[cdti]

I'm refreshing the suspension on the E90 so I'm getting the Bilstein B4 dampers, but I'm in 2 minds Whether or not to get the Eibach Pro-kit at the same time. I will be running 19" ISPIRI ISR10 8.5J ET35 (235/35) at the front and 10J ET33 (265/30) at the rear. If I decide to drop the car, will I need to have the arches rolled or can I get away without any modifications?

[E60525d]

As per my reply in your other thread, I was also tempted by Eibach springs but decided not to as did not want to make the suspension any firmer than OEM.

[Adam1990]

I think if you're using bilstein b4 dampers you will need to use a shorter spring (that's what I've read).

Eibach pro springs would only really lower the front and not the rear from M sport height.

Big question is I guess is how much do you want to lower it?

[Digitalize]

Go for the springs, the drop is slight and you should be fine with the wheels you're running.

[Cruiser124]

You should be fine running 19" wheels. Currently I have 235/35/19 with h&r coilovers on my 330xi - The drop is significant and there are no clearance issues.. but I will say the ride is somewhat compromised.

[E90325iM-SPORT]

Lci or not ? Bmw springs are crap I would change them if u want improve.

[dragerboy]

I have done the front axle of mine with new B4's and Eibach Pro Kit. I was coming from SE suspension which may have done 130k miles. Car now sits lower and I can't feel much difference if any in ride quality.

I'm running same wheel size to you as well, can't see it needing any arch work.

[cdti]

It's an LCI, its mainly the rears that worry me as they will protrude 23mm further out than the standard wheels.

[ShoCk_]

As dragerboy ... I have a 330d SE with about 120k on the clock. Springs have never been changed and in comparison to a friends 330d M Sport with Eibach pro springs. His car actually feels better and goes better around corners.

I will definitely be going down the Eibach route if I need to change the springs on my car or have to change anything suspension related.

[dragerboy]

Originally Posted by cdti

It's an LCI, its mainly the rears that worry me as they will protrude 23mm further out than the standard wheels.

I believe you have less space to play with as mine is a Pre-Lci but my 10" rears +35 will soon be on 12mm spacers and I don't think they will rub then either.

[Digitalize]

Originally Posted by cdti

It's an LCI, its mainly the rears that worry me as they will protrude 23mm further out than the standard wheels.

It will be close but should still be okay.

Edit, might be incredibly close actually.

[cdti]

Originally Posted by dragerboy

I have done the front axle of mine with new B4's and Eibach Pro Kit. I was coming from SE suspension which may have done 130k miles. Car now sits lower and I can't feel much difference if any in ride quality.

I'm running same wheel size to you as well, can't see it needing any arch work.

Originally Posted by dragerboy

I believe you have less space to play with as mine is a Pre-Lci but my 10" rears +35 will soon be on 12mm spacers and I don't think they will rub then either.

You only mention your front axle setup in your first reply, what are you running on the rears?

Originally Posted by Digitalize

It will be close but should still be okay.

Edit, might be incredibly close actually.

This is what is worrying me, really I need a definitive answer before I go ahead with the overall purchase.

Also would there be any difference in how much the B4 'standard chassis' dampers vs 'sport' dampers lower the car or affect potential rubbing?

[dragerboy]

I will be running the same setup on the rear its just I had a spring explode on the front right 2 weeks ago so was forced into having the work done. Seems a common issue which is probably another reason to run the Eibach spring kit.

I think the Sport B4 is slightly shorter but obviously its only springs that affect ride height.

[notts5]

Ive recently changed from m sport suspension to B4 sport dampers and eibach pro springs (I've a pre-LCI 330d). There isn't any change in ride height, front or back! In fact it may be a touch higher due to the old shocks being knackered.

In terms of comfort, it is firmer but handles bumps better and overall is more comfortable...plus it goes round corners better.

I went for b4 sport dampers as I was coming from m sport suspension and read that they are supposed to be designed for use with shorter lowering springs like the eibach pro's. Its also worth remembering to order m sport bump stops.

[Digitalize]

If you're not wanting to mess around with things like rolling arches slightly, adding camber etc then I'd probably find different wheels, I couldn't say for sure though but it's basically the same as my setup which is quite wide.

[hazkirby]

I'm going to install standard b4s with eibach pro kit in a few weeks to my se.

Standard b4s are rated for lowering springs up to 30mm. B4 sport to 50mm. Same relationship as b6 and b8.

I went with the standard b4s because they were £100 cheaper. Also ordered m sport bump stops to allow that extra travel if required/rather than cutting the current set.

[cdti]

Originally Posted by Digitalize

If you're not wanting to mess around with things like rolling arches slightly, adding camber etc then I'd probably find different wheels, I couldn't say for sure though but it's basically the same as my setup which is quite wide.

Already purchased, got a cracking deal on them 2nd hand.

Originally Posted by hazkirby

I'm going to install standard b4s with eibach pro kit in a few weeks to my se.

Standard b4s are rated for lowering springs up to 30mm. B4 sport to 50mm. Same relationship as b6 and b8.

I went with the standard b4s because they were £100 cheaper. Also ordered m sport bump stops to allow that extra travel if required/rather than cutting the current set.

I assume the standard B4's are a 'softer' damper and therefore will be more comfortable but would this also mean they will compress further downwards from a bump therefore increasing the risk of rubbing?

I'm a bit of a novice so apologies if I'm asking a silly question.

[RajB]

Have you fitted the rims?

If not do that first and see where they sit.

You have to remember that no matter what you do with the suspension, the wheels will sit and move in the same arc whether you lower or not, it's just how much travel they do before rubbing if that makes sense.

So if you fit the rims and load the rear and have no clearance issues then lowering and keeping the alignment the same will not affect the rubbing possibility once lowered.

The stiffer springs will just mean that it takes a little more force to compress.

[cdti]

Ok I'll do that first then.

[Digitalize]

You'll almost definitely need to get to around -3deg camber, probably max out OEM adjustment for them to fit.

[bmw325i]

IMO your best bet is BC coilovers. You can adjust the ride height easily, and pick your springrates, the shock dampening is adjustable, and they come with front camberplates. I went with stiffer coils (10k and 16k) to help with wheel fitment. Get the extreme drop they still go up to stock height.

http://www.flushstance.com/bcracing-coilovers/bmw/

[cdti]

Originally Posted by Digitalize

You'll almost definitely need to get to around -3deg camber, probably max out OEM adjustment for them to fit.

Is that with Eibach's I'm assuming?
Won't -3deg camber kill the tyres?