Opinions on Coilovers E9X M3

[parke90m3]

Hello everyone,

I recently got the E90 M3 6MT and have questions regarding coilovers.

Currently on AST 5200 2-Way Adjustable coilovers (which have about 10k miles on them) and I need to rebuild front right one. These are amazing coilovers for sure but it's just too much for me tbh.

I'm not sure if I rebuild and keep them or rebuild and sell them and get another set of coilovers since I heard it needs rebuilds quite often (I might be wrong) and quite pricey.

Questions:

1. Does anybody here on AST 5200 2-Way coilovers? If so, how often do you rebuild them? How's experience with Performance Shock in Sonoma & AST/MOTON? cost?

2. If I were to rebuild and sell them and get a new set of coilovers, what would you guys recommend? I daily drive this car and go to the tracks like 2-3 times a year.

3. similar to 2nd question, if you were me in this situation with daily driving & track it, would you keep them or not? why & why not?

4. If you have a set or looking for this set, how much would you sell & buy for?

Thanks for reading!

P.S: I'm newbie to this BMW&M World so I have 0 knowledge on BMWs..

[Throatpunch]

Imo coilovers are overkill. Only reason to get them are
Custom rates to match your tire and brake setup
Adjustability to help with car handling correction in a competitive event
You want some super low setup not possible with lowering springs
If you most daily and do track as a hobby and not competitively I'd consider it overkill.

Coils need rebuilds more frequently
They tend to get messed up from salted snowy roads
Some introduce noise

[parke90m3]

Originally Posted by Throatpunch

Imo coilovers are overkill. Only reason to get them are
Custom rates to match your tire and brake setup
Adjustability to help with car handling correction in a competitive event
You want some super low setup not possible with lowering springs
If you most daily and do track as a hobby and not competitively I'd consider it overkill.

Coils need rebuilds more frequently
They tend to get messed up from salted snowy roads
Some introduce noise

I got brembo bbk and squared wheel set up with 275/35/18 so I definitely need the coilovers :/ well but AST is just quite too much to maintain😂

[ETM3]

Would would you suggest if not coilovers? I had the same thinking until I finally bit the bullet and got a nice set of B16. I fell in love with the car all over again as it transformed the cars handling. The car feels planted and much sharper in corners and inspires confidence to drive more aggressively.

Originally Posted by Throatpunch

Imo coilovers are overkill. Only reason to get them are
Custom rates to match your tire and brake setup
Adjustability to help with car handling correction in a competitive event
You want some super low setup not possible with lowering springs
If you most daily and do track as a hobby and not competitively I'd consider it overkill.

Coils need rebuilds more frequently
They tend to get messed up from salted snowy roads
Some introduce noise

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by parke90m3

I got brembo bbk and squared wheel set up with 275/35/18 so I definitely need the coilovers :/ well but AST is just quite too much to maintain😂

you could always just go with the standard BC racing or Fortune Auto (local to socal if you ever need rebuild)

this is exactly why i tell people, yeah sure ohlins, ast,moton are great and the best.. but when it comes down to rebuilding them they cost a lot.. and take up to 6 weeks.

[parke90m3]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

you could always just go with the standard BC racing or Fortune Auto (local to socal if you ever need rebuild)

this is exactly why i tell people, yeah sure ohlins, ast,moton are great and the best.. but when it comes down to rebuilding them they cost a lot.. and take up to 6 weeks.

Wait rebuild takes that long??? You gotta be kidding me now.. if that's the case, I will probably go back to stock for now and sell after rebuild or sell cheaper without rebuilding it and get a set of bc or fortune auto

[tdott]

I have AST 5300s, rebuilt them last year as I got them used.

What is wrong with the front that needs a rebuild? I'd say it's better to just get them rebuilt and keep them.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by parke90m3

Wait rebuild takes that long??? You gotta be kidding me now.. if that's the case, I will probably go back to stock for now and sell after rebuild or sell cheaper without rebuilding it and get a set of bc or fortune auto

oh absolutely, my a few years ago it took 6 weeks to get my bilstein pss9 for rebuild (all 4 shocks).. that included shipping to and from and it was sent directly to bilstein for rebuild.

its probably even worse in todays market

[parke90m3]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

oh absolutely, my a few years ago it took 6 weeks to get my bilstein pss9 for rebuild (all 4 shocks).. that included shipping to and from.

its probably even worse in todays market

Oh I just need to rebuild one so I'm hoping the rebuild process will be quicker..?

[youngtimer55]

Originally Posted by parke90m3

Wait rebuild takes that long??? You gotta be kidding me now.. if that's the case, I will probably go back to stock for now and sell after rebuild or sell cheaper without rebuilding it and get a set of bc or fortune auto

Unfortunately yes, since companies like Ohlins and AST are in Europe.

I'd recommend MCS coilovers if you want to upgrade from the AST's. They're located in Georgia (Atlanta area?), so when it's time to rebuild, the turnaround will be much quicker than the Euro equivalent.

[parke90m3]

Originally Posted by tdott

I have AST 5300s, rebuilt them last year as I got them used.

What is wrong with the front that needs a rebuild? I'd say it's better to just get them rebuilt and keep them.

Top portion, where the oil or gas goes into from the reservoir, is bent :/ seemed like tire shop messed up the camber plate since it wasn't like that

[parke90m3]

Originally Posted by youngtimer55

Unfortunately yes, since companies like Ohlins and AST are in Europe.

I'd recommend MCS coilovers if you want to upgrade from the AST's. They're located in Georgia (Atlanta area?), so when it's time to rebuild, the turnaround will be much quicker than the Euro equivalent.

Well thankfully, AST service shop is in Sonoma CA so not too far tbh. I'm hoping it won't take that long since I don't have to send it all the way to Europe.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by parke90m3

Oh I just need to rebuild one so I'm hoping the rebuild process will be quicker..?

it probably would take just as long. its better to jut send all 4 in at the same time to be honest with you.

these "race" spec'd coilovers will eventually need a rebuild if its used on a daily driver, the road surface on street driving will eventually wear them out faster. than a full season of track driving.

just need to hope the certified rebuild shop to send it too, has the parts they need available.

[parke90m3]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

it probably would take just as long. its better to jut send all 4 in at the same time to be honest with you.

these "race" spec'd coilovers will eventually need a rebuild if its used on a daily driver, the road surface on street driving will eventually wear them out faster. than a full season of track driving.

just need to hope the certified rebuild shop to send it too, has the parts they need available.

Well i wish i can do all 4 but not at the moment since I got so many things going on atm 🤦*♂️🤦*♂️ hope doing one will get me back on the roads and wish myself a good luck haha

[parke90m3]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

it probably would take just as long. its better to jut send all 4 in at the same time to be honest with you.

these "race" spec'd coilovers will eventually need a rebuild if its used on a daily driver, the road surface on street driving will eventually wear them out faster. than a full season of track driving.

just need to hope the certified rebuild shop to send it too, has the parts they need available.

The one in Sonoma seems like it's inside or closer to the Sonoma Raceway Track so I'm sure they are legit👀

[iamtrashman]

A little late to this thread, but for your consideration, FCP Euro sells Ohlins R/T coilovers. When they require a rebuild just buy new ones and return the old ones. Thats what I have done. They have a pretty incredible warranty program.