[coolE93]

Hello,

I just recently got a 2008 E93 335i fully loaded with the m sport suspension. The car has about 145k KM's (90k miles). One owner and 12 years of service history at the BMW dealership.

I find the suspension to be a little too harsh for my roads. When the pavement is smooth or has little to no dips the car is a joy. On the other hand when the roads start to get uneven I can really feel the dips and its a bit uncomfortable.

I will be switching out the tires soon to see if it helps.

Are there other suspension recommendations that would be more of a comfortable ride? Is the standard suspension on 335i any more comfortable?

Please let me know the options.

Thanks!

[Hoody007]

Given the weight of the E93 in particular, there’s a good chance your dampeners are shot. What do your bump stops (foam pieces) look like?

On my current 335i, the ride with M Sport is quite comfortable - but my car only has 75K miles. On my previous E90 I noticed the suspension compliance decreased noticeably over the course of only a few thousand miles once I hit around 100K.

Personally, I’d go for Koni Special Actives (red). A good alternative would be the Bilstein B4s. I would not recommend the Bilstein B6 / B8 (yellow). Nice shocks, but too harsh for crappy roads.

[lowrydr310]

I have a 2007 335i E93 with sport suspension. I recently replaced struts and shocks with Bilstein B4 and I don't like them. Mine may be defective though because there's no damping over rough roads or repeated small bumps. If I hit big bumps or single dips in the road they feel fine, though a bit soft. Interestingly I have these same struts and shocks on my E90 330i and they feel much better. No bounce over rough roads and they feel firm/stiff.

I don't know what point I'm trying to make, just sharing my experience. Personally I'd go with Koni Sport (yellow) next time specifically because of their adjustability. Bilstein and all the other makers of standard shocks and struts (not high end coilovers) make a single part that fit nearly all E9x models and aren't perfectly matched to the factory specs. For example, the E93 335i shares front springs with the E90 335d, but Bilstein lists a single strut for all E90/91/92/93 with sport springs despite all those models *not* using the same springs. They fit fine and I'm sure they work, they're just not optimally performing since they aren't matched.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I have a 2007 335i E93 with sport suspension. I recently replaced struts and shocks with Bilstein B4 and I don't like them. Mine may be defective though because there's no damping over rough roads or repeated small bumps. If I hit big bumps or single dips in the road they feel fine, though a bit soft. Interestingly I have these same struts and shocks on my E90 330i and they feel much better. No bounce over rough roads and they feel firm/stiff.

I don't know what point I'm trying to make, just sharing my experience. Personally I'd go with Koni Sport (yellow) next time specifically because of their adjustability. Bilstein and all the other makers of standard shocks and struts (not high end coilovers) make a single parts that fit nearly all E9x models and aren't matched to the factory specs. For example, the E93 335i shares front springs with the E90 335d, but Bilstein lists a single strut for all E90/91/92/93 with sport springs despite not all those models using the same springs. They fit fine and I'm sure they work, they're just not optimally performing since they aren't matched.

Agree with all of this and mirrors my findings over the years as well. The only shock I’ve been universally happy with is the Koni yellows. I’ve owned all the rest as well.

Op, I def suspect your shocks, bump stops and rubber pads are due for replacement.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I have a 2007 335i E93 with sport suspension. I recently replaced struts and shocks with Bilstein B4 and I don't like them. Mine may be defective though because there's no damping over rough roads or repeated small bumps. If I hit big bumps or single dips in the road they feel fine, though a bit soft. Interestingly I have these same struts and shocks on my E90 330i and they feel much better. No bounce over rough roads and they feel firm/stiff.

I don't know what point I'm trying to make, just sharing my experience. Personally I'd go with Koni Sport (yellow) next time specifically because of their adjustability. Bilstein and all the other makers of standard shocks and struts (not high end coilovers) make a single parts that fit nearly all E9x models and aren't matched to the factory specs. For example, the E93 335i shares front springs with the E90 335d, but Bilstein lists a single strut for all E90/91/92/93 with sport springs despite not all those models using the same springs. They fit fine and I'm sure they work, they're just not optimally performing since they aren't matched.

Interestingly, the struts for the E92 / E93 on realoem are different from the E90. Yet, from what I recall, Bilstein lists the same part number for all E9x models. That might account for it.

Depending on budget, the Koni Reds or Yellows seem to be the best bet, then.

[StradaRedlands]

Maybe replace with factory if after market doesn't differentiate between models?
FYI if you want to DIY, a quick shout out for Strut Monkey. Having the struts pre-assembled made the job so incredibly easy. You can get cheaper elsewhere, but you're paying for the one stop shopping and assembly. I don't know what shipping to Ontario would be, but maybe the same as from anywhere else.

[ppointer]

I have put B4s on three different e9x's and have been very happy with them. What makes me unhappy are run flats. So, when I go with the B4s and some Mich A/S 3s or 4s, I get a very nice, quiet and compliant ride. So, some of the experiences above regarding Bilsteins do not match my experiences.

In addition to that, Bilstein definitely have different model numbers for m-sport verses non-m-sport, which would accommodate springs with different ride heights. Happy to post the last model numbers I installed this year on an e90 m-sport if someone needs them.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by ppointer

I have put B4s on three different e9x's and have been very happy with them. What makes me unhappy are run flats. So, when I go with the B4s and some Mich A/S 3s or 4s, I get a very nice, quiet and compliant ride. So, some of the experiences above regarding Bilsteins do not match my experiences.

In addition to that, Bilstein definitely have different model numbers for m-sport verses non-m-sport, which would accommodate springs with different ride heights. Happy to post the last model numbers I installed this year on an e90 m-sport if someone needs them.

Were any of those experiences on an E93?

I have a 330 E90 and 335 E93 that both have sport suspension and both have Bilstein B4 shocks and struts. Same exact Bilstein parts on both cars, per Bilsteins catalog and every major retailers recommendation. What you say might be fine for sedans or coupes, but the fact is that the E93 335i auto (and 335d sedan) use much stiffer D8 front springs than the other models. I'm very pleased with the B4 on my 330 sedan. Not so much on my 335 E93 convertible. Nothing about this setup is comfortable or compliant. I would NOT recommend these to anyone with an E93. I wish someone told me this before I wasted time and money on them.

Also my E93 has brand new Michelin PS4s and the ride quality still sucks from those B4 struts, nowhere near as good as my 330. My 330 had Goodyear eagle sports but recently I swapped out a spare set of wheels I got that came with relatively new Bridgestone runflats, and I don't get all the hate against the runflats. The ride quality is nearly identical to the Goodyear Eagle Sports. The only negatives are slightly worse traction and much more road noise.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Were any of those experiences on an E93?

I have a 330 E90 and 335 E93 that both have sport suspension and both have Bilstein B4 shocks and struts. Same exact Bilstein parts on both cars, per Bilsteins catalog and every major retailers recommendation. What you say might be fine for sedans or coupes, but the fact is that the E93 335i auto (and 335d sedan) use much stiffer D8 front springs than the other models. I'm very pleased with the B4 on my 330 sedan. Not so much on my 335 E93 convertible. Nothing about this setup is comfortable or compliant. I would NOT recommend these to anyone with an E93. I wish someone told me this before I wasted time and money on them.

Also my E93 has brand new Michelin PS4s and the ride quality still sucks from those B4 struts, nowhere near as good as my 330. My 330 had Goodyear eagle sports but recently I swapped out a spare set of wheels I got that came with relatively new Bridgestone runflats, and I don't get all the hate against the runflats. The ride quality is nearly identical to the Goodyear Eagle Sports. The only negatives are slightly worse traction and much more road noise.

This sounds like the car is under dampened - that the shocks are too weak for the extra weight on the E93. Interestingly, the OE M Sport front struts and rear shocks are listed as fitting only the E91 and E93. I’d be interested to see what E91 owner experiences are like with replacement B4s…

[E93Seattle (Racerbruce)]

indeed - the e93 is 400 lbs heavier than the e92 due to the retractable hardtop additional weight for motors, wiring, etc.

[lnxguy]

Still running runflats? That will destroy any comfort you've got. Awful tires.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Were any of those experiences on an E93?

I have a 330 E90 and 335 E93 that both have sport suspension and both have Bilstein B4 shocks and struts. Same exact Bilstein parts on both cars, per Bilsteins catalog and every major retailers recommendation. What you say might be fine for sedans or coupes, but the fact is that the E93 335i auto (and 335d sedan) use much stiffer D8 front springs than the other models. I'm very pleased with the B4 on my 330 sedan. Not so much on my 335 E93 convertible. Nothing about this setup is comfortable or compliant. I would NOT recommend these to anyone with an E93. I wish someone told me this before I wasted time and money on them.

Also my E93 has brand new Michelin PS4s and the ride quality still sucks from those B4 struts, nowhere near as good as my 330. My 330 had Goodyear eagle sports but recently I swapped out a spare set of wheels I got that came with relatively new Bridgestone runflats, and I don't get all the hate against the runflats. The ride quality is nearly identical to the Goodyear Eagle Sports. The only negatives are slightly worse traction and much more road noise.

No, I have not yet owned an e93. I have had two e90s (just gave one to daughter) and one e91 that my best friend recently purchased from me. Currently own two 2012 e92s -- 335i MT and 335is DCT. The 335i got the suspension refresh last year with B4s and new A/S 4s. The 335is will probably get refreshed this winter with B6s and A/S 4s, as it still has run flats.

If your e93 has D8 front springs, perhaps that is the problem rather than the Bilsteins, considering that appears to be the only difference between your two cars.

[mainbearing]

So you plan to go directly to Koni without trying to warranty those Bilsteins? (granted that will take more time and work just to find out).

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Personally I'd go with Koni Sport (yellow) next time specifically because of their adjustability.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

This sounds like the car is under dampened - that the shocks are too weak for the extra weight on the E93. Interestingly, the OE M Sport front struts and rear shocks are listed as fitting only the E91 and E93. I’d be interested to see what E91 owner experiences are like with replacement B4s…

I put B4s on my e91 non-xi with sport suspension. I would totally do that again.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

So you plan to go directly to Koni without trying to warranty those Bilsteins? (granted that will take more time and work just to find out).

Yes. Too much time/effort to swap struts and take another chance. Also I know lots of people are satisfied with Bilstein but I've had defective shocks from them before. Incorrect threads were machined on the rods on a pair of B4 shocks, so I'm more than a little skeptical of their quality assurance.

I do love the B4s on my 330 though. I'd say they're perfect for daily driving, still very much sport handling.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by ppointer

If your e93 has D8 front springs, perhaps that is the problem rather than the Bilsteins, considering that appears to be the only difference between your two cars.

It shouldn't be a problem though since these are the OEM springs that came with the car. The problem seems to be these B4s being underdampened for these springs, even though these are the exact struts that Bilstein recommends for this car. That or a factory defect, I don't know for sure. I guess I could rule that out by swapping strut assemblies with my 330, but that's a lot of extra work.