[WillLowe]

I'm beginning to think the suspension on my 435d is feeling a little tired. I already have acs springs on (fitted about 4 months back) but am not thinking of renewing the dampers, from what I've read people seem to recommend either B6 and B8 bilsteins. I'm not wanting to make the ride any more harsh or uncomfortable though.

So what would people recommend going for? And what other components should I look at changing while I'm at it?

[Digidick]

B6 and B8's are an upgrade but if you want the same as OEM but probably better then the B4's are good value. Mine has B4's on now, so much better than the worn adaptive shocks fitted from factory. I was on a budget so couldn't afford new adaptives.

[WillLowe]

To be fair I thought the oem ones were b4. I have passive suspension .

From what I gathered some people say use b8s for lowered cars and b6 for standard. However others say b8s are only for cars dropped above 30mm and b6 are for anything up to 30mm drop. Since the b8s are shorter I assume they are tad stiffer due to reduced tavel?

[Tengocity]

You won't go wrong with either and both will make your car ride and handle much better. Changing the dampers is the best mod anyone can do on a recent generation bmw, even a new one. Not sure there's much else you'd need to replace. My 335d was on 113k miles when I sold it and the rest of the suspension components were still in great condition.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by WillLowe

To be fair I thought the oem ones were b4. I have passive suspension .

From what I gathered some people say use b8s for lowered cars and b6 for standard. However others say b8s are only for cars dropped above 30mm and b6 are for anything up to 30mm drop. Since the b8s are shorter I assume they are tad stiffer due to reduced tavel?

B4 are direct replacement for use with standard springs.

B6 have uprated damping for standard springs (so will be stiffer than stock). You can also use B6 with lowering springs.

B8 have uprated damping, same as B6, but have shorter damper rods specifically for use with lowering springs.

AC Schnitzer sport dampers are similar to B8 but are generally more comfortable and are optimized for use with AC Schnitzer springs.

[WillLowe]

How many coconuts would acs dampers set me back?

[335dX]

I’ve done the full ACS set up, springs and dampers. The difference is night and day. Feels like a bmw should.

It’s worth every penny and more in my opinion.

335d F30.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by WillLowe

I'm beginning to think the suspension on my 435d is feeling a little tired. I already have acs springs on (fitted about 4 months back) but am not thinking of renewing the dampers, from what I've read people seem to recommend either B6 and B8 bilsteins. I'm not wanting to make the ride any more harsh or uncomfortable though.

So what would people recommend going for? And what other components should I look at changing while I'm at it?

If you want a sporty damper without a harsher ride check out Koni Special Active. Developed with McLaren they work like Active dampers without the wiring.
ACS springs are often rebadged springs built by Eibach. Eibach and Koni tested their products together. They are a great combination.

[F31vetinari]

Having replaced my tyres last week to MPS4S today I drove down from the Midlands to Kings Lynn where I met Lorcan (sans Yacht), left my 335d Xd in the capable hands of Ian and his team and spent a comfortable few hours drinking coffee and using their WiFi (and trying hard to ignore some of the shiny toys in and around the showroom) while they fitted the ACS Sports suspension kit (Springs and Dampers).

When the car was ready I drove over to Hethel and then back to the Midlands and so had the experience of driving on most types of roads in most types of weather - here are some initial reflections (and iÂ’m sure they resonate with others who have posted on the same topic):

1) The lowering was subtle but a definite improvement - I didnÂ’t want a huge drop. IÂ’ll post pictures tomorrow, itÂ’s a little dark now and the car is a little dirty!

2) One of the main reasons for making the change was that the front end dipped under breaking and rose under acceleration. It is now superbly flat and the most noticeable improvement to the driving experience.

3) The ride is not too hard at all - itÂ’s firm but compliant when needed. As others have said it feels planted but doesnÂ’t jar you - I thought changing the run flats had helped in this regard and this has improved the ride to another level.

4) Roundabouts are FUN!

5) The ability to get power down when making spirited overtaking on A-roads seems to have improved. In the wet and in the dry getting past cars and trucks was made easier by the stability of the car when flicking out and in quickly - breaking and steering together used to result in some confusion when the surface was less than flat and dry - it now seems to be much more like my F-Type.

6) I forgot to take it easy over the first Silhillian speed hump I came into contact with this evening - there is enough difference in height for it to have a little kiss of the tarmac (although I was used to the barge being able to clear them at a speed that was probably not intended by their designer).

7) I may have incurred a ticket on the way home - didnÂ’t see the camera when it wasnÂ’t bright yellow as they are up here!

So initial impressions are very positive. I’d recommend the upgrade, I’d recommend the hospitality of Rossiters and as for how many coconuts - the ones round us are £3 each so quite a few hundred coconuts, but I know which I’d rather have!

[bishbosh]

I have the b12 kit and it's very similar so can Echo the above post. The Eibach springs lower the front ever so slightly less than the acs springs. For me that was important as I have to drive into a farmers field now and again!

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by WillLowe

How many coconuts would acs dampers set me back?

£1298.72 inc vat, plus fitting (£387.00 if you come to us in Norfolk, dealer prices vary):

https://shop.rossiters.co.uk/sports-...f33-8113-p.asp

[WillLowe]

Oh wow that's nearly 3 times the price I was quoted for b8s

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by WillLowe

Oh wow that's nearly 3 times the price I was quoted for b8s

Retail is £808.80 inc vat for the B8 so that's some chunky discount you are getting.