[Spitfire007]

In my quest to smooth things out, I've done the following to a stock Sport Package e90 328i:

Non RFT
Bilstein B6 wth stock sport springs.

Apparently the B6s are NOT correct with stock sport springs...dammit.
Was this a huge mistake, then?

Still rides like crap in NYC....so:

B12 with DWS06 tires?
Keep the B6? And just do softer tires?
B4 Sport and stock Sport springs?

I also hear Dinan rear shock mounts are magic but there are two versions, 10mm and 12mm.
Which to get?


Do I just fold and get a 5 series?
Or a Camry?

Just sick of the crashy and loud
suspension....rides like a plank.

This is our family car, for me, wife, and 1yr old. Why does it ride like shit? Is there no solution?

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

In my quest to smooth things out, I've done the following to a stock Sport Package e90 328i:

Non RFT
Bilstein B6 wth stock sport springs.

Apparently the B6s are NOT correct with stock sport springs...dammit.
Was this a huge mistake, then?

Still rides like crap in NYC....so:

B12 with DWS06 tires?
Keep the B6? And just do softer tires?
B4 Sport and stock Sport springs?

I also hear Dinan rear shock mounts are magic but there are two versions, 10mm and 12mm.
Which to get?


Do I just fold and get a 5 series?
Or a Camry?

Just sick of the crashy and loud
suspension....rides like a plank.

This is our family car, for me, wife, and 1yr old. Why does it ride like shit? Is there no solution?

I can't comment specifically on B6 versus B8, but I have read that B8 matches travel for shorter springs on sport suspensions. That said, I have B6s on my 08 335xi. They're firm, no doubt; but, with non-run flats, pressures in the 34-36 range (Not 38psi), and upgraded rear shock mounts my car is very comfortable, though not as "luxurious" or "smooth" as some may prefer.

Before trading the car, you might want to (1) look at tire pressure, (2) swap rear shock mounts (Dinan or Monroe) (3) consider touring tires with a "taller" profile, (4) ditch B6 shocks/struts for something softer or adjustable.... perhaps Koni might give you what you like..

Good luck!

If all else fails, a less "sport" oriented car would work. Audi, for example, tends to be a bit more comfortable/smooth but may not handle as crisply....trade-offs!

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

I can't comment specifically on B6 versus B8, but I have read that B8 matches travel for shorter springs on sport suspensions. That said, I have B6s on my 08 335xi. They're firm, no doubt; but, with non-run flats, pressures in the 34-36 range (Not 38psi), and upgraded rear shock mounts my car is very comfortable, though not as "luxurious" or "smooth" as some may prefer.

Before trading the car, you might want to (1) look at tire pressure, (2) swap rear shock mounts (Dinan or Monroe) (3) consider touring tires with a "taller" profile, (4) ditch B6 shocks/struts for something softer or adjustable.... perhaps Koni might give you what you like..

Good luck!

If all else fails, a less "sport" oriented car would work. Audi, for example, tends to be a bit more comfortable/smooth but may not handle as crisply....trade-offs!

B8 matches lowered springs such as eibach, dinan, bmwps. B6 matches the sport springs, b4 being for non sport. DO NOT buy dinan shock mounts though, Monroe are basically the same for 1/10 the price.

OP if getting a 5 series is an option than uhh yea! If you already have non rft I wouldn't worry bout that till last. You will absolutely love the b12 kit I know, it will lower your front maybe .5" from stock sport height fyi. Gl

[ECSTuning]

Non Sport B4s paired with Non-Sport springs are going to give the softest ride for the E90.

B16s I personally love the ride of those on most cars (E9X included), sporty and firm yet very comfortable.

But that being said if the roads are TERRIBLE, the ride is still going to be pretty terrible.

-James

[r4dr]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

B8 matches lowered springs such as eibach, dinan, bmwps. B6 matches the sport springs, b4 being for non sport.

This is not correct.

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

DO NOT buy dinan shock mounts though, Monroe are basically the same for 1/10 the price.

The Dinan mounts actually increase rear shock travel while the Monroe mounts are just stiffer rubber.

OP: The B6s are too stiff for poor road conditions. B4s are available for both standard and sport suspension.

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by r4dr

This is not correct.

what is?

I, as well as many others, have B6s matched with sport springs. Absolutely zero issues to speak of.

As mentioned time and time again, no matter what you do, this platform will never ride "smooth"; especially on shit streets.

My beater RX300 with 130k miles on the stock suspension flies over the crappiest of roads with zero perception of disturbance. That's not gonna happen on an E9X; ever.

CN: get an SUV

[gunnerxq]

Did you ever get a proper alignment? I mean from a proper shop. Sometimes if the alignment is way out wack the ride can suffer greatly.

[Joebie]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

what is?

B8's are to be used with the OEM sport suspension springs. This is straight from Bilstein themselves, not hearsay, not forum members, not vendors, not me.

Also B4's are sold with different part numbers to match both sport and non-sport suspensions.






I have B8s on my old VW Golf and they are definitely stiff, but I do have some stiffer H&R spring on there too. They are absolutely not the dampers to buy if you want a smooth ride on bumpy roads, that's for sure.

Like others have said, your best bet is probably a set of B4s.

What size wheel and tire combo do you have? That could be effecting your ride quality as well.

[miker2013]

which shock mounts would be softest and best to absorb road noise/vibrations?

dinan? or stock e92?

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by miker2013

which shock mounts would be softest and best to absorb road noise/vibrations?

dinan? or stock e92?

Dinan allow more travel; hence, the rear doesn't bounce as much over large bumps and dips. Good improvement over stock.

Money well spent - in my case with my car with my driving style and roads near me...

Clearly, suspension is somewhat "personal" preference too..

[Spitfire007]

Thanks for the input. I don't mind firm or stiff.
It's just the BANG BANG CRUNCH CRUNCH of NY and NJ roads...

Test drove an A6 yesterday....smooth and composed and hardly felt a thing. Not as sporty of course!

I got all new hardware and mounts when I did the B6s. Car is on original staggered 17" sport wheels with nonRFT AS3s

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Thanks for the input. I don't mind firm or stiff.
It's just the BANG BANG CRUNCH CRUNCH of NY and NJ roads...

Test drove an A6 yesterday....smooth and composed and hardly felt a thing. Not as sporty of course!

I got all new hardware and mounts when I did the B6s. Car is on original staggered 17" sport wheels with nonRFT AS3s

My wife has a Q7, which rides exceptionally well. Very pleasant, but not as fun as the 335?

I'd rather drive the Q7 long distances, however.

[tofu?]

i remember the front still banging over NYC streets with the stock suspension and DWS tires.

good luck.

[Spitfire007]

After doing a ton of research and asking a ton of questions, I've reached the conclusion that the best choice for smooth and soft would be non-sport OEM suspension....that's it.

So I'll keep it as it is until components wear or break...B6s are stiff, but livable...not great for family cuz it makes the car too stiff, but certainly miles ahead of stock in terms of feel.

[mifesto]

as said if you care about soft ride, then bilstein B4 would have fit your bill. b6 and b8 valving will ride alittle harder then stock

[MysticRob]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

B6 matches the sport springs, b4 being for non sport.

Originally Posted by r4dr

This is not correct.

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

what is?

To clarify further for everyone else on this, from what Bilstein says the B6 is better for non-sport suspension (B8 being used for sport suspension), and the B4 actually has both a non-sport AND a sport version.

I have the sport suspension and purchased the B4 sport part #s listed below:

Fronts:
22-135032
22-135049

Rears:
19-135052

The SF bay area has some of the worst roads I've driven in the country (go figure, rich ass high tech area), and I've been all over the US. Figured something close to stock would be perfect, as I definitely did NOT want to go firmer for fear of shaking both the car's and my own bits and pieces off.

[tofu?]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

After doing a ton of research and asking a ton of questions, I've reached the conclusion that the best choice for smooth and soft would be non-sport OEM suspension....that's it.

So I'll keep it as it is until components wear or break...B6s are stiff, but livable...not great for family cuz it makes the car too stiff, but certainly miles ahead of stock in terms of feel.

Stock m3 suspension is comfy as hell to me, while still providing feedback. Same with stock w204 amg, with the latter being more cushy.

If I could replicate either on an e92, id be happy.

[Spitfire007]

Did get an alignment done last Friday.

Car IS a little better. Kind of surprised.

The harder you drive B6s, the better they are.

If you absolutely positively HAVE to hit that NYC pothole at 85mph on the BQE: Bilstein B6.

But when you have to "drive nicely" with your family onboard...HAHAHAHAHA!!!

[chris@strutmonkey]

The best option for you is to get B4 non-sport shocks and OEM non-sport springs. After that, get non-run flat tires. Then you and your wife will be happy. The B12 and Dinan rear shock mounts will not soften your suspension at all. We actually do a lot of non-sport conversion kits. If you get a complete kit, then you can sell your B6/Sport struts on this site still fully-assembled and get most of your money back.

Here is non-sport kit:

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

In my quest to smooth things out, I've done the following to a stock Sport Package e90 328i:

Non RFT
Bilstein B6 wth stock sport springs.

Apparently the B6s are NOT correct with stock sport springs...dammit.
Was this a huge mistake, then?

Still rides like crap in NYC....so:

B12 with DWS06 tires?
Keep the B6? And just do softer tires?
B4 Sport and stock Sport springs?

I also hear Dinan rear shock mounts are magic but there are two versions, 10mm and 12mm.
Which to get?


Do I just fold and get a 5 series?
Or a Camry?

Just sick of the crashy and loud
suspension....rides like a plank.

This is our family car, for me, wife, and 1yr old. Why does it ride like shit? Is there no solution?

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

After doing a ton of research and asking a ton of questions, I've reached the conclusion that the best choice for smooth and soft would be non-sport OEM suspension....that's it.

So I'll keep it as it is until components wear or break...B6s are stiff, but livable...not great for family cuz it makes the car too stiff, but certainly miles ahead of stock in terms of feel.

You might even be happy with sport springs + B4s + Continental Tires. This would represent only 1 out of 3 items being harsh (sport springs).

By combining sport springs + B6/8 + AS3s you have effectively picked three of the stiffest items in their respective categories. AS3 tires are pretty stiff relative to everything but run flats. I was shocked how good the DWS 06 Continentals are. If you don't want or need PSS-like grip than the AS3s are just beating you up needlessly.

I ride on the OE non sport in SF and there's no way I'd way to go lower or harsher. Heck, I'm still trying to soften and add better damping to enhance overall handling and ride. The goal is to have something that rides like the E46 sport package :-)

I thought there was another thread that covered this? I'm getting old tho so maybe I'm forgetting.

Non sport conversion above, ftw!