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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Suspension | Chassis | Brakes > best / cost effective way to lower car?
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      01-10-2013, 06:34 AM   #1
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best / cost effective way to lower car?

i know almost nothing about cars, and reading about h&r springs etc just confuses me more

I went to pedders (local suspension guys) and they said it should cost around $700 which sounds abit too cheap? I dont want to save some cash now, just to spend double down the road for dodgy work... on the other hand, the official m-sport suspension kit quote was $3500 which seems a little too much..

what is a safe, reliable way to lower the f30?
Also, should I lower my car after I get my new rims (going from 17in to 19in)? or does that not matter?

sorry for the insanely noob question

Thanks
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      01-10-2013, 08:25 AM   #2
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There are so many things to consider like how low you want drop and how much you are willing to make your suspension harsher than stock. You will find a thread on aftermarket suspension as a sticky, also you will notice that anything for BMW is ridiculous but you are paying to keep ride quality close to stock as possible and I am assuming that price is installed from dealer which means they deal with hassles if in warranty. I would first figure out why you want to drop car (handling, looks, whatever other reason there may be) and then find out what suspension fits your needs. Hope this helps
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      01-10-2013, 09:27 AM   #3
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rather than just spring, spend more & go for coilover.
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      01-10-2013, 09:34 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F555 View Post
rather than just spring, spend more & go for coilover.
so with coilovers, thats the only thing i need to do? nothing else to accompany it?

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Originally Posted by nano10 View Post
There are so many things to consider like how low you want drop and how much you are willing to make your suspension harsher than stock. You will find a thread on aftermarket suspension as a sticky, also you will notice that anything for BMW is ridiculous but you are paying to keep ride quality close to stock as possible and I am assuming that price is installed from dealer which means they deal with hassles if in warranty. I would first figure out why you want to drop car (handling, looks, whatever other reason there may be) and then find out what suspension fits your needs. Hope this helps
thanks helps a lot
im just doing it for the looks, my last car was a r50 mini, so i can live with harse, but im just getting to like the 'softness' of the f30, so i prefer to have it soft.. I guess my wallet will decide in the end..
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      01-10-2013, 04:17 PM   #5
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Springs are the cheapest you can do, I just ordered some from tirerack for 260 shipped plus free install and alignment as im a tech. I was going to go coilovers and i might still going to see how the springs ride, im sure it will still be great.
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      01-10-2013, 05:03 PM   #6
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On my e90 I got springs first then I replaced the shocks with aftermarket shocks paired for the springs and they were very good. It was eibach prokit springs and koni fsd shocks. I didn't care for adjustment so it was perfect for me. There is still stuff coming down the pipe for f30 suspension. More options will be there.
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      01-10-2013, 07:15 PM   #7
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Quote:
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Springs are the cheapest you can do, I just ordered some from tirerack for 260 shipped plus free install and alignment as im a tech. I was going to go coilovers and i might still going to see how the springs ride, im sure it will still be great.
is it bad for the car in any way? (like damaging, wearing other parts of the car)
or is it just about ride quality?
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      01-10-2013, 08:22 PM   #8
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is it bad for the car in any way? (like damaging, wearing other parts of the car)
or is it just about ride quality?
A good rule of thumb is, any mods that you do to your car, especially critical moving parts, there is always a risk involved.
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      01-10-2013, 09:40 PM   #9
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so with coilovers, thats the only thing i need to do? nothing else to accompany it?
just coilover nothing else. you'll feel the different.
search around there are plenty available.
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      01-10-2013, 09:44 PM   #10
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just coilover nothing else. you'll feel the different.
search around there are plenty available.
the parts cost ($1.6k) doesnt scare me, but the labour does, how much did it cost you to install?


edit:
nvm, i remember you saying labour in Indonesia is cheap
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      01-11-2013, 05:10 AM   #11
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is it bad for the car in any way? (like damaging, wearing other parts of the car)
or is it just about ride quality?
Before this car i had a 2011 Jetta sportwagen and lowered in on h&r's when i first got it 25k miles later zero issue's. I did a few alignments to make sure all was well. It road great no issue's. Ride quality is still going to be great a little stiffer maybe but its not like a 70's impala where you heat and cut the springs and it will ride like crap.
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      01-11-2013, 09:58 AM   #12
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Install on coils or springs shouldn't run you more that 500... It shouldn't be more than an hour per wheel or the guy doesn't know bmws... Especially when the bolts are all brand new. Ive pay like 150 maybe(tops) for labor on springs but I worked for shops and manufacturers
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