[rbeck]

Dinan/Tischer lists 2 spring sets for the E9x: 0925 for 328x and 335x. And 0926 for the 335. When I looked at the Dinan site a while back, their fitment recommendations varied, depending on what page/popup I viewed. So, anyone have experience with either of these spring sets on a 328xi?

Why Dinan? Positive results on my last project, an E34 535. I'm looking for a very conservative drop (Calgary roads), and I plan to replace shocks and control arms at this time also (130,000 km).

And if anyone has a hardware solution that will drop the front by about 1/2 inch, lemme know. Maybe an alternate strut mount? No cutting or spring perch modifications please.

[AtlasM]

If you're looking for that little of a drop your best option is likely the rwd ZSP sport suspension springs. There's something to drop with different spring codes depending on which exact car's sport suspension they're a part of. I'm not overly familiar with the exact spring codes but that will give you the most conservative drop. All the upper strut mounts for rwd won't fit awd so you can't get lowering that way.

[rbeck]

Well, I dunno. Maybe the route to take is just to upgrade the shocks, which are due for replacement anyways? I've followed a few threads over the past few years, and it seems as if there is no middle ground between guys like me who just want to get to a RWD ride height, and dropping the car an inch or more. The drop won't work for me, and I don't find the current ride that .. floaty, either. Age (60+) related? 😭

[AtlasM]

Sorry if I wasn't clear, ZSP springs are the OEM BMW springs for the rwd sport suspension. If you want to get to have minimal change in ride height that's your move. This post explains in more detail, it's also someone with a 328xiT:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...7&postcount=27

Those combined with a mild performance shock like Bilstein HD or Koni STR.T would be a good option for what you're trying to achieve.

[martinblair]

I put the Bilstein B12 Kit on my e91 (includes Eibach prokit springs), and I live in Edmonton. Was supposed to drop an inch, but I only got ~ 12mm. Certainly drives considerably better, and though you may not think it feels floaty, you will only regret not upgrading sooner when you do upgrade the dampers, even if you don't do the springs. A good option, as noted above, is the Bilstein B6 dampers with the zsp springs. I'm certainly a proponent of the B12 Kit myself - by no means a big drop, and a substantially better drive.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by martinblair

I put the Bilstein B12 Kit on my e91 (includes Eibach prokit springs), and I live in Edmonton. Was supposed to drop an inch, but I only got ~ 12mm. Certainly drives considerably better, and though you may not think it feels floaty, you will only regret not upgrading sooner when you do upgrade the dampers, even if you don't do the springs. A good option, as noted above, is the Bilstein B6 dampers with the zsp springs. I'm certainly a proponent of the B12 Kit myself - by no means a big drop, and a substantially better drive.

Do you have pictures of your setup, or a link to them in another thread? I want exactly the same thing as the OP--roughly a half inch lower in ride height in the front, and keep the rear about the same. I wouldn't mind slightly better handling either.

[rbeck]

I exchanged a few emails with MaverickBMW back when he was doing this project. Thanks for the reminder! I also recall that the spring codes didn't mean anything to my dealer, so I was not to sure how to proceed. Suggestions?

[AtlasM]

I think it comes down to figuring out the specific part numbers for each E9x model that came with a sport suspension option. Normally realoem.com is good for finding part numbers specific to each variant but for whatever reason they don't list the spring part numbers. I did some poking around getbmwparts.com and found the following part #s for different ZSP springs:

Front
31336767375 - 328i/335i coupe, 335d sedan
31336767376 - 325i/328i/330i/335d/335i sedan; 328i wagon
31336767377 - 328i/335i convertible

Rear
33536767342 - 328i/335i convertible, 328i/335d wagon
33536767343 - 335d coupe
33536767344 - 328i/335i coupe
33536767345 - 325i/328i/330i/335i/335d sedan
33536767349 - 335d convertible (this is kinda weird)

There are also spring codes that are printed on the ZSP springs themselves, stuff like D3, D4, D5, etc. Supposedly there are different spring codes for automatic and manual transmission versions of these cars. From perusing a bunch of pictures in old for-sale threads, I've collected the following codes:

Front
D4 - 328i MT coupe, 330i MT sedan
D5 - 328i MT sedan
D6 - 335i MT sedan & coupe
D7 - 335i AT sedan & coupe
D8 - 335i AT convertible, 335d AT sedan

Rear
D2 - 328i MT coupe
D3 - 335i AT & MT coupe
D4 - 328i & 330i MT sedan
D5 - 335i AT & MT sedan
D8 - 335i convertible

So really, I'm not sure how exactly to reconcile the part numbers from getbmwparts.com with these D_ ZSP spring codes.

I can tell you that MaverickBMW used D7 front and D8 rear springs.

[rbeck]

Thanks! Most helpful. I will follow up with Tischer. ZSP + Bilstein B6 looks like the way to go. For me.

[rothwem]

Has anyone tried the BMW performance front springs, maybe on some B6s of B8s?? They're shorter and stiffer than the ZSPs that supposedly lower <1/4".

[rbeck]

It was a few years ago, but when I corresponded with MaverickBMW, he said that if he were choosing springs again, he would try a D6 on the front.