[x233]

Has anyone tried Eibach Pro-Kit springs on either m235i or m235xi?

Part numbers E10-20-030-02-22 and E10-20-030-03-22 respectively, supposedly good for both M Suspension and Adaptive M Suspension.

Read the thread how the H&R springs are too weak for the stock shocks and literally ride on the bumpstops and discarded the idea of trying them.

The Eibachs, unlike the H&Rs, only lower the car about 15 mm front and 10 mm rear, are linear as opposed to progressive which probably means more responsive and less comfortable, the wire diameter is 13.25 mm front compared to 13 mm, 13.5 mm rear compared to 13 mm in the H&R set. Supposedly a stiffer and sportier setup.

I wonder if the stock shock are able to handle these. Any experience with them?

[eclipes]

I have had eibach in previous cars. They drop low and are cheap. Quality is not the same compared to h&r or Ark springs. Eibach will sag overtime. Its my first time using h&r and i think they are well built. No problems on it so far for street driving. Drop is only 1 inch front and 0.80 rear

[x233]

Originally Posted by eclipes

I have had eibach in previous cars. They drop low and are cheap. Quality is not the same compared to h&r or Ark springs. Eibach will sag overtime. Its my first time using h&r and i think they are well built. No problems on it so far for street driving. Drop is only 1 inch front and 0.80 rear

I wouldn't say Eibachs are of low quality. They are just different. I've had both Eibach and H&R springs on the same car (coupled with Bilstein B8 shocks) and can compare them back to back. I liked those Eibachs quite a bit better for reasons some people wouldn't: stiffer, more precise, more direct feel, a bit less dive, squat and roll, a bit less understeer and... yes, a harsher ride. That's sporty Sagging wasn't a problem with either. Both will last 3-4 years no problem.

The issue was the stock Sachs shocks on that vehicle (VW Scirocco MK3) wouldn't handle the stiffer Eibachs properly (same for H&R springs, actually). You had to go for Bilstein B8 or similar.

That comparison, though, doesn't necessarily translate into a similar situation with m235i/m235xi. So I'm wondering if anyone tried them on a 2-er.

PS: 1 inch front and 0.80 rear with H&Rs - that's twice the lowering those Eibachs are expected to produce (not as low but probably stiffer).

[tencazzo]

Just forget abut springs, go direct with full suspension from Bilstein, KW or ST. It is much better when all parts are settled together and you will regret after installing only springs without new shocks.

[x233]

>> regret after installing only springs without new shocks

That's why I am asking.

[MrBimmerM235i]

I just recently installed Dinan Springs with their "Handling Kit AKA bump stops" and I can tell you the car feels amazing... Stock like handling and lower "cleaner" look.

[tencazzo]

I guess Dinan is not that actual for Ukraine...

[MrBimmerM235i]

Originally Posted by tencazzo

I guess Dinan is not that actual for Ukraine...

My bad...

[x233]

Originally Posted by tencazzo

I guess Dinan is not that actual for Ukraine...

I can easily get parts from the US but I'm not particularly interested in Dinan. And no, by all means, I am not looking for stock-like handling.

I was just fishing for an easy fix there, I guess, and most likely I will still try those Eibachs, with or without B8 shocks, sounds tempting, but eventually a custom coilover setup with AST or something like that may be in the cards.

[Bee Pee]

x233

Go for eibachs by all means. Bumpstops are a good idea, especially for the front.

FYI the dinan handling kit bumpstops are actually oem e36 M3 front bumpstops so easy to source thru your local BMW parts places.

BP

[x233]

Thanks.

[bgregg]

Trying them out. Here is what they look like from the unboxing. Installation tomorrow, so I'll have to report back later. But I thought the picture would go nicely in this thread.

[

[bgregg]

Here are the stock springs that came off the car. I have the new Eibach springs on and the car is much lower in the front and slightly lower in the rear. It is low enough in the front that I need to buy a low-profile floor jack since I can't get my existing floor jack under the side jackpoint anymore.

I was surprised to see that stock springs are so similar but just longer versions of the same style (rear linear springs). The ride is still very good! You can tell by counting the coils of the rear springs that there is a different number of coils between stock and replacement springs. You can tell the fronts are different coil spacings too.

[bgregg]

The Eibach Pro-Kit gives a distinct front rake of the car as shown in the picture. Makes it hard from me to get up my driveway now without scraping. Here is with the stock wheels/tires for reference.

[x233]

Thanks for the info. This is really interesting. First time anyone tried these Eibachs, it seems.

1) Notice much difference in how the car handles compared to the stock? Sharper? Any impact on understeer and turn-in?
2) Ride quality much different?
3) Front much lower compared to standard M-suspension or Adaptive M-suspension?
4) Any problems for the stock shocks to deal with these shorter/stiffer springs?
5) Do you use the original bump stops that came with your car or upgraded ones from M3/M4?


Any information is much appreciated.

[bgregg]

The front lowering was more than I expected (or really wanted), given that I am not into "stance" and really want a linear spring's more predictable handling on track. I didn't want progressive spring.

So somebody who is more into "stance" and wants a forward rake will really like this setup. The ride in terms of harshness and compatibility with the adaptive suspension is not dramatically different. But the turn-in is dramatically different and noticeable.

The obvious downsides are less clearance on the front end for getting over speed bumps and up driveways. Same situation for any lowering spring set.

It is probably advisable to follow the lead of Dinan and go with different bump stops when reducing the suspension travel, if the purpose is more than cosmetic appearance only.

I am posting in a different thread about getting my new set of track wheels and tires to work on this car. Since I wanted R compound and 18" my choices kind of point me in the direction to go. So I think I will be taking a change on the front and keeping the rear. Main goal is to switch back and forth easily from street tires/wheels/brake pads to track ones. For my goals, I don't think I would be happy with H&R, Dinan or Eibach in the front.

[G8rGrl]

Originally Posted by bgregg

The Eibach Pro-Kit gives a distinct front rake of the car as shown in the picture. Makes it hard from me to get up my driveway now without scraping. Here is with the stock wheels/tires for reference.

Any more pics?

[bgregg]

The seam joining the front bumper to the quarter panel is the point of closest approach of the tire. My concern is having the front wheel turned outward while at the same time compressing the suspension on that side (such as a berm). Driving in a straight line and having the suspension compress is still comfortable, since these springs are probably only about 10% stiffer (in that ballpark).

I'm guessing (without proof) that this setup is equivalent to the Dinan setup, only without the pricetag/markup. But I did look at a picture of the Dinan springs in saying that.

Just took a spirited mountain road drive with this setup and it checks out OK on the stock wheels/tires. The handling of the car is really quite sharp with negative camber in it.

I tried taking some more pictures but was getting a lot of shadows, so I really need full on sunlight to get some additional good ones.

[bgregg]

[x233]

Originally Posted by bgregg

The front lowering was more than I expected (or really wanted), given that I am not into "stance" and really want a linear spring's more predictable handling on track. I didn't want progressive spring.

So somebody who is more into "stance" and wants a forward rake will really like this setup. The ride in terms of harshness and compatibility with the adaptive suspension is not dramatically different. But the turn-in is dramatically different and noticeable.

The obvious downsides are less clearance on the front end for getting over speed bumps and up driveways. Same situation for any lowering spring set.

It is probably advisable to follow the lead of Dinan and go with different bump stops when reducing the suspension travel, if the purpose is more than cosmetic appearance only.

I am posting in a different thread about getting my new set of track wheels and tires to work on this car. Since I wanted R compound and 18" my choices kind of point me in the direction to go. So I think I will be taking a change on the front and keeping the rear. Main goal is to switch back and forth easily from street tires/wheels/brake pads to track ones. For my goals, I don't think I would be happy with H&R, Dinan or Eibach in the front.

Looks and sounds good to me. The more I think about it the more I like the idea of these spring, and probably getting rid of the adaptive suspension (switch it off with a KW decoy or something) and going with Bilstein B8 shocks instead. That way it won't be about "stance". Seems like a sure fire setup of not too much complexity. That kind of "too low" doesn't bother me, that's nothing.

(I am less than impressed with the adaptive suspension on this car. It's about as sporty as my couch, too much roll, too sloppy, etc).

You car has M3 LCAs which move the front wheel further front and out. That's why you may run into rubbing issues where you indicated. I don't plan (probably can't on xdrive) to use those.

[tencazzo]

Putting those springs your 2er will be looking like russian LADA 9ka with low front and high ass...my strong advice to look for coilover from Bilstein, KW or ST, really man.

[SteveInfante]

TCKline also makes coil overs. And they come with camber plates which don't with a couple of the others.