[hi rpm]

I had an E36 M3 and no complaints about the ride. Firm, I guess, but great handling. My '13 e92 335i xdrive is weird and floaty like everyone else's. (Is that when compression damping is higher than rebound?)

Did plenty of searching but terms like "harsh" are subjective so I don't know if I would agree. What handles like a real sports car, especially an E36 M3?

Want to lower a little but not over an inch ideally. I feel like I want less suspension travel because I have to do 5mph entering driveways at stock height. Current ideas are B14 coilovers at max height (~1.2"), and B8 shock/struts with Eibach Pro Kit RWD springs (~1"). Others are welcome but over $1250 for parts is probably ruled out.

[Maxmax73]

3,175 lbs vs 3,600 also "helps"

[hi rpm]

Originally Posted by Maxmax73

3,175 lbs vs 3,600 also "helps"

I know, but you would think the lighter car would "float" less. Anyway the price is right for the B14s so I'm putting those on.

[hi rpm]

Have about 100mi on the B14s. No more floatiness, I'd say firmer with less dive and squat than I remember the old M3. Roll could be about the same-very little. Quite bouncy and pitchy on imperfect side roads, but handles significantly better than before overall. It's like a step past stock "sports car" toward "race car". I would take a click or two out of compression (or even better just fast bump) if I could, but it's good enough.

Edit: I used the Monroe 907984 rear shock mounts because the stock foam ones seem stupid.

[sunbun]

How does the front look at max height settings? From what I've read it's too low

[whyzee125]

I had YCW coilovers on my rwd e90 and the sharpness and precision was insane. I just took them off to get a smoother ride and so far I'm having mixed feelings about whether or not it was worth it. The ride was definitely not super comfortable but the fun factor was way higher before. Their new valving is supposed to be a lot less punishing. I'd look into them!

[dmatre]

I've got the Eibach ProKit with Koni Yellows. For me, it is a great compromise for street and spirited driving.

If I want to go full-out, I have a Miata on Koni Race coilovers. The E90, no matter what suspension you put under it, will NEVER handle like a Miata on coilovers and Hoosiers.

However, the E90 with Koni/Eibach doesn't leave me wanting when finding a twisty road, or drive me crazy when droning for hours on the highway.

I also suffered from the floaty rear end, and can confirm that changing the shocks killed that problem completely.

I went with Koni because my experience with Bilstein was that they were harsher over broken pavement at lower speeds (although they seem more compliant at highway speeds).

Hope this helps a bit.

[hi rpm]

Originally Posted by sunbun

How does the front look at max height settings? From what I've read it's too low

Sorry for the delay, didn't get a notification.

It's on the low side with 225/45 17s. Only a little below max, iirc 5-10mm, and it's about as low as I can get without scraping daily. I don't believe you can get to stock height.

----

After several months I think I'd replace the rear springs with something 10% softer if parts and labor were free. I'd sacrifice a little handling for a little less bounce.

[M-technik-3]

No mention if your still on RFT's. I still have my E36M it rode harsh when I swapped stock suspension out for Bilstein Sports and Eibachs which were the norms for BMW but the spring rates did not match the Bilsteins. Ended up getting some Tein springs for the car and was Happy. Then Bought Tein SS Coil overs and those are great still have em.