F31 suspension guide & discussion

ktw · 06-09-2020, 11:57 AM

Bummer you had to go through all that trouble 328dX, but it's good to hear H&R helped make things right! I just saw this discussion and was about to call FCM to confirm I have the correct front struts, but it looks like Farkle already has the part numbers (thanks!).

To add a little info, the part number for the full package that I got was 28895-8, so it may differ slightly from what 328dX has. Main spring rates are approximately 340 lb/in front and 640 lb/in rear, so it's certainly a pretty stiff/high frequency ride in front.

328iX · 06-09-2020, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktw

Bummer you had to go through all that trouble 328dX, but it's good to hear H&R helped make things right! I just saw this discussion and was about to call FCM to confirm I have the correct front struts, but it looks like Farkle already has the part numbers (thanks!).

To add a little info, the part number for the full package that I got was 28895-8, so it may differ slightly from what 328dX has. Main spring rates are approximately 340 lb/in front and 640 lb/in rear, so it's certainly a pretty stiff/high frequency ride in front.

Thank you, yeah they definitely sorted everything with me.

The kit I got was 28895-4 off ECS

FaRKle! · 06-09-2020, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktw

I just saw this discussion and was about to call FCM to confirm I have the correct front struts, but it looks like Farkle already has the part numbers (thanks!).

When I read this last night you came to mind and I spoke with Shaikh to confirm you had the correct parts and we already made sure you did! Good to go!

Car 65 · 06-09-2020, 12:50 PM

328dx, FaRKle and KTW,

Thank you for your input and clarification.
328dx, I look forward to your evaluation of this H&R kit after you have had an opportunity to put some miles on your car.

ktw · 06-09-2020, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

When I read this last night you came to mind and I spoke with Shaikh to confirm you had the correct parts and we already made sure you did! Good to go!

I owe you a beer! I know AWD and RWD front struts are different but didn't even think to confirm it's the right one when I received it.

redEYEjedi · 06-09-2020, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

Thank you, yeah they definitely sorted everything with me.

The kit I got was 28895-4 off ECS

Hi any follow up on this kit? Still satisfied?

328iX · 06-09-2020, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redEYEjedi

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

Thank you, yeah they definitely sorted everything with me.

The kit I got was 28895-4 off ECS

Hi any follow up on this kit? Still satisfied?

Follow up on the kit was just from yesterday and today. I installed it on 05/22 but the car sat until 06/05 due to receiving incorrect parts. I've only been driving it essentially for 3 days. So far it's great. I will post updates here as time goes on.

redEYEjedi · 06-09-2020, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

Follow up on the kit was just from yesterday and today. I installed it on 05/22 but the car sat until 06/05 due to receiving incorrect parts. I've only been driving it essentially for 3 days. So far it's great. I will post updates here as time goes on.

Apologies for that. But yes, please provide more feedback as it comes. Most setups will drive well on nice, even pavement. Let us know how it handles on the not so smooth roads. Thanks!

328iX · 06-09-2020, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redEYEjedi

Apologies for that. But yes, please provide more feedback as it comes. Most setups will drive well on nice, even pavement. Let us know how it handles on the not so smooth roads. Thanks!

You can feel that it's noticeably stiffer than stock, it makes the car feel more rigid.

Based off what Farkle said it being produced by Bilstein, I do see the similarities. The strut does feel like a B8 damper, and probably is a stainless version.

I'll see if there's any break-in period or if it softens over time. It does handle my ride height very well though, no rubbing.

There is a slight "bounce" when coming to a complete stop, you can feel the weight shift, but it settles immediately.

chambo622 · 06-15-2020, 10:32 AM

So glad I found this thread. I'm trying to pick springs for my F31 and this is a great rollup of the latest options.

ACS - I'm looking at part # 3130231310. OP says they're discontinued, is that true? They seem to be available from the ACS US distributor, but I'm being quoted $670, which seems very high. Haven't yet found anyone selling them cheaper. Too much for simple springs, would rather put that toward a full setup.

Eibach - see that there are two different kits available that all cost the same and both have the same 15mm front/30mm rear drop. Is the -15 really lower than the -14, given that the specs are the same? The load on the 15 is higher (1010kg vs 965kg) - wouldn't that mean it's actually the higher of the two?

E10-20-031-14-22
E10-20-031-15-22

328iX · 06-15-2020, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chambo622

So glad I found this thread. I'm trying to pick springs for my F31 and this is a great rollup of the latest options.

ACS - I'm looking at part # 3130231310. OP says they're discontinued, is that true? They seem to be available from the ACS US distributor, but I'm being quoted $670, which seems very high. Haven't yet found anyone selling them cheaper. Too much for simple springs, would rather put that toward a full setup.

Eibach - see that there are two different kits available that all cost the same and both have the same 15mm front/30mm rear drop. Is the -15 really lower than the -14, given that the specs are the same?

E10-20-031-14-22
E10-20-031-15-22

They might not be discontinued but I just noticed ECS removed them from their website.

And $670 is double what I paid for them, I really cannot recommend them due to the rake issue.

chambo622 · 06-15-2020, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

They might not be discontinued but I just noticed ECS removed them from their website.

And $670 is double what I paid for them, I really cannot recommend them due to the rake issue.

I've read enough posts about the rake issue that I think I will steer clear! I actually almost bought a car with them installed and didn't notice the rake myself, but I'd rather not risk it. Eibach seems like it will clearly lower the front more.

328iX · 06-15-2020, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chambo622

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

They might not be discontinued but I just noticed ECS removed them from their website.

And $670 is double what I paid for them, I really cannot recommend them due to the rake issue.

I've read enough posts about the rake issue that I think I will steer clear! I actually almost bought a car with them installed and didn't notice the rake myself, but I'd rather not risk it. Eibach seems like it will clearly lower the front more.

With ACS If I remember correctly I had a 10-15mm difference between front and rear. With the Eibach 14-22 kit it was around 5mm. Depended on if the car was filled with fuel or not.

A good combo I ran which you could see posts on the 3rd page is the Koni special active + the Eibach springs. Extremely good ride.

redEYEjedi · 06-15-2020, 06:21 PM

So what's your verdict between the 2? Koni Special Active/Eibach OR H&R Street Performance Coilovers?

328iX · 06-15-2020, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redEYEjedi

So what's your verdict between the 2? Koni Special Active/Eibach OR H&R Street Performance Coilovers?

Love both honestly but probably the coilovers due to the adjustability which I already used many times.

redEYEjedi · 06-15-2020, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

Quote:

Originally Posted by redEYEjedi

So what's your verdict between the 2? Koni Special Active/Eibach OR H&R Street Performance Coilovers?

Love both honestly but probably the coilovers due to the adjustability which I already used many times.

So height adjustability aside, both were comparable in ride quality and dampening of bumps and road imperfections?

328iX · 06-15-2020, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redEYEjedi

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

Quote:

Originally Posted by redEYEjedi

So what's your verdict between the 2? Koni Special Active/Eibach OR H&R Street Performance Coilovers?

Love both honestly but probably the coilovers due to the adjustability which I already used many times.

So height adjustability aside, both were comparable in ride quality and dampening of bumps and road imperfections?

No, I feel the Koni/eibach handled that better. But at the same time I'm 15mm+ lower than the Koni/Eibach setup.

Koni/Eibach felt very smooth and handling improved a lot as well like I previously mentioned. Nose-dive/ launching, etc those struts are amazing technology.

Wooglin · 06-27-2020, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chambo622

I've read enough posts about the rake issue that I think I will steer clear! I actually almost bought a car with them installed and didn't notice the rake myself, but I'd rather not risk it. Eibach seems like it will clearly lower the front more.

I am a total noob here, but the ACS Sport Springs did not present any reverse rake for my 2016 328ix. The kit came thru Turner Motorsport a couple years ago (Part#394987) at a much lower price than I am seeing in this thread. You may check to see if they are still an option, unless you've got your heart set on the Eibach. Very satisfied with the overall ride, even with OE struts.

chambo622 · 06-27-2020, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooglin

I am a total noob here, but the ACS Sport Springs did not present any reverse rake for my 2016 328ix. The kit came thru Turner Motorsport a couple years ago (Part#394987) at a much lower price than I am seeing in this thread. You may check to see if they are still an option, unless you've got your heart set on the Eibach. Very satisfied with the overall ride, even with OE struts.

Yeah, it seems something has changed with the ACS pricing - I know they were going for around $300 a few years ago, but now the lowest price I could find is $670 either through the ACS USA distributor or any others that I've contacted. So H&R and Eibach seem like the reasonably priced options available for the F31.

328iX · 08-08-2020, 12:23 AM

Thought I'd post an update on the H&R coilovers. Still think they're firm but it's honestly not bad, Can easily do 100+ miles without sweat. Most pavement types you cannot even tell unless there's a dip or pothole.

I lowered the car some more since I initially installed them, this made the ride softer. Less pretension on the coils so it makes sense.

Overall I can still highly recommend as it's essentially bilstein, really love the ride.

Car 65 · 08-10-2020, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

Thought I'd post an update on the H&R coilovers. Still think they're firm but it's honestly not bad, Can easily do 100+ miles without sweat. Most pavement types you cannot even tell unless there's a dip or pothole.

I lowered the car some more since I initially installed them, this made the ride softer. Less pretension on the coils so it makes sense.

Overall I can still highly recommend as it's essentially bilstein, really love the ride.

328iX,

Thank you for the update of the H&R coilover suspension system.
I think this is what I will be installing on my 17 F31.
Price point is reasonable and hight adjust is a must for me.

chambo622 · 09-04-2020, 12:36 PM

328iX and anyone else, how are you liking the H&R coilovers these days?

Still figuring out the best option for my wagon.

ST X - KW told me they don't really make a kit specifically for the wagon, so you can use 1322000R with spacers. I think it will be too low in the back.
KW V1 - 102200AB is made specifically for the wagon. However, I'm still wondering if it's too low for my tastes, and also concerned by some of the trouble reports
H&R - is this actually the best option? Stated lowering range is .80 - 1.75 in the front, .60 - 1.6 in the back, seems perfect for me. Around the same price as the KW V1.

328iX I saw you had part number 28895-4, but the website lists 28895-8 for the F31, I wonder if it's been updated?

06-09-2020, 11:57 AM	#111
ktw Private 55 Rep 77 Posts Drives: '14 f31 328i xDrive Join Date: May 2019 Location: North Bend, WA iTrader: (1)	Bummer you had to go through all that trouble 328dX, but it's good to hear H&R helped make things right! I just saw this discussion and was about to call FCM to confirm I have the correct front struts, but it looks like Farkle already has the part numbers (thanks!). To add a little info, the part number for the full package that I got was 28895-8, so it may differ slightly from what 328dX has. Main spring rates are approximately 340 lb/in front and 640 lb/in rear, so it's certainly a pretty stiff/high frequency ride in front.
	Appreciate 1 FaRKle!4016.00 Quote

06-09-2020, 12:50 PM	#114
Car 65 New Member 3 Rep 17 Posts Drives: BMW F31 330ix Join Date: May 2020 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	328dx, FaRKle and KTW, Thank you for your input and clarification. 328dx, I look forward to your evaluation of this H&R kit after you have had an opportunity to put some miles on your car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-15-2020, 10:32 AM	#120
chambo622 Private First Class 37 Rep 175 Posts Drives: F31 328i M Sport EBII Join Date: May 2020 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	So glad I found this thread. I'm trying to pick springs for my F31 and this is a great rollup of the latest options. ACS - I'm looking at part # 3130231310. OP says they're discontinued, is that true? They seem to be available from the ACS US distributor, but I'm being quoted $670, which seems very high. Haven't yet found anyone selling them cheaper. Too much for simple springs, would rather put that toward a full setup. Eibach - see that there are two different kits available that all cost the same and both have the same 15mm front/30mm rear drop. Is the -15 really lower than the -14, given that the specs are the same? The load on the 15 is higher (1010kg vs 965kg) - wouldn't that mean it's actually the higher of the two? E10-20-031-14-22 E10-20-031-15-22
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-15-2020, 06:21 PM	#124
redEYEjedi Lieutenant Colonel 769 Rep 1,755 Posts Drives: G05 / F31 / E91 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (11)	So what's your verdict between the 2? Koni Special Active/Eibach OR H&R Street Performance Coilovers? __________________
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08-08-2020, 12:23 AM	#130
328iX David 786 Rep 2,009 Posts Drives: 2015 328iX F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	Thought I'd post an update on the H&R coilovers. Still think they're firm but it's honestly not bad, Can easily do 100+ miles without sweat. Most pavement types you cannot even tell unless there's a dip or pothole. I lowered the car some more since I initially installed them, this made the ride softer. Less pretension on the coils so it makes sense. Overall I can still highly recommend as it's essentially bilstein, really love the ride.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-04-2020, 12:36 PM	#132
chambo622 Private First Class 37 Rep 175 Posts Drives: F31 328i M Sport EBII Join Date: May 2020 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	328iX and anyone else, how are you liking the H&R coilovers these days? Still figuring out the best option for my wagon. ST X - KW told me they don't really make a kit specifically for the wagon, so you can use 1322000R with spacers. I think it will be too low in the back. KW V1 - 102200AB is made specifically for the wagon. However, I'm still wondering if it's too low for my tastes, and also concerned by some of the trouble reports H&R - is this actually the best option? Stated lowering range is .80 - 1.75 in the front, .60 - 1.6 in the back, seems perfect for me. Around the same price as the KW V1. 328iX I saw you had part number 28895-4, but the website lists 28895-8 for the F31, I wonder if it's been updated?
	Appreciate 0 Quote