Opinions from those with EDC w/ After Market Springs

[knifegun]

I have been following all the threads regarding after market spring with EDC. I want to get some after market springs but want to ensure my warranty is not affected and that I am actually gaining something other than looks (although I do like the look of a slightly lower than stock M3). I have a few questions for those who have this setup.

1. How long have you had the setup (miles / years)?

2. Have you had any issues with the dealership and the associated warranty?

3. Do the springs improve performance both on the street and on track?

4. Is the ride harsher?

5. Any problems as a result of the springs?

[FrenchBoy]

Subscribing to the thread. I have the exact same questions and I too want to lower my SG Sedan. Right now, I am planning to get H&Rs.

[GT3 Tim]

Make that three of us. Too lazy to read through umpteen threads to figure it out. I am hoping somebody will chime in and just answer the questions (instead of saying "search")..yeah, right.

[knifegun]

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

Subscribing to the thread. I have the exact same questions and I too want to lower my SG Sedan. Right now, I am planning to get H&Rs.

What have you heard about the H&Rs so far?

BTW, I am glad I am not the only one with this question I have read through the threads and gotten various answer that everything is working fine. But this is from people that just installed the springs and not people who have driven considerable mileage on them. For example, I wonder if the camber is affected.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by knifegun

I have been following all the threads regarding after market spring with EDC. I want to get some after market springs but want to ensure my warranty is not affected and that I am actually gaining something other than looks (although I do like the look of a slightly lower than stock M3). I have a few questions for those who have this setup.

1. How long have you had the setup (miles / years)?

2. Have you had any issues with the dealership and the associated warranty?

3. Do the springs improve performance both on the street and on track?

4. Is the ride harsher?

5. Any problems as a result of the springs?

I've ridden in a buddies EDC/lowered ///M3, and it doesn't ride harsh IMHO. I'm not sure about question #1, but I'm sure that he hasn't experienced #2. I would imagine that if he did take his car into service because of an EDC issue, he might experience some problems (..despite the fact that BMW would need to prove that the springs caused the issue). The springs are probably a bit less effectve on the track than the OEM set-up; a full coilover suspension may be a different story. To my knowledge, he hasn't experienced any issues with his springs.

[M3Swiss]

I have aftermarket springs on my M3 E93 convertible.

1. about 1000 miles
2. You will probably loose your BMW warranty on the EDC
3. I can not make out any improvement in performance. It is still on stock level, which I find a very good setup.
4. See point 3.
5. No problems up to now.
Everything works fine and the look is much better compared to stock. The H&R springs lowered my M3 1.4 inches in the front and 0.8 inches in the rear.

[TRZ06]

Dinan boosts on their website that their springs work in conjuction with EDC. Those are the ones I am thinking about.

[knifegun]

Thank you guys for the replies. The Dinan route sounds intriguing as I would like to keep my EDC warranty (or at least have Dinan take care of warranty issues).

[signes]

Originally Posted by knifegun

Thank you guys for the replies. The Dinan route sounds intriguing as I would like to keep my EDC warranty (or at least have Dinan take care of warranty issues).

Thought about Dinan but it hardly looks like you get any noticeable drop. I am the last one that wants a slammed M3, but if you are looking for a visual impact (in addition to performance) seems like Dinan springs are very subtle - maybe too much so for the price. Anybody that has them on their car disagree?

[ebohon]

Originally Posted by knifegun

I have been following all the threads regarding after market spring with EDC. I want to get some after market springs but want to ensure my warranty is not affected and that I am actually gaining something other than looks (although I do like the look of a slightly lower than stock M3). I have a few questions for those who have this setup.

1. How long have you had the setup (miles / years)?

2. Have you had any issues with the dealership and the associated warranty?

3. Do the springs improve performance both on the street and on track?

4. Is the ride harsher?

5. Any problems as a result of the springs?

I have the H&Rs. I drove the car about 2000 miles before I made the change.
1. 4 months/about 8k miles on H&Rs.
2. No issues and have not had any need to go in for service.
3. I like the way the car handles better..more planted. Is it better? Dunno... I don't think I've driven to the limits in any extended period of time to asses. I have not tracked the car.
4. Yes... Firmer.
5. Yes... Problems with bottoming out in a few more places. Its part of the deal when you drop your car.

Overall... I would def do the install again. Looks better, firmer ride which I prefer.

[FrenchBoy]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

The springs are probably a bit less effectve on the track than the OEM set-up

Can you elaborate. Why do you think aftermarker springs such as H&R would give you worst performance at the track.
I would think it's the opposite: Higher spring rate does return a firmer ride, however it should also provide more controlled body motion.

[MrHarris]

1. How long have you had the setup (miles / years)?

2k miles, 2 months.

2. Have you had any issues with the dealership and the associated warranty?

My dealer said every mod if fine except ECU tuning.

3. Do the springs improve performance both on the street and on track?

I find it improves handling on smooth roads, but if it gets bumpy I believe stock handles better.

4. Is the ride harsher?

It's noticeably harsher but still livable.

5. Any problems as a result of the springs?

No problems, no malfunctions.

[GregW / Oregon]

Finally got my Dinan springs today after a 2-month wait. Will be installing 4/28 and will report back. I purposely went a fairly conservative route as my ar is a DD.

[signes]

Greg, would be curious to see your before and after pics as well.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by signes

Greg, would be curious to see your before and after pics as well.

I will try to document as well as possible.

[rzm3]

Good to hear Greg.

H&R was a little too harsh for me, and I feel it didn't complement the system... but that's completely subjective. Though most importantly it was too low for the city, so I went back to stock.

As far as performance is concerned, there are NO data documented to make any conclusions on any of the springs.

I may be thinking of getting some Dinan springs in the near future.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by knifegun

I have been following all the threads regarding after market spring with EDC. I want to get some after market springs but want to ensure my warranty is not affected and that I am actually gaining something other than looks (although I do like the look of a slightly lower than stock M3). I have a few questions for those who have this setup.

1. How long have you had the setup (miles / years)?
- Eibach Pro Kit: 7000 miles/5 months

2. Have you had any issues with the dealership and the associated warranty?
- No

3. Do the springs improve performance both on the street and on track?
- No big time difference, although an alignment after spring install made the car handling a little sharper.

4. Is the ride harsher?
- I feel that in Comfort the ride is smoother and still firm from OEM. No apparent change from OEM in other modes. I just completed a 1500 miles round trip to M School in my M3 without feeling tired or wasted by the ride. 99% of the trip was in Comfort, tried Sport a couple of times but there were too many long construction spots and cracked pavement along the way to really use Sport any longer than 30 minutes of driving.

5. Any problems as a result of the springs?
- No

[FrenchBoy]

That's a great thread. I am starting to question whether I actually want springs right now. I love the stock ride in the various EDC settings and I don't want to mess it up.

From what I am reading, it seems like H&Rs would be a bit too firm for my (and my wife's) taste. It'll be interesting to read about the Dinan springs although the cost is a bit prohibitive and the drop supposedly minimum.

Eiback and RDSport may be better compromise. Keep the feedback coming!

[STALKER]

What about RD Sport springs?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by signes

Greg, would be curious to see your before and after pics as well.

Dinan spring kit:

(2) D100-0730 front spring M3
(2) D100-0735 rear spring M3
(2) D110-0006 front guide support kit
(2) 31 33 2 225 377 bump stop
(1) alignment sheet

Kit was super well packed.

This is what they say about their spring manufacturer: "We have our springs made by a large manufacturer of springs for a myriad of applications, automotive and otherwise. Despite the rumors and uninformed rhetoric on the chat rooms, we do not buy springs from Eibach, H&R, etc. These are manufactured to our specifications. We’ve used the same company for over a decade."

My springs get installed next Tuesday.

[lucid]

Congrats Greg!!!

I've been so busy, I haven't had a time to call my shop to see if my springs have been shipped or not. I'll call tomorrow and find out. I know the camber plates are in. Can't wait!

[sparkyg]

Let us know how it goes Greg / Dinan kit is the only one i have interest in