[328iX]

Originally Posted by 3.0hyeah

Hey guys, I'm getting quotes on install, quick question.. Do the shock/struts come with new mounts for the front and rear? Is this something I should consider getting new? OEM?

Another place quoted me "replace front and rear and install new collar bolts and control arm locking nuts". What uh, does that mean exactly? Is this legitimate?

Also, holy moly, some of the shops in Northern NJ have quoted me up to 1600 for install, alignment and balance. Luckily I found a quality place that will do it for a fair price.

Most high end kits don't come with top hats (Bilstien, KW, H&R) etc. The ones that do are the cheap ones like CA Tuned, K-Sport, etc

$1600 is waaaay too much. I'd say $200-400 is more than fair. They probably hear "BMW" and just hear money

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by 3.0hyeah

Hey guys, I'm getting quotes on install, quick question.. Do the shock/struts come with new mounts for the front and rear? Is this something I should consider getting new? OEM?

Another place quoted me "replace front and rear and install new collar bolts and control arm locking nuts". What uh, does that mean exactly? Is this legitimate?

Also, holy moly, some of the shops in Northern NJ have quoted me up to 1600 for install, alignment and balance. Luckily I found a quality place that will do it for a fair price.

It's uncommon for new suspension kits to come with new top mounts. Unless you've got really high mileage on yours, I'd just reuse your existing ones.

Also, skip the $1600 installs, as well as any shop that says they need to remove the collar bolts to do the job. If they're saying that then they're just doing things the "book" way because they aren't familiar with the platform and faster methods. Replacing the lock nuts is subjective. It's not critical, but nice to do.

You can see my video below on how to do a suspension swap on the F3x.

[328iX]

Hey everyone, I purchased the "new" H&R coilovers part# 28895-4 for the F31 platform. Should be here in a few weeks, will keep everyone updated..

[xxxzibit2007]

Originally Posted by 328dX

Yes. I have decided to go with Koni special active struts+ the Eibach springs listed above.

They are going in this weekend. Everything will be new so it will truly show how the springs sit.

Hi if you don't mind what torque spec did you follow to fix the top mount?thanks

[SeattleLSB]

At what point do you need camber plates to make sure the car aligns correctly?

[andino]

Originally Posted by SeattleLSB

At what point do you need camber plates to make sure the car aligns correctly?

You don't need them unless you want to run more camber. Stock top mounts after lowering only gain half a degrees of camber at most which is beneficial for turn in and front end grip.

[SeattleLSB]

Originally Posted by andino

You don't need them unless you want to run more camber. Stock top mounts after lowering only gain half a degrees of camber at most which is beneficial for turn in and front end grip.

I'm more concerned with tire wear on the inside and outside edges.

[andino]

Originally Posted by SeattleLSB

I'm more concerned with tire wear on the inside and outside edges.

You may get slightly more wear on the inner edge but within reason. If you drive spiritedly or on track, you'll see better outer tire wear with more camber as the tire will have more even contact under corner load.

Fwiw, toe kills tires faster than camber does. f3x has toe adjustment from factory (that's the only adjustable spec out of the box) up front.

[haasport]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

It's uncommon for new suspension kits to come with new top mounts. Unless you've got really high mileage on yours, I'd just reuse your existing ones.

Also, skip the $1600 installs, as well as any shop that says they need to remove the collar bolts to do the job. If they're saying that then they're just doing things the "book" way because they aren't familiar with the platform and faster methods. Replacing the lock nuts is subjective. It's not critical, but nice to do.

You can see my video below on how to do a suspension swap on the F3x.

I can attest to the quality of FaRKle! 's install instructions. I used them over the weekend to upgrade my suspension...no issues, simple and honestly, fun. Just take your time!

[Car 65]

Great video. Lots of information to assist this operation.
Thank you for your time in recording and editing.

[Car 65]

Hi 328dx,

Have you received the new H&R coilover kit?
Really looking forward to your thoughts of this setup on your car.
Thank you for all of the previous information in this thread.

[3.0hyeah]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help, this thread was great.

I went with the Special Active and Prokit combo. Final Result is great. Pretty much as advertised. Big bumps get soaked up without being jarring and upsetting the whole car. Response to small bumps and expansion joints is improved.

Handling has definitely improved. Feels tighter, curves are flatter, but its not a track focused kit, which is what I was looking for. I'm in northern NJ/NY. We have some amazing roads to drive, and some truly terrible ones. This car now handles both better. Cheaper than coils too.

Before and after

[nekky]

Helpful thread! Is there a place that lists the specific part numbers for xDrive wagons? Even Dinan doesn't list applicable parts for an F31...

[328iX]

Originally Posted by Car 65

Hi 328dx,

Have you received the new H&R coilover kit?
Really looking forward to your thoughts of this setup on your car.
Thank you for all of the previous information in this thread.

Hello, Yes!!

I received them, it was a bit of a nightmare. I believe I was the first person to receive the new kit as it was incorrectly put together by H&R(Or not tested on the vehicle). I received the correct part numbers as specified by H&R, but the fronts did not work properly. The struts were too long beneath the shoulder and it destroyed my front axle boots on each side.

I've been working with H&R for nearly a month now and they took care of me! The kit was recalled, fixed, and updated accordingly. They sent me the correct struts, and all damages were repaired!

The kit has a lot of flexibility in regards to height, a little stiff, but so far cannot complain. The picture shown is around 5 threads from max low in the front, and also a ton more adjustability in the rear, I cannot count the threads due to the spring being in the way, but it can quite a distance in either direction up or down.

In regards to quality, super high quality stainless body, everything is top notch, assembled easily like any other coilover kit. I can highly recommend it, and at $1300-$1400 this is THE best kit IMO

[328iX]

Originally Posted by nekky

Helpful thread! Is there a place that lists the specific part numbers for xDrive wagons? Even Dinan doesn't list applicable parts for an F31...

To my knowledge, Dinan doesn't make F31 suspension at all

[Car 65]

328DX,

Thank you for your reply.
Unfortunate that you had difficulties with the incorrect parts.
Good for H&R that they took care of you.
Nice to know that there is room for more adjustment up or down from what your pictures show.
What is your impression of the balance between front and rear springs and shock dampening?
Might you know the spring rates F&R?
Your F-31 looks outstanding.

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by 328dX

I received them, it was a bit of a nightmare. I believe I was the first person to receive the new kit as it was incorrectly put together by H&R(Or not tested on the vehicle). I received the correct part numbers as specified by H&R, but the fronts did not work properly. The struts were too long beneath the shoulder and it destroyed my front axle boots on each side.

Is the PN on the strut in your photo the RWD strut or the corrected xDrive one? Because according to the documentation that's the RWD PN (16 32 452-1/1). ktw bought the H&R kit back in Feb/Mar to use as a donor set for a FCM setup and his front struts have PNs 16 33 452-L 1/1 and 16 33 452-R 1/1. Those struts look proper for xDrive when compared to his OE struts.

BTW H&R coilovers are made by Bilstein.

Originally Posted by Car 65

328DX,

Thank you for your reply.
Unfortunate that you had difficulties with the incorrect parts.
Good for H&R that they took care of you.
Nice to know that there is room for more adjustment up or down from what your pictures show.
What is your impression of the balance between front and rear springs and shock dampening?
Might you know the spring rates F&R?
Your F-31 looks outstanding.

Since ktw got this set for his FCM project he had the springs measured and dampers dynoed. He was kind enough to share the dyno plots with me and the dampers are VERY heavily rebound biased. I didn't get the spring rates from him, but I'm sure he'd be happy to share the info if asked.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Is the PN on the strut in your photo the RWD strut or the corrected xDrive one? Because according to the documentation that's the RWD PN (16 32 452-1/1). ktw bought the H&R kit back in Feb/Mar to use as a donor set for a FCM setup and his front struts have PNs 16 33 452-L 1/1 and 16 33 452-R 1/1. Those struts look proper for xDrive when compared to his OE struts.

BTW H&R coilovers are made by Bilstein.

Since ktw got this set for his FCM project he had the springs measured and dampers dynoed. He was kind enough to share the dyno plots with me and the dampers are VERY heavily rebound biased. I didn't get the spring rates from him, but I'm sure he'd be happy to share the info if asked.

The one in the picture is the Incorrect strut. I also assumed it was for RWD, thanks for clarifying.

I spoke to H&R and they informed me I had all the correct parts, until I told them there's no way it would work, and that's when I was sent the correct parts and the kit was revised.

The correct part number struts that we're sent to me were

1633452-R1/1
1633452-L1/1

[328iX]

Originally Posted by Car 65

328DX,

Thank you for your reply.
Unfortunate that you had difficulties with the incorrect parts.
Good for H&R that they took care of you.
Nice to know that there is room for more adjustment up or down from what your pictures show.
What is your impression of the balance between front and rear springs and shock dampening?
Might you know the spring rates F&R?
Your F-31 looks outstanding.

FaRKle! is better at dampening rates and numbers over me.

All I can say is it is stiffer than stock, you can definitely tell the vehicle has coilovers on it, I haven't driven much to see if it gets better over time, but it's not bad at all.

I'll update overtime if anything changes, and thank you!

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by 328dX

The one in the picture is the Incorrect strut. I also assumed it was for RWD, thanks for clarifying.

I spoke to H&R and they informed me I had all the correct parts, until I told them there's no way it would work, and that's when I was sent the correct parts and the kit was revised.

The correct part number struts that we're sent to me were

1633452-R1/1
1633452-L1/1

How did you get the passenger's side RWD strut installed? The end link mount would've been oriented a different way and shouldn't have worked with your stock passenger's side end link. Or did you buy a second "driver's side" end link for that side (like the RWD vehicles do)?

[328iX]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

How did you get the passenger's side RWD strut installed? The end link mount would've been oriented a different way and shouldn't have worked with your stock passenger's side end link. Or did you buy a second "driver's side" end link for that side (like the RWD vehicles do)?

That's another thing. So not only did the kit have the incorrect front struts, they sent me two left struts.

We had installed the rears prior to the fronts so there was "no turning back" as I did it with a friend and he lives 65 miles away from me. (I pay him labor as well, so definitely couldn't revert everything) along with time constraints.

We bolted the end link and everything was fine, until I exited the driveway it tore it out the socket.

I did drive home with RWD struts, and actually put around 80-100 miles on the car like this, but everything was replaced up front totaling close to $4500 in damages. (Axles are $1300 a piece)

[328iX]

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