[flashollie]

I thought people might like another to review of the springs and as others have said the new AC Schnitzer springs are as others have said a revelation.

The previous ride hieghts were
Front wheel arch 702
rear wheel arch 690
Rear valance 300.
The flat section of front valance 210. I used this rather than the curved underside as it's easier to be accurate.

New heights
Front 680
Rear 680
Front splitter 190
Rear valance 285

After a 45 minute test drive on some of Somerset's windy roads my first impressions are money well spent. The ride us also nicer on a motorway too.

The ride in comfort and sport mode is no more firm than before and it retains a road car comfort and feel. It is not harsh at all. It's more alive and responsive in all areas than my old E61 but it's not become a harsh race car by any means

But what has changed much for the better is the control of body roll and movement with cornering, hard acceleration and braking. The steering may feel more positive but I don't think I've gainned any significant feedback but the steering has a more direct and immediate response to driver input. It feels quicker to flick from lock to lock. Don't forget this car has 4 wheel drive to expect perfect feedback is unrealistic.

Turn in is improved and subsequently quicker and more enjoyable, the car does what you expect when you expect it. It feels more sure footed and planted giving more confidence when putting the power down or braking.

The other area that's improved is the damping. The car feels more damped less like a 2CV. Previously I felt bounce on an undulating road. This is gone.

After this brief test it appears to has less bias to understeer and feels more neutral even over steer biased when accelerating hard a bit too early from an apex. It's more BMW like if I can put it like that?

Downsides? The lower front valance maybe prone to getting caught when parking.

For £615 fitted by the excellent Projex Designs in Cleavedon the car in my opinion now has the suspension body control and driver engagement that a 313 hp BMW should have without sacrificing comfort. This is still my daily use family car.

If any one is considering this upgrade and your not sure and want to discuss please get in touch
On another note I have just ordered mud flaps. As the car is black I don't think they will look to out of place?m

[markymark34]

Thanks for this post. I've my f31 booked in on Monday for this and was a little apprehensive. Your car looks spot on now. The way it should. Mine is the same colour and wheel combo.

[McBeemer]

Originally Posted by flashollie

I thought people might like another to review of the springs and as others have said the new AC Schnitzer springs are as others have said a revelation.

The previous ride hieghts were
Front wheel arch 702
rear wheel arch 690
Rear valance 300.
The flat section of front valance 210. I used this rather than the curved underside as it's easier to be accurate.

New heights
Front 680
Rear 680
Front splitter 190
Rear valance 285

After a 45 minute test drive on some of Somerset's windy roads my first impressions are money well spent. The ride us also nicer on a motorway too.

The ride in comfort and sport mode is no more firm than before and it retains a road car comfort and feel. It is not harsh at all. It's more alive and responsive in all areas than my old E61 but it's not become a harsh race car by any means

But what has changed much for the better is the control of body roll and movement with cornering, hard acceleration and braking. The steering may feel more positive but I don't think I've gainned any significant feedback but the steering has a more direct and immediate response to driver input. It feels quicker to flick from lock to lock. Don't forget this car has 4 wheel drive to expect perfect feedback is unrealistic.

Turn in is improved and subsequently quicker and more enjoyable, the car does what you expect when you expect it. It feels more sure footed and planted giving more confidence when putting the power down or braking.

The other area that's improved is the damping. The car feels more damped less like a 2CV. Previously I felt bounce on an undulating road. This is gone.

After this brief test it appears to has less bias to understeer and feels more neutral even over steer biased when accelerating hard a bit too early from an apex. It's more BMW like if I can put it like that?

Downsides? The lower front valance maybe prone to getting caught when parking.

For £615 fitted by the excellent Projex Designs in Cleavedon the car in my opinion now has the suspension body control and driver engagement that a 313 hp BMW should have without sacrificing comfort. This is still my daily use family car.

If any one is considering this upgrade and your not sure and want to discuss please get in touch
On another note I have just ordered mud flaps. As the car is black I don't think they will look to out of place?m

Very nice review & very much consistent with my experience on a similar vehicle .... definitely money well spent (& of course assisting Lorcan with the purchase of his new yacht ;-)))

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by McBeemer

Very nice review & very much consistent with my experience on a similar vehicle .... definitely money well spent (& of course assisting Lorcan with the purchase of his new yacht ;-)))

You won’t regret getting the springs fitted!

In term’s of Lorcan’s yacht, surely he must be buying his second one by now?

[Scottiedog]

Great review and I'm interested in these myself for my 435d. As for the mud flaps really? Your car looks great and you're now thinking of ruining the lines with these grandad mods? Up to you of course as it's your car so just my opinion.

[Rudz]

Great review mate, this is the first mod I plan to do as soon as I get the car in Nov

£615 sounds a good price is that with alignment, headlight adjustment etc?

[flashollie]

Yes that's wheel alignment. To be honest not sure about the headlights. Never thought to ask.

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by Scottiedog

Great review and I'm interested in these myself for my 435d. As for the mud flaps really? Your car looks great and you're now thinking of ruining the lines with these grandad mods? Up to you of course as it's your car so just my opinion.

I know I'm not sure about them myself. On a non black car I agree they'd look a bit 80s.
Since it's black I'm hoping they'll be less obvious. I'm going to try them and see what I think.
Might delay the cleaning frequency......

[DexGC]

Don't get mudguards, they ruin the look of the car from the rear

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by flashollie

Yes that's wheel alignment. To be honest not sure about the headlights. Never thought to ask.

Yes, get your headlight adjustment checked else you'll be getting flashed after the weekend when the dark nights are here!

Great write up btw.

[flashollie]

Yes I'll get headlights checked. Thanks

Re the mudguards. They may look naff they may not don't know til.you try. I'll see. Watch this space for mudguards for sale in a week or so!

[23rs]

How much to supply and fit with Lorcan at the moment? I just collected my 335xd and feels like a bloody boat.

[rosshutchie]

Looks really well. It seems ACS have fixed the reverse rake that the springs usually give the F31

[Flyboy777]

Looks great.
From the measurements the front has lowered more than the rear. If anything the headlights will need raising so shouldn't be causing any dazzle.
Easy to tweek yourself with an allen key. Probably just half a turn on each one.

[DexGC]

Looks good

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by Flyboy777

Looks great.
From the measurements the front has lowered more than the rear. If anything the headlights will need raising so shouldn't be causing any dazzle.
Easy to tweek yourself with an allen key. Probably just half a turn on each one.

and I thought those folks flashing me last night were just admiring my new springs. I'll have a bash with the Allen keys now.

[flashollie]

ok just done this. it's clock wise to lower. done half a turn. I'll see how that goes when it's dark.

[flashollie]

lowered lights by half a turn. Not enough still got flashed. will do another half turn lower today.

[jharar]

I just bought F31 in Mebourne Red 320d Msport Xdrive.

I want to lower my car, but as my car is on PCP , I think I can't do ant sort of mods.

[markymark34]

Originally Posted by jharar

I just bought F31 in Mebourne Red 320d Msport Xdrive.

I want to lower my car, but as my car is on PCP , I think I can't do ant sort of mods.

I wouldn't worry about springs. Just make sure you put it back to normal when returning it and of course inform your insurance. ACS springs are sold by BMW dealers anyway.

[Hugrov]

I had ACS springs fitted to my F36 a few months ago and would echo the comments made in your review, the car has lost the wallowy feel now and generally just feels much more planted. I had them fitted by BMW because my car is quite new and they did an alignment check straight after fitting. One thing though, my car has adaptive LED headlights, not sure if the dealership will have checked them or will the lights sort themselves out due to the suspension level sensors etc?

Pic is of the car the day after fitting, it sits so much better.

[jharar]

How much was the springs supplied and fitted by BMW