[Herbmiester]

I am ready to upgrade my suspension and have M3 arms and Koni yellow shocks but I am still deciding on which springs to use. I was set on Eibach pro, but it appears that the spring rate is not a lot different to the stock m sport springs that are on the car already, apart from the lowered ride height. The H&R sport spring seems similar in that the spring rate is close to the factory rate but lower. I don't want to move to either of the above companies race springs as I just don't want to go that low. That has led me to Tein. They seem to have a ride height similar to the Eibach pro but a higher spring rate, which is what I want. As I have adjustable shocks I should be able to set the rebound accordingly to meet the spring rate. If anyone has any thoughts or experience with this combo I am interested in hearing your thoughts.

[YoungBlood]

Teins are low as f*ck. Like stupid low. 1/2 inch lower Han h&r in the rear and 1/4 in the front at least. I've run both. However, having run both, Tein has better rates for a daily. I added e30 top hats, and 9mm spacers front and rear and still have no finger gap up front and I'm tucked 1/4 in the rear.

[YoungBlood]

Front for reference. With a mild offset like 35 on an 8.5, you can get away with this height with minimal rubbing. At ET 22 with 235's, it rubbed a ton, rolled pulled, shaved bracket, the works, still rubbed

I mashed my front fender twice right before this pic, because it was just too low, if it hit a dip while cornering it contacted the fender.

All that being said, h&r drops you quite low, swift goes quite low, and Tein goes way low, pic your poison, I've read threads about all of them being too low. Easy solution for 10mm more clearance is e30 spring pads front and rear. Even more clearance up front can be added with the e30 top hat. I'll snag a pic of mine raised 19mm front 10mm rear. It's still low but actually can be driven hard

[YoungBlood]

Here is how it sits 19mm higher in the front and with a 10mm rear spacer. Not sure if the way the geometry works it went exactly 10mm up in the rear, it looks a tiny higher. What I can tell you, is now it has a near stock like ride quality over bumps, better cornering, reducing body roll and brake dive. I seriously cannot believe how much better a few mm more height all around made the suspension. Overall, on level ground, it looks even front to back. Front has maybe 1/4 more tire clearance, but it's less than a finger gap, front and rear

[Herbmiester]

Thank you that is very informative. Looks like Tein has the right rate but there is no way I want to go that low. E30 top hats are an option as is an adjustable rear spring perch, so I will just have look at getting those parts. BTW your car looks great on the wheels.

Originally Posted by Herbmiester

as is an adjustable rear spring perch

Does anyone even make adjustable rear spring perches for non-coilover springs?

Rubber spacers are likely to be your best bet there.

[Herbmiester]

Good point , I thought I saw generic ones based on spring I D . I just have to remember where. But otherwise rubber spacers might be go. My goal is ride height that is close to stock sport suspension (ZSP in the USA) maybe a little bit lower but with a higher spring rate as per the Teins. Perhaps M3 springs might be worth looking at?

[YoungBlood]

honestly I'd consider selling your Konis and getting coilovers at that point, eibach is pretty soft, but sounds like the height you want. Tein is stiffer but not too stiff, but I had to buy spacers front and rear, and e30 top hats. Total cost including springs was $75 for all oem parts. Plus the Teins which I got for $160 new

Originally Posted by Herbmiester

Perhaps M3 springs might be worth looking at?

Nope.

Dinan springs are pretty close to what you're asking for...not sure what their spring rates are; I've heard they're likely similar to the BMW Performance springs though.

As Young mentioned though, you could go with the above for the desired drop and slightly stiffer rates, or go with much stiffer rates and piece together OEM parts to gain back ground clearance and shock travel.

[Herbmiester]

I have considered coil overs but here in New Zealand fitting coil overs means taking the car in to have it certified by an automotive engineer and thats $500 bucks min. I will look into the Dinan springs and see what I can find. Any reason to avoid M3 springs, the have what appears to be the right spring rate?

Yeah...they don't fit.

[YoungBlood]

Yep^^ what he said. Also, m sport, and ZSP have different spring rates. Eibach is softer than M sport. M sport might actually be the best setup if you want to avoid uber low and can't do coilovers. You could always try h&r, or vogtland, or swift. Tein is an option too, and the rates are good (and actually published unlike h&r and a few others) but the drop is excessive IMO. But they work awesome now that I put a mini lift kit on the car

[Herbmiester]

My factory suspension is S226 Sports suspension settings. I am not sure which version this is other than being lower than the standard sedans and noticeably firmer. Perhaps I am just better off with a bigger rear sway bar and an LSD.

[YoungBlood]

Found this on a different forum, you have ZSP suspension. M sport would be an upgrade as far as springs go. Ignore the prices, I just copied the whole thing over, but S226 is "ZSP" and S704 is "M sport" which has a minimal drop but higher spring rate

M Sports suspension
S704A=Yes
01 LEFT FRONT SPRING STRUT 1 31327905313 $513.80
01 FRONT RIGHT SPRING STRUT 1 31327905314 $513.80

Sports suspension settings
S226A=Yes
01 LEFT FRONT SPRING STRUT 1 31316766997 $471.08
01 FRONT RIGHT SPRING STRUT 1 31316766998 $471.08

Originally Posted by YoungBlood

sport would be an upgrade as far as springs go.

I don't think that's the case:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...54&postcount=2

It all comes down to spring codes...both above mentioned packages are likely to be "D" springs. The only option BMW offers that are any stiffer than "D" are "yellows" IIRC.

[Herbmiester]

Right then a set of m Sport springs could be the go, any idea where the best place is to find a set, even second hand?
Oops posted this and then saw the reply from FCobra94. More reading.

[YoungBlood]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

I don't think that's the case:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...54&postcount=2

It all comes down to spring codes...both above mentioned packages are likely to be "D" springs. The only option BMW offers that are any stiffer than "D" are "yellows" IIRC.

According the the sticky in the suspension section on spring Rae's the M sport has higher rates than the ZSP

Originally Posted by YoungBlood

According the the sticky in the suspension section on spring Rae's the M sport has higher rates than the ZSP

Are you referring to this?

e90 ZSP or e92
Front: 145 lb/in
Rear: 460 lb/in

e90/e92 BMW Performance (Calculated given that the material of this spring is the same as the ZSP springs)
Front: 195 lb/in
Rear: 505 lb/in

ZSP is self explanatory...BMW Performance is the Yellow/"T" spring I already mentioned above.

[YoungBlood]

OP said he has S226A which is ZSP. The other one is M sport, S704A or the yellow

Originally Posted by YoungBlood

OP said he has S226A which is ZSP. The other one is M sport, S704A or the yellow

No....just no.

Again:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...54&postcount=2

[tlow98]

Here's to hoping the fall options are better.

[Herbmiester]

Ok I've decided that the Tein Springs are the ones and I have to look at how to raise the ride height. Seems like E30 Spring perches and the thicker 10mm pads are the secret. Thanks very much to YoungBlood for the information. it really is appreciated.