[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by oranga

Thanks for the quick responses! Since it seems like the loaner spring compressors won't work on these springs, I went ahead and ordered the different, more expensive , style shown in farkle's youtube tutorial (thanks for making that btw!).

Hoping to tackle this soon!

Yeah, it can be difficult figuring out just where to place the two individual compressors on the M-Perf coils since they have fewer coils. You can do it though, but the compressors might not be exactly 180deg across from each other.

[SD Convert]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

full M-performance kit is dampers, springs, strut mounts(top hats), dust caps and nuts and bolts.

Are these "stock" top hats, stiffer, or with some additional negative camber?

Originally Posted by msbihli

I called 3 different dealers and none of them could tell me what came in the kit or knew what springs to order for the kit. Kind of sad.

I assume you know that the "M Performance" logo the dealerships in the U.S. display is something they buy and not something they earn. That's the sad part.

Originally Posted by oranga

msbihli I just got my suspension in and am looking to tackle the install soon. What kind of spring compressor were you using?

One like this?

A strut spring compressor tool is best. The one I use at a friend's shop can go around the entire thing - clamps the top hat and strut with the spring between.

It's similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MMLG9ZU/

[oranga]

I've been watching lots of install videos to try to prep as much as possible for the actual install this Sunday when my buddy is free. Most of the videos just show the install for a single side, but then i came across one that said that the struts were directional and to make sure you install them on the correct side. I went to double check my kit, and mild panic set in as I confirmed that my two struts were identical. See the pictures below and note the orientation of the end link mount. Is this how it should be? Or do I need to swap one out?

[oranga]

Originally Posted by oranga

I've been watching lots of install videos to try to prep as much as possible for the actual install this Sunday when my buddy is free. Most of the videos just show the install for a single side, but then i came across one that said that the struts were directional and to make sure you install them on the correct side. I went to double check my kit, and mild panic set in as I confirmed that my two struts were identical. See the pictures below and note the orientation of the end link mount. Is this how it should be? Or do I need to swap one out?

I did some searching online, and found some pictures and feel a bit better. This picture from ECS tuning shows the front shocks are identical:

[FaRKle!]

RWD passive suspension has uses two "left" struts. RWD EDC and all xDrive suspensions have L/R specific struts.

[oranga]

Thanks for confirming. After my last post I also went and looked at my actual CAR (makes sense, right?) and also confirmed the two struts were identical left to right. I need this install to be over with! I’m just getting in my own head

[oranga]

Finally got the install done on Sunday! Everything went smoothly, shoutout again to farkle for his incredibly helpful install video. It's been a few days and the springs have settled in a bit. Here is a before and after of the front ride height, i think the amount of drop is perfect and the car sits great.

The new springs are a bit stiffer, but the refreshed dampers help a lot. My old dampers had a little over 60k miles on them so the new ones work noticeably better and keep the ride quality reasonably comfortable.

I did notice one thing during the install that i was hoping someone might shed some light on. Some of the install videos i saw recommended loosening the bolts holding the control arms to the subframe in order to let the steering knuckle swing down fully. I didn't have to do that and the knuckle swung down plenty without any real resistance. Does this mean my bushings need to be replaced? I don't have any other symptoms though like steering wheel vibration.

[coldheat06]

Originally Posted by oranga

Finally got the install done on Sunday! Everything went smoothly, shoutout again to farkle for his incredibly helpful install video. It's been a few days and the springs have settled in a bit. Here is a before and after of the front ride height, i think the amount of drop is perfect and the car sits great.

The new springs are a bit stiffer, but the refreshed dampers help a lot. My old dampers had a little over 60k miles on them so the new ones work noticeably better and keep the ride quality reasonably comfortable.

I did notice one thing during the install that i was hoping someone might shed some light on. Some of the install videos i saw recommended loosening the bolts holding the control arms to the subframe in order to let the steering knuckle swing down fully. I didn't have to do that and the knuckle swung down plenty without any real resistance. Does this mean my bushings need to be replaced? I don't have any other symptoms though like steering wheel vibration.

Looks Great

[jh_f30]

Sorry for the tldr, but does anyone know if I can use my H&R sport springs with the M Performance damper retrofit kit? I need a refresh on my dampers, but given my car's age/mileage, I'm trying to go the budget-friendly route rather than going for coilovers, and given that ECS has these kits for less than a set of Bilsteins B8s or Koni Sports, figured it might be worth considering.

[zinner]

Originally Posted by oranga

I did notice one thing during the install that i was hoping someone might shed some light on. Some of the install videos i saw recommended loosening the bolts holding the control arms to the subframe in order to let the steering knuckle swing down fully. I didn't have to do that and the knuckle swung down plenty without any real resistance. Does this mean my bushings need to be replaced? I don't have any other symptoms though like steering wheel vibration.

I didn't need to do that either. Those bolts are tq to yield (control arms up front) so you would need to replace them if you did that, technically. The hardest part I found was getting those springs on the strut, it was a tight fit. I have really enjoy the kit over the years, very happy I purchased it. Price/value is excellent.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by jh_f30

Sorry for the tldr, but does anyone know if I can use my H&R sport springs with the M Performance damper retrofit kit? I need a refresh on my dampers, but given my car's age/mileage, I'm trying to go the budget-friendly route rather than going for coilovers, and given that ECS has these kits for less than a set of Bilsteins B8s or Koni Sports, figured it might be worth considering.

Can you? Probably. Should you? Probably not as these will usually work better with a matched pair of spring/struts.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

I'm looking into replacing my 704 Sports Suspension since it's at 74k miles.

I'm planning on purchasing the BMW M Performance Suspension kit from getBMWparts.

I looked up the kit in BMW ETK for a breakdown of the include parts. I was hoping those who have purchased this kit can confirm this breakdown.

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Total cost of accessories potentially included in the BMW M Performance Suspension Kit: ~$620

Looks like I may be ordering the kit again.

After 70k miles including a decent amount of track use, my right rear shock's seals are dunzo.

Also, the front end has developed some clunking and I suspect it's in the top hat or front strut.

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Looks like I may be ordering the kit again. After 70k miles including a decent amount of track use, my right rear shock's seals are dunzo. Also, the front end has developed some clunking and I suspect it's in the top hat or front strut.

have you considered replacing just the dampers with Koni Sport Yellow whilst keeping the M-Perf springs? or would you rather keep everything matched?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

have you considered replacing just the dampers with Koni Sport Yellow whilst keeping the M-Perf springs? or would you rather keep everything matched?

I'm leaning towards keeping everything matched.

If I could get the revised Ohlins R&T coilovers in time I would just do that. That may be be released until August.

[chewneets]

Is there a significant difference between the dampers in the 4cyl and 6cyl MPS kits? The 6cyl kit seems to be going for significantly less than the 4cyl, by about $800. Would there be any real trade-off to going with the 6cyl kit with matched springs for a 328i?

[roebedo]

Originally Posted by chewneets

Is there a significant difference between the dampers in the 4cyl and 6cyl MPS kits? The 6cyl kit seems to be going for significantly less than the 4cyl, by about $800. Would there be any real trade-off to going with the 6cyl kit with matched springs for a 328i?

I believe the dampers are made by ZF Sachs, they offer the two different kit's for aftermarket and the kit numbers are;

841500000300 (4cyl Cars)
841500000441 (6cyl Cars)

841500000300 = Authorized Axle Load up to 960 kg / 2116.44 lbs
841500000441 = Authorized Axle Load up to 1100 kg / 2425.085 lbs

Hope that helps

[chewneets]

Originally Posted by roebedo

I believe the dampers are made by ZF Sachs, they offer the two different kit's for aftermarket and the kit numbers are;

841500000300 (4cyl Cars)
841500000441 (6cyl Cars)

841500000300 = Authorized Axle Load up to 960 kg / 2116.44 lbs
841500000441 = Authorized Axle Load up to 1100 kg / 2425.085 lbs

Hope that helps

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't aware that these coilover kits existed! I was referring to the MPS shock+spring kits(33502320981), but these coilovers are an interesting option. Do you have any experience with them? Just looking for something to stiffen up the suspension without too much lowering.

[roebedo]

Originally Posted by chewneets

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't aware that these coilover kits existed! I was referring to the MPS shock+spring kits(33502320981), but these coilovers are an interesting option. Do you have any experience with them? Just looking for something to stiffen up the suspension without too much lowering.

Yea… I just installed them this weekend. Completely different car, and still good for the street. I ordered the kit from Turner MS, they had to get it from Germany, so about 4 weeks. I had the Bilstein kit on my 993, and although they are completely different cars, theses are making a better impression to me. Waiting for the car to settle in, then I'll adjust the height up to around M Sport, then get the car aligned.

[IMG]https://share.icloud.com/photos/0lqx...dJrYdOBPcjZeMQ[/IMG]

[charlie fairmont]

Is there a pdf or instruction doc somewhere for the mps? I don't need installation help as much as I'd like to see the torque specs. Based on this and a couple other threads, it seems like there are at least a few non-standard specs...