H&R springs or Eibach springs?

[Tbonem3]

according to this post they are 400/450

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...ested.1064012/

So too much up front and too little in the rear. No wonder you're bouncing around funny.

[01SG]

OP states his problem with his current set up is that it's too stiff and bouncy. This problem will remain with basically all of the lowering springs. I've only personally used Eibach, but a spring is a spring. They're all basically the same rate, so the amount of lowering is the major difference.

If you must lower, I'd say Dinan is the only way to go. The less lowering the better. But you will have best ride and handling with the stock springs short of quality coilovers.The car was engineered brilliantly for road use from the factory.

[Ragincajun5220]

OP states his problem with his current set up is that it's too stiff and bouncy. This problem will remain with basically all of the lowering springs. I've only personally used Eibach, but a spring is a spring. They're all basically the same rate, so the amount of lowering is the major difference.

If you must lower, I'd say Dinan is the only way to go. The less lowering the better. But you will have best ride and handling with the stock springs short of quality coilovers.The car was engineered brilliantly for road use from the factory.

This makes sense to me, without having personal experience with any of these spring setups.

the csl dampers could provide a good solution with lowering springs as they are shorter than the oem m3 dampers.

as far as I know, no manufacturer provides shortened replacement dampers outside of the coilover kits.

personally, on my new to me m3 I plan to try out the csl setup for this reason. I’ll report back with the results.

[Tbonem3]

Suspension for the light csl will not necessarily be appropriate for your 3400lb m3.

[Maxima SE]

So too much up front and too little in the rear. No wonder you're bouncing around funny.

I think part of the problem is also the mason X brace making everything stiffer in the back. Do you know the spring rates for the eibach springs designed for struts?

[Maxima SE]

I had Eibach springs and Bilstein B8 (I think) shocks, it was really nice for around town use. IMO it was the perfect OEM+ ride height and comfort vs sportiness balance. But it’s definitely a far cry from a more aggressive coilover. So just be aware of what you’re trading off and make sure that’s what you want.

looks very good ! I am not looking for a coilover slammed look. Too old for that. Just want a mild drop with 1 finger wheel gap all around. OEM + look

OP states his problem with his current set up is that it's too stiff and bouncy. This problem will remain with basically all of the lowering springs. I've only personally used Eibach, but a spring is a spring. They're all basically the same rate, so the amount of lowering is the major difference.

If you must lower, I'd say Dinan is the only way to go. The less lowering the better. But you will have best ride and handling with the stock springs short of quality coilovers.The car was engineered brilliantly for road use from the factory.

I looked at the picture of the drop dinan posted on their site and it is less than what I am looking for. Then I came across this video of eibach on youtube and it is more aggressive, its actually a little lower than I expected them to be but seems close to perfect. I certainly dont want it any lower than this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKhousmQUWY

[Ragincajun5220]

Suspension for the light csl will not necessarily be appropriate for your 3400lb m3.

We will see. Variance within m3’s can be more than 100lbs easily based on options.

my car has no options except xenon’s, so it’s the lightest spect possible.

you are only talking about 220lbs weight reduction from the average spec m3 on a 3450 lb car. There has been good feedback on csl suspension on a regular m3, will see how it goes on mine. Fingers crossed. Should be a good datapoint for others looking for a minimal drop without going the coilovers route

[tvan]

But people want a drop. Eibach gives you both. If drop isn't important, than stick with stock suspension which has maximum travel. Everything's a compromise of some sort. How much is the question.

I've been on KW V2 since I bought my M3 and definitely have gotten to a point where I need to consider a rebuild or replacement.

I don't need the adjustability but do like a lowered stance, so I'm considering Koni yellow with a set of springs. I've only tracked my car a handful of times and the vast majority of the time I'm on some pretty poorly surfaced roads. Do you think the Koni/Eibach setup would be an improvement in ride vs rebuilding the KW's for street driving?

[cobra]

You cannot lower a stock length strut and expect to have good ride quality. There is already only about 3 inches of travel and lowering it puts the car on the bump stops. You need shorter camber plates or shorter shocks if you want lower.

[tvan]

Are Koni yellow different than the shocks that are sold as a set with the Eibach lowering springs?

This is the set that I'm looking at. Link

I'm not intending to use an OE replacement design with a lowering spring.

[EthanolTurbo]

Are Koni yellow different than the shocks that are sold as a set with the Eibach lowering springs?

This is the set that I'm looking at. Link

I'm not intending to use an OE replacement design with a lowering spring.

Nay, the same. This is what I have on my car. Was able to outpace F90 M5's on backroads with this setup.

[Maxima SE]

You cannot lower a stock length strut and expect to have good ride quality. There is already only about 3 inches of travel and lowering it puts the car on the bump stops. You need shorter camber plates or shorter shocks if you want lower.

are Koni yellows stock height?

[Ragincajun5220]

are Koni yellows stock height?

Yes. This is why I went with csl shocks because they are shorter to accommodate the lower spring height of the csl. The same is true I believe in the e92 zcp cars.

I would only run a csl shock with lowering springs on an e46 or a true quality coilover. Although, the same logic applies. Each coilover shock has a certain length which is optimized with full travel given a certain ride height. If you max out the drop on coilovers you will have the same issue we are talking about here.

the only aftermarket shock I know of that is shorter than an oem shock is the bilstein b8 sport shock which is not offered for this platform.

[Tbonem3]

I think part of the problem is also the mason X brace making everything stiffer in the back. Do you know the spring rates for the eibach springs designed for struts?

U.S. M3 Coupe Spring Rates
Spring Rate Front 25 N/mm (143 lbs/inch)
Spring Rate Rear 60 - 120 N/mm (345 - 685 lbs/inch) progressive
Eibach Pro Kit
Spring Rate Front 27 N/mm (155 lbs/inch)
Spring Rate Rear 66 - 132 N/mm (375 - 750 lbs/inch) progressive

[Maxima SE]

U.S. M3 Coupe Spring Rates
Spring Rate Front 25 N/mm (143 lbs/inch)
Spring Rate Rear 60 - 120 N/mm (345 - 685 lbs/inch) progressive
Eibach Pro Kit
Spring Rate Front 27 N/mm (155 lbs/inch)
Spring Rate Rear 66 - 132 N/mm (375 - 750 lbs/inch) progressive

Thanks. Not sure why eibach decided to go with 400/450 for their coilovers. It looks like they have recently D/C them as well. Seriously considering the Koni and Eibach spring combo since its on sale.