACS) and a few months later installed Bilstein B8 dampers. Luckily I do the work myself (sans alignment) but still a pain in the ass overall.

Long run, you wont love springs only.

It becomes very bouncy over time.

Most likely due to being oversprung and under dampened, correct? I guess my issue is I just can't find any definitive answers as to which springs are the most mild.

I've seen post where people say the eibachs are way too soft for the m suspension and others that say the dinan with shockware are great, but nothing really for base suspension. I guess that's probably because people upgrade it all. I may just guinea pig it and go for it with a complete review.

So does nobody upgrade to m-performance suspension then?

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by VP_56

thanks bro. hopefully this all can help the OP in his decision.

No worries. I also hope OP will find the right solution. I have seen quite a few "mix shocks and springs never designed to work together" experiments which eventually resulted in the decision to install coilovers.

To be fair, some aftermarket shocks and springs do work better together than OEM softer shocks. However, only matched by design components will produce optimal suspension behavior.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by deadserial

Most likely due to being oversprung and under dampened, correct? I guess my issue is I just can't find any definitive answers as to which springs are the most mild.

I've seen post where people say the eibachs are way too soft for the m suspension and others that say the dinan with shockware are great, but nothing really for base suspension. I guess that's probably because people upgrade it all. I may just guinea pig it and go for it with a complete review.

So does nobody upgrade to m-performance suspension then?

Something of that sort... when you take out the stock units.... youll be amazed:

a) How easy they compress

b) How long they take to rebound

[sspade]

Also to consider:

Coil overs will not be considered the most "comfortable" for a daily driver overall.

Their definitely going to be pretty stiff and definitely performance oriented over comfort.

This is ultimately what lead me to get Bilstein.

It all comes down to personal preference but either way youll be loving life compared to base setup as long as you do your homework and choose quality aftermarket parts.

[deadserial]

I think for now maybe I'll do the springs and see how it is. If i have to swap struts it shouldn't be too bad having done it before. I have a pretty good hookup on alignments also so I'd only be out like $60. Thanks for the input!

[cfm56d7b]

OP, hopefully the upgrade will meet your expectations. Please update this thread later.

[deadserial]

will do. I may get my m performance front bumper first so I can see how much clearance I will have. Plus I just hate the sportline front.