[bimmerquick43321]

I need to change my suspension as it's getting old and one of the struts is leaking. I decided to go with the stock sport springs (d5/d4) and the bilstein touring "sport version" shocks.

Besides those, do I need something else, from what I've read, my stock bump stops might have to be cut a little bit, or should I just buy bump stops that go with the sport suspension?

Thanks

[cdgatti]

sounds like a good sensible way to go. Get the matching bumpstops, chances are yours are toast anyway at this age.

[bimmerquick43321]

thanks, btw, would anyone know a good place to buy bumpstops for reasonable prices?

Originally Posted by cdgatti

sounds like a good sensible way to go. Get the matching bumpstops, chances are yours are toast anyway at this age.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

sounds like a good sensible way to go. Get the matching bumpstops, chances are yours are toast anyway at this age.

+1
Tischer sells them or your dealer can get 'em for alot more

[bimmerquick43321]

btw. this might be a stupid question, but from what I saw the bumpstomps are only for the front struts, there are none in the back right?

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by mecbain

btw. this might be a stupid question, but from what I saw the bumpstomps are only for the front struts, there are none in the back right?

I tried to attach the picture of the part (#3), but in case it doesn't show the part # for the rear bumpstop for the 330i with sports suspension is:

33536767335

[Suntzu]

Im also going to mod my stock 330i.

Also thinking bilstein b4s (touring for lowered springs) and the eibach pro kit. A few members have this and claim ride/performance to be excellent.

Bumpstop are chaffing my a## as well. Im being told me e46 fronts and z4 rears but in australia they cost $130 each!!!!

Now im thinking to jut get msport bumpstops with a little trim based on the photos in this forum or even aftermarket bumpstops trimmed up.

Let us know how you go!

[BoogeyMan'sBMW]

Why don't you just settle with a set of coilovers. Decent shocks will cost you around the same if not a little less. Might as well get some coils and have the added luxuries. Most also ride a lot better than stock.

[Suntzu]

Yeah I'm heading that way now. Do you have any suggestions for coil overs that give a decent ride as a daily driver? Sonic s1??

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by BoogeyMan'sBMW

Why don't you just settle with a set of coilovers. Decent shocks will cost you around the same if not a little less. Might as well get some coils and have the added luxuries. Most also ride a lot better than stock.

Because I'm looking for:

- no more than 0.5-1" drop (because of snow, comfort (we have major potholes here))
- comfort, I don't want to compromise comfort
- I don't care much about improving handling, even stock non sport used suspension allows me to take curves much faster than I should on public roads, yes there's body roll, but the car is well balanced and I can work with it. Of course if I can eliminate a little body roll with little to no impact to comfort I'll take it
- price, even the cheapest "decent" coilovers are double the price of buying sport springs with bilstein touring sport shocks, and they'll be less comfortable, drop the car over 1" even at the minimum drop level, rust, etc... (again I'm talking about cheapest "decent" coilovers, which for me are the ST, no reboud/damp adjustable and anodized only for the threads so they'll finish by rusting here with all the salt in winter...)

again I'm over 30, have a kid and my needs are very different then let's say 5-10 years ago when I was looking for best performance and comfort/snow clearance being one of my last worries hehe.

[Suntzu]

Mecbain,

What did you go for in the end?

I still can't decide !

[bimmerquick43321]

already got my sport oem springs d5/d4, and ordered the bilstein touring stock shocks, will put on a review once I get them installed ~2 weeks, as mentionned I hope a slightly lower/firmer ride without much sacrafice to comfort, well that's what I hope

[bimmerquick43321]

so today I got the suspension installed on the car, so the car is a 330i e90, it came with stock suspension non sport, ~75000miles, one leaking in front.

I went as mentioned above with bmw oem sport suspension springs d5/d4 for e90, and bilsteins touring (non sport) shocks/struts

First impressions

Looks (I'll get pics once it stops raining)
- front is noticeably lower
- back slightly lowered only, however even on stock non sport springs, the wheel gap wasn't too bad in the back

Comfort
- omg, such a big improvement, not only don't I feel "small" potholes, but the car is much smoother than before, wasn't expecting that much of a big improvement, this alone made it worth it.

Handling
- well first thing I noticed the car just felt "tighter", less body roll .... Unfortunately I can't say more for now, as outside is raining and I also had my daughter in the car, so I took it really easy in the corners.


I'll update the thread with pics and once it's nicer outside and I take it for a test drive alone.

[wheen]

So you had non-sport suspension to start with, correct? Did you have to replace the top hats too? And what were the labels on your old springs? C5/C4?

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by wheen

So you had non-sport suspension to start with, correct?

Yes

Originally Posted by wheen

Did you have to replace the top hats too?

No

Originally Posted by wheen

And what were the labels on your old springs? C5/C4?

Yes

[bimmerquick43321]

ok so as promised here's a pic of the car with the suspension/springs

to avoid a big and useless review, I'll summarize by saying that comfort is great, car handling greatly improved (keep in mind my original shocks where warned out), 2 things that could be better:

1. It's not stiffer than stock, I thought the bilstein would be "10%" stiffer, so if you don't have crazy crappy roads, probably the bilstein touring "for sport OEM suspension" would be better choice

2. The rebound on some of the bigger bumps on the highway isn't great, meaning it's a little bit bouncy, less than my worned out suspesion, however would of liked it to be less

Overall for the price I paid I'm really happy, can't go wrong with improving comfort, handling and looks at the same time.

[wheen]

Originally Posted by mecbain

probably the bilstein touring "for sport OEM suspension" would be better choice

The car looks fantastic! I'm looking for very similar upgrade -- mild drop with strong emphasis on retaining / upgrading the comfort factor on my non-sport 335i. Still strongly considering the KW Street Comfort kit but reviews like yours are swaying me to go w/ Eibach spring + Bil B4 sport combo, which would be less than 1/2 the price of the KW set.

What were all the little bits and pieces you needed in this whole upgrade? Bumpstops, dust boots, etc?

Off topic, I remember visiting Montreal in my friend's '03 WRX, and getting car sick from the bumpy roads, LOL.

[Mwishlist]

This is exactly what I am looking for. One question, are you still on run flats? I have always thought I could go from non sport with rfts to a sports suspension with performance tires and get better handling with at least the same amount of comfort.

[romanonj]

Too late but I have complete M-sport set up available with spring and struts if anyone is interested. Came off 335IS replaced with BMW performance kit.

[Daily_Driver]

Hey Romanonj.... how about a review of the difference between the IS and BMW performance setup?? Is it noticeably stiffer??

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by romanonj

Too late but I have complete M-sport set up available with spring and struts if anyone is interested. Came off 335IS replaced with BMW performance kit.

PM'ed

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by wheen

The car looks fantastic!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by wheen

I'm looking for very similar upgrade -- mild drop with strong emphasis on retaining / upgrading the comfort factor on my non-sport 335i. Still strongly considering the KW Street Comfort kit but reviews like yours are swaying me to go w/ Eibach spring + Bil B4 sport combo, which would be less than 1/2 the price of the KW set.

What were all the little bits and pieces you needed in this whole upgrade? Bumpstops, dust boots, etc?

None, the stock bumpstops/dustboots were used, no other parts needed. I'll validate once again tonight by looking at my bill, but pretty sure you don't need no additional parts, besides the springs and shocks/struts.

Originally Posted by wheen

Off topic, I remember visiting Montreal in my friend's '03 WRX, and getting car sick from the bumpy roads, LOL.

That's the thing roads here are horrible, so had no choice to go with something like I did, if not it would have been much lower and stiffer...