[satz]

HI all

looking at buying a lowering kit for my 2009 E90 335i without M-sport suspension, but with 19inch non-RFTs.

I mainly want the lowering, but trying not to get a 'harsh' ride. Not racing it, or looking for ultimate handling.

Two particular kits seem to be only available in UK:

1. Koni Sport with Yellow dampers and H&R lowering springs
2. Bilstein B8 dampers with Eibach lowering springs

The Koni option gives a little more lowering (but I was actually after only about 20mm lowering).

Which do you think would be more harsh in daily driving?

And are the Konis, being twin-tube, going to be more difficult to install myself?

Grateful for any advice

cheers

Satz

[ShoCk_]

Just buy the most reputable kit. I should have got Eibachs / Bilstein but went JOM coilovers. If you don't go premium and go down the cheap route like I did you will only regret it and possibly end up spending a lot of money anyway trying to get it right.

[satz]

hi shock, agree with you about buying good quality. I think both these kits are rated pretty well in terms of quality. What I don't know is which setup is going to give a better ride?

cheers

[Phil325i]

H&R will give you a harsher ride than Eibach. But even then, you may regret how firm it is. If you want real quality (superb handling and supple ride) go for Ohlins.

[ShoCk_]

The stance on my car is perfect with JOM coilovers but the ride quality has been p!ssing me off. I think it's my age as well. I can't tolerate a bumpy ride anymore not on a BMW anyway.

Definitely go for the EIBACHS. You won't regret it. I used to have an Eibach set up on a previous car about 8 years ago and I could barely feel it was lowered.

It was a mix of not wanting to spend too much money and curiosity about coilovers that made me go with JOMS this time round, otherwise I can vouch for Eibachs quality.

[J0K3R5]

Bilstein + Eibach here cant fault them , excellent ride + handling

[satz]

Wish I could get the lowering Eibach springs with Koni Yellows, but no-one seems to do that combo. If I order the Eibach lowering springs it only drops 20mm at front, and nothing at rear...

Do the springs or dampers contribute more to making a ride harsh? SHould I go for softer springs and harsher dampers, or the other way round?

[ChawenHalo]

From experience Bilstein do various kits for all tastes and budgets. Quality is exemplary and have the advance of being specific to each model of car. They're more expensive but last well and have no problems. Worth getting pro fitted by people who know what they're doing to avoid any knocking etc issues. IMHO.

[satz]

Thanks for the input guys. Just when I was about to press the 'buy' button on the Bilstein/Eibach B12 kit, I saw that on Bilstein's own website they specify a different lowering amount compared to what the shops say in the UK... (another thread)

The shop websites say 30mm front lowering and 25mm rear.

But the exact same kit on Bilstein's online catalog says 20mm/0mm !!

I need to clarify that before I order something from literally the other side of the world

cheers

[ChawenHalo]

Originally Posted by satz

Wish I could get the lowering Eibach springs with Koni Yellows, but no-one seems to do that combo. If I order the Eibach lowering springs it only drops 20mm at front, and nothing at rear...

Do the springs or dampers contribute more to making a ride harsh? SHould I go for softer springs and harsher dampers, or the other way round?

Either way the most important thing is that your coilover set has matched dampers and springs!!!

[mjn77]

I'm sitting on H&R Cup Kit and ground out a lot. It lowers non-Sport suspension by 60mm on the front and 40mm on the rear.

[satz]

mjn, that's a huge drop! Your car must look great, but I'm just after about 30mm all around...

cheers

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by satz

mjn, that's a huge drop! Your car must look great, but I'm just after about 30mm all around...

cheers

Eibach then