[dopper99]

I don't doubt for one minute the stock dampers on the 3 series are crap. Reason being, quite simply having fitted ASC springs made me realise how poor the standard springs are so in the same vain, I could well imagine the dampers are pretty crap too. Shame really for such an expensive car.

I suppose putting things in perspective, there is nothing really wrong with the standard set up (else it wouldn't be hailed as the benchmark), and people who've ordered a 3 series should not be alarmed - but the point is - it can be a whole lot better, as you've demonstrated.

Anyway, I wonder if Guy will go for this set up?

[Lorcan]

Changed your mind about insisting on standard ride height then Gordon?

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Changed your mind about insisting on standard ride height then Gordon?

I know I know

It is actually only 15mm lower on the rear. The front I would say is a good 20mm lower. The thing is, it looks like I need spacers now, and I know the insurance company is going to say "No!!!"

[Ads4]

The ride height looks absolutely perfect! Excellent write up too, thanks.

[matk]

how much was the kit nisfan, i would be tempted to fit myself and let bmw have it for full four wheel alignment after?

[Tengocity]

I think maybe it looks ever so slightly a little too low for me- a little like it's just carrying a heavy load! But I've seen other cars on the American forum that seem to be lower and still look perfect, so perhaps indeed it is the spacers, or the perspective of the pic. Thought I do think we've all go caught up too much in the whole ride height thing.

So the ACS RS kit at it's highest setting would still be lower? Even on the xdrives cars?

[teaston]

I absolutely understand why you did this, the handling is quite a let down after the E90, it's just too soft for sporty driving. I can't begin to imagine what a wallow fest the SE suspension is!?

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by matk

how much was the kit nisfan, i would be tempted to fit myself and let bmw have it for full four wheel alignment after?

Type in 48-229012 Bilstein in ebay. Make sure Europe vendors is selected. I used a company called tuning-discounts (Germany), first class delivery, except when it reached parcelforce's hands

By the way that part number is for the KOMFORT system. If you want lower, then you need the standard PSS10 B16 version. Don't know the number. Also these fit F20/F21/F30/F31 models sDrive.

I would have fitted these myself, but had to have BMW do it to satisfy the insurance company.....go figure.

Fair play to the technician who fitted these, I hear he had his metal rule out to set them to the mm. I bet he enjoyed it, not your run of the mill oil change

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by teaston

I absolutely understand why you did this, the handling is quite a let down after the E90, it's just too soft for sporty driving. I can't begin to imagine what a wallow fest the SE suspension is!?

Night and Day @Teaston

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I think maybe it looks ever so slightly a little too low for me- a little like it's just carrying a heavy load! But I've seen other cars on the American forum that seem to be lower and still look perfect, so perhaps indeed it is the spacers, or the perspective of the pic. Thought I do think we've all go caught up too much in the whole ride height thing.

So the ACS RS kit at it's highest setting would still be lower? Even on the xdrives cars?

I've just checked, I'll post pics, but these are nearly maxed out on the lowering front, which confirms to me that I bought the right system (KOMFORT).

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

So the ACS RS kit at it's highest setting would still be lower? Even on the xdrives cars?

Ours is 30-40mm lower than standard (non MSport) F30. Our F31 kit has different springs to F30. Our F20 kit is entirely different.

[matk]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Type in 48-229012 Bilstein in ebay. Make sure Europe vendors is selected. I used a company called tuning-discounts (Germany), first class delivery, except when it reached parcelforce's hands

By the way that part number is for the KOMFORT system. If you want lower, then you need the standard PSS10 B16 version. Don't know the number. Also these fit F20/F21/F30/F31 models sDrive.

I would have fitted these myself, but had to have BMW do it to satisfy the insurance company.....go figure.

Fair play to the technician who fitted these, I hear he had his metal rule out to set them to the mm. I bet he enjoyed it, not your run of the mill oil change

Im not interested in lowering it as i would like the front lip at some point, i think yours looks just right and with some spacers on the wheels would finish it off perfect. The are a good price. Do you think it brings the handling bck inline with the e90 or better?

[Alkidrew]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

I would have fitted these myself, but had to have BMW do it to satisfy the insurance company.....go figure.

Did they increase your premium at all? Glad you spoke to them and told them, be a bad idea to do the work, not tell them and have an accident....ouch

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by matk

Im not interested in lowering it as i would like the front lip at some point, i think yours looks just right and with some spacers on the wheels would finish it off perfect. The are a good price. Do you think it brings the handling bck inline with the e90 or better?

I would say definitely better than an e90 now. Whether it is better than a PSS10 equipped e90 is debatable, but I am definitely happy with what they have given me.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by matk

Do you think it brings the handling bck inline with the e90 or better?

Strange you think the E90 handles better than an F30?
I wouldn't agree. My E90s were no better and always felt nose heavy into the 330d. I remember driving a 1 series when I had the E90 and it handled so much better.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

Did they increase your premium at all? Glad you spoke to them and told them, be a bad idea to do the work, not tell them and have an accident....ouch

It is just not worth the risk not to involve the insurance company. Someone I know had a claim (for a £60k Maserati) rejected due to a terms infringement......Yes......Ouch!!!!

No premium increase

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by teaston

I absolutely understand why you did this, the handling is quite a let down after the E90, it's just too soft for sporty driving. I can't begin to imagine what a wallow fest the SE suspension is!?

To be fair didn't you have a 320d E90? This will naturally handle better and be more nimble.

[Nick the Greek]

If anyone thinks their e90 handles better than their f30.

Get it booked into a garage quick.

You have a problem with your f30..

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Excellent result NISFAN.

If you say its as good as the M3 you can see why BMW wouldnt want to put such a system on a standard 3 series.

I noted NISFAN's comment on the M3 and was thinking much the same. Plus BMW have to fit their performance suspension somewhere in between the two systems.

Also think many M-sport users don't want the E90 feel, too firm for many of us. I have tried the M4 passive suspension, I couldn't live with it on my roads, too firm for day to day use.

NISFAN mentions "there is a more granular feel to the tarmac"... to me that can translate to some serious negatives to ride quality on poor roads.

At least there are tuning options for those who want them.

HighlandPete

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I noted NISFAN's comment on the M3 and was thinking much the same. Plus BMW have to fit their performance suspension somewhere in between the two systems.

Also think many M-sport users don't want the E90 feel, too firm for many of us. I have tried the M4 passive suspension, I couldn't live with it on my roads, too firm for day to day use.

NISFAN mentions "there is a more granular feel to the tarmac"... to me that can translate to some serious negatives to ride quality on poor roads.

At least there are tuning options for those who want them.

HighlandPete

Pete,

Crashy almost always comes from 'over-damped'. There is no excuse for that, it is just evidence of a poor setup. It is never the dampers function to control 'firmness'.

What I am feeling is the spring rate is significantly higher than standard, which gives the granular feel. As we know small imperfections don't input enough energy to move the spring much, so cause this granular spring vibration. However, my car is now significantly less crashy (because it is not over damped), it now feels more like a 5 series than a 3, despite being significantly sportier and controlled than a 5. Win Win Win.

Once I have NRFT on the front, I think I will have perfection, right now it is better than an M235i suspension....and very very close to an M3 set-up. Shame I don't have a more powerful engine.

[matk]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Strange you think the E90 handles better than an F30?
I wouldn't agree. My E90s were no better and always felt nose heavy into the 330d. I remember driving a 1 series when I had the E90 and it handled so much better.

To be fair mine was a 320d but i think there was less roll though the corners and if the suspension change would mean my 330 now would handle like my old 320 i would be happy.

[matk]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

I would say definitely better than an e90 now. Whether it is better than a PSS10 equipped e90 is debatable, but I am definitely happy with what they have given me.

It does sound good mate i never experienced a pss10 e90 so wouldnt know really. I would have to drive one with the same kit as yours before i would take the plunge but it sounds really good.