[Tengocity]

I bought my original 335d tourer back, from the friend I sold it too. It's now on 145k miles, so the coilovers that I fitted on about 20k miles are past their best, and the car sits too low for it's new role as all rounder for station/airport/dog wagon/DIY duties. I still have the original xdrive adaptive suspension, but I'm not sure I can quite face going back to that garbage, but clearly don't want to spend lots on it either. So was thinking that the B12 kit with Eibach pro-kit springs plus Bilstein B6 passive dampers might be a sensible option, as they can be had for less than £800.

I don't want it xdrive high, nor lowered particularly, just normal! And handling more towards everyday composed and comfortable, without being wallowy.

Any experience shared appreciated.

[bishbosh]

I have the B12 kit on my 335d, fitted it myself not long after getting the car nearly 3 years ago as I couldn't stand the wallowy feel of the stock suspension - the rear dampers especially were poor with a rebound so slow it couldn't possibly keep up with bumps in the road.

The B12 kit did transform the handling, but not in a harsh way, the stance and feel is what it should have been from the factory IMO. Obviously subjective but you could do worse than go for the B12.

BTW the B12 kit has B8 shortened dampers.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I have the B12 kit on my 335d, fitted it myself not long after getting the car nearly 3 years ago as I couldn't stand the wallowy feel of the stock suspension - the rear dampers especially were poor with a rebound so slow it couldn't possibly keep up with bumps in the road.

The B12 kit did transform the handling, but not in a harsh way, the stance and feel is what it should have been from the factory IMO. Obviously subjective but you could do worse than go for the B12.

BTW the B12 kit has B8 shortened dampers.

Thanks, that's good to hear. Could you post a pic of your car so I can see the ride height?

My 340 (silver)is on the full ACS sports suspension, and sits ideally, but you can see the 335d (blue) sits very low on the ACS RS Coilovers, and it's too firm for how the car will be used now.

[bishbosh]

This is mine on 18" winters:







Sorry to say that the car needs a ruddy good clean otherwise I'd have get some more up-to-date pics

[Tengocity]

Thanks, that's looks good to me, possibly a little higher than ACS springs would sit, which is perfect.

[Eddamoo]

Watching with interest - my car has now done 100k on stock suspension (well the bits that haven't failed an MOT yet!) Please give feedback on your thoughts Tengocity.

Where are you ordering from? To get the slight drop, do you have to order a non X-Drive set?

[bishbosh]

I wouldn't order the non x drive set as the spring ratings wouldn't be correct for the extra weight of the x drive components. I can't remember the drop offhand of the B12 kit but it is about 10mm less than the ACS springs at the front, with the same drop at the rear.

@Eddamoo you're welcome to come and see how mine is, I've had the b12 kit on for about 40k miles so far.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Eddamoo

Watching with interest - my car has now done 100k on stock suspension (well the bits that haven't failed an MOT yet!) Please give feedback on your thoughts Tengocity.

Where are you ordering from? To get the slight drop, do you have to order a non X-Drive set?

Possibly ML Performance or one of the online Bilstein shops.

I'd always order the right parts for the car, and there are quite significant differences between the sdrive and xdrive cars.

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I wouldn't order the non x drive set as the spring ratings wouldn't be correct for the extra weight of the x drive components. I can't remember the drop offhand of the B12 kit but it is about 10mm less than the ACS springs at the front, with the same drop at the rear.

@Eddamoo you're welcome to come and see how mine is, I've had the b12 kit on for about 40k miles so far.

As I understand it, the main issue is the front spring on the xdrive car is shorter as where it mounts at the bottom is different, due to the front driveshafts.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I bought my original 335d tourer back, from the friend I sold it too. It's now on 145k miles, so the coilovers that I fitted on about 20k miles are past their best, and the car sits too low for it's new role as all rounder for station/airport/dog wagon/DIY duties. I still have the original xdrive adaptive suspension, but I'm not sure I can quite face going back to that garbage, but clearly don't want to spend lots on it either. So was thinking that the B12 kit with Eibach pro-kit springs plus Bilstein B6 passive dampers might be a sensible option, as they can be had for less than £800.

I don't want it xdrive high, nor lowered particularly, just normal! And handling more towards everyday composed and comfortable, without being wallowy.

Any experience shared appreciated.

IMO Eibach springs are an excellent fit. But Bilstein B6/B8 tend to be set to stiffly at the factory. Koni Special Actives mate much better if your drop is equal to or less than 1 inch from stock height. Developed with McLaren it's a dual frequency valve technology so it's both a comfort and a sport shock depending on road conditions. I've had them for 3 years and they are the best moderate drop damper I've ever had.

If you wish to go lower, then Koni Sport Yellow can handle larger drops (like the B8's) but they also have 10 adjustable comfort settings to avoid teeth rattling of the Bilstein's

Hope this helps!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by johnung

IMO Eibach springs are an excellent fit. But Bilstein B6/B8 tend to be set to stiffly at the factory. Koni Special Actives mate much better if your drop is equal to or less than 1 inch from stock height. Developed with McLaren it's a dual frequency valve technology so it's both a comfort and a sport shock depending on road conditions. I've had them for 3 years and they are the best moderate drop damper I've ever had.

If you wish to go lower, then Koni Sport Yellow can handle larger drops (like the B8's) but they also have 10 adjustable comfort settings to avoid teeth rattling of the Bilstein's

Hope this helps!

Ok that's quite interesting. I hadn't heard of these, but a quick look and I see these are the replacement for the old Koni FSD dampers, which I fitted many years back to my E46 330d tourer. They don't seem to be fitted so much in the UK, but they are available and the price is similar to the Bilsteins, so definitely an option. The Eibach ride height is fine for what I want, it's just trying to get the right damper for my needs.

[Daftasabrush]

Hey Terry,

From what I've read, B6 and B8 shocks are too stiff for the UK roads, that combined with stiffer springs results in a crashy ride.

I went for the Birds B3 setup and it's honestly a transformation. It doesn't lower the car from stock RWD (so you might see 10mm drop) but the way it works is frankly amazing. It's basically turned mine into a plush roundabout weapon. The front grips and grips and grips, the diff can then do its work at the back and it's such a hoot. Combined with a much more comfortable ride than it ever had using stock suspension.

I'm sure you know what Birds do, but for others, they take a B6 shock and get Bilstein to custom valve it and spray it black (no garish yellow here thank you!). They then match it with a custom Eibach spring setup which is softer (certainly at the back) than the stock one. The combination is very impressive indeed.

It's so impressive my wife noticed the difference before we'd even got off the drive, the way the car went down the kerb was (is) so much better.

If you're ever back down this way, do let me know and you can have a ride in it.

Edit:

What makes you think the coilovers are shot after just 20K miles? That's not a lot of mileage!

[ar68]

I think he is saying the car as done 125k on the coilovers.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by ar68

I think he is saying the car as done 125k on the coilovers.

Well that makes far more sense

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by ar68

I think he is saying the car as done 125k on the coilovers.

That's correct! I fitted them Coilovers back in 2014 I think, so they've been on the car 6+ years, and done well over 100k miles. They're not totally knackered by any means, but the adjusters are seized, and I'm sure they're not anywhere near as good as when new.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

Hey Terry,

From what I've read, B6 and B8 shocks are too stiff for the UK roads, that combined with stiffer springs results in a crashy ride.

I went for the Birds B3 setup and it's honestly a transformation. It doesn't lower the car from stock RWD (so you might see 10mm drop) but the way it works is frankly amazing. It's basically turned mine into a plush roundabout weapon. The front grips and grips and grips, the diff can then do its work at the back and it's such a hoot. Combined with a much more comfortable ride than it ever had using stock suspension.

I'm sure you know what Birds do, but for others, they take a B6 shock and get Bilstein to custom valve it and spray it black (no garish yellow here thank you!). They then match it with a custom Eibach spring setup which is softer (certainly at the back) than the stock one. The combination is very impressive indeed.

It's so impressive my wife noticed the difference before we'd even got off the drive, the way the car went down the kerb was (is) so much better.

If you're ever back down this way, do let me know and you can have a ride in it.

Edit:

What makes you think the coilovers are shot after just 20K miles? That's not a lot of mileage!

Hi Tom, good to hear you still have the 340!

I've now got a 340 tourer also, and it's on the ACS version of the Birds kit you have. It's exactly as you describe, and a perfect balance of wonderful ride and decent handling. My dad has the Birds set up on his M135i and I was super impressed with it too. I suspect the Birds is a little firmer and all the better for it when it comes to handling, as I think the ACS sports suspension is a little too soft for me when pushing it.
So back to the 335d… I've no doubts that if this were a newer car with a long life ahead of it still then it would be worth going down that route, but it really is meant to be a cheap run around for leaving at the airport and train station, carrying the dog etc. Main objective is to raise it back up, and move the balance to comfort over handling.
Cheapest thing would actually probably to refit the adaptive dampers and get a set of Eibachs, but these Koni ones might be worth a look and I can get a full set for around £500.

[ar68]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

That's correct! I fitted them Coilovers back in 2014 I think, so they've been on the car 6+ years, and done well over 100k miles. They're not totally knackered by any means, but the adjusters are seized, and I'm sure they're not anywhere near as good as when new.

I think you fit the RS coilover setup that you got from GTSussex in early 2016 which was about the time I joined the forum as I remember reading your reviews on it.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by ar68

I think you fit the RS coilover setup that you got from GTSussex in early 2016 which was about the time I joined the forum as I remember reading your reviews on it.

Yes, that's right, well remembered, except I'm sure it was earlier than 2016. Anyway, it's done good service in that time. I'd have thought more parts all round the suspension could do with a freshen up really, but defeats the whole point of getting a "cheap' run around if I do that.

[ar68]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Yes, that's right, well remembered, except I'm sure it was earlier than 2016. Anyway, it's done good service in that time. I'd have thought more parts all round the suspension could do with a freshen up really, but defeats the whole point of getting a "cheap' run around if I do that.

What did you do with the ACS springs you originally had on the car?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by ar68

What did you do with the ACS springs you originally had on the car?

I asked myself the same question! I don't have them so can only assume that I sold them on when I fitted the Coilovers

[ar68]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I asked myself the same question! I don't have them so can only assume that I sold them on when I fitted the Coilovers

I was thinking that if they were still on the adaptives that would have been an adequate if not ideal solution for a workhorse F31 especially when you get the driving pleasure from the other cars that you own.
Ah well back to the drawing board then.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by ar68

I was thinking that if they were still on the adaptives that would have been an adequate if not ideal solution for a workhorse F31 especially when you get the driving pleasure from the other cars that you own.
Ah well back to the drawing board then.

Yes that would probably have been ideal. As it happens I've had the car up on quickjacks today to see if I can raise the ride height and soften the damping a little. I've actually managed to get all the adjusters loosened, and they're actually moving quite freely now.
I've raised the front ride height a little, and working on the rears, but it's quite awkward to do. But hopefully by the end of the day I should have something that's actually going to work just fine for a while.