[wayward.travel]

I know there are already a few threads about this, but none seem to come to a definite conclusion and the OP never seems to follow through with which modification they purchased or a review of their experience (right or wrong).

I have been trying to figure out which lowering springs I would like to install on my 2015 335i M-Sport with DHP and have been heavily considering either DINAN or H&R Sport. I've seen plenty of reviews and pictures of either installation; the DINAN springs seem inconsistent and typically induce a reverse rake, the H&R (IMO) provide the best aesthetics but there have been a few quality reports and troubles with squeaks. In an attempt to reassure myself that the H&R system is for me, I would appreciate any comments from those who have either H&R Sport or DINAN on a 335i with DHP.

Would it be useless to consider the H&R Sport Springs with the DINAN Bump Stops to protect the DHP? I have also heard the DINAN Shockware pairs well with the H&R Sports.

[slicer]

I went with H&R with Dinan bump stops for my F31 but have not yet installed. Dinan uses OE bump stops for their kits (I spent $100 for the same bump stops that Dinan sells for $180 IIRC). Do some searching on the forum for the part numbers associated with your platform. I will report back with my opinion on ride quality once I get mine installed. However I'm putting them on an X-drive wagon which of course isn't directly comparable to your 335i.

[JaredG_F30]

In before the "just get coilovers" comment! Honestly though, I was considering H&R but after more research found that the ride can be quite bouncy making you look like a lowered 1990's civic that needs new shocks. I decided to go big or go home and save up for Ohlins coilovers.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by JaredG_F30

In before the "just get coilovers" comment! Honestly though, I was considering H&R but after more research found that the ride can be quite bouncy making you look like a lowered 1990's civic that needs new shocks. I decided to go big or go home and save up for Ohlins coilovers.

I 100% agree that's the best and "right" way to do it. I'm hoping to cut corners a little on my F31 since I have gone deep with mods on my M3. I may end up regretting it (if the ride quality is horrible) and would definitely get coil-overs if I were trying to use the F31 for performance driving. I have had lowering springs in the past and, while not as good as coil-overs, they were perfectly acceptable for daily use. I'm hoping for the same result here.

OP - you should definitely take into consideration your planned use for the car. Coil-overs will absolutely deliver better performance and ride quality.

[wayward.travel]

Originally Posted by slicer

I went with H&R with Dinan bump stops for my F31 but have not yet installed. I will report back with my opinion on ride quality once I get mine installed.

slicer thanks for your feedback and I'm eager to find out how the install goes. Are you also considering DINAN Shockware if the ride isn't already too stiff?

My car is a 2015 with 28K miles and my daily driver. I do maybe 7K miles a year which is mostly highway with a little "spirited" driving. Should I expect the springs to degrade the ride of the car quickly? I wouldn't consider replacing the struts for another 50K miles at least.

Originally Posted by JaredG_F30

I decided to go big or go home and save up for Ohlins coilovers.

JaredG_F30 I don't disagree with your proposal; but I do appreciate the DHP. Being able to improve the stability of the car when I want and being able to reduce the stiffness when I have passengers is a nice feature. I know there are coilover options available which provide similar features but I'm not interested in spending the money today or moving that far from OEM at this point. It is an option for the future though.

[JaredG_F30]

No doubt. Everyone has different needs. I'm prepping my car for track duty thus the Ohlins. Cheers!!

Originally Posted by wayward.travel

JaredG_F30 I don't disagree with your proposal; but I do appreciate the DHP. Being able to improve the stability of the car when I want and being able to reduce the stiffness when I have passengers is a nice feature. I know there are coilover options available which provide similar features but I'm not interested in spending the money today or moving that far from OEM at this point. It is an option for the future though.

[PabloK]

running Dinan springs, Dinan bumpstops, and shockware on my 335 and m235.

It's heaven. 10/10

[PabloK]

My car is a 2015 with 28K miles and my daily driver. I do maybe 7K miles a year which is mostly highway with a little "spirited" driving. Should I expect the springs to degrade the ride of the car quickly? I wouldn't consider replacing the struts for another 50K miles at least.

NO, the ride quality is not sacrificed at all, it's very very close to stock.

add shockware to firm it up if you want. It's an amazing combo.

best mod I've done

[wayward.travel]

PabloK looking through some older posts and threads, I noticed you had purchased the H&R Sport Springs; although I guess you never installed them?

Despite your issues with DINAN and the original installation (Dinan Springs X-Drive: Major Install issues...) have you had any other issues or noticed the suspension begin to weaken? With either H&R or DINAN, I am concerned about the health of the struts over time. Also is this your daily driver?

I've read other posts by users who hated the H&R Sport Spring setup, but then there were other who had no issues. It seems like a gamble to me.

[PabloK]

Originally Posted by wayward.travel

PabloK looking through some older posts and threads, I noticed you had purchased the H&R Sport Springs; although I guess you never installed them?

Despite your issues with DINAN and the original installation (Dinan Springs X-Drive: Major Install issues...) have you had any other issues or noticed the suspension begin to weaken? With either H&R or DINAN, I am concerned about the health of the struts over time. Also is this your daily driver?

I've read other posts by users who hated the H&R Sport Spring setup, but then there were other who had no issues. It seems like a gamble to me.

I purchased the H&R springs back in 2014 and decided to wait for the dinan variation.

I was one of the first guys to install the dinan springs, there was some variation in the manufacturing of the springs on the first batch. Major headache but Dinan finally figured out the issue and I got the proper springs installed.

M235 has 48K on it with the dinan springs - no issues, drives like new still
355 has 10k on it, so everything still feels new.

I would get the Dinan springs.

Dinan - is a 3/4 inch drop front and rear
H&R - is q 1.6"F & 1.5"R.

That much of a drop will definitely cause issues with your shocks.

I'm just looking up the H&R specs on tirerack so correct me if I'm wrong but I would definitely not do that.


Get the dinan, trust me on this.

[lkstaack]

Dinan springs with Shockware is an effective combo. No reverse rake here.

[F30-XP-DM]

i went with the H&R sport springs on my 14 335i W/ XDrive and i would NOT recommend them. While i think the drop is perfect aesthetically, the ride quality is pretty poor. Bouncy and harsh is how i would describe it.. but you'll look pretty good while being bounced around

[kern417]

I have H&R springs and I'm satisfied. I only feel a difference on big bumps. But I am RWD and standard suspension.

[wayward.travel]

Thank you PabloK , lkstaack, F30-XP-DM and kern417 for your responses. As much as I like the aesthetics of the H&R springs I am very worried about the ride based on your feedback and other posts I've been reading the past week. I am steadily moving towards the DINAN set.

lkstaack is your car equipped with DHP?

[lkstaack]

Originally Posted by wayward.travel

lkstaack is your car equipped with DHP?

Yes

[RedSectorA]

I have the Dinan springs, bump stops and sway bars. Wouldn't go back, car is more compliant and better planted than stock. If you ask me me the sways have as much to do for the improved ride than the springs but can't confirm as I had both done at the same time.

[slicer]

'17 F31 330i with H&R Springs, OE BMW Low Profile Bump Stops* (same BMW Parts that Dinan uses), OE staggered 513M wheels with 255/40/18 Michelin PSS square. Rear ride height in outdoor pics is a little lower than typical as the car was loaded with wheels, tires, and my dog

* Bump Stop Part Numbers:
Rear - 33536762722
Front - 33536784122

My car has the adaptive M-sport suspension from the track package. Plus I'm running on non-run flat 18" Michelin PSS. My initial review is that overall the ride quality is good. Highway cruising with the car loaded was very smooth. I was pleasantly surprised. I did find it to be a little rough on some poor quality city streets. Again that was with a full cargo area. I think this suspension setup will be satisfactory for my use of the car (daily driver, cruiser).

Note that I also have an E92 M3 with Ohlins TTX coil-overs (and monoball bushing upgrades, sway bars, end links, toe arms etc). Further I have had a number of different coil-over setups on the e9x platform (KW clubsport 2 way and 3 way). The lowering springs certainly don't deliver the performance of a quality coil-over but H&R is not yielding the poor ride quality that some people claim.

513M by slicerM, on Flickr

513M by slicerM, on Flickr
513M by slicerM, on Flickr
513M by slicerM, on Flickr

[Herakles]

Originally Posted by lkstaack

Dinan springs with Shockware is an effective combo. No reverse rake here.

Perfection

[mlev]

Originally Posted by kern417

I have H&R springs and I'm satisfied. I only feel a difference on big bumps. But I am RWD and standard suspension.

Same for me /w H&R Sports. I only feel my car 'bounce' when I go over a tall speed bump. Everything feels stiff otherwise - slightly bumpier than stock but that's going to be the case when you're lower to the ground.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by JaredG_F30

In before the "just get coilovers" comment! Honestly though, I was considering H&R but after more research found that the ride can be quite bouncy making you look like a lowered 1990's civic that needs new shocks. I decided to go big or go home and save up for Ohlins coilovers.

Great decision to invest in Ohlins R&T coilovers.

[EDSF31]

Sorry reading this post (newbie) and need some technical advice.

I have a F31 (M Sports Package) with Adaptive M Suspension on 19" 442M Bi Colour Rims (235 front / 255 rear)

In regards to coils is the M Sports 25mm / 1" lower than the standard coils on the basic/luxury/sports line ?

I'm looking to lower further and spacers. This is purely for looks and closing off the tyre to fender gap.

Upon research (and I'm maybe wrong) the most popular parts would be H+R
Coils. Currently looking at Part Number #28877HA2 which states 45mm lower. I'm not sure is this is measured from standard coils ? If that was the case my car would be lower extra 20mm and do I need to do anything else Eg: change shocks etc ?

For the spacers I'm also looking at H+R - Rear spacer @ 6mm and Front spacer @ 10mm

Appreciate if someone with knowledge could confirm what I have learnt so far is right

I've attached 3 images - First two is my F31 stock. The last one looks a bit lower at the rear only and I don't mind it (I was picking up bags of concrete at Bunnings) disregard the orange rim guards

Many Thanks for your help :-)

[EDSF31]

Originally Posted by slicer

'17 F31 330i with H&R Springs, OE BMW Low Profile Bump Stops* (same BMW Parts that Dinan uses), OE staggered 513M wheels with 255/40/18 Michelin PSS square. Rear ride height in outdoor pics is a little lower than typical as the car was loaded with wheels, tires, and my dog

* Bump Stop Part Numbers:
Rear - 33536762722
Front - 33536784122

My car has the adaptive M-sport suspension from the track package. Plus I'm running on non-run flat 18" Michelin PSS. My initial review is that overall the ride quality is good. Highway cruising with the car loaded was very smooth. I was pleasantly surprised. I did find it to be a little rough on some poor quality city streets. Again that was with a full cargo area. I think this suspension setup will be satisfactory for my use of the car (daily driver, cruiser).

Note that I also have an E92 M3 with Ohlins TTX coil-overs (and monoball bushing upgrades, sway bars, end links, toe arms etc). Further I have had a number of different coil-over setups on the e9x platform (KW clubsport 2 way and 3 way). The lowering springs certainly don't deliver the performance of a quality coil-over but H&R is not yielding the poor ride quality that some people claim.

513M by slicerM, on Flickr

513M by slicerM, on Flickr
513M by slicerM, on Flickr
513M by slicerM, on Flickr

Slicer - Really like the Melbourne Red

I'm pretty sure in Australia no one has their 330i F31 in this colour (haven't seen one), purely not many aussies buy 330i touring fresh from factory as it would cost $90K+, compared to $70K off the showroom with pre packaged options. X Drive is not an option either

I've noticed your tyres are 18" non run flats and larger profiles - Is this because you may consider track days ? Does the run flat indicator constantly light up ?