AC Schnitzer 335d x-drive springs

[DocSteve]

These don't seem as expensive as I thought they would be. Does anyone on here rate them for the F31 (touring)? It seems most people have had a positive experience, although I can't help thinking I need to get rid of the RFTs first before I do anything...

The car is/was meant to be a workhorse but I just can't resist analysing its capabilities beyond that and to me it feels like changing the springs would be worthwhile.

Thanks
Steve

[DocSteve]

335d said:

I added the springs first to my F30 335d, and just replaced the runflats when they wore out. The improvement from the springs is huge, even while running on Potenzas which are probably the worst of the runflats. The turn in became so much sharper and the car handled far better than the sDrive M Sport F30s which I often had as loan cars.

I have since switched to MPSS tyres to complete the transformation. The tyres are also a large improvement, but a smaller step forwards than the springs in my view. So I would go for the springs first and then decide when to ditch the runflats. You might even decide to keep the tyres until they need replacing.

Thanks - that's very helpful. I do have the Potenzas on 18s and although I am tempted to ditch them straight away the are brand new and it seems like a bit of a waste.... I'll be looking at some point to get the Michelis if I can get around the load rating issue which seems to be a problem for me with these tyres when on 18s.

Quite why BMW persist with the RFTs I don't know - I heard that they had a long term contract with Bridgstone which I guess might explain it.

[DocSteve]

335d said:

Can you remind me of the load rating issue you have with MPSS? It rings a bell, but I can't find it.

Hi,

I can't seem to find many non-RFTs (MPSS included) that are load rated the same as the current ones. I think I have 225/45/18 Y91 at the front and 255/40 95 at the rear and can't see to find any MPSS for both of those axles (or Goodyear F1s either).

Did you find that insurance was an issue with the springs? I'm with Admiral.

Thanks
Steve

[DocSteve]

Right, enough messing around. I'm going to order these springs!

Thanks all for the advice; I think there's a bit of a wait on them but will update once they're fitted.

RE: what do I use it for - well it's intended as an all round motor for long trips, carrying stuff including bikes and also towing a track MX5. I do like to enjoy a good road and whilst I don't think it's terrible by any means considering the type of vehicle it does feel like it has the potential for improvement. The springs are not that expensive so I think worth a go....

[DocSteve]

Blimey, I have opened a can of worms with this one!

I've ordered the springs - ACS say they should be with me within two weeks as on back order. I will report back and try not to be biased. I am used to fiddling around with suspension/tyre setup on my track car and the effects it has in that setting plus have owned a number of BMWs including an E60 M5 and an E61 535d M-sport so I hope I will be able to provide some sort of balanced view. Essentially, if I've wasted my money I won't come on here justifying it to myself and others and will concede the point (in theory!)

Steve

[DocSteve]

335d said:

I believe that means that at the ordinary (lower) pressure, the tyres have a load rating of 91 and 95 respectively, with 95 and 99 when at high pressure. If that's the case, and hopefully someone will confirm, this is exactly what the OP requires.

Thanks both,

This is exactly what I need. Somehow I found MPSS with lower load ratings (88) but having checked out the Michelin website again I can find these tyres which should do the job perfectly. The question is when to do it...

Interesting comment re: the geo setup - the car is new so should be as per manufacturer's settings so I'm not sure I want to deviate from that yet....

[DocSteve]

Wills2 said:

You need a KDS geo done if you're fitting lowered springs, ACS include it in there fitted price.

I was going to ask my local BMW dealer to fit them as they deal with ACS parts and I had assumed they would adjust the geo as necessary as part of the price but if not the price for fitting springs seems excessive. I didn't think a custom geo setup would be the way to go yet but perhaps I'll have a chat with ACS as I could whip over to them.

[DocSteve]

Wills2 said:

Your dealer may well do but it will involve a full KDS to do that, ACS use the local BMW dealer for that, it's not "custom" but they reset the calibration on the KDS to reflect the lowered ride height front and rear then adjust to BMW approved specs as far as I'm aware and that's what happened when ACS fitted springs to my M5.

If you speak to Lorcan at ACS he'll sort you out.

Great, thanks. Will give him a buzz.

[DocSteve]

Had a chat with the ACS guys whilst down at Goodwood and have booked it in at Rossiters to have it done. They charge less than half the price of the BMW stealer and seem very knowledgeable. Rossiters can now do their own alignment so don't have to send to BMW. The amount of money BMW charge for alignment is frankly ridiculous. Not long ago, the BMW dealer local to me used to send their cars to an alignment firm that I know well. BMW charged customers several hundred pounds but if you go in there yourself it is c 75-80 quid.

Cheers
Steve

[DocSteve]

Wills2 said:

Nice one, enjoy the car once its been fettled.

Cheers. In the meantime I've just changed the tyres to MPSS - my local tyre dealer got me a very decent price on them and I just couldn't resist getting rid of those runflats. Took it out for a shake down on some roads that I like to use as a good testing route and I think they have made a big difference. I will agree that the difference in ride is not night and day but still noticeable, which probably reflects the improvement the newer runflat technology has made in that regard. However, the improved feel and grip available when really pressing on and a noticeable reduction in tramlining have made it a much better car.

Look forward to the spring change!

Oh dear - this was meant to be a family estate / tow car / workhorse....... :-)

[DocSteve]

Update - had the springs fitted by Rossiters this weekend and had a good opportunity to test them out on the way back with a variety of A-road, dual carriageways and then some excellent Rutland B roads.

The springs have genuinely made a massive improvement - much more "planted", less body roll and feels less like a boat through a series of quick corners.

My thoughts are - if you are a driving enthusiast, these are worth spending the money on. They certainly don't damage the ride quality and the handling is much improved in my opinion. As above, the tyres make a difference but not as much (I did the tyres first, then the springs). My car is a LCI model with the apparently improved stock suspension.

Steve

[DocSteve]

mike150 said:

I agree with this train of thought. I have a 2014 335d xdrive with adaptive suspension, 19" and still on the original Pirelli run flats.

I like the car the way it is, it feels to big and heavy for me to be happy in driving it hard so if the ACS springs are all people say they are I don't know that it would change the way I drive the car which is very smoothly and normally most of the time with the odd blast of speed. I can drive hard, I have owned Caterhams, Westfields, Type R's, Evo's, I just don't want to drive a big heavy BMW in the way those cars need to be driven.

I am more interested in the change I would see going to normal tires like Eagle F1's and buying a tin of sealant.

I don't think £600 on springs would be a good move for me.

I guess it depends on how you like to drive when give the opportunity. Whatever car I am in, if I come across a good road I drive it hard (assuming no complaining passengers); I happen to have a particularly excellent cross country route across Rutland that I take quite regularly and have driven it in so many different cars but it's always enjoyable to me at least in some way. The worst car dynamically for it was a Jaguar XJ8 which was a big, slow, thirsty ponderous barge with a dreadful slushbox but, on the other hand, it was a lovely place to be in. I think fitting the ACS springs and some MPSS tyres hasn't really compromised the comfort aspects of the car at all but has made it handle and grip very well. I don't have the adaptive suspension but test drove one and although the seat time was limited I still think the springs have made more of a difference even with the standard dampers.

It comes down to generic driving style and enjoyment but I agree that the tyres will make a difference regardless.