[jwebb335xi]

Hey guys,

I've got a 2008 335xi. 85K miles. Bad "hydrobearing" again. I live near Chicago and run 18s with PSS in summer and 17s with Dunlop Winter Sports during the nasty stuff.

Since I'm going to pull the control arm to replace the bushing and ball joints, i figured I may as well do shocks and springs at this mileage. I have a couple combinations I'm considering for daily driving and - POSSIBLY - an auto-cross or HPDE day or two. I'm not particularly interested in lowering the car like I had my e36, for example, with H&R/Koni, which was great for ALL BUT THE STREETS around Chicago.

1) New stock BMW springs/ Bilstein HDs / all new bump stops and hardware,

2) New Dinan Springs / Bilstein HDs / all new bump stops and hardware, or

3) New Dinan Springs / Koni yellows / all new bump stops and hardware.

Does anyone have experience/comments about any of these (3) set-ups? If so, please let me know. Thanks much.

[PrematureApex]

Well whatever you do, don't buy NEW stock springs. Unless they've fatigued and broken, they're fine and you won't benefit from new ones. Same goes for bumpstocks if you maintain about the same ride height...no reason to replace them if yours are still intact.

I love stock springs and HDs for a rough-road daily driver. In general, I like HDs over Konis. Used to be a Koni guy, but I'm developing a love for high pressure gas monotubes...great road feel, but absorb big impacts wonderfully.

You can replace the front hydrobearings with replacements from strongflex.

[1nityrider]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Well whatever you do, don't buy NEW stock springs. Unless they've fatigued and broken, they're fine and you won't benefit from new ones. Same goes for bumpstocks if you maintain about the same ride height...no reason to replace them if yours are still intact.

I love stock springs and HDs for a rough-road daily driver. In general, I like HDs over Konis. Used to be a Koni guy, but I'm developing a love for high pressure gas monotubes...great road feel, but absorb big impacts wonderfully.

You can replace the front hydrobearings with replacements from strongflex.

How will you compare the ride quality of the HD's and Koni. I was actually looking at the B8s so you're saying the B6 HD is better than the B8s? I also getting to the point of changing my suspension and I am planning to do it this spring. I am not trying to go supper crazy with it. The car has 114k miles on it. What other suspension would you recommend me look at too

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by 1nityrider

How will you compare the ride quality of the HD's and Koni. I was actually looking at the B8s so you're saying the B6 HD is better than the B8s? I also getting to the point of changing my suspension and I am planning to do it this spring. I am not trying to go supper crazy with it. The car has 114k miles on it. What other suspension would you recommend me look at too

Konis ride "smoother"...they have less road feel over smaller imperfections.

The B6/B8 is a high pressure gas design, and provide much more feel of small road imperfections. Not stiff, mind you, but the added feel give the initial impression that they're very stiff. However, they deal with large impacts much better than the Konis. No bottoming out, ever. You feel like you could hit anything.

To give some perspective, my wife loves the HDs, so don't feel them.

B8s are short-bodied versions of the B6s. If you're running stock springs, or near stock (say, a 1-1.5" drop or less), you can go with the B6s. With lowering springs going beyond mild, you'll want the shorter-bodied B8s.

Technically, you can run the B8s on stock springs, but you'll lose some overall travel and will pre-compress the spring a bit more.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Konis ride "smoother"...they have less road feel over smaller imperfections.

The B6/B8 is a high pressure gas design, and provide much more feel of small road imperfections. Not stiff, mind you, but the added feel give the initial impression that they're very stiff. However, they deal with large impacts much better than the Konis. No bottoming out, ever. You feel like you could hit anything.

To give some perspective, my wife loves the HDs, so don't feel them.

B8s are short-bodied versions of the B6s. If you're running stock springs, or near stock (say, a 1-1.5" drop or less), you can go with the B6s. With lowering springs going beyond mild, you'll want the shorter-bodied B8s.

Technically, you can run the B8s on stock springs, but you'll lose some overall travel and will pre-compress the spring a bit more.

Thanks for the response PrematureApex - I wasn't sure where best to post this question; hence, it's also in the XI section.

Based on what I'm reading, I may be able to just replace the shocks/struts (though the spring compressor up front freaks me a little) and leave the stock springs in place until something catastrophic occurs.... I hear the rears have a tendency to break, which is why I was thinking about replacing springs while I do struts/shocks.

I thought about the strong flex bushing as well. I'll check ball joints on the other end of that arm before I start ordering stuff. Kinda figured if I'm down there getting dirty, I may was well replace the front end and not address it again for SEVERAL years.


Still curious if the HD would make a nice partner with Dinan springs ($308 on their website, plus a set of slightly shorter bump stops....)

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Thanks for the response PrematureApex - I wasn't sure where best to post this question; hence, it's also in the XI section.

Based on what I'm reading, I may be able to just replace the shocks/struts (though the spring compressor up front freaks me a little) and leave the stock springs in place until something catastrophic occurs.... I hear the rears have a tendency to break, which is why I was thinking about replacing springs while I do struts/shocks.

I thought about the strong flex bushing as well. I'll check ball joints on the other end of that arm before I start ordering stuff. Kinda figured if I'm down there getting dirty, I may was well replace the front end and not address it again for SEVERAL years.


Still curious if the HD would make a nice partner with Dinan springs ($308 on their website, plus a set of slightly shorter bump stops....)

Probably use the B8s with the Dinan springs. And I wouldn't buy bumpstops, just trim your stock ones a bit.

If you run the B6s up front on the Dinan springs, you may want to shorten the "internal" (don't worry, it really isn't) bumpstops in the front struts.

Spring compressors are very easy to use, and you can borrow them from Autozone for free!

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Probably use the B8s with the Dinan springs. And I wouldn't buy bumpstops, just trim your stock ones a bit.

If you run the B6s up front on the Dinan springs, you may want to shorten the "internal" (don't worry, it really isn't) bumpstops in the front struts.

Spring compressors are very easy to use, and you can borrow them from Autozone for free!

Thanks again premature... Also considering TC Kline to see what they can do. It would be tremendous - given where i live and that I'm not racing - to get a bit firmer spring at the same height with better handling all matched in a "system."

Worst case, i try HDs or Koni and swap them for the other if not excited. That said, with 85k on the stock shocks/struts, I can expect a benefit from any choice even if I went all stock again!!

TO BE SURE, THOUGH, IF YOU DID B6 HD ON STOCK HEIGHT SPRING - NO TRIMMING BUMP STOPS??

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Thanks again premature... Also considering TC Kline to see what they can do. It would be tremendous - given where i live and that I'm not racing - to get a bit firmer spring at the same height with better handling all matched in a "system."

Worst case, i try HDs or Koni and swap them for the other if not excited. That said, with 85k on the stock shocks/struts, I can expect a benefit from any choice even if I went all stock again!!

TO BE SURE, THOUGH, IF YOU DID B6 HD ON STOCK HEIGHT SPRING - NO TRIMMING BUMP STOPS??

Correct, I wouldn't trim any of the stops with stock height springs. I've also run them on mild springs like some of the H&Rs and have trimmed both the front strut "internal" stops, as well as the stock rear shock stops.

[moopdoop]

I just put the Dinan springs with Koni yellows on my '11 E90 335i xDrive. I'm ~500 miles in and I really like the combination. I had the Konis on my previous car ('06 Saab 9-3) and absolutely loved them, but I feel like they're even better on the E90.

I went with this combination because I was looking for a small drop to close the wheel gap a bit, but not too much that it would seriously impact driveability over curbs/in the snow, as well as getting rid of the float and loose rear end on the stock suspension without being too harsh on the wonderful midwest roads. Have to say it's delivered on all fronts for my needs.

I'd also HIGHLY recommend swapping out the stock rear upper mounts for the Monroe kit available at your local Napa store. Similar to the Dinan kit, but $10/side rather than $100. Make sure you get new bump stops, I did the e36 m3 fronts and e89 z4 rears. I also did new lower rear mounts, and upper/lower spring pads for the front and rear. The originals looked pretty cooked at 50k miles.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by moopdoop

I just put the Dinan springs with Koni yellows on my '11 E90 335i xDrive. I'm ~500 miles in and I really like the combination. I had the Konis on my previous car ('06 Saab 9-3) and absolutely loved them, but I feel like they're even better on the E90.

I went with this combination because I was looking for a small drop to close the wheel gap a bit, but not too much that it would seriously impact driveability over curbs/in the snow, as well as getting rid of the float and loose rear end on the stock suspension without being too harsh on the wonderful midwest roads. Have to say it's delivered on all fronts for my needs.

I'd also HIGHLY recommend swapping out the stock rear upper mounts for the Monroe kit available at your local Napa store. Similar to the Dinan kit, but $10/side rather than $100. Make sure you get new bump stops, I did the e36 m3 fronts and e89 z4 rears. I also did new lower rear mounts, and upper/lower spring pads for the front and rear. The originals looked pretty cooked at 50k miles.

Thanks for the detailed review. I was hoping not to change springs at first because i don't want to drop this car, but dinan is looking like my best bet in that regard!

[Washington335i]

Do you have nay pics of your car? I am interested in how much the Dinan springs dropped your car. Did it even out the front wheel gap?
Thanks for the info, Chris

Originally Posted by moopdoop

I just put the Dinan springs with Koni yellows on my '11 E90 335i xDrive. I'm ~500 miles in and I really like the combination. I had the Konis on my previous car ('06 Saab 9-3) and absolutely loved them, but I feel like they're even better on the E90.

I went with this combination because I was looking for a small drop to close the wheel gap a bit, but not too much that it would seriously impact driveability over curbs/in the snow, as well as getting rid of the float and loose rear end on the stock suspension without being too harsh on the wonderful midwest roads. Have to say it's delivered on all fronts for my needs.

I'd also HIGHLY recommend swapping out the stock rear upper mounts for the Monroe kit available at your local Napa store. Similar to the Dinan kit, but $10/side rather than $100. Make sure you get new bump stops, I did the e36 m3 fronts and e89 z4 rears. I also did new lower rear mounts, and upper/lower spring pads for the front and rear. The originals looked pretty cooked at 50k miles.

[MooreOfDerek]

Hey guys!

I have virtually all stock suspension and was wondering what a good starting point would be. I do have an 08' 335xi also. Any suggestions would be awesome!

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by MooreOfDerek

Hey guys!

I have virtually all stock suspension and was wondering what a good starting point would be. I do have an 08' 335xi also. Any suggestions would be awesome!

It really depends what you want to achieve. I'm not tracking my car, so I refreshed all wear items and am using Bilstein B6s.. Pretty good, IMHO, for a DD. If I tracked the car, it would be lower and tighter, particularly the rear-end...

[MooreOfDerek]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

It really depends what you want to achieve. I'm not tracking my car, so I refreshed all wear items and am using Bilstein B6s.. Pretty good, IMHO, for a DD. If I tracked the car, it would be lower and tighter, particularly the rear-end...

Im a back road addict soo, something pretty beefy would help xD

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by MooreOfDerek

Im a back road addict soo, something pretty beefy would help xD

You may want to look into springs, struts/shocks, sways and rear sub-frame bushings, etc.... Fresh wear items and front thrust arm/control arm bushings may be up your alley as well..

I'd suggest driving other e90s with various set-ups before dropping $2k in parts you may not like for your needs.. Try it, then buy it....

You may also want to consider camber plates. I had intended to swap mine for Dinan, which add another 1/2 to 3/4 negative but have been too busy to get it done.. Reviews are pretty good..

[MooreOfDerek]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

You may want to look into springs, struts/shocks, sways and rear sub-frame bushings, etc.... Fresh wear items and front thrust arm/control arm bushings may be up your alley as well..

I'd suggest driving other e90s with various set-ups before dropping $2k in parts you may not like for your needs.. Try it, then buy it....

You may also want to consider camber plates. I had intended to swap mine for Dinan, which add another 1/2 to 3/4 negative but have been too busy to get it done.. Reviews are pretty good..

Very Cool, Will totally look in to it. Sadly around my area I don't have many car friends... Especially ones with e90s but... I'll have to look into things. Research is usually my best friend.

[1nityrider]

Hi guys, my front driver side spring just broke.

Since I will be replacing it, I want to beef up my suspension a little. My car is a daily driver. I am looking to keep it stock height or very slightly lowered as I drive the car in the snow.

I am looking at the HD B6. What springs will you recommend I pair the struts with? I can't seem to find stock springs anywhere online. If stay with stock springs, should I replace only the one that broke or replace all 4 of them? Any other upgrade I should consider while upgrading my suspension?

[chris@strutmonkey]

I recommend Bilstein B6 with stock springs, or Bilstein B8 with Dinan springs. If you stick with stock springs, you will need to replace at least your two front ones.

Originally Posted by 1nityrider

Hi guys, my front driver side spring just broke.

Since I will be replacing it, I want to beef up my suspension a little. My car is a daily driver. I am looking to keep it stock height or very slightly lowered as I drive the car in the snow.

I am looking at the HD B6. What springs will you recommend I pair the struts with? I can't seem to find stock springs anywhere online. If stay with stock springs, should I replace only the one that broke or replace all 4 of them? Any other upgrade I should consider while upgrading my suspension?