F31 340i Touring - coilover options?

[tomprestriidge]

I’ve collected a 2017 340i Touring and it’s got the M Performance splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser. The car is currently on its stock suspension, so it sits quite high, which doesn’t compliment the body styling bits.

I’ve also just come from a 2016 M240i, so the 340i feels softer and less keen to turn in. I don’t want to lose more than, say, 25% of the ride comfort, but would appreciate improved turn in.

I’ve done a little research into coilover options (I’ve never modified a car’s suspension before):

• - Bilstein B14 kit - Reputable brand at a decent price; I’ve seen another forum post that approves this kit () and the ride height looks great.
• - HSD Dualtech kit - I’m aware of this kit as I follow DriftWorks on YouTube, so trust their experience, but am worried this kit will be too firm, and I’ve not seen any photos of F31s equipped with it.

I’m looking for a lower ride height without compromising too much ride comfort and quality. Budget is £1000.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience?

[danb79]

tomprestriidge said:

I ve collected a 2017 340i Touring and it s got the M Performance splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser. The car is currently on its stock suspension, so it sits quite high, which doesn t compliment the body styling bits.

I ve also just come from a 2016 M240i, so the 340i feels softer and less keen to turn in. I don t want to lose more than, say, 25% of the ride comfort, but would appreciate improved turn in.

I ve done a little research into coilover options (I ve never modified a car s suspension before):

• - Bilstein B14 kit - Reputable brand at a decent price; I ve seen another forum post that approves this kit () and the ride height looks great.
• - HSD Dualtech kit - I m aware of this kit as I follow DriftWorks on YouTube, so trust their experience, but am worried this kit will be too firm, and I ve not seen any photos of F31s equipped with it.

I m looking for a lower ride height without compromising too much ride comfort and quality. Budget is £1000.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience?

I ran the Bilstein B14s on my previous E81 130i LE and they were superb; fitted as part of a full suspension overhaul (literally every part) with all new OEM BMW top mounts etc

I also run Bilstein B4S shocks with Eibach pro-kit springs on our F31 and for an every day car; that suspension is superb. Smooth, quiet; but handles and drives much better than OEM M Sport suspension did; plus it sits a lot better too

For £1k, personally; I'd go either the B14s if you can get them at that price with all new top mounts all round etc, or maybe consider the likes of the Bilstein B4S or B8 shocks with the Eibach pro kit springs and again, new top mounts all round etc

I personally wouldn't touch anything from HSD - they're cheap budget coilovers and your 340i deserves better

[tomprestriidge]

Thank you for the advice!

I was under the impression that B4 weren’t to be used with lowering springs, or have I misunderstood?

I’ve read that B4 with lowering springs reduce the life of the shocks; B6 and B8 are for lowering springs.

[Pizzaeatingking]

I really liked the B14s on my saloon. Rode well, less crashy than stock but certainly firmer, I ran them for 5 years without issue.

[danb79]

tomprestriidge said:

Thank you for the advice!

I was under the impression that B4 weren t to be used with lowering springs, or have I misunderstood?

I ve read that B4 with lowering springs reduce the life of the shocks; B6 and B8 are for lowering springs.

B4S are absolutely fine with the likes of Eibach pro-kit springs as they don't lower aggressively; 10-15mm max more than M Sport

B8s would be needed a) if you want a firmer ride and b) if you were to go with the likes of H&R springs or the Eibach Sportline springs which can lower 35mm or more - that's when B4s would be no good

This is our F31 as it stands:

[danb79]

Pizzaeatingking said:

I really liked the B14s on my saloon. Rode well, less crashy than stock but certainly firmer, I ran them for 5 years without issue.

They are superb; very tempted with them for my E39 - but want to see how I get on with the Sachs/Eibach combo first