Help me choose springs - indecisive, long list of requirements

[allinon72]

When I bought my F80, I told myself I wasn't going to touch it modifications wise. Then that was out the window, I told myself I was only going to use official M Performance parts. I've stuck mostly with that, with one or two exceptions. I also originally said I wasn't going to touch the suspension, but lately I've had the urge to get rid of the front fender gap and eliminate some of the floatiness of the suspension, even in sport and sport+.

What I don't want is a "lowered" ride quality. I've lowered vehicles in the past with aftermarket equipment, and it seems "tolerable" at first, then the fun wears off and it starts to grind on you. Looking to avoid that. I also don't want a slammed look - just looking for a mild drop.

I want to maintain the functionality of EDC. Not looking to delete it.

Now, my first thought is the MP HAS, but the ride quality reviews seems to be all over the map. I've also read up on simple Eibach springs to give the look and similar spring rates to the CP springs, but again whenever I hear "Eibach" I think of bouncy Honda's with no ride quality.

That brings me to spending the coin on the KW EDC kit that would maintain the adaptive suspension, but again, I'm second guessing going that hardcore into an aftermarket brand.

So basically I need some guidance on whether I'd be fine with a simple spring swap, or if I should go with the MP HAS, or should I go full bore with the KWs?

[Racer20]

MP HAS + ZCP dampers + ZCP rear bar + CS EDC Coding = M3 CS. Tuned as an integrated system from the experts at BMW That's what I did on my 2015 and I'm quite happy with it. Firmer but with much better damping quality. The body is more controlled but sharp impacts aren't as loud/harsh.

[darielsantana]

Originally Posted by allinon72

When I bought my F80, I told myself I wasn't going to touch it modifications wise. Then that was out the window, I told myself I was only going to use official M Performance parts. I've stuck mostly with that, with one or two exceptions. I also originally said I wasn't going to touch the suspension, but lately I've had the urge to get rid of the front fender gap and eliminate some of the floatiness of the suspension, even in sport and sport+.

What I don't want is a "lowered" ride quality. I've lowered vehicles in the past with aftermarket equipment, and it seems "tolerable" at first, then the fun wears off and it starts to grind on you. Looking to avoid that. I also don't want a slammed look - just looking for a mild drop.

I want to maintain the functionality of EDC. Not looking to delete it.

Now, my first thought is the MP HAS, but the ride quality reviews seems to be all over the map. I've also read up on simple Eibach springs to give the look and similar spring rates to the CP springs, but again whenever I hear "Eibach" I think of bouncy Honda's with no ride quality.

That brings me to spending the coin on the KW EDC kit that would maintain the adaptive suspension, but again, I'm second guessing going that hardcore into an aftermarket brand.

So basically I need some guidance on whether I'd be fine with a simple spring swap, or if I should go with the MP HAS, or should I go full bore with the KWs?

I had H&R springs and then upgraded to the KW V3. My Car is a DD and now Im so happy I upgraded. Much more confortable than stock and with the perfect drop.

So if you really care about ride quality then youll need coilovers but 1st try to test drive both.

[FriedPiston]

I'm not a fan of lowering springs only on this platform, especially on Competition Package models or higher. The form simply doesn't benefit the function for my own needs...

Switching wheel/tire setup is easier, and in some cases, better than altering the factory suspension dynamics.

Factory front tire sizes:

255/40/18 = 26.03"
255/35/19 = 26.03"
265/30/20 = 26.26"

(Alternative) 275/35/19 = 26.58"

If you're going to lower the car, it would be best to go with a full coilover setup like KW V3 or similar.

[EricSMG]

Floaty means under damped and putting lower/stiffer springs into the mix will only exacerbate the issue.

That is, your problems are with your dampers and springs will make it worse.

All that said, I totally get what you're trying to avoide which, in my opinion, is very hard to do. Stiffer and lower usually makes the car less pleasant once the new factor wears off. I've been doing this long enough now that I can tell within the first few miles of a suspension mod if it's something I can tolerate.

I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on the MPHAS for my 18ZCP but I, too, am very concerned about how practical that will be in the real world given that the factory ZCP/666 combo is already borderline too harsh. If I do go this route I will only lower the car minimally up front to retain as much bump travel as possible - this is critical to preserving both comfort and handling. The goal, in my case, is strictly to improve looks slightly but without any compromise to the ZCP's amazing handling, and, no/minimal affect on comfort. I am very open to the possibility that I won't like the kit.

Note that good handling is not how flat the car goes around a corner but rather how well it can retain grip over various road conditions and speeds. What separates a great handling car from a bad is how well it holds its composure over real world roads. A slammed car will take corners flat but handle like shit.

[Racer20]

Originally Posted by EricSMG

I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on the MPHAS for my 18ZCP but I, too, am very concerned about how practical that will be in the real world given that the factory ZCP/666 combo is already borderline too harsh. If I do go this route I will only lower the car about 12mm up front to retain as much bump travel as possible - this is critical to pre servicing both comfort and handling.

If you go with the HAS, install the base front swaybar at the same time and have the CD EDC calibration coded. The improved EDC cal combined with the softer front bar will improve the ride quite a bit and improve the handling compared to your ZCP as well.

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by Racer20

If you go with the HAS, install the base front swaybar at the same time and have the CD EDC calibration coded. The improved EDC cal combined with the softer front bar will improve the ride quite a bit and improve the handling compared to your ZCP as well.

Yep, I just picked that up reading your previous post.

Softer bar should relax the front and improve grip even though the factory zcp front grip is astounding. But the ride comfort intrigues me.

[clutchdj]

Kw ddc are awesome! Controlled ride without the harshness

[ROBERT1183]

I just had the KW Has kit installed on my 18 competition. I love it. Rides better than stock and got rid of that pesky wheel gap. I went with the kw to retain my factory edc and couldnt be happier. I also did spacers too.

[ROBERT1183]

Here's a shot of it

[mindspin311]

Originally Posted by Racer20

If you go with the HAS, install the base front swaybar at the same time and have the CD EDC calibration coded. The improved EDC cal combined with the softer front bar will improve the ride quite a bit and improve the handling compared to your ZCP as well.

So the CS uses ZCP dampers, non-ZCP front bar, ZCP rear bar, plus new EDC calibration?

[Racer20]

Originally Posted by mindspin311

So the CS uses ZCP dampers, non-ZCP front bar, ZCP rear bar, plus new EDC calibration?

The M3 CS uses those parts, yes.

[JamesGames]

I always say this and forever will, any lowering with OEM shocks will eventually wear the shocks out and lead you to that lowered car bounce that eventually is intolerable. You can minimize that by using springs that don't drop as much; everything is a compromise.

Aggressive drop usually means stiffer rates and less shock travel, stressing the dampers out. It is what it is.

Springs / HAS unless mild dropped will force you into bad ride quality after couple thousands miles, obviously depending on your road conditions.

[mindspin311]

Originally Posted by Racer20

The M3 CS uses those parts, yes.

And which springs? Or pair with MP HAS?

[dustinrb1985]

Originally Posted by JamesGames

I always say this and forever will, any lowering with OEM shocks will eventually wear the shocks out and lead you to that lowered car bounce that eventually is intolerable. You can minimize that by using springs that don't drop as much; everything is a compromise.

Aggressive drop usually means stiffer rates and less shock travel, stressing the dampers out. It is what it is.

Springs / HAS unless mild dropped will force you into bad ride quality after couple thousands miles, obviously depending on your road conditions.

I agree, for what I'm looking for I think I might just go with some eibachs and be done. Seems like they're the most conservative out of all them.

[BrodiDangers]

Originally Posted by ROBERT1183

Here's a shot of it

Did you install any spacers?

[GordoNx3o9]

Originally Posted by dustinrb1985

I agree, for what I'm looking for I think I might just go with some eibachs and be done. Seems like they're the most conservative out of all them.

Yes they are. Eibach has gotten a lot of mixed reviews on this forum, but since I have an F83 I went with it. The drop for me is .8 front and .6 rear.

No pictures yet.. waiting for my spacers to arrive

[MrSmartyPants]

I've got the V2 Eibachs on my non-ZCP f80. For just springs I'm quite happy. Drop is perfect to improve aesthetics but remain functional. I wouldnt go lower.
Although comfort EDC is def under-damped (almost is stock too). Sport is better and sport plus is pretty on point. Better with the ZCP EDC coding too.

[Donger Kim]

I would just go with KW HAS kit. Seems like best bang for buck + retain everything OEM with some adjustability in ride height. Although shocks will likely suffer prematurely, but if it’s a lease, it’s one less thing to worry about.

I’d skip the BS and go full quality coilovers/dampers and off with the EDC or just stick to Mperf/KW HAS.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

Kw ddc are awesome! Controlled ride without the harshness

Any more detail you can provide to review the DDC? I know I have to link up with you at some point to check the ride out, but in searching there's only two decent reviews on the forum and I'm pretty sure both of them are from new/recent installs. It'd be good to have the 5,000-15,000+ mile reviews here in the forum.


Can you give any input on wheel sizes run/tire sizes/spacer needs also?

Thanks bud!

[Racer20]

Originally Posted by mindspin311

And which springs? Or pair with MP HAS?

Base M3 springs, but the HAS kit works very well.

[MrSmartyPants]

Eibach V2. 12mm spacers.