F22 225D suspension alternatives ?

[Slippydiff]

After 20 years and 450k miles in three iterations of 330D and 335D saloon MSport cars (E46, E90 and F30, the latter of which was stolen) I've recently purchased a '16 plate F22 225D auto coupe. It's a well spec'ed car with HK, Pro nav, M Performance brakes, xenons, heated seats, through load etc etc.



Whilst it's more fun to drive and considerably more fleet of foot than all the 3 series cars, it is without a doubt the worst riding BMW I'd driven in the last 10 years, I'd say equal only to the E90 335D on its original 18" Bridgestone runflats (which I removed and replaced with non-runflat Michelin PS2's at the first available opportunity, and which proved to be transformational)

I removed the 19" wheels and Bridgestone runflats off my F30 330D after a week (and fitted 18" wheels with non runflat Michelins too).

Whilst there's no doubting runflat technology has improved, the ride (and especially the road noise) from the Bridgestones is truly horrendous, but the suspension also feels incredibly harsh too (moreso the rear springs/dampers).

I have several options :

1. Replace the RF Bridgestones with N-RF Michelin PS 5's. I fitted a set of these to the front of my F30 330D three months before it was stolen, and was truly staggered by how quiet they were, but also how grippy they proved to be, whilst riding better than the Super Sports and PS 4's I'd previously used on the car.

2. Fit a set of lightweight 17" wheels, such as OZ Alleggerita :

https://mb-felgen.de/felgen/oz/alleggerita-hlt/oz-...

with N-RF Michelin PS 5 and take advantage of the increased sidewall depth, non-runflat construction and decreased unsprung weight.

3. Change the tyres to N-RF as detailed in 1. above, AND fit a suspension kit either from AC Schnitzer :

https://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/sports-suspension-...

or Birds (note this link is to their M235i kit) :

https://www.birdsauto.com/product-information/b2-s...

4. Options 2 and 3.

Has anyone tried any of the options above ? And if so, were the results beneficial/detrimental ?

Many thanks in advance.

[Jules Sunley]

I'd recommend speaking to Kevin Bird at Birds Performance in Iver (near Heathrow) if not top far for you. Font of knowledge on BMW suspension as well as everything else BMW (also UK importer of Quaife LSD's). They look after my Alpina B5 and did for the previous owner too including replacing the suspension and setting up how he wanted it (2005 so part of a resto as the original stuff was tired).

Car rides really nicely. They do kits for all BMW's either for self install (posted) or go to them and they will install it all.