[MomoM3]

Car: 2016 340i xDrive, 6MT (FTW!), M Sport Package, Track Handling Package, etc.

Just thought to share a few quick snaps of my new setup which is actually how an xDrive should come stock from the factory. Dinan Performance Springs and Supplemental Ride Quality & Handling Kit with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. 1” drop in the front and 1.125” in the rear.

I’ve had a few M3s in the past and thought the xDrive’s standard suspension coupled with its higher ride height made the car too floaty for my taste, even with VSS and Adaptive M Dampers. The S001 run-flats weren’t terrible but figured I’m getting an alignment anyway so I may as well get new tires.

After install, there’s a distinct improvement on all aspects of handling. I must say that I can’t decide whether I love the springs or tires more since both add equally to the improved driving dynamics. It feels closer to the e92 M3 in normal mode. The slight reverse rake of the springs also helps eliminate the rear from squatting under heavy acceleration. I immediately realized how unnoticeable the difference in the lower ride height was over bumps in the road but certainly there was a huge improvement in sharp cornering on the twisty rural roads around me. The car also feels lighter and more nimble on top of looking way better without the four-finger wheel gap.

This car should have come like this from the factory...

[.BMW.]

Looks great!

[razzy530]

MUCH better!!! And you're right

[Lego864]

I couldn't agree more. Ditching the run flats and adding Dinan drop springs is a huge improvement! Your car looks awesome by the way! Altitude sets the attitude

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by Lego864

I couldn't agree more. Ditching the run flats and adding Dinan drop springs is a huge improvement! Your car looks awesome by the way! Altitude sets the attitude

I was worried the car would ride too firm but I think the non runflats cancel out what road harshness comes with the lower ride. If anything there is now less road noise and less harshness. I'm really happy with the setup.

I think I will skip Dinan Shockware too - I like it exactly where it is.

[hdizzle]

Your car looks great. My '16 is nearly identical in its stock form, and the squatting & floatiness of the car is beginning to drive me nuts. First world problems.

I agree with your statement, post-mod, that's how the xDrive's with M Sport/Track should have came from the factory.

Where'd you have the work done? The LCI steering feedback is noticeably better, but did the tires/springs improve upon it further?

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by hdizzle

Where'd you have the work done? The LCI steering feedback is noticeably better, but did the tires/springs improve upon it further?

I had the Dinan work done at my local mod-friendly dealership. $1100 installed including alignment. Tire mount/balance was extra and I had TireRack ship the tires direct to the dealership.

Steering on the LCI with VSS is already fantastic. As many others have said the non RFTs unequivocally eliminates the dead center feel. The springs make the car feel more planted and certainly improves steering response.

I forgot to add I've noticed a HUGE improvement in high-speed stability too. 100+ mph feels so much more stable with zero floatiness.

I've never modded any of my previous 4 BMWs but I highly recommend this setup. Basically zero cons in doing this.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Looks good

[FeelinBlessed]

congrats!

[Raikkonen]

Why the reverse rake? Simply to avoid squatting under acceleration?
You intentionally chose to do that?

Do xDrives have a reverse rake from the factory as stock?

It just looks slightly unusual...
(sorry for all of the questions, but I'll be ordering an Msport xDrive soon, w/ adaptive, and would also like to do a similar drop)

Car is GORGEOUS btw

[Big Nodge]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

Why the reverse rake? Simply to avoid squatting under acceleration?
You intentionally chose to do that?

Do xDrives have a reverse rake from the factory as stock?

It just looks slightly unusual...
(sorry for all of the questions, but I'll be ordering an Msport xDrive soon, w/ adaptive, and would also like to do a similar drop)

Car is GORGEOUS btw

The 340i xDrive does have modest reverse rake from the factory, and the Dinan springs exacerbate that a bit by dropping the rear a little more than the front. So if you choose to do Dinan springs you don't really have a choice.

[mkrup87]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

I was worried the car would ride too firm but I think the non runflats cancel out what road harshness comes with the lower ride. If anything there is now less road noise and less harshness. I'm really happy with the setup.

I think I will skip Dinan Shockware too - I like it exactly where it is.

First off, the car looks great, and I'm really glad to hear the positive results! I'm having mine installed on Monday, and I'm definitely looking forward to it.

That said, I decided to just go full bore and do springs, bumpstops, Shockware, and sways all at the same time (going to do MPSS when I get closer to the end of the treadlife on the runflats), and I'm a little worried based on your comments that it might end up being overkill. Think that setup might end up being too harsh?

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

Why the reverse rake? Simply to avoid squatting under acceleration?
You intentionally chose to do that?

Do xDrives have a reverse rake from the factory as stock?

It just looks slightly unusual...
(sorry for all of the questions, but I'll be ordering an Msport xDrive soon, w/ adaptive, and would also like to do a similar drop)

Car is GORGEOUS btw

To me, the reverse rake isn't exactly all that noticeable but it's there and does help the rear from squatting. Car feels very 'linear' on WOT now. Not entirely unusual - I was checking out an M4 at the dealership the other day and saw it also had a reverse rake so it doesn't bother me on my 340i especially since it's so unnoticeable.

That's the way Dinan springs are made (likely for a reason) and I went Dinan for two reasons: 1) I keep my warranty and 2) it can still be CPO by BMW with Dinan parts. Coilovers would be a waste of money for me since the Dinan springs and bumpstops brought me to exactly where I wanted the car. I really don't need to tinker around with ride height either - it's no track car.

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by mkrup87

First off, the car looks great, and I'm really glad to hear the positive results! I'm having mine installed on Monday, and I'm definitely looking forward to it.

That said, I decided to just go full bore and do springs, bumpstops, Shockware, and sways all at the same time (going to do MPSS when I get closer to the end of the treadlife on the runflats), and I'm a little worried based on your comments that it might end up being overkill. Think that setup might end up being too harsh?

I had plenty of tread left on my run-flats but decided to buy the PSS since I know they're vastly superior and that I was getting an alignment anyway. I was also concerned the wear pattern from the old tires would throw off my alignment a bit if I didn't' swap tires. The run-flats are sitting in my basement with probably half-life left.

I wish I could tell you how the drop feels with the run-flats but I didn't want to take the chance and did it all in one shot.

As for Shockware... I wanted to get it but the tech said pass and see how you like the drive first and I love it. Although I don't ever drive in Comfort I wouldn't want to lose that damper setting either and the Sport setting is just fine with me.

[FeelinBlessed]

I've read someone mention BMW designed the front fenders differently (larger opening) than the rears to prevent rubbing of the front wheels when turning.
I think that's what makes it look more reverse rake than it really is.
Can't speak for Dinan personally but has a great reputation. I would've gotten them too if they weren't so expensive...relatively

[Araemo]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

Car: 2016 340i xDrive, 6MT (FTW!), M Sport Package, Track Handling Package, etc.

Just thought to share a few quick snaps of my new setup which is actually how an xDrive should come stock from the factory. Dinan Performance Springs and Supplemental Ride Quality & Handling Kit with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. 1” drop in the front and 1.125” in the rear.

So, why did you decide to skip the sways? I'd be very tempted to do the sways as well if I did the dinan springs.

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by Araemo

So, why did you decide to skip the sways? I'd be very tempted to do the sways as well if I did the dinan springs.

Why? No good reason other than they're expensive! Also there's something ridiculous like 6+ hours of labor involved, presumably because they need to drop the front sub-frame.

[DG20]

Car looks great! Just dropped mine yesterday too haha

[RedKloud]

Has anyone installed the Dinan springs and bump stops on the non-adaptive base suspension?

[mkrup87]

Originally Posted by Araemo

So, why did you decide to skip the sways? I'd be very tempted to do the sways as well if I did the dinan springs.

I'll be getting mine installed on Monday along with Shockware, springs, and bumpstops. I'll give a review once I've had a few days to test them out.

[Araemo]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

Why? No good reason other than they're expensive! Also there's something ridiculous like 6+ hours of labor involved, presumably because they need to drop the front sub-frame.

Yeah, I understand that - one of the reasons I'm going to hold off and see if I really want it. I'm likely to either leave it stock or go all out and do LSD + springs + sways, and the LSD is even more labor than the sways I think.

[lens]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

Why? No good reason other than they're expensive! Also there's something ridiculous like 6+ hours of labor involved, presumably because they need to drop the front sub-frame.

Go to an indy performance shop, it's cheaper! I paid 400$ for Dinan springs+bumpstops and alignment at my local performance shop. I was quoted 550-600$ for sway bars installation.