[inChargeOfIT]

I am trying to decide between buying a set of matched Bilstein sport shocks + h&r/eibach springs or if I should just buy a set of Bilstein B14 coil-overs for my 335i. The costs are about the same with both being around about $1,000 USD (I assume installation costs are equal).

I do not track the car but I do enjoy some spirited weekend driving (and may do a track day at some point in the future).

I am looking for a good balance of comfort/performance and want to get rid of the body roll and wheel gap (without spending a ton of money).

Can anyone comment on how big of a difference the firmness/comfort would be between shocks/springs and coil-overs?

I am leaning towards eibach springs over h&r's because of the drop:

H&R springs:
1.3" / 33 mm front
1.0" / 25.4 mm rear

Eibach pro-kit:
1.0" / 25.4 mm front
0.6" / 15.24 mm rear

Bilstein B14 PSS
adj. -1.0"-1.75" front
adj. -1.0"-1.75" rear

With shocks+springs I could simply replace the shocks when they go bad but I do not know if you can do the same with coil-overs.. can you simply replace the shock part? How often do you need to replace springs? Is it a pain in the arse to adjust coilovers?

Looking for any advice or experience. There is a group by right on the forums so I am curious.

Links:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-...coilovers.aspx
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=907416

Cars with eibach springs installed:
http://www.baanvelgen.com/blog/bmw-f...pirit-r-wheels
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=667029
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716860

Coil-overs (having a hard time finding pics):
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13761183

H&R's go a little lower than I like (especially when they settle):
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=791103
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=653457

But looks great on this beauty (maybe the rims make the difference?):
http://blog.**********s.com/m-sport-....xQRBcbTq.dpbs

you know the ******** site.

Thanks!

[JN1]

I have the coilovers, but if you don't track the car it's kind of overkill and I'd take the savings to use elsewhere. B14 are well over $1k not including installation.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by JNLBC

I have the coilovers, but if you don't track the car it's kind of overkill and I'd take the savings to use elsewhere. B14 are well over $1k not including installation.

What Justin said!


The Bilstein/H&R combo is great, but you just don't get the height adjustability. You can find H&R Sport springs on the forum for +/- $200 now, and the Group Buy for the Bilstein B8's is still active.

[LAwolverine]

bump^ curious to know peoples opinions on this

[AMJAM]

Coilovers all the way every day

[inChargeOfIT]

I went with the B8 shocks and eibach pro-kit springs. This seems to be a good balance between performance and comfort. I'm am waiting for the springs to ship (the shocks have already been delivered) so we'll see soon enough. I cannot wait!

I will take a lot of before/after pictures and will write up a review after I have them for a few weeks.

Btw, Rich from GTB Performance has been great!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by inChargeOfIT

I went with the B8 shocks and eibach pro-kit springs. This seems to be a good balance between performance and comfort. I'm am waiting for the springs to ship (the shocks have already been delivered) so we'll see soon enough. I cannot wait!

I will take a lot of before/after pictures and will write up a review after I have them for a few weeks.

Btw, Rich from GTB Performance has been great!

You made the right choice!

[vip]

Originally Posted by inChargeOfIT

I went with the B8 shocks and eibach pro-kit springs. This seems to be a good balance between performance and comfort. I'm am waiting for the springs to ship (the shocks have already been delivered) so we'll see soon enough. I cannot wait!

I will take a lot of before/after pictures and will write up a review after I have them for a few weeks.

Btw, Rich from GTB Performance has been great!

awesome! this is the one setup I am looking forward to seeing and hearing about. I am on the fence between h&r sport and eibach. Curious, what size wheels do you have? I have 20s, so would be cool to see what the drop looks like.

[inChargeOfIT]

Originally Posted by vip

awesome! this is the one setup I am looking forward to seeing and hearing about. I am on the fence between h&r sport and eibach. Curious, what size wheels do you have? I have 20s, so would be cool to see what the drop looks like.

I have stock 18" double spoke wheels right now. Wheels and tires are my next big upgrade (in a few months) but I will be sticking with 18" or 19" rims. This F30 with 20" looks great with the Eibachs!: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=667029.

[Gastoys]

Don't make the mistake I did, spend the money wisely and purchase the coil overs, you will not regret it.

[momo3605]

Originally Posted by Gastoys

Don't make the mistake I did, spend the money wisely and purchase the coil overs, you will not regret it.

What mistake did you make?

[rxander]

Bilstein coilovers is my vote: planning on getting some soon

[vip]

Originally Posted by inChargeOfIT

I went with the B8 shocks and eibach pro-kit springs. This seems to be a good balance between performance and comfort. I'm am waiting for the springs to ship (the shocks have already been delivered) so we'll see soon enough. I cannot wait!

I will take a lot of before/after pictures and will write up a review after I have them for a few weeks.

Btw, Rich from GTB Performance has been great!

did you get everything installed? Where is the review and pics?

[inChargeOfIT]

Still waiting on the springs :/ Everything from UPS has been delayed.

Austin, TX, United States 12/16/2013 10:00 A.M. Your package encountered a delay. We expect your delivery will be postponed by one business day.
Austin, TX, United States 12/14/2013 10:02 P.M. Arrival Scan
Mesquite, TX, United States 12/13/2013 10:53 A.M. Network disruption due to prior weather conditions, check ups.com for further updates.
Los Angeles, CA, United States 12/11/2013 8:03 P.M. Departure Scan
Los Angeles, CA, United States 12/10/2013 5:33 A.M. Arrival Scan
Ontario, CA, United States 12/10/2013 4:39 A.M. Departure Scan
Ontario, CA, United States 12/09/2013 11:05 P.M. Origin Scan
United States 12/09/2013 7:27 P.M. Order Processed: Ready for UPS

[focal]

am I reading the Bilstein coils spec correctly? you can jack them up 1" above stock to 1.75" lower than stock?

[inChargeOfIT]

Originally Posted by vip

did you get everything installed? Where is the review and pics?

Getting the shocks and springs installed tomorrow.

[vip]

Originally Posted by inChargeOfIT

Getting the shocks and springs installed tomorrow.

Ok. Post up a new thread.

[CK335iMSport]

Originally Posted by inChargeOfIT

Getting the shocks and springs installed tomorrow.

Where did you get them installed?

Ordered Bilstein's with H&R Sport Springs, should be here next week.

[inChargeOfIT]

Originally Posted by CK335iMSport

Where did you get them installed?

Ordered Bilstein's with H&R Sport Springs, should be here next week.

Mike Brink (Brink Motorsports) installed them for me. He is a big Audi/VW tuner but did a perfect job and was very reasonable with pricing. I plan on using him for all of my future tuning needs.

I took some before/after photos and will be posting a more in-depth review once I get some time. I am also going to take more photos after I get back in town from the holidays to see if the car settled anymore, but the short version is that I love it!

The bilsteins are great and the eibach's were the perfect drop for me. The ride is not too stiff, not too bouncy, and there is hardly any body roll anymore. I also ditched the run-flats which made a huge difference. Totally different car now and it drives like it's on rails. This is how the car should have came from the dealer.

Give Mike a call and tell him Keith sent you. Brink Motorsports: 512-799-1298 - mike.brink@brinkmotorsports.com to get yours installed.

Here are some pics. See the full set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/90019399@N02/

Before:



After:

[CK335iMSport]

Awesome, car is looking great!

Yeah, I know Mike as I used to have a VW GTI and have spoken with him re: VW performance stuff, super nice guy! You part of any of the BMW groups in Austin, Roundel Gruppe etc.?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by CK335iMSport

Where did you get them installed?

Ordered Bilstein's with H&R Sport Springs, should be here next week.

Yayyy!

[LAwolverine]

Can you please post a close up of the wheel gap when you get a chance?

It really looks great. I know it has been fairly recent since you've installed these, but how is the ride so far?

Originally Posted by inChargeOfIT

Mike Brink (Brink Motorsports) installed them for me. He is a big Audi/VW tuner but did a perfect job and was very reasonable with pricing. I plan on using him for all of my future tuning needs.

I took some before/after photos and will be posting a more in-depth review once I get some time. I am also going to take more photos after I get back in town from the holidays to see if the car settled anymore, but the short version is that I love it!

The bilsteins are great and the eibach's were the perfect drop for me. The ride is not too stiff, not too bouncy, and there is hardly any body roll anymore. I also ditched the run-flats which made a huge difference. Totally different car now and it drives like it's on rails. This is how the car should have came from the dealer.

Give Mike a call and tell him Keith sent you. Brink Motorsports: 512-799-1298 - mike.brink@brinkmotorsports.com to get yours installed.

Here are some pics. See the full set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/90019399@N02/

Before:



After: