Installed: ACS springs with Bilstein B6's on F30 xDrive

pentagon · 03-19-2018, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterifle

I'm not sure if you're still around, but how has the ride been for you and the longevity of your struts been? I want to do a B6 + Dinan springs set, since it doesn't drop too much and gives you a nice firm ride.

Still firm as the first day...perhaps a little too firm for crappy North Eastern roads. Sometimes it feels too over damped . Handling is still a 10/10, car is more responsive around corners and more stable at higher speeds. The springs drops the car by about 2.5cm which eliminates some of the xdrive gap without slamming it.

busterifle · 03-20-2018, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pentagon

Still firm as the first day...perhaps a little too firm for crappy North Eastern roads. Sometimes it feels too over damped . Handling is still a 10/10, car is more responsive around corners and more stable at higher speeds. The springs drops the car by about 2.5cm which eliminates some of the xdrive gap without slamming it.

That's awesome to hear! I'm glad it still drives as it was first driven!

I also have a few questions too, since I have a RWD, would the drop be less than the xDrive gap? Also, do you ever bottom out? I'm thinking of skipping the bump stops.

pentagon · 03-21-2018, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterifle

That's awesome to hear! I'm glad it still drives as it was first driven!

I also have a few questions too, since I have a RWD, would the drop be less than the xDrive gap? Also, do you ever bottom out? I'm thinking of skipping the bump stops.

The drop will depend on the springs, i think the Xdrive ACS springs lowers the car to the same height as the RWD m-performance suspension. i don't think i've actually bottomed out yet but it was pretty harsh. The b6s have integrated bump stops for front dampers, for the rear...i used the M3 ones, but you could also just cut the existing bump stops.

busterifle · 03-22-2018, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pentagon

The drop will depend on the springs, i think the Xdrive ACS springs lowers the car to the same height as the RWD m-performance suspension. i don't think i've actually bottomed out yet but it was pretty harsh. The b6s have integrated bump stops for front dampers, for the rear...i used the M3 ones, but you could also just cut the existing bump stops.

That's actually not a bad drop at all! If anything i'll probably cut my existing bump stops, I found that replacements are pretty cheap anyways. Would it still work if I kept the bump stocks the same height?

Thank you for your advice and would it be possible I see what your xDrive looks like?!

I'm still balancing between the Dinan and ACS springs, but i'm leaning towards ACS for a lower ride and more firmness.

mtenhoven · 04-09-2018, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterifle

Thank you for the speedy reply!

I'm probably gonna go the route of B6 + springs. But if I may ask, why did you choose the ACS springs over Dinan?

Sorry for the delayed response...

I'm not 100% anymore, but it may have been due to the amount of drop. The application was for a daily driver including snow.

I don't recall the drop difference between the two.

ceedawg · 05-03-2018, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtenhoven

Anyone unhappy with the stock suspension on their F30 xDrive may want to consider installing ACS springs with Bilstein B6 dampers.

I recently had this combination installed on my 2015 F30 xDrive and cannot stress how improved the car drives/rides.

The ACS/B6 combination has provided the mild drop I was looking for while eliminating the floaty handling of the stock setup. The ride is firm but not harsh. Body roll is also improved; adding upgraded sway bars would definitely help take roll to the next level.

Before and after images attached.

Same exact car

,now did you use the stock bump stops or did you have to buy different ones?

Jgallamore · 05-06-2018, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceedawg

Same exact car

,now did you use the stock bump stops or did you have to buy different ones?

I snagged the ACS springs and emailed them re bumpstops. They said oem bumpstops were recommended.

Marlinman · 05-06-2018, 09:56 AM

Has anyone done this with the Dinan Springs?

ceedawg · 05-06-2018, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgallamore

I snagged the ACS springs and emailed them re bumpstops. They said oem bumpstops were recommended.

Ordered the one's for the M5 already. Saw this too late. Thanks for the info anyway!

I think the Dinan sit lower than the ACS as well hence why the Dinan uses different bumpstops. I still love my ACS. A car handles better with stiffer springs and when it sits lower but almost as high as stock.

Marlinman · 05-06-2018, 02:29 PM

For those of you doing this at home on jack stands....did you do your final tightening/torquing of the control arm bushings under full suspension load by lowering the car or by applying a jack to the respective side and tightening? I've seen too many videos (except ECS's) that don't mention how important it is to NOT tighten the bolts to spec when the suspension is extended.

mtenhoven · 05-07-2018, 09:36 PM

For those inquiring about bumpstops, my installer used the OEM stops that came with the car.

guytanatz · 05-10-2018, 10:47 AM

Don't mean to derail but:

does the OP / anyone else feel that the car simply looks lower in the back than it does in the front? I have a 340i xDrive and several people have told me this and I tend to agree. Even after your mod, although subtle, I still feel the car has a sort of saggy look in the rear. The drop looks amazing, but I still can't shake that the car could look a little more beefy if not for this nuance. Correct me if I'm wrong!

ceedawg · 05-15-2018, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guytanatz

Don't mean to derail but:

does the OP / anyone else feel that the car simply looks lower in the back than it does in the front? I have a 340i xDrive and several people have told me this and I tend to agree. Even after your mod, although subtle, I still feel the car has a sort of saggy look in the rear. The drop looks amazing, but I still can't shake that the car could look a little more beefy if not for this nuance. Correct me if I'm wrong!

Only way to get an even look is with coil overs. I think the rake with the Dinan Springs is worse. Also I think the 18s with the 225 45 18s makes it look so because it does not fill up the wheel wells much with it lowered. 19,s or 20s would make the optics look better.

mpm01 · 05-23-2018, 04:22 PM

Anyone else running into issues with Bilsteins being backordered? In a different motorsports world, word is that Bilstein has stopped production for vendors and is working exclusively with OEMs at the moment.

MacklinUSOB · 05-23-2018, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpm01

Anyone else running into issues with Bilsteins being backordered? In a different motorsports world, word is that Bilstein has stopped production for vendors and is working exclusively with OEMs at the moment.

This has been going on since January of this year. I can't imagine how backlogged it is now. I was told at the earliest they'd ship in April, at beginning of February.

mpm01 · 05-24-2018, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

This has been going on since January of this year. I can't imagine how backlogged it is now. I was told at the earliest they'd ship in April, at beginning of February.

It's probably my ignorance, but I wasn't noticing it across all platforms until now. This definitely changes the plans for 2 of my vehicles; the 328D wagon will probably end up with some street-friendly coilovers that allow for a stockish ride height.

What a bummer...

MacklinUSOB · 05-24-2018, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpm01

It's probably my ignorance, but I wasn't noticing it across all platforms until now. This definitely changes the plans for 2 of my vehicles; the 328D wagon will probably end up with some street-friendly coilovers that allow for a stockish ride height.

What a bummer...

Can't blame you, it's awful strange to see without the background knowledge. I went through the same dissapointment back then as well, ECS shipped me their last set of B14's and UPS lost them in transit... Waited a month for them to ship another and tried to source them from over a dozen other vendors with no luck. Cancelled my order and went with KW's and I am exceedingly happy with them. Look into KW Street Comforts, they are definitely street friendly and can be set to only lower the car 10mm, 20mm minimum from xDrive (I believe).

mpm01 · 05-24-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

Can't blame you, it's awful strange to see without the background knowledge. I went through the same dissapointment back then as well, ECS shipped me their last set of B14's and UPS lost them in transit... Waited a month for them to ship another and tried to source them from over a dozen other vendors with no luck. Cancelled my order and went with KW's and I am exceedingly happy with them. Look into KW Street Comforts, they are definitely street friendly and can be set to only lower the car 10mm, 20mm minimum from xDrive (I believe).

Ok, since you mentioned the difference in ride height, why would the xDrive end up with a lower drop in suspension from the same coilover? Is that simply due to the xDrive already sitting higher (taller factory springs)?

MacklinUSOB · 05-24-2018, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpm01

Ok, since you mentioned the difference in ride height, why would the xDrive end up with a lower drop in suspension from the same coilover? Is that simply due to the xDrive already sitting higher (taller factory springs)?

Exactly. Majority of aftermarket spring and coilover manufacturers calculate their advertised lowering based off of a vehicle equipped with standard suspension. So, in theory, a vehicle originally on M-Sport suspension/springs (10mm lower than standard) could have the Street Comforts set to the same ride height. xDrive is 10mm higher than standard, hence 20mm instead of the 10.

mpm01 · 05-24-2018, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

Exactly. Majority of aftermarket spring and coilover manufacturers calculate their advertised lowering based off of a vehicle equipped with standard suspension. So, in theory, a vehicle originally on M-Sport suspension/springs (10mm lower than standard) could have the Street Comforts set to the same ride height. xDrive is 10mm higher than standard, hence 20mm instead of the 10.

Bringing this all the way back the OP; the referenced ACS springs are basically just M-Sport springs that would be stock on any M-equipped vehicle? And this is why the drop over standard springs is 10/20mm?

Marlinman · 06-05-2018, 09:45 PM

Has anyone noticed alternative part numbers? For example, at Summit Racing the bilstein part number 24-217859 is for rear shocks, but I can't seem to find the 24-217859 the OP posted.

mpm01 · 06-06-2018, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlinman

Has anyone noticed alternative part numbers? For example, at Summit Racing the bilstein part number 24-217859 is for rear shocks, but I can't seem to find the 24-217859 the OP posted.

What specifically are you asking here? It appears that you are using the same part number in your question.

05-06-2018, 09:56 AM	#74
Marlinman First Lieutenant 101 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Has anyone done this with the Dinan Springs?
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05-06-2018, 02:29 PM	#76
Marlinman First Lieutenant 101 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	For those of you doing this at home on jack stands....did you do your final tightening/torquing of the control arm bushings under full suspension load by lowering the car or by applying a jack to the respective side and tightening? I've seen too many videos (except ECS's) that don't mention how important it is to NOT tighten the bolts to spec when the suspension is extended.
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05-07-2018, 09:36 PM	#77
mtenhoven Private First Class 124 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2023 Z4 sDrive30i & 2024 M2 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	For those inquiring about bumpstops, my installer used the OEM stops that came with the car.
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05-10-2018, 10:47 AM	#78
guytanatz Private 6 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2017 340i X Drive Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Don't mean to derail but: does the OP / anyone else feel that the car simply looks lower in the back than it does in the front? I have a 340i xDrive and several people have told me this and I tend to agree. Even after your mod, although subtle, I still feel the car has a sort of saggy look in the rear. The drop looks amazing, but I still can't shake that the car could look a little more beefy if not for this nuance. Correct me if I'm wrong!
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05-23-2018, 04:22 PM	#80
mpm01 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 43 Posts Drives: '15 328D grocery-getter Join Date: May 2018 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Anyone else running into issues with Bilsteins being backordered? In a different motorsports world, word is that Bilstein has stopped production for vendors and is working exclusively with OEMs at the moment.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2018, 09:45 PM	#87
Marlinman First Lieutenant 101 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Has anyone noticed alternative part numbers? For example, at Summit Racing the bilstein part number 24-217859 is for rear shocks, but I can't seem to find the 24-217859 the OP posted.
	Appreciate 0 Quote