[phorge]

Car is a 2017 330i M Sport that has standard suspension.

What parts need to be changed for converting the standard suspension (S225A) to the M Sport suspension (S704A)?

Have any of you done this conversion? Feedback appreciated.

[FaRKle!]

How did you end up with an "M-Sport" that doesn't have S704A?

M-Sport suspensions have stiffer springs, dampers, and larger sway bars.

[alohasurftoad]

I believe an x-drive, without adaptive, has the base suspension regardless of m-sport line or not.

[phorge]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

How did you end up with an "M-Sport" that doesn't have S704A?

M-Sport suspensions have stiffer springs, dampers, and larger sway bars.

That's how they give the car in certain countries that don't have good roads.

How I wish they left the "M Sport" models untouched...

[phorge]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

I believe an x-drive, without adaptive, has the base suspension regardless of m-sport line or not.

This is a RWD M Sport model with standard suspension.

A travesty of the biggest order, in my opinion.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by phorge

Car is a 2017 330i M Sport that has standard suspension.

What parts need to be changed for converting the standard suspension (S225A) to the M Sport suspension (S704A)?

Have any of you done this conversion? Feedback appreciated.

IMO it wouldn't make sense to do that unless someone handed you the used BMW parts for free/cheap and you do your own labor. Otherwise it's less costly and you'll achieve a much better result by choosing the best aftermarket components to form a suspension system that best meets your needs.

[phorge]

Originally Posted by johnung

IMO it wouldn't make sense to do that unless someone handed you the used BMW parts for free/cheap and you do your own labor. Otherwise it's less costly and you'll achieve a much better result by choosing the best aftermarket components to form a suspension system that best meets your needs.

Car is still under warranty. Otherwise, would have given it a go.

Dealer says only the dampers need to be changed. Springs and sway bars do not need to be changed. Sounds too good to be true.

Would help if someone with the S704A option could provide part numbers for the springs and sway bars.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by phorge

Car is still under warranty. Otherwise, would have given it a go.

Dealer says only the dampers need to be changed. Springs and sway bars do not need to be changed. Sounds too good to be true.

Would help if someone with the S704A option could provide part numbers for the springs and sway bars.

Check used car listings for cars that might have the feature you desire. Run the VINs through mdecoder to verify. When you have a confirmed VIN then run it through realoem or GetBMWParts to get the correct part numbers. Pretty simple procedure

[phorge]

Originally Posted by johnung

Check used car listings for cars that might have the feature you desire. Run the VINs through mdecoder to verify. When you have a confirmed VIN then run it through realoem or GetBMWParts to get the correct part numbers. Pretty simple procedure

Sounds good. Much thanks.

[phorge]

GetBMWParts is the site to go to.

Enter your VIN and it gives the part numbers for all types of suspension that the car can support. No need for an additional VIN.

Great site.

[alohasurftoad]

With all this effort to obtain a 704 suspension, you should consider the M-Perfomance suspension, which lowers the car 20mm from base and 10mm lower than 704. Although its slightly firm, there is a noticeable handling and visual(reduced wheelgap) improvement.

[thatBimmerBloke]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

With all this effort to obtain a 704 suspension, you should consider the M-Perfomance suspension, which lowers the car 20mm from base and 10mm lower than 704. Although its slightly firm, there is a noticeable handling and visual(reduced wheelgap) improvement.

Is this for xDrive also? If so then it should probably lower the xDrive by 30mm as RWD base is already 10mm lower than xDrive?

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

Is this for xDrive also? If so then it should probably lower the xDrive by 30mm as RWD base is already 10mm lower than xDrive?

unfortunately they do not make M-Performance Suspension for x-drive.

[thatBimmerBloke]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

unfortunately they do not make M-Performance Suspension for x-drive.

This is how BMW sees us xDrive folks

[phorge]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

With all this effort to obtain a 704 suspension, you should consider the M-Perfomance suspension, which lowers the car 20mm from base and 10mm lower than 704. Although its slightly firm, there is a noticeable handling and visual(reduced wheelgap) improvement.

Actually, did look into the M Performance suspension upgrade. But the lowering by 20 mm is not a wise idea with the crappy roads and unscientific speed breakers here. M Sport suspension seems like a nice middle ground.

Only changing the shocks and springs. Not changing the sway bars. Will that be fine?

[alohasurftoad]

Sway bars require removing the sub frame, very labor, thus cost intensive.

While the 704 is obviously better than the base, Its still not that composed during sporty driving.

I'd rather do eibach springs with bilstein b6 or koni dampers

[phorge]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

Sway bars require removing the sub frame, very labor, thus cost intensive.

While the 704 is obviously better than the base, Its still not that composed during sporty driving.

I'd rather do eibach springs with bilstein b6 or koni dampers

Car is still under warranty. Therefore, limited to OEM replacements.

Might put off sway bar replacement. Just shocks and springs will be changed.

[alohasurftoad]

the bmw parts and service department you are buying from and having it installed at, should have the part numbers for the 704?

FYI other than the part warranty, will your dealership honor a warranty for a 704 bought and installed elsewhere?

[phorge]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

the bmw parts and service department you are buying from and having it installed at, should have the part numbers for the 704?

FYI other than the part warranty, will your dealership honor a warranty for a 704 bought and installed elsewhere?

Getting it installed at the dealership because the warranty is still active.

For some reason their system is not giving out the coil spring part numbers.

[cfm56d7b]

Shocks and springs are considered wear and tear items. What specific warranty does BMW offer on OEM parts which were not however a part of the original build?

[phorge]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Shocks and springs are considered wear and tear items. What specific warranty does IBM offer on OEM parts which were not however a part of the original build?

IBM?

Assuming you meant BMW, suspension warranty is valid if the installation is done with OEM parts at the dealership.

[Z K]

You can buy msport specific aftermarket shocks from most vendors.

The spring part numbers are totally dependent on your configuration. BMW has many many different springs for the same car depending on what options your car has.

I went through this with Farkle's help last year. I ordered new springs which was pretty pricey. My 328i with automatic transmission and RWD came out to be BMW part # 31336851921 front and 33536851930 rear. #31336851920 front may work depending on what your car is equipped with. I tried these -920 fronts and it was too soft for my car as it was fully loaded.

With msport springs and shocks, it'll get you 80-90% of the handling of the m sport suspension. If you just want the m sport ride height, all you need is the springs.