Path to 'compliance / comfort'? Stock or coilovers?

[miles3719]

Hi all,

I just got the 'new to me' E92 M3 ('edition') model w/EDC). One of 3 the BMW Australia brought into the country in MCB. After driving it 1,700 kms home I already have a list of things I would to do but first is I would like to make the suspension more comfortable.

From what I currently understand it rides on some H&R lowered springs Pic which lower it above and beyond the 10mm the 'edition' pack provides

Link to full list of pics for height comparisons etc

I am going to take the wheels off later to try and get part numbers but can the group please help me understand some things:

1) How much is it currently lowered does it look?
2) I understand the 'edition' springs are simply what would become the 'competition' springs. Can someone please confirm what their part numbers would be? I cannot find any specific reference to the 'edition' springs to cross check with the competition springs.

I have another toy car for track etc, my M3 is literally just going to be a daily driver and to bring v8 smiles on the road so I am trying to reduce the stiffness and introduce more compliance and comfort. Am I right in saying that with the lowered springs, while it has obviously lowered the car, it has also reduced the travel and thus increased the stiffness?

So, Ideally I am looking for

1) Raise it slightly (few mm). Stock height is okay, but slightly lower than stock is also nice if possible
2) Improve compliance / comfort

Has anyone had similar experiences and can suggest something? Should I just buy a standard set of the OEM competition springs or is there a coilover set that would give me height flexibility AND can improve comfort (or customisable comfort). Would something like the KW v3's work for this? Do Billstein make something comfortable also?

Anyway.. sorry to ramble on, would love to get some help with this.

Cheers,
Aaron

[tlrid3r]

Evolve partnerd with Bilstein to develop EDC shock that are more compliant than stock. Check it out

[miles3719]

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Evolve partnerd with Bilstein to develop EDC shock that are more compliant than stock. Check it out

Thanks for that, I will check them out.. I need new springs also I suspect to raise it a little?

[tlrid3r]

Originally Posted by miles3719

Thanks for that, I will check them out.. I need new springs also I suspect to raise it a little?

No they also developed spring with a slight drop and compliance

[t_win]

Ohlins road and track seems like what you're looking for. I find the ride more compliant than stock.

Lowering springs on stock struts are harsher due to the reduced stroke, you're more likely to ride the bump stops.

[Redd]

Having tried many cars, Ohlins is the single most comfortable suspension out there for E9x M3 platform.

[miles3719]

Ooohh thank you all for your suggestions, I will check them out. Are Kw v3's also worth looking at?

[Redd]

Originally Posted by miles3719

Ooohh thank you all for your suggestions, I will check them out. Are Kw v3's also worth looking at?

Not anymore. They're harsher than Ohlins, and don't last as long. They used to be cheaper than Ohlins but now I believe they are about the same price.

[miles3719]

Originally Posted by Redd

Not anymore. They're harsher than Ohlins, and don't last as long. They used to be cheaper than Ohlins but now I believe they are about the same price.

Oh right, thank you... Here in australia they are a little more expensive compared to the v3's but ill take a look perhaps from the US or something and see if I could get a comparable price.

[GOFAST M3]

Originally Posted by miles3719

Oh right, thank you... Here in australia they are a little more expensive compared to the v3's but ill take a look perhaps from the US or something and see if I could get a comparable price.

If you're going Ohlins, and do not find a more economical local solution, I recommend 3DM, specifically their Ready to Run Road and Track Kit.

This is the route I have landed on, will be buying sometime in spring barring an insane Black Friday deal(It would be a good idea to try and find a sale during this Holiday later this month).

Link is below, its $3300 USD, and comes ready to install with new top mounts etc.

https://3dmmotorsport.com/collection...50854083821878

The only other option for what youre looking for(same as what I am after), IMO, are the Bilstein x Evolve dampers mentioned above, and they're not really any cheaper once you add springs.

I chose Ohlins as it's a true coilover, meant to be lowered, and stance is also an important factor to me. If not the case, I would have a real hard time not going with the Evolve EDC Dampers. They seem like a great choice, an excellent OEM+ solution.

I think with suspension, you'll be happier if you bite the bullet and spend the coin to get the proper setup.

Buy once, cry once!

[maddmatth]

You're in Australia so look into MCA suspension. Brisbane based coilover company, they have an excellent reputation here even though they might not be so well known internationally.

They make suspension for the E9x M3s and have various options from full track to comfort oriented kits. They're quality monotube dampers, not twin-tube like the cheaper kits (and stock).
You can contact them and they'll work out what kit suits you best.

I have their Pro-Sport coilovers on my M3 and they're excellent. My goal was something sportier than stock for weekend fun and track days.
I do find it seems more comfortable too though. It dampens harsher bumps better than stock even though it's sharper overall, whereas stock suspension sometimes felt like it "crashed" on hard bumps.
But my car was at 157 000km so my stock shocks were past their prime.

Being in Aus you have a local contact for rebuilds, support, and the performance shops around here are usually familiar with them.

Don't feel bad about losing EDC, modern well-designed monotube shocks are better than the old EDC shocks I think.
But if you are happy to spend twice as much to have EDC functionality, the Evolve Bilstein kit is worth consideration.