[madlad2000]

Having moved from previous slower M Sport cars , my last few cars, I thought there was a serious fault with my just bought 2016 435d xdrive convertible which left me stressed. Having learnt from here it's because M sport suspension only kicks in in Sport mode (thankfully the car came with adaptive suspension), my worry has gone.

However, is it worth still getting the ACS springs to reduce the floatyness in comfort mode which is a bit unsettling when youre used to M sport & runflats? (I've put MP4S's as you guys have suggested, binning the new accelera tyres slapped on to get me home from to Leeds, from nottigham)

Reading loads of forums it seems the ACS springs are only around 500 quid supply and fit, and will get rid of the floaty feel in comfort mode and reduce what some people say as a noticeable high ride. (whilst others say, the drop in height causes problems if you have the performance pack front end which my car came with - I already can only just park at my Tesco express with about 3mm gap.. so always leave a gap now)

With 20" alloys, I personally didn't notice the gap until lots of comparing, but it seems for many, reducing the gap on a 3 series for example is to make the car look better by lowering it down. The 4 series already looks sleek, even propped higher up with AS. If anything it makes the car appear bigger whilst still maintaining the sleek 4 series look (?)

Is getting the ACS springs worthwhile?, given that it will remove the floaty feeling, without needing to switch to Sport mode so much and an apparent better look? / the trade of being concern over the front scraping speed bumps possibly?

I don't mind the floatyness with town driving, if anything, it's much more comfy for that 80% of the time... but it always leaves you hesitant to make use of the power, whilst with motorway driving, it's scary doing 90/100 whilst my old 420d m sport in comfort reached that speed firmly planted and without any passengers aware as opposed to feeling like on jelly lol

I'm thinking, to get the ACS springs, so I rarely need to use Sport mode in town or on motorways, unless I specifically need extra oomph / the trade of being carefulness with kerbs and speed bumps. Any thoughts?


Does a 435d Xdrive convertible look better a bit lower down or not? I know the convertible looks ugly anyway - which is why I initially had a 420d and z4, sometimes not using one or the other for over a month, so it made practical sense to get a 4 convertible, which with the performance pack doesn't look AS ugly in the flesh as I thought, but has left me quids up and with a faster car. Despite it looking less pleasing to the eye to me, strangely it's much more of a head turner, maybe because the convertible version looks alien like lol...

new car wheel gap [ https://photos.app.goo.gl/oJL7AhzLrJUr45Pz9 ] , [ https://photos.app.goo.gl/p199euQUTtnHgAMHA ]

old 420d and z420i cars traded in +3k cash, *cries* [ https://photos.app.goo.gl/rBpfhvoXgQ61rcup8 ] and
[ https://photos.app.goo.gl/SnFsMhbqTkRReRKB7 ]

[teaston]

Definitely.

[Soul_Glo]

What he said ^

[scouse stelth]

best thing ever

[Watsey]

Yes, as a minimum, but they are not an all-encompassing silver bullet for ride and handling.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Yes, as a minimum, but they are not an all-encompassing silver bullet for ride and handling.

Well said. I have them and feel the exact same. Definitely an upgrade but dont expect the car to handle like a track star with springs alone.

Depending on road surface, springs alone can be a bit bouncy.

[Junebug85]

As a recent convert... I would say yes!

[madlad2000]

Thanks guys, so the 500 quid upgrade (is that the cost?) will make comfort mode feel like comfort mode of a normal m sport almost? And I order them from acs (£300 approx.) and get a local compatible main dealer to fit them, in my case from leeds it says sandal wakeield. I just take the parts to them and book it in?

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by sspade

Well said. I have them and feel the exact same. Definitely an upgrade but dont expect the car to handle like a track star with springs alone.

Depending on road surface, springs alone can be a bit bouncy.

+1 on the bouncy!

[Vroombimmer]

£500 all in is a little optimistic. Think you're looking closer to £700. I was quoted £318.99 odd for springs from lorcan and was recommended a local Indy specialist who wanted £372 for fitting with wheel alignment

[sspade]

We get ACS springs here in the states for $350, including tax and shipping. Just an FYI.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by danlad99

Thanks guys, so the 500 quid upgrade (is that the cost?) will make comfort mode feel like comfort mode of a normal m sport almost? And I order them from acs (£300 approx.) and get a local compatible main dealer to fit them, in my case from leeds it says sandal wakeield. I just take the parts to them and book it in?

The ACS partner dealerships supply and fit them.

Best is to get them done at Deutsche Tech in MK if you're anywhere near there, will be a few hundred less than a BMW dealership.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by teaston

The ACS partner dealerships supply and fit them.

Best is to get them done at Deutsche Tech in MK if you're anywhere near there, will be a few hundred less than a BMW dealership.

[madlad2000]

^^ Looks lovely in blue.

So these are what I purchase, which get shipped to my house?

selecting in the drop down boxes 435d convertible xdrive

https://shop.rossiters.co.uk/suspens...rom-3472-p.asp

£296.27

But to ring my nearest approved fitter first, which for me appears to be south Leeds, at BMW Sandell Wakefield to confirm their fitting price which from reading above, and being a main dealer, and wheel alighment needed too, I'm guessing rougly £500, so £800 in total ?


I'd be happy with that. Given that the wheels have already been swapped from oem to 20", I was looking to get a proper wheel alignment anyway at some point.. and have heard some horror stories at local garages given the adaptive suspension and so better to get done at bmw itself despite the extra cost.

There are some really pricey mods for visual changes, and so £800 for something that actually has a significant effect on daily driving seems to be top priority.

Then possibly tinted rear windows (it strangely didn't come with oem privacy glass), and a possible custom rolling road remap for 350 to give 370bhpp approx., although in real use , unlike the 420d, there is zero turbo lag, and it's quieter, with linear power, where it feels like a petrol... either it's already been done, or that's the norm given it's a 'straight six' whatever that means, and so not powering the twin turbo constantly like the 420d? I'd hate to repay for a remap if it's already been done.. cant see them letting me know lol

[Soul_Glo]

You need to budget for spacers if sunken wheels bother you. To decrease body roll it is worth changing out the anti roll bar to 150mm version from the M140i on the rear at least. This will help reduce understeer and balance the ride a bit more. The roll bar is not necessary but I would recommend it. The spacers are a good idea though otherwise the set up doesn't look right.

[aquazi]

I think your red convertible looks awesome... personally i dont think convertible looks uglier.

I havent bitted the bullet for acs... i find the ride fine, sport (with adaptives) too harsh.... and dont want any cleance issues with my front splitter being a daily drive and i have to visit a few quarries for work... some with massive speed bumps!

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by danlad99

^^ Looks lovely in blue.

So these are what I purchase, which get shipped to my house?

selecting in the drop down boxes 435d convertible xdrive

https://shop.rossiters.co.uk/suspens...rom-3472-p.asp

£296.27

But to ring my nearest approved fitter first, which for me appears to be south Leeds, at BMW Sandell Wakefield to confirm their fitting price which from reading above, and being a main dealer, and wheel alighment needed too, I'm guessing rougly £500, so £800 in total ?


I'd be happy with that. Given that the wheels have already been swapped from oem to 20", I was looking to get a proper wheel alignment anyway at some point.. and have heard some horror stories at local garages given the adaptive suspension and so better to get done at bmw itself despite the extra cost.

There are some really pricey mods for visual changes, and so £800 for something that actually has a significant effect on daily driving seems to be top priority.

Then possibly tinted rear windows (it strangely didn't come with oem privacy glass), and a possible custom rolling road remap for 350 to give 370bhpp approx., although in real use , unlike the 420d, there is zero turbo lag, and it's quieter, with linear power, where it feels like a petrol... either it's already been done, or that's the norm given it's a 'straight six' whatever that means, and so not powering the twin turbo constantly like the 420d? I'd hate to repay for a remap if it's already been done.. cant see them letting me know lol

If the car has already had a remap, you'll be able to find out as the company will do a before and after on the rolling road (If they have one)

[ryanwarriors9]

Originally Posted by danlad99

Thanks guys, so the 500 quid upgrade (is that the cost?) will make comfort mode feel like comfort mode of a normal m sport almost? And I order them from acs (£300 approx.) and get a local compatible main dealer to fit them, in my case from leeds it says sandal wakeield. I just take the parts to them and book it in?

I get all my work done at sandal Wakefield a mate of mine is a tech there highly reccomend. Plus I only live just down the road 😃

[madlad2000]

tThanks guys for the feedback

Originally Posted by Surg_Capt_R

You need to budget for spacers if sunken wheels bother you. To decrease body roll it is worth changing out the anti roll bar to 150mm version from the M140i on the rear at least. This will help reduce understeer and balance the ride a bit more. The roll bar is not necessary but I would recommend it. The spacers are a good idea though otherwise the set up doesn't look right.

I think I'll be ok with the lower ride on ACS springs, as the more I stare at the wheels when having a cig at the front door the more I keep staring at and noticing the unusually larger gap between the wheels and arches due to xDrive lol

Are you saying I need to spacers to maintain that gap? I thought many people get ACS springs to not only firm up the comfort ride but also reduce that gap so it looks normal ?

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by danlad99

tThanks guys for the feedback



I think I'll be ok with the lower ride on ACS springs, as the more I stare at the wheels when having a cig at the front door the more I keep staring at and noticing the unusually larger gap between the wheels and arches due to xDrive lol

Are you saying I need to spacers to maintain that gap? I thought many people get ACS springs to not only firm up the comfort ride but also reduce that gap so it looks normal ?

Lower ride height reduces the arch gap but doesn't change the relationship between the face of the wheels and the outside edge of the arch. Spacers move the wheels further out, which can help with stance (if that's something that you like the look of).

[mikeoz]

One word 3 letters
Yes

[madlad2000]

Does that mean the spacers will have the wheels stick out a little more, or that the spacers remedy the pushing-in of the wheels that occurs when ACS lowering springs are fitted?

I had the impression It was illegal for wheels to stick out beyond the arch?

and where to I get the spacers from, if deemed they are needed?

thanks in advance