[Lorcan]

We've sold dozens of 12/15mm spacer sets without any issues or reports of rubbing but these are not AC Schnitzer products so we can't 100% rule out any issues.

Your car does seem to sit very low with just two people in the back. For the sake of 2mm, barely noticeable, I think I'd leave it as it is.

[rG-tom]

hmm, any F36 440i owners with adaptive stock dampers and the ACS springs around the Bedfordshire / MK / Cambs area? Be great to see how it feels.

I had a 430i with static m-sport before and it was far flatter, but the springs on the adaptive are really soft, loads of body roll and it feels like it's trying to wheely under acceleration. I know dampers too would be a better option, but how good is it with just the springs for the four figure saving!

[MJD1]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Folks, I suspect a silly question, but still worth asking:

I have the ACS springs + 13mm (per wheel) plates + 19" 255 width tyres on the rear axle.
Is there no risk of the rear tyres rubbing against the arch when the car is loaded, e.g. at speed bumps, etc!? I have that on my Audi, with just 5mm plates and stock suspension.

This is how it looks like empty:


2 persons on the back seat, empty boot, 1/4 full tank:

(imagine what it would be with full tank and load in the boot....!)

I have thought of going over to 15mm plates, as many here suggest and drive, but must be 100% sure I will not get contact coming down from speed bumps, etc.

Skyhigh,

No way you'll rub with 15mm spacers in the rear.

My rear wheels are 9.5 wide et 40 (equivalent of a 16.7mm spacer) with 265 35 19 tyres and has never rubbed once on ACS springs even with 4 people, full with luggage and a full tank of fuel.

[cramsnik]

Originally Posted by rG-tom

hmm, any F36 440i owners with adaptive stock dampers and the ACS springs around the Bedfordshire / MK / Cambs area? Be great to see how it feels.

I had a 430i with static m-sport before and it was far flatter, but the springs on the adaptive are really soft, loads of body roll and it feels like it's trying to wheely under acceleration. I know dampers too would be a better option, but how good is it with just the springs for the four figure saving!

I don't have a F36 but I can only say based on my experience of having the ACS springs only with adaptive dampers on my F31 the difference was nothing compared to going the whole hog and having the ACS dampers fitted as well.

It's totally transformed the car for me, so much more sure footed. The harder you push the car the better it seems to perform. If you have the means to get the whole setup then you won't regret it. I ran the car with the springs only for around a year and my only regret is not getting the dampers sooner.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by cramsnik

I ran the car with the springs only for around a year and my only regret is not getting the dampers sooner.

They all say that

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by cramsnik

I don't have a F36 but I can only say based on my experience of having the ACS springs only with adaptive dampers on my F31 the difference was nothing compared to going the whole hog and having the ACS dampers fitted as well.

It's totally transformed the car for me, so much more sure footed. The harder you push the car the better it seems to perform. If you have the means to get the whole setup then you won't regret it. I ran the car with the springs only for around a year and my only regret is not getting the dampers sooner.

So you gave up on the adaptive feature!?
That's a no-go for me…

[cramsnik]

Indeed I did and don't miss it in the slightest.

[V330d]

Originally Posted by cramsnik

Indeed I did and don't miss it in the slightest.

I went straight for springs and shocks and ditched the adaptive dampers and should've made the move sooner, 6 years and 130k miles too late.
my 335d often loaded with work gear is so much more like what a 300+ bhp car should be.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

So you gave up on the adaptive feature!?
That's a no-go for me…

I know you won't take my word for this, but the AC Schnitzer sports kit (spring and non-adaptive dampers) is superior in every circumstance to BMW adaptive dampers. There is never a time when you would think "Cor, I wish I had the adaptive function back". Decent quality dampers, matched to the spring rate, work better than dampers that flip between two non-matched settings.

See our customer feedback for the evidence.

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...rom-2135-p.asp

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...rom-8106-p.asp

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...rom-6128-p.asp

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...rom-2131-p.asp

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...f21-8170-p.asp

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

They all say that

I'll let you know next week....

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

I know you won't take my word for this, but the AC Schnitzer sports kit (spring and non-adaptive dampers) is superior in every circumstance to BMW adaptive dampers. There is never a time when you would think "Cor, I wish I had the adaptive function back". Decent quality dampers, matched to the spring rate, work better than dampers that flip between two non-matched settings.

See our customer feedback for the evidence.

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...rom-2135-p.asp

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...rom-8106-p.asp

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...rom-6128-p.asp

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...rom-2131-p.asp

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/spor...f21-8170-p.asp

I hear you. But no "one size fits all" solution is ever as good as versatility.
Been there, done that

[V330d]

I hear you. But no "one size fits all" solution is ever as good as versatility.
Been there, done that [/QUOTE]


but for me that was exactly the issue, there was no versatility! I drive 20k + miles a year and rarely see good roads, mostly b or worse, though some are quick due to remote locations. I always used to hit sport settings as soon as I started the car, anything else was just too bouncy. I never found any use for the comfort settings on the adaptive.

My car is 2014, maybe newer cars are better?

[Skyhigh]

Yes, was just going to say - the suspension in the LCI modeIs is appreciably improved! I find very good use for both settings and would not want to lose that versatility, even if I can get either of the 2 modes improved.

And not to forget that it is not just 2 settings, but actively "adapted" suspension in either of the two, which one loses too.

[Alpina 91]

My LCI Alpina D4 has superior ride and handling compared to any F30 I have
driven before so another vote for variable dampers.

[cramsnik]

I was under the impression that one of the big selling points of an Alpina (LCI or otherwise) was, among other things, the superior ride quality over the stock BMW car upon which it was based.

If I purchased an Alpina D4 and couldn't tell the difference between that and a 430 I'd come away feeling short-changed. Are the dampers not coded by Alpina in much the same way that they code the gearbox to better compliment the other enhancements they make to the car? I've no doubt the D4 is fantastic but can't feel help it's like comparing apples with oranges in this case.

[Lorcan]

One of our regular customers is a track day instructor, so fairly handy. He bought a D3 but wasn't completely happy with it. He said it just felt "odd". Believing the adaptive hype, he bought a Bilstein B6 Damptronic kit, but hated it. Way too firm, even in comfort, with the rear end skipping around. We swapped it for AC Schnitzer (non adaptive) sports suspension and he was a happy bunny.

True story. If you go on a BMW Car Club track day you'll probably meet him.

[Alscoob]

Well, well, well..... what a surprise or no surprise really perhaps as it was as expected... well actually not quite as expected, it is far better.

I look back to my F31 340i whith non adaptive suspension. While some feel it's okay in a standard form I didn't and promptly swopped RFTyres replace with PS4S's and fitted ACS springs which gave a much better experience, feel, handling and look to the wagon; however, despite all of that on anything bar a smooth 'A' road (and you don't get many of those in Norfolk), while it was a great improvement on what it started with it just wasn't a good as I was hoping for.

Fast forward 4pm yesterday, I sat back in the car & drove off with anticipation, antcipation of whether the choice was right, were all the reviews right and more to the point would I find what I was expecting to find, or am I just a disillusioned soul who is destined to accept compromise.....

80 Norfolk miles later, I'm having great difficulty in wiping the grin off my face! The ACS dampers fitted yesterday, which completes the ACS sports suspension set up are fantastic, just how you can have a set up that is more comfortable and makes some of the terrible roads better while making the car feel more planted with much more grip and stability, is beyond me.

Car is genuinely a different car now, I feel part of it, I feel these's a wheel on each corner doing exactly what it's supposed to be doing, it's composed, you can place it on the road where you need it to be and its controlled, it gives confidence, stability, oh and did I mention more comfort?

Some clever people in Germany and thanks for the advice Lorcan

[tj_g]

Originally Posted by Alscoob

Well, well, well..... what a surprise or no surprise really perhaps as it was as expected... well actually not quite as expected, it is far better.

I look back to my F31 340i whith non adaptive suspension. While some feel it's okay in a standard form I didn't and promptly swopped RFTyres replace with PS4S's and fitted ACS springs which gave a much better experience, feel, handling and look to the wagon; however, despite all of that on anything bar a smooth 'A' road (and you don't get many of those in Norfolk), while it was a great improvement on what it started with it just wasn't a good as I was hoping for.

Fast forward 4pm yesterday, I sat back in the car & drove off with anticipation, antcipation of whether the choice was right, were all the reviews right and more to the point would I find what I was expecting to find, or am I just a disillusioned soul who is destined to accept compromise.....

80 Norfolk miles later, I'm having great difficulty in wiping the grin off my face! The ACS dampers fitted yesterday, which completes the ACS sports suspension set up are fantastic, just how you can have a set up that is more comfortable and makes some of the terrible roads better while making the car feel more planted with much more grip and stability, is beyond me.

Car is genuinely a different car now, I feel part of it, I feel these's a wheel on each corner doing exactly what it's supposed to be doing, it's composed, you can place it on the road where you need it to be and its controlled, it gives confidence, stability, oh and did I mention more comfort?

Some clever people in Germany and thanks for the advice Lorcan

Great stuff - glad you’re happy, sounds like a great ride

[sokol171]

hello , I'm new to the forum .
I'm looking to get ac schnitzer springs for my F36 435d . I have also recently bought new set of wheels from M4 - 437M . I'm planning to put on Michelin Pilot Sport 4s front 235/40/19 and rear 265/35/19 to go with the new set of wheels. Do you know if the AC springs will allow me to lower the car in safe manner with those wheels and these tires so there is no any poke ? wondering if any one has done it before?
Regards
Michael

[anielsen71]

Originally Posted by sokol171

hello , I'm new to the forum .
I'm looking to get ac schnitzer springs for my F36 435d . I have also recently bought new set of wheels from M4 - 437M . I'm planning to put on Michelin Pilot Sport 4s front 235/40/19 and rear 265/35/19 to go with the new set of wheels. Do you know if the AC springs will allow me to lower the car in safe manner with those wheels and these tires so there is no any poke ? wondering if any one has done it before?
Regards
Michael

Hi there.
I have exactly that setup on my 435d GC :-)
But the wheels are replicas with another ET
Have had no issues at all.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by sokol171

hello , I'm new to the forum .
I'm looking to get ac schnitzer springs for my F36 435d . I have also recently bought new set of wheels from M4 - 437M . I'm planning to put on Michelin Pilot Sport 4s front 235/40/19 and rear 265/35/19 to go with the new set of wheels. Do you know if the AC springs will allow me to lower the car in safe manner with those wheels and these tires so there is no any poke ? wondering if any one has done it before?
Regards
Michael

In this case it doesn't really matter which brand of spring kit you have in mind, the wheel offset and tyre size is the important factor. I've not seen any problems with the suggested combination though, several on here have done it.

[archerz]

Originally Posted by sokol171

hello , I'm new to the forum .
I'm looking to get ac schnitzer springs for my F36 435d . I have also recently bought new set of wheels from M4 - 437M . I'm planning to put on Michelin Pilot Sport 4s front 235/40/19 and rear 265/35/19 to go with the new set of wheels. Do you know if the AC springs will allow me to lower the car in safe manner with those wheels and these tires so there is no any poke ? wondering if any one has done it before?
Regards
Michael

Yep I've that setup and same wheels. Running ACS dampers and springs on my F31