Lowering springs on E46 M3 - PI??

[V8ish]

Hi guys, looking at some springs for my car. In a nutshell:

eibach - Only 10mm drop, would like at least a noticeable drop.

H&R - Too expensive

PI - 20-30mm drop fine and good price but who are they? Has anyone tried these?

Any more info/advise on lowering my car appreciated. I am doing it mainly for looks but can cope with a bumpier ride. Cheers

[E30M3SE]

Pi

Based not far from me, been around quite a while.

[NotNormal]

PI normally stands for "Personal Injury" as all their springs are renowned for being very stiff for road use.

I think most are happy with Eibachs but each to their own at the end of the day

[mat205125]

Slight tangent, however how do people say "Eibach"?

I've always though is started with an "EYE" sound rather than an "EE" sound, then with "BACH" like the composer on the end.

[bennyboysvuk]

Matt - I've always pronounced it, rightly or wrongly, "eye-back".

Op - Usually you change the dampers with the springs to ensure that the two are matched. Damper bodies designed for shorter springs will usually have a shorter piston which corresponds with the shorter suspension travel and their damping will be matched to the spring.

There's lots of heresay about dampers wearing out prematurely if you fit lowering springs with standard dampers, but I don't know if that's correct or not. Hmm, that comment's about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Still, it might be worth looking into.

[V8ish]

bennyboysvuk said:

Matt - I've always pronounced it, rightly or wrongly, "eye-back".

Op - Usually you change the dampers with the springs to ensure that the two are matched. Damper bodies designed for shorter springs will usually have a shorter piston which corresponds with the shorter suspension travel and their damping will be matched to the spring.

There's lots of heresay about dampers wearing out prematurely if you fit lowering springs with standard dampers, but I don't know if that's correct or not. Hmm, that comment's about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Still, it might be worth looking into.

No it was useful thanks and I take your point. I have also seen Apex springs very cheap at £112 from Camskill, but again not sure of quality. I'll do more research into dampers, I would have thought the eibach (I say eye-back BTW) would be a safer bet due to the lower drop.

cheers

[mat205125]

Glad to here that the "eyes" have the vote

[amir_j]

Koni is the obvous name missing from the list.

Regards to any other advice
- look on e46 forums for people who have tried the springs and able to describe them on that model
- General saying is that if your car has a fair amount of miles and you are planning to keep it, get the shocks done at the same time
- don't rule out coilovers- many allow adjusting of height and/or damping so can adjust ride and height to suit.

[gareth h]

I fitted eibach springs to a 330d some time back, the ride was pretty harsh, have fitted kw coilovers to the m3 and there isn't a noticable difference in ride quality, but body control / handling is like night and day.
You really do get what you pay for.

[DennisCooper]

Hi there,

I'd also suggest rooting around various forums including PH and reading up on various posts which mention 'which springs to get?' to help you learn more and make a shortlist that suits you.

You can then go on to make a purchase and then provide a posting to describe your findings and opinions to share.

When it comes to aftermarket parts, as already mentioned, you generally get what you pay for. PI springs have always been on the more 'budget' and approaching 'mid level' end of the market and although they do offer quite a few BMW fitments, I've yet to actually meet anyone who's say's they're actually using/running them.

BMW owners 'tend' to like their comfort and don't tolerate too harsh of a ride. The names which regularly crop up, and especially on the nicer range of BMW's are names/manufacturers like Eibach, KW, H&R, Koni (are they still around?) - You'll probably read more posts praising resulting ride quality when they mention those manufacturers. I personally have H&R and this E39 Touring is the 2nd car I've had them on and I'm extremely happy with all aspects of having them. As your car is an M3, I'd urge you go for the higher quality end of the choices in the market out there to minimise the risk of going cheaper and frowning and having to pay again for the better stuff!

Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!

[AliV6]

Why would you want lower than Eibachs!

PI are the worst springs on the market. Stick to what you know.

[missing the VR6]

I used to run Eibach's on standard dampers on my old MK2 Golf GTi and thought it was a really good compromise between, ride looks and handling.

Do Koni make their own springs? I seem to remember mine came with PI's on my old Koni adjustables.

[andye30m3]

I'd go with the Eibach over PI everyday.

I had Eibachs on my E36 M3 and was very happy with them for what they are, changing these for a set of H&R coilovers is what really sorted the car out.

[106Lad]

Take a look into Tein's

[fastgerman]

I had a full Schnitzer setup, which I thought was fantastic.

[V8ish]

AliV6 said:

Why would you want lower than Eibachs!

Firstly - let me say I think theres nothing worse than seeing an M3 with its side skirts dragging on the floor and it tyres tucked up in the arches, but mine does sit high. Even more so (for some reason) with the genuine CSL's I;ve got on.

I measure 26.2" and 27" from the ground to the top of arch, if any has ever been bothered to do this !?? please let me know your measurments.

[M3]

I got into the measuring arch game on another forum with my 964 c2, I ended up with the lowest car in the UK with KW v3, but on the way to and from Le Mans last year it lowered its self another 10mm as the shocks bedded in. What a pain that was with grounding out, wheels banging in arches and trouble getting back on the ferry....dont go to low.

Dont forget what ever your spring price you will need a geometry set up, say £250, and fitting, or fit your self.
Make sure you have a big F.OFF torque wrench as well and spring clamps.


Has any one got side pics of lowered E46 M3s and the set up they have?

Beer edit, just popped in the garage with tape...26.25 rear 26.75 front, 30k miles 05 car CAB, with real CSLs

Edited by M3 on Friday 5th February 21:38

Edited by M3 on Friday 5th February 21:39