[iqraceworks]

I picked up an 07' 335i a few weeks ago with around 90K miles on it. As far as I can tell, it's got the original suspension on it. I'm in the process of going through the car top top bottom, and getting it all back to good working order.

One of the things that needs done is a new suspension. I would like a slightly lower stance, but nothing crazy. This will be a daily driver, it's not going to see any track time. I will be running 235/265 tires on the stock 189 style wheels. If possible, I would like to stay away from spacers.

I've been reading and researching on the forums for a while....and when it comes to lowering springs and good shocks vs. coilovers...I'm finding lots of conflicting opinions. I want a nice ride that's a little firmer than stock...and a little lower. If possible, I would like to keep this suspension upgrade under $1000.

Right now I'm going back and forth between the Bilstein B14 coilovers (summer racing has them on sale for $773), or a set of good shocks like the KONI FSD's and a set of lowering springs like the Ebiach Pro's. I want the car to set a little lower in the front, but the rear is about where I want it...I've heard the Ebiach springs will lower the front, but keep the rear where it is...pretty much what I want. I've also heard that the H&R springs drop it way to much, and ride really harsh...not what I want.

As far as ride goes....what setup will handle rough roads better? I've heard that coilovers can be really harsh, but I've also heard they ride really nice.....so I don't know what to think about them.

Any tips, info, advice on a nice "slightly lowered" setup for a daily drive 335i would be great. Thanks!!!!

[colorado.e9x]

I'll chime in and vouch for my B12 ProKit I just installed for my 330xi. I haven't noticed any substantial drop from my rideheight with blown shocks, but as far as comfort it's great. It can be on the stiff side when at speeds below 40mph, it's very good at 40 and above. Paired with the monroe strut mounts in the rear, the car is very planted. Initial thoughts for the first week so far is reduced body roll, no more air hissing on bumps, takes larger bumps (where a road might have sank or is just uneven in general) much better than stock. Grip is much improved. On my original suspension if I were to accelerate hard from a 90° turn you would hear the tires start chirping. With these, the worst I can get it to do is get the tires to semi lose grip (on a road with dirt or gravel debris, does not make the tires chirp just the sound of sliding on a loose surface. which is miniscule) They've removed the bounciness I used to get, I now feel very planted to the road at all times. Once again this is my impression within the first week. It's already breaking in and getting less harsh. Stiffer than my original suspension but still retains a comfort while increasing the 'sportiness'

Not sure if the ride height matters being an xi, but I've seen people with great fitment using the B8s (included in the prokit) and some H&R Sport springs. For example I love the way @unrulyteach's car sits

[MIL.SPEC]

I second the Bilstein B12 kit. I have a set of Moton's on my Evo, and wanted none of that hassle. No camber plates. No shock rebuilds. Nothing.

One thing to keep in mind is installing reinforcement plates on the front strut towers because of potential mushrooming over big impacts/bumps.

They sell them pretty cheap. Nothing but good things to say about the B12 kit. Had them on for 5 years. Just had to replace the front struts after I hit a massive pothole, but that's pretty good for 50+ thousand miles.

[mweisdorfer]

I'd say b12 Kit, but if check on your 265 rear tires. 255 would work no problem.

[cvc 22349a]

I'm happy with sport susp springs and Koni Sport dampers. B12 kit sounds great too.
New shock, strut mounts and possibly control arm bushings too.

[iqraceworks]

Are the B12 going to ride better that the Koni FSD and the Koni sports? I can get a set of the B14 coilovers for under $800........bad idea?

[flgfish]

I just put Koni special actives on my e91. Same springs, same height, much better ride.
It's a road trip and highway car, for the most part - didn't want it any lower.

[iqraceworks]

I think at this point I'm leaning towards the Koni Yellow shocks with the Eibach Sport springs. From everything I've read, that's a pretty common setup that works very well.

It sounds like the Eibach pro's lower the car just a little bit......unlike the H&R's that really drop it, and the ride with the Eibachs is better.

I got close to ordering the Bilstein B14 coilovers for under $800......but it looks like they drop the car too much for me, even at the highest settings.

[iqraceworks]

Here is a before and after picture. I've put a few hundred miles on the B12 ProKit.....the back has dropped around 1/4", and the front around 13/16".

BEFORE......




AFTER......