[Supr3me]

So I've done a fair amount of reading to see what others are doing, but seems like most have a slightly different set up or needs. So I'm interested in your input.

The Car: 2016 340i xDrive M-Sport MPPSK 6K miles, no EDC
Use: Daily driver, no tracking, some winter driving conditions
The Goal: ~40 mm drop, firm but comfortable ride
The Wheels: 18" stock wheels but planning 20" Velgens with the coilovers

Seems like most are recommending coilovers over sport springs. In the thousand dollar price range I see Bilstein B14 and BC BR series. For about $700 or $900 more, there are some KW options to step up to.

Right now I'm leaning towards the BC coilovers- anyone want to talk me out of them and into one of these other options? Or something else I haven't considered yet? If I'm not tracking the car, is there any strong reason to spend more than a thou on coilovers?

Thanks in advance for the input.

[M47]

I've been on the same boat for a month Still can't decide.

[Supr3me]

Originally Posted by M47

I've been on the same boat for a month Still can't decide.

If you get any solid info or reviews from anyone with a similar vehicle lmk. I have an inquiry out to Stubok, I think he installed the BC coilovers- but I don't think he has an x-Drive.
Thx
T.

[cdgatti]

KW Street Comfort

[M47]

Originally Posted by Sµpreme

If you get any solid info or reviews from anyone with a similar vehicle lmk. I have an inquiry out to Stubok, I think he installed the BC coilovers- but I don't think he has an x-Drive.
Thx
T.

I have messaged several forum members and they all said B14 is the way to go. IMO BC would be good if you want to slam the car while B14 is more for comfort.

[Supr3me]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

KW Street Comfort

I'm sure that you're correct that the KW option is higher quality. More expensive things usually are. The KWs are also pretty much exactly double the price of the Bilsteins.

Do you think the Bilsteins are unacceptable in primarily in performance, comfort, or quality? What am I giving up, mostly? (I know it's tempting to say "all three", but I'm sure one of those categories weighs more heavily than the others)

Thanks again for putting up with us junior members' tiresome questions.

[RedKloud]

B14 are quite stiff and not adjustable. Street comfort are more comfort oriented.

[Joe_E]

I have the kw v2 and love them. I was thinking of going the BC route, but f30 owners were saying that they are only good for slamming the car. They said that they start making clunking noises and started squeaking:. All in all you get what you pay for

[Supr3me]

Thanks guys, appreciate the responses. Working with a couple vendors now, I'll probably skip the $1000 options and move to one of the higher level options. Will keep you posted.
T.

[Regulator]

I have a bit of perspective on this.

One of my last cars was an Evo X and the original owner lowered it with Eibach pro kit springs on the stock Bilstein shocks (~1.7" lower all around). The ride was pretty harsh. Like I'm talking gritting your teeth when you see an expansion joint on the highway bad. Not only that, but the rebound of suspension was not confidence inspiring at all. It wanted to rebound way too hard and would unsettle the car; especially in corners. Never. Again.

Now that I have my 335 I am looking at KW Street Comfort Coilovers ($1,870) at TireRack. This thread shows what a 335 looks like on the tallest setting for these, and for me I just want the car to look stock when I throw my huge 19x8.5/19x9.5 wheels on this summer. Tirerack notes Avg. low 0.6-1.8"F & 0.8-2.0"R for these. Plenty for my needs.

[NWest]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

B14 are quite stiff and not adjustable. Street comfort are more comfort oriented.

Curious if this is what you've heard from others or is it based on your actual experience with both of these setups?

I've heard good things about KW, and equally good things about the Bilstein B14 (non-adjustable dampers) and B16 (adjustable dampers) on the F30.

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by NWest

Curious if this is what you've heard from others or is it based on your actual experience with both of these setups?

I've heard good things about KW, and equally good things about the Bilstein B14 (non-adjustable dampers) and B16 (adjustable dampers) on the F30.

I'm not saying B14 are not good, but looks like OP wants a more comfort oriented setup. According to most B14 owners here they are more stiffer and hence sportier.

[Supr3me]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

I'm not saying B14 are not good, but looks like OP wants a more comfort oriented setup. According to most B14 owners here they are more stiffer and hence sportier.

To give some perspective here, check my sig for previous rides. The 330ci was a much sportier ride than my 335i, probably partially because the 335i was an xDrive. I didn't find the 330ci M-Sport suspension offensive, and it handled much better in corners than the 335i.

Firm is OK. 'Teethgrittingly harsh' when you see a bump approaching is not.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Regulator

I have a bit of perspective on this.

One of my last cars was an Evo X and the original owner lowered it with Eibach pro kit springs on the stock Bilstein shocks (~1.7" lower all around). The ride was pretty harsh. Like I'm talking gritting your teeth when you see an expansion joint on the highway bad. Not only that, but the rebound of suspension was not confidence inspiring at all. It wanted to rebound way too hard and would unsettle the car; especially in corners. Never. Again.

Now that I have my 335 I am looking at KW Street Comfort Coilovers ($1,870) at TireRack. This thread shows what a 335 looks like on the tallest setting for these, and for me I just want the car to look stock when I throw my huge 19x8.5/19x9.5 wheels on this summer. Tirerack notes Avg. low 0.6-1.8"F & 0.8-2.0"R for these. Plenty for my needs.

Thank you for mentioning my thread.

I performed extensive (exhaustive) research before deciding to purchase KW Street Comfort coilovers from www.allshocks.com.

KW Street Comfort coilovers provide adjustable rebound damping with 16 clicks. Mine were set at 9 clicks providing sufficiently comfortable ride while significantly improving handling of my previous MY13 335i xDrive sedan.

[deezeedee335]

I was in the same boat when I got my 335i. I went with the B14 instead of the BC or the KW1. Talked to Mike at Extreme Power House and he clarified the differences. I was more interested in the ability to adjust the ride hight. Most people that get the adjustable dampening end up not using it.

If you are going to track the car often, I imagine that the KW would be the way to go.

For me the fit, finish and quality of the B14's were a perfect fit. And to be honest I have been on a couple of other set ups and the comfort of the B14s are very good.

[NWest]

My two cents here as I've been down this road wanting to replace my standard X-Drive suspension. I came from an '05 e46 with Sport Suspension Package, and I thought that car's handling was excellent - the ride was firm, but not jarring - overall it's suspension and steering just had great feedback. I knew I would not have that e46 ride when I switched to my F30, and I always planned to upgrade to co's at some point.

To me, reviews on tires and suspension are extremely subjective topics - which is why it's so difficult to know what to buy unless you experience them first-hand, or really trust the reviews.

Since I was unable to find anyone locally who had B14's, I reached out to several members here asking for their feedback, and the 3 I asked all had positive reviews. I also reached out to a few who had the KW V1's and they all had positive reviews. So it came down to price and what my application was for. I am not planning to track my F30, so the need for co's with dampening adjustment (Bilstein B16's or KW V2's) didn't make sense, and I couldn't justify the extra $600-$700 for the V1's at that point. So - I pulled the trigger on the B14's.

I haven't installed the B14's yet, they're just sitting in a box along with new top-hats, but I plan to get them on in Jan, and I'll give an actual review.

[M47]

Originally Posted by deezeedee335

I was in the same boat when I got my 335i. I went with the B14 instead of the BC or the KW1. Talked to Mike at Extreme Power House and he clarified the differences. I was more interested in the ability to adjust the ride hight. Most people that get the adjustable dampening end up not using it.

+1. Do you remember how many hours did the install take?

[deezeedee335]

Originally Posted by M47

+1. Do you remember how many hours did the install take?

I did the install my self. With the correct tools I would say it is a 3-4 hour job.

But that is utilizing the same top hats from the sport suspension.

If you have new top hats it may take about 2-3 hours.

It really is not bad at all. There is a lot of DIY instructions out there. Just search.

[deezeedee335]

Originally Posted by NWest

My two cents here as I've been down this road wanting to replace my standard X-Drive suspension. I came from an '05 e46 with Sport Suspension Package, and I thought that car's handling was excellent - the ride was firm, but not jarring - overall it's suspension and steering just had great feedback. I knew I would not have that e46 ride when I switched to my F30, and I always planned to upgrade to co's at some point.

To me, reviews on tires and suspension are extremely subjective topics - which is why it's so difficult to know what to buy unless you experience them first-hand, or really trust the reviews.

Since I was unable to find anyone locally who had B14's, I reached out to several members here asking for their feedback, and the 3 I asked all had positive reviews. I also reached out to a few who had the KW V1's and they all had positive reviews. So it came down to price and what my application was for. I am not planning to track my F30, so the need for co's with dampening adjustment (Bilstein B16's or KW V2's) didn't make sense, and I couldn't justify the extra $600-$700 for the V1's at that point. So - I pulled the trigger on the B14's.

I haven't installed the B14's yet, they're just sitting in a box along with new top-hats, but I plan to get them on in Jan, and I'll give an actual review.

I think you will be very happy with your decision.

[Supr3me]

Update:
I ended up ordering the KW V1 coils along with Avant Garde M510 20's. I got the coils for $1444, so I justified spending the extra $500 on a car I'm gonna love and drive everyday.

I'll post pics of the end product when we get it installed and impressions of the ride quality. Thanks again for all the input.

[NWest]

Originally Posted by Sµpreme

Update:
I ended up ordering the KW V1 coils along with Avant Garde M510 20's. I got the coils for $1444, so I justified spending the extra $500 on a car I'm gonna love and drive everyday.

I'll post pics of the end product when we get it installed and impressions of the ride quality. Thanks again for all the input.

Awesome - looking forward to seeing your review when you get them on

[lo_xyooj]

That's a good set up can't wait to see the car.