Sport Suspension Lowering Options for Minimal Drop?

[rsnider]

I have a 2013 135i equipped with the M Sport suspension. I want to lower it very slightly, maybe 5-10mm from stock and a little stiffer spring rates. As I understand it, the sport springs already lower the car slightly. I’ve been looking at the Bilstein B14 PSS but it says the minimum drop is 30mm which I assume is compared to the non-sport suspension. Does anybody know how much Bilstein B14 PSSs will lower a 135i with the M Sport suspension?

Are there any other coilover or spring setups that will get me the drop I’m looking for? Are there any spring spacers to raise a too-low car?

[asbrr]

Bilsteins will go quite low vs stock m-sport. You can try to find BMW performance springs which are about 10mm lower than m-sport. Or youc an look at Eibach Pro Kit which are about 10-15mm lower than m-sport.

Bilsteins from what I have seen even when set at highest are quite low.

Also note that if you have high mileage/based on age, your strut mounts at the front are likely compressed, and when you replace components it's recommended to replace wear parts like strut mounts which will add a few mm (maybe 5mm) of height back to the front. So you're already running "lower" than factory fresh m-sport is my guess.

Lots of research required to feel comfortable with what you're actually looking for and what will deliver that for you...no simple answer unfortunately.

[Andrewbens]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Bilsteins will go quite low vs stock m-sport. You can try to find BMW performance springs which are about 10mm lower than m-sport. Or youc an look at Eibach Pro Kit which are about 10-15mm lower than m-sport.

Bilsteins from what I have seen even when set at highest are quite low.

Also note that if you have high mileage/based on age, your strut mounts at the front are likely compressed, and when you replace components it's recommended to replace wear parts like strut mounts which will add a few mm (maybe 5mm) of height back to the front. So you're already running "lower" than factory fresh m-sport is my guess.

Lots of research required to feel comfortable with what you're actually looking for and what will deliver that for you...no simple answer unfortunately.

Are the bmw sport springs the same ones that came on the 135is?

[WeryPert1]

I love love love the ST X coilovers I have on my 128i, with minimal lowering. These are exactly the same as the KW V1's except the bodies are galvanized steel instead of INOX stainless. (You may want the KW's if you are in a rust area.)

Definitely not too low (I think mine are less than an inch lower than stock, despite the range shown on the werbsite.) And I paid less than $1000 for mine two years ago from Tire Rack. Not too stiff, either! QUALITY valving and progressive springs that is just right for my tastes. I had KW V2's on a previous car.

There are strut spacers available for the front, but not the rear. I had some and tried them but ended up not needing to use them with the ST-X. I still have them - let me know if you are interested in more info.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by Andrewbens

Are the bmw sport springs the same ones that came on the 135is?

BMW SPort springs = BMW M Sport springs = all springs on 135i or 135is (same suspension as regular 135i at least in North America).

BMW Performance springs are not the same as the BMW Sport / BMW M Sport springs. The performance springs are a bit lower and stiffer.

[rsnider]

Originally Posted by asbrr

BMW SPort springs = BMW M Sport springs = all springs on 135i or 135is (same suspension as regular 135i at least in North America).

BMW Performance springs are not the same as the BMW Sport / BMW M Sport springs. The performance springs are a bit lower and stiffer.

Everywhere I’ve checked for the performance springs says they’re out of production, unfortunately.

[CrownGlass]

I have a used set of the T3 rated ones.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...ngs+crownglass

[rsnider]

Originally Posted by CrownGlass

I have a used set of the T3 rated ones.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...ngs+crownglass

What is the T3 rating?

[CrownGlass]

Best bet would read through this link


https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=987642

[rsnider]

Originally Posted by CrownGlass

Best bet would read through this link


https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=987642

Do you have part numbers for your springs?

[CrownGlass]

Sorry do not

[parameter416]

FWIW Here's some information I pieced together when I was looking to replace my OEM sport springs and shocks. I wanted slightly stiffer but no lowering - I didn't want to lose any suspension travel. I went with BMW Performance springs. They lowered the car about 10 mm all around. I think they're almost all NLA at this point.

If you're still interested in BMWP springs you'll need to ask a dealer to run your VIN to determine which springs you need (It depends on the weight/equipment of your car. My car needed T1 fronts/T3 rears). As I said, you may not be able to find them, so you want to look at alternatives.

BMW Performance Springs
33 50 0 444 831 FULL KIT
31 33 6 788 891 T1 FRONT 135
31 33 6 788 892 T2 FRONT 146
31 33 6 788 893 T3 FRONT 160
31 33 6 788 894
33 53 6 788 898 T2 REAR 420
33 53 6 788 899 T3 REAR 460
33 53 6 788 900 T4 REAR 495
33 53 6 788 901
33 53 6 788 902

Spring Rates
135i(M-Sport) 120 / 350
E90 Sport 145 / 460
E90 BMWP 195 / 505
E90 M3 160 / 550
Dinan E82 144 / 490
Cobb E82 142 / 457
Swift E82 201 / 503
BMWP T1/T2 135 / 420
BMWP T2/T3 146 / 460
BMWP T3/T4 160 / 495

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by parameter416

FWIW Here's some information I pieced together when I was looking to replace my OEM sport springs and shocks. I wanted slightly stiffer but no lowering - I didn't want to lose any suspension travel. I went with BMW Performance springs. They lowered the car about 10 mm all around. I think they're almost all NLA at this point.

If you're still interested in BMWP springs you'll need to ask a dealer to run your VIN to determine which springs you need (It depends on the weight/equipment of your car. My car needed T1 fronts/T3 rears). As I said, you may not be able to find them, so you want to look at alternatives.

BMW Performance Springs
33 50 0 444 831 FULL KIT
31 33 6 788 891 T1 FRONT 135
31 33 6 788 892 T2 FRONT 146
31 33 6 788 893 T3 FRONT 160
31 33 6 788 894
33 53 6 788 898 T2 REAR 420
33 53 6 788 899 T3 REAR 460
33 53 6 788 900 T4 REAR 495
33 53 6 788 901
33 53 6 788 902

Spring Rates
135i(M-Sport) 120 / 350
E90 Sport 145 / 460
E90 BMWP 195 / 505
E90 M3 160 / 550
Dinan E82 144 / 490
Cobb E82 142 / 457
Swift E82 201 / 503
BMWP T1/T2 135 / 420
BMWP T2/T3 146 / 460
BMWP T3/T4 160 / 495

I have the BWMP springs and think my rears are T2, part no. ...899, not ...898.

Also, for rsnider, there are differing rates of sport and non sport springs. Like the BMWP springs, the appropriate ones are based on the cars weight. They also use an alpha-numeric code. Example, my car was originally non-sport and came with C4/C1 front/rear.