Coilovers or springs? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

305bimmer · 11-24-2010, 12:50 AM

hi guys im looking for the best suspension possible that wont break the bank, lower the car about 1.5" all around for an aggressive look and feel....im into the kw v2 but not sure id like to see some pros and cons about springs and coilovers let me know guys thnx

gizmo335i · 11-24-2010, 06:45 AM

I voted CO's.

There are so many factors to consider when lowering/changing any suspesion components that it's rediculous.

You should read through the sticky in this section first. Then read through every thread you can about every different setup, the problems people have had, etc.

If the statement "You get what you pay for" is true for anything, it's modifying your suspension. So do your research and consider exactly what you want for your car.

Once you've decided, then don't rush it if you don't have the money right away and sacrifice for the cheaper product. It's very important that you do your suspension right the first time. Trust me, if you screw it up and are not happy, having to fix it/change it/etc. sux ass.

I have done all of the above and the one thing I can tell you is that by FAR the majority of people on here that have experience with springs/shocks AND coilovers will tell you to buy coilovers and that they should have done that the first time.

Considering ONLY springs vs. coilovers should not be your thinking. If you want to drop the car and do not want to get coilovers, then you should get shocks to go along with the springs..

After all that said, I did end up buying springs/shocks. So maybe I'm sounding a little hypocritical here but I just read from a lot of people that coilovers were overkill if you were NEVER going to the track. And almost NOONE said to go with the setup that I have H&R sport/Koni FSD. But I did it and I'm very happy with it. It rides like stock and sits at a perfect height.

But I have thought about it more over the last few months and after reading more and more about coilovers, I'm thinking about saving and going to those.

305bimmer · 11-24-2010, 10:48 AM

thnx alot for your input i dont plan on going to the track all that much but i do plan on racing the car so coilovers just seem like the better fit over shocks/springs im kind of vavoring the KW v2 what do you think about those?

gizmo335i · 11-24-2010, 11:54 AM

I think they're definately the most popular. They have a great reputation.

I have read a few complaints from people on here about them. Mostly noises and things of that nature. Can't remember reading anything negative about their performance.

There are definately a few other brands of coilovers that I'd look at.

I'm telling you you need to search and read through all the reviews before you do this...

MassBimmer · 11-24-2010, 12:07 PM

If you're not going to track the car, I would recommend either just springs or a spring and shock combo. The adjustability of coils is great, but I doubt you would utilize it much without taking it to the track

longtran@ltbmw · 11-24-2010, 01:44 PM

I would recommend ST coilovers if you are not going to track the car. This way you can adjust height to your liking.

SV Concepts III · 11-24-2010, 04:07 PM

If you need the adjustment, coilovers are definitely worth the added cost. If you go with springs only, consider that you will need to replace the shocks down the line so that will be an added expense.

Gavin@MMW · 11-24-2010, 04:54 PM

Coilovers are the best performing and most versatile in terms of lowering adjustments. If you can afford it, go coils.

Some budget friendly ones are the ST v1, KW v1, and in January I will have MMW coils available also

let me know if you need any help on a setup

stressdoc · 11-24-2010, 05:50 PM

Check out AST 4100 w/ Swift springs.

Dj_Frost · 11-24-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Check out AST 4100 w/ Swift springs.

305bimmer · 11-28-2010, 12:35 PM

ok guys thnx abunch i think i got a good idea on what i want

Infamous · 11-28-2010, 12:48 PM

definitely coilovers. the height adjustability is excellent if you change your mind as fast as mine. a lot of my associates and friend's have gotten height remorse and you cant fix that going upwards or downwards with a fixed spring/strut setup.

i drive some scraggly messed up roads to my office every day and my KW V2's set 9 clicks from soft soaks them up very reasonably

hajduk · 11-28-2010, 12:49 PM

I'm looking at lowering my car as well and I'm going with co's. My car is my daily driver and I don't track it at all. The main reason for me in going with co's is that in the winter I can raise the car a bit to get mor clearance. Something you can consider if you live in an area where it snows. I'm in Chicago and I need the clearance.

View Poll Results: Better overall suspension?
Coilovers	20	90.91%
Springs	2	9.09%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

11-24-2010, 12:50 AM	#1
305bimmer Private Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SOFLA Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	Coilovers or springs? hi guys im looking for the best suspension possible that wont break the bank, lower the car about 1.5" all around for an aggressive look and feel....im into the kw v2 but not sure id like to see some pros and cons about springs and coilovers let me know guys thnx
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11-24-2010, 06:45 AM	#2
gizmo335i Colonel Drives: 08 JB E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 2,889 iTrader: (50) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [4.71]	I voted CO's. There are so many factors to consider when lowering/changing any suspesion components that it's rediculous. You should read through the sticky in this section first. Then read through every thread you can about every different setup, the problems people have had, etc. If the statement "You get what you pay for" is true for anything, it's modifying your suspension. So do your research and consider exactly what you want for your car. Once you've decided, then don't rush it if you don't have the money right away and sacrifice for the cheaper product. It's very important that you do your suspension right the first time. Trust me, if you screw it up and are not happy, having to fix it/change it/etc. sux ass. I have done all of the above and the one thing I can tell you is that by FAR the majority of people on here that have experience with springs/shocks AND coilovers will tell you to buy coilovers and that they should have done that the first time. Considering ONLY springs vs. coilovers should not be your thinking. If you want to drop the car and do not want to get coilovers, then you should get shocks to go along with the springs.. After all that said, I did end up buying springs/shocks. So maybe I'm sounding a little hypocritical here but I just read from a lot of people that coilovers were overkill if you were NEVER going to the track. And almost NOONE said to go with the setup that I have H&R sport/Koni FSD. But I did it and I'm very happy with it. It rides like stock and sits at a perfect height. But I have thought about it more over the last few months and after reading more and more about coilovers, I'm thinking about saving and going to those. __________________ JB4 \| Vanguard/Quad burnt tips \| Linea Corse \| Mtech Front/rear \| AFE DCI \| H&R Sport + Koni yellow \| Umnitza Full LED Angels \| Akyrm lip/quad diffuser \| Alpine CSL CF Trunklid See Garage for more Last edited by gizmo335i; 11-24-2010 at 06:50 AM.

11-24-2010, 11:54 AM	#4
gizmo335i Colonel Drives: 08 JB E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 2,889 iTrader: (50) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [4.71]	I think they're definately the most popular. They have a great reputation. I have read a few complaints from people on here about them. Mostly noises and things of that nature. Can't remember reading anything negative about their performance. There are definately a few other brands of coilovers that I'd look at. I'm telling you you need to search and read through all the reviews before you do this... __________________ JB4 \| Vanguard/Quad burnt tips \| Linea Corse \| Mtech Front/rear \| AFE DCI \| H&R Sport + Koni yellow \| Umnitza Full LED Angels \| Akyrm lip/quad diffuser \| Alpine CSL CF Trunklid See Garage for more

11-24-2010, 12:07 PM	#5
MassBimmer Major General Drives: E90 LCI 328i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: Milford, MA Posts: 6,799 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [4.50]	If you're not going to track the car, I would recommend either just springs or a spring and shock combo. The adjustability of coils is great, but I doubt you would utilize it much without taking it to the track __________________ E90 LCI 328i xDrive: BMW Performance Exhaust / BMW Performance Intake / BMW Performance Steering Wheel / VMR V710 / KW V1

11-24-2010, 10:48 AM	#3
305bimmer Private Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SOFLA Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	thnx alot for your input i dont plan on going to the track all that much but i do plan on racing the car so coilovers just seem like the better fit over shocks/springs im kind of vavoring the KW v2 what do you think about those?

11-24-2010, 01:44 PM	#6
longtran@ltbmw BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: 2011 Toyota Tundra Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: CA Posts: 835 iTrader: (8)	I would recommend ST coilovers if you are not going to track the car. This way you can adjust height to your liking.

11-24-2010, 04:07 PM	#7
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 17,029 iTrader: (13)	If you need the adjustment, coilovers are definitely worth the added cost. If you go with springs only, consider that you will need to replace the shocks down the line so that will be an added expense.

11-24-2010, 04:54 PM	#8
Gavin@MMW Brigadier General Drives: MMW Supercharged E90 328i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 818/805 Posts: 3,903 iTrader: (18)	Coilovers are the best performing and most versatile in terms of lowering adjustments. If you can afford it, go coils. Some budget friendly ones are the ST v1, KW v1, and in January I will have MMW coils available also let me know if you need any help on a setup

11-24-2010, 05:50 PM	#9
stressdoc Moderator Drives: 335 E90 ZSP+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MO Posts: 9,341 iTrader: (0)	Check out AST 4100 w/ Swift springs. __________________ My not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Quaife, BMW Perf & M3 suspension, V5, M-sport, ... Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279

11-28-2010, 12:35 PM	#11
305bimmer Private Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SOFLA Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	ok guys thnx abunch i think i got a good idea on what i want

11-28-2010, 12:48 PM	#12
Infamous Secret Asian Man Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,723 iTrader: (6)	definitely coilovers. the height adjustability is excellent if you change your mind as fast as mine. a lot of my associates and friend's have gotten height remorse and you cant fix that going upwards or downwards with a fixed spring/strut setup. i drive some scraggly messed up roads to my office every day and my KW V2's set 9 clicks from soft soaks them up very reasonably

11-28-2010, 12:49 PM	#13
hajduk Captain Drives: 2007 328xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chic/ago Posts: 724 iTrader: (0)	I'm looking at lowering my car as well and I'm going with co's. My car is my daily driver and I don't track it at all. The main reason for me in going with co's is that in the winter I can raise the car a bit to get mor clearance. Something you can consider if you live in an area where it snows. I'm in Chicago and I need the clearance.

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