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      07-29-2019, 04:08 PM   #1
2008_135i
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2008 E82 135i manual OE spring codes

Hey guys,
Has anyone got a set of standard springs they could get me the codes off?
I've just bought my 135i and it's so low it bottoms out over everything!
The plan is to install standard springs as a temporary measure until I can decide what to do to the suspension. There are loads of springs for sale on eBay but all have different codes so I want to get the right ones.
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      07-29-2019, 06:16 PM   #2
John_01
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I only know about the later model cars from 2011 onwards.

135i has D6 front and L3 rear.
128i has D4 front and L2 rear. (these are softer and lower)
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      07-31-2019, 02:18 PM   #3
2008_135i
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Thanks John,

So the 128i front and rear springs are softer and lower than the 135i springs?

I thought a 135i was lower than a 128i ? Or do Aussie cars have different springs than UK cars?
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      07-31-2019, 04:06 PM   #4
asbrr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2008_135i View Post
Thanks John,

So the 128i front and rear springs are softer and lower than the 135i springs?

I thought a 135i was lower than a 128i ? Or do Aussie cars have different springs than UK cars?
It depends - in the North American market at least, the 135i came by default with the M-Sport suspension. The 128i would have to be ordered with the M-sport suspension to get it, by default it had a higher/softer setup.

Even if both a 135i and 128i are equipped with the same suspension (say M-Sport), the 128i uses different springs because it is lighter.
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      07-31-2019, 04:51 PM   #5
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One additional model year change besides what asbrr mentioned is that up to 2010 135i models... the rear springs were progressive... meaning as the spring compressed the spring rate increased. This tended to make the car twitchy. From 2011 model year.. the rear springs were static(linear) spring rate.

IF you want I could look at the paint dots on my US 135i springs seeing how I just installed Bilstein B12's and Eibach springs. I'm pretty happy with that setup for the street.

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      08-01-2019, 07:26 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2008_135i View Post
Thanks John,

So the 128i front and rear springs are softer and lower than the 135i springs?

I thought a 135i was lower than a 128i ? Or do Aussie cars have different springs than UK cars?
As asbrr posted above, the standard springs will be M-sport height D6 / L3 springs as far as I know. I don't think comfort springs were offered for the 135i, but I am not sure about the UK.

For the 125i / 128i model, there was a standard model with comfort springs, and then the M-sport version with the D4 / L2 springs. Anyway you shouldn't put 125i / 128i springs on your car because the ride height will be uneven. Sorry my previous post wasn't clear.
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      08-01-2019, 03:21 PM   #7
2008_135i
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Ok thanks guys, a UK based guy has contacted me to say his car which is the same as mine has D5 fronts and D3 rears.
From what I am lead to believe the biggest issue with the 135i was the lack of an LSD. To prevent wheel spin they fitted a really soft anti-roll bar on the rear and then made the springs too hard to get it round the corners. Apparently if you fitt an LSD, a firmer rear anti-roll bar and softer springs they are a completely different/better animal.
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      08-01-2019, 03:26 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John_01 View Post
I only know about the later model cars from 2011 onwards.

135i has D6 front and L3 rear.
128i has D4 front and L2 rear. (these are softer and lower)

Just went out to my garage... for my 2010 US specs 135i my springs were also D6 & L3.


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I now have Bilstein's and Eibach springs(EIBACH BILSTEIN B12 PRO-KIT) that I am totally happy with. The ride is how the car should have come from the factory. I can't believe it's taken me ten years of ownership to go down the suspension mod rabbit hole... but I am so happy I did!

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      08-07-2019, 05:00 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2008_135i View Post
Ok thanks guys, a UK based guy has contacted me to say his car which is the same as mine has D5 fronts and D3 rears.
From what I am lead to believe the biggest issue with the 135i was the lack of an LSD. To prevent wheel spin they fitted a really soft anti-roll bar on the rear and then made the springs too hard to get it round the corners. Apparently if you fitt an LSD, a firmer rear anti-roll bar and softer springs they are a completely different/better animal.
I think the guy that contacted you most likely meant L3 not D3 rear. D3 rears are m-sport springs used on some e92 3 series cars, which I believe are firmer and slightly shorter in free length. Stock 135i springs, ie. D6 and L3 are matched for balanced ride quality while also giving the car safe handling for the average driver. The biggest issue I see with the stock e82 suspension is the excessive slop in the rear subframe bushings that detract from the handling precision. Unfortunately it was designed like that for compatibility with RFT tyres. Also the car dosen't have much suspension travel, so it hits the bump stops a lot when driven on poor roads. Soft springs and low ride height aren't a good combination from that point of view.

Last edited by John_01; 08-07-2019 at 09:42 PM..
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      08-07-2019, 07:31 PM   #10
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Garage List
'09 135i  [10.00]
I'm running Koni Orange with Eibach springs, and still have my OE bits-

Can confirm my '09 came with D6 front and L3 rear springs for the 704 M Sport Suspension


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      08-28-2019, 02:29 PM   #11
2008_135i
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My 2008 135i has S704A m sport suspension but there does seem to be lots of options for springs.
I double checked with the guy who messaged me and his 2008 135i (also a UK car) definitely had D5 fronts and D3's on the rear?
A set of springs off a 2009 UK 135i came up on eBay and they were D5 front and L2 rears.
All very confusing.
I bought some D5 fronts but I'm still debating what rears to fit D3 or L2 as they both could be fitted with D5 fronts.
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      08-28-2019, 11:24 PM   #12
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My guess is spring codes for each basic category of car (135i, 128i sport package and 128i non-sport) are selected based on the car's weight/options. I think we all know the BMWP springs are that way.
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      08-29-2019, 07:02 AM   #13
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As far as I know, the 33536767345 "D3" Rear spring is used on E92 3 series Coupe with Automatic and sports suspension. I did not know it was used in 2008 E82, so that is new to me. The "D3" is likely to be a higher rate compared to the "L3". From searching the web before I found some info from parts suppliers (Sachs) that the free length for the "D3" spring is around 321mm, but I have no way to know if that is accurate. On the other hand, I measured the "L3" springs removed from my car and they seem to be longer at 328mm free length. My "L3" springs were used for only around 6 months from the build date of my 2011 135i before being removed.

Last edited by John_01; 08-29-2019 at 07:07 AM..
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