[mtenhoven]

Anyone unhappy with the stock suspension on their F30 xDrive may want to consider installing ACS springs with Bilstein B6 dampers.

I recently had this combination installed on my 2015 F30 xDrive and cannot stress how improved the car drives/rides.

The ACS/B6 combination has provided the mild drop I was looking for while eliminating the floaty handling of the stock setup. The ride is firm but not harsh. Body roll is also improved; adding upgraded sway bars would definitely help take roll to the next level.

Before and after images attached.

[.BMW.]

Definitely improves the look of the car!

[SLOWER]

What was your parts cost on this for springs and shocks?

[mtenhoven]

Thanks for the comments.

Regarding the cost. 300 for the springs and 615 for the dampers.

[T4NZ4NIT3 335i]

Originally Posted by mtenhoven

Thanks for the comments.

Regarding the cost. 300 for the springs and 615 for the dampers.

I was thinking of sometbing simillar but wantes to go with bilstein b4 instead of b6 for more comfort. Hos is the ride comfort with the B6 dampers compared to stock?.Could you post more pics..full side angle showing front and rear drop. Thanks.

[jadis]

Can you share the part numbers of all the parts? Did you just buy springs and shocks? Did you need top hats or other parts as well or re-use stock?

[mtenhoven]

Part numbers are as follows...
ACS springs: 3130230310
Bilstein B6: 35-207481, 35-207207, 24-217859 (x2)
No additional parts needed.

As I mentioned, ride is definitely firmed up, not jarring. I recall reading the B4 dampers are 15% stiffer than stock. Regarding the stock dampers, I could compress them by hand, not using the ground; rebound was slow. The B6s I could not compress by hand, for what that's worth.

I'll post additional photos later this week.

[T4NZ4NIT3 335i]

Originally Posted by mtenhoven

Part numbers are as follows...
ACS springs: 3130230310
Bilstein B6: 35-207481, 35-207207, 24-217859 (x2)
No additional parts needed.

As I mentioned, ride is definitely firmed up, not jarring. I recall reading the B4 dampers are 15% stiffer than stock. Regarding the stock dampers, I could compress them by hand, not using the ground; rebound was slow. The B6s I could not compress by hand, for what that's worth.

I'll post additional photos later this week.

pics?

[mtenhoven]

Below are some additional photos... I will say the combo has broken in nicely.

Before:




After:

[js 84]

I have ordered the same B6 on stock springs, will install next week and was thinking about ACS, however roads here are really bad and I need ground clearance. Did not want to lower my car by more than 2cm. Therefore will check how B6 affect the ride on stock springs and then will decide.

[MickAv8r]

If you are lowering the car via springs you want to use the Bilstein B8, not the B6. The B6 is for stock ride heights the B8 is for cars with lowering springs.

[T4NZ4NIT3 335i]

Originally Posted by MickAv8r

If you are lowering the car via springs you want to use the Bilstein B8, not the B6. The B6 is for stock ride heights the B8 is for cars with lowering springs.

But ACS springs are designed to work with stock dampers as well. Brits are using it with OEM Sachs with no problems.

[mtenhoven]

Bilstein FAQ advises that B6s are acceptable for up to 30mm drops. The ACS spring drop is only 15-25mm front, 20-30mm rear. Not as aggressive as the H&R springs for example. B8s ideal depth was listed at 30-40mm, but can be used up to 50mm drop.

[lkailburn]

thanks for this thread. I'm a new member here (new used owner) and I'm really unpleased with the stock suspension at the moment. I'm actually going back down to the dealer today to test drive another identical car to see if it's just the feeling of the stock suspension (2013 328i xdrive), or something wrong with mine. Honestly to me the suspension feels so loose that it feels like this car has nearly blown shocks. Might note that I'm switching over from an Evo X so it could be subjective.
If that's the case i think your spring/shock setup looks like the ideal swap for me!

[mtenhoven]

@Ikailburn You're welcome. I'd be interested to hear how your test drive goes.

[lkailburn]

Unfortunately it wasn't a successful visit. The dealer had another identical used car '13 328i xdrive with similar mileage that we test drove. Definitely a little better suspension feeling than mine but not a ton. Had a tech drive mine and this and also examine on lift and he said nothing wrong with it. It wasn't a total loss visit, as I had to have them program the comfort access for a new key. I was also missing a floor matwhen I took delivery on the car so they gave me a brand new set of OEM all weather rubber mats for the front. While they did that we took a loaner 2016 320i xdrive and the suspension was night and day, even my wife noticed. So it looks like I'll be shopping around at some point for an after market suspension setup

[Versipellis]

Did you consider adding Dinan Shockware to further improve the handling?

[mtenhoven]

Unfortunately Shockware was not an option for me.. No DHP on my car.

[Carlos@TAG]

Originally Posted by mtenhoven

Unfortunately Shockware was not an option for me.. No DHP on my car.

This combo will give you a great result, the improvement in the looks of the car is a nice secondary benefit to how much nicer the car rides and handles.

The Bilstein dampers are great and you basically have 3 routes you can take: 1. Lowering springs (like AC Schnitzer) + B6 or B8 dampers depending on how much lower your particular set of springs will put the car, 2. B12 which is a Bilstein damper set matched to Eibach lowering springs, or 3. B14 which is a coilover with threaded spring perches that allows you to adjust ride height.

[T4NZ4NIT3 335i]

Hi OP

How is the setup holding up now that its settled in? Any changes? I am close to pulling the trigger on this setup but cant decide between B4 or b6. i reckon you live in the suburbs, Have you had a chance of driving to the parts of Chicago with lunar surface like roads? Hows the bump/pothole compliance?

[mtenhoven]

Setup is working well. No complaints nor concerns. I do live in the suburbs and have always done my best to miss potholes; had to have two bent front wheels fixed on a previous ride due to a set of poor railroad tracks.

I would say the setup has softened a little but it could be me becoming accustomed to the feeling. I would have no reservations about recommending the B6s. Definitely would do the upgrade myself again. From my perspective, it is the right amount of mild drop and sporty ride quality for the xdrive.

[T4NZ4NIT3 335i]

Ive read on e90 forums that B6s do soften over time. I am curious about your setup so much because I think you are the first to pair them with ACS springs. I guess it is a good match since you havent reported any inconsistent behaviour ir twitchiness over rough surfaces.