Re: BMW F3x (F31) Birds suspension...

[d_a_n1979]

Can anyone confirm if their suspension set up lowers the car at all? If so, how much?

I'm seriously considering their suspension for my RWD F31 for the New Year overhaul; but ideally I'd like to reduce the wheel/arch gap slightly...

Also considering the Eibach B12 pro-kit set up and possibly coilovers; but they may be overkill...

[457892345]

I had this setup for an e82 coupe done (spring dampers anti roll bars and diff) and it's a bit lower but not an issue in day to day life. Noticeable rake from front to rear compared to stock. Looks very good. I didn't measure how much difference but they would be able to tell you.

I think it's the best setup you can get for road but some say ohlins are better etc its hard to say for certain.

[helix402]

The B3 kit lowered my E91 by 8mm. I tried a B12 kit and it still gave a poor ride.

[d_a_n1979]

457892345 said:

I had this setup for an e82 coupe done (spring dampers anti roll bars and diff) and it's a bit lower but not an issue in day to day life. Noticeable rake from front to rear compared to stock. Looks very good. I didn't measure how much difference but they would be able to tell you.

I think it's the best setup you can get for road but some say ohlins are better etc its hard to say for certain.

Cheers

I don't want stupidly low at all; just to close that wheel/arch gap a touch

Thinking the Birds kit may be the best suited as I still want to retain the OEM feel ideally; but with better handling...

[d_a_n1979]

helix402 said:

The B3 kit lowered my E91 by 8mm. I tried a B12 kit and it still gave a poor ride.

Odd...

I've been out in quite a few BMWs with the B12 kit and the ride/handling was superb; a bit stiffer than OEM but not silly hard like coilovers etc

[helix402]

d_a_n1979 said:

Odd...

I've been out in quite a few BMWs with the B12 kit and the ride/handling was superb; a bit stiffer than OEM but not silly hard like coilovers etc

It is odd. I used a B12 kit on E46s and found the ride quality was great.

[b14]

I think I've mentioned this on another thread that you are on - the Birds kit for my F31 (fitted by Birds as part of the B3-40i conversion) didn't lower the car at all, based on where it was sitting on the standard M-Sport springs and dampers. In fact, I thought it would, but when I dropped the car off I mentioned I was interested to see how much lower it would be when I picked it up, and they confirmed it didn't lower the car at all. I'll take a side on view of it when I get back this eve to show you.

One thing I'm not sure about is what type of springs / dampers they are - I know they are Bilstein but not sure if B12, B14 kit etc. I see people referencing these different types a lot but I've never read up on what they are, to work it out. All I know is that the kit Birds fitted to mine, don't lower the car from standard M-Sport suspension ride height.

I've got to say though, I don't care. The Birds kit is unreal in its matching of handling vs comfort, it seems to corner really flat but isn't harsh. The damping is perfectly judged.

[d_a_n1979]

[redacted]

[helix402]

The Bilstein dampers in the Birds kits look similar to the B6/8 dampers used in the B12 kit. However they are very different (whatever makes a damper different internally, valving etc)

[b14]

Here's the car. It's on standard 19s.

[d_a_n1979]

[redacted]

[b14]

d_a_n1979 said:

Cheers pal; looks very close to how mine sits, but the front does look a touch lower...

PS; car needs a clean

Cars to me are self-cleaning, occasionally the rain washes the dust off!

Have owned an F-Type R for about 8 months now and haven't washed it yet

[d_a_n1979]

[redacted]

[survivalist]

[redacted]

[b14]

Good eyes! I actually started debadging it but havent got round to taking the sticky stuff off yet.

So no theft here, but definitely crimes against BMW asthetics being committed.

[Glenn63]

Iv got the B14’s on my M140 they are height adjustable so can do them to suit. Massive improvement over stock handling and damping over large bumps, a bit harsh over the small ones that don’t get properly into the suspension.

[d_a_n1979]

Glenn63 said:

Iv got the B14’s on my M140 they are height adjustable so can do them to suit. Massive improvement over stock handling and damping over large bumps, a bit harsh over the small ones that don’t get properly into the suspension.

Howdy pal

Your ears must have been burning as I was nattering to Ste & Do this morning (whilst nicking pallets from them) about B14s and you / your car got brought up!

Glad they're doing well for you...

You do a lot more track driving than I'll ever do; my concern re the B14s is their harshness for every day driving... But then would hope sticking with 18s on non RFTs would help to dampen that too... As well as all new OEM suspension arms etc

As an every day driving car in question here; would you recommend them?

[Glenn63]

d_a_n1979 said:

Glenn63 said:

Iv got the B14’s on my M140 they are height adjustable so can do them to suit. Massive improvement over stock handling and damping over large bumps, a bit harsh over the small ones that don’t get properly into the suspension.

Howdy pal

Your ears must have been burning as I was nattering to Ste & Do this morning (whilst nicking pallets from them) about B14s and you / your car got brought up!

Glad they're doing well for you...

You do a lot more track driving than I'll ever do; my concern re the B14s is their harshness for every day driving... But then would hope sticking with 18s on non RFTs would help to dampen that too... As well as all new OEM suspension arms etc

As an every day driving car in question here; would you recommend them?

You’re more than welcome to come drive mine see how you like them. It is a tad low not much arch gap I let stevie decide the set up
I’m probably the wrong person to ask as it’s fine for me but Iv never had a ‘comfortable’ car, civic type r, Impreza, c63 etc have all had a harsher ride.

[d_a_n1979]

Glenn63 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Glenn63 said:

Iv got the B14’s on my M140 they are height adjustable so can do them to suit. Massive improvement over stock handling and damping over large bumps, a bit harsh over the small ones that don’t get properly into the suspension.

Howdy pal

Your ears must have been burning as I was nattering to Ste & Do this morning (whilst nicking pallets from them) about B14s and you / your car got brought up!

Glad they're doing well for you...

You do a lot more track driving than I'll ever do; my concern re the B14s is their harshness for every day driving... But then would hope sticking with 18s on non RFTs would help to dampen that too... As well as all new OEM suspension arms etc

As an every day driving car in question here; would you recommend them?

You’re more than welcome to come drive mine see how you like them. It is a tad low not much arch gap I let stevie decide the set up
I’m probably the wrong person to ask as it’s fine for me but Iv never had a ‘comfortable’ car, civic type r, Impreza, c63 etc have all had a harsher ride.

Haha been there / done that with all my Hondas pal. 2 of my E39s were lowered on D2 coilovers, my E38 on BC coilovers and they drove / handled superbly. Probably because Stevie fitted them and set them up etc...

Give me a nod next time you're in the vicinity and I'll make sure I can get across. Only 10mins up the road

[Glenn63]

Oh stevie knows his stuff about set ups it was a completely transformed car after the suspension work! I’m heading down to the PH25 thing this weekend but il be about next weekend. Or itl be at stevies beginning September for service/mot.