F3x coilovers - opinons

[d_a_n1979]

I'm seriously considering coilovers for my F31 so I can get the ride and handling bettered than it is and also reduce the wheel/arch gap

FYI I'm not interested in shocks/springs combos or Birds kits for now; I may re-think that avenue later down the line...

Thoughts are with Bilstein B16 Komforts, KW Street Comforts and KW V2s - I'm not really interested in the likes of BCs, but haven't explored ST coilovers or similar (I know they're KW made etc) but if I've the budget of up to/around £2k then I'd like to get the best I can (ideally B16s prices as max etc)

Anyone running any of those on their F3x car (ideally RWD)? If so, thoughts/opinions/anything you'd change?

I'll be replacing a lot of the suspension arms/links and bushes too with Lemforder parts as I want to keep the OEM compliance with it being an every day road going car (it mainly does B road and longer trips, very little town driving)...

Cheers

[Court_S]

On a serious note, how much is a Birds kit (supplied) in comparison to coil overs? Their fitting costs are certainly punchy.

Ultimately if you want really good road performance, they’re hard to beat. Mine blew the B12 kit out of the water.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

On a serious note, how much is a Birds kit (supplied) in comparison to coil overs? Their fitting costs are certainly punchy.

Ultimately if you want really good road performance, they’re hard to beat. Mine blew the B12 kit out of the water.

My pal will be fitting whatever I buy pal; but think they quoted me c£1300 delivered...

The issue is, they don't lower the car!

[JakeT]

I agree with Sam. While the lack of lowering may be an issue, that’s purely cosmetic. My E91 has a birds kit, and when the original bits wore out at 100k if usage, I bought another set.

My thinking is if I buy an F30 derived car, like a 1, 3, or 4 series I’d go right to birds once again.

Öhlins is also very good from what I’ve felt. But they’re often really expensive in comparison to other stuff.

[stevemcs]

I guess it depends on if you want looks or performance for on the road use. YOu would think if lowering improved the car on the road Birds would have done that. Instead they keep a similar height to maximise a road car.

[d_a_n1979]

JakeT said:

I agree with Sam. While the lack of lowering may be an issue, that’s purely cosmetic. My E91 has a birds kit, and when the original bits wore out at 100k if usage, I bought another set.

My thinking is if I buy an F30 derived car, like a 1, 3, or 4 series I’d go right to birds once again.

Öhlins is also very good from what I’ve felt. But they’re often really expensive in comparison to other stuff.

I get that; but I'm after both, Birds don't offer that. So for now, they're off the radar

Ohlins, yeah.. No thanks

Having been out in a few BMWs now with Bilstein B14s, B16s and KW V2s I've been very impressed...

[d_a_n1979]

Just confirmed its £1400 for the Birds kit delivered... S'not cheap for non adjustable suspension... Sods law I've non one local that has it fitted...!

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

Just confirmed its £1400 for the Birds kit delivered... S'not cheap for non adjustable suspension... Sods law I've non one local that has it fitted...!

They’re not adjustable but a lot of work has gone into them.

If the adjustment is key for you then any of the other options will see you right. I’d be tempted by the KW based on their reputation if nothing else.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Just confirmed its £1400 for the Birds kit delivered... S'not cheap for non adjustable suspension... Sods law I've non one local that has it fitted...!

They’re not adjustable but a lot of work has gone into them.

If the adjustment is key for you then any of the other options will see you right. I’d be tempted by the KW based on their reputation if nothing else.

Aye; more reading on the V2 and Street Comfort sets needed

[911Spanker]

My experience of coilovers is you need to talk to someone who really knows them. I would be going to CG, Spires etc for advice and them to properly set it up.

I find many coilovers just too harsh on UK roads. The car will look good but can be really poor to drive if you value on road ability.

[d_a_n1979]

911Spanker said:

My experience of coilovers is you need to talk to someone who really knows them. I would be going to CG, Spires etc for advice and them to properly set it up.

I find many coilovers just too harsh on UK roads. The car will look good but can be really poor to drive if you value on road ability.

I am doing and always will do; my pal owns Grinspeed up here in Preston. He's well respected in that arena and have always gone with what he knows well; hence the Bilsteins & KWs...

[Pizzaeatingking]

I’ve got Bilstein B14s and I’m chuffed with them. They are the perfect balance between firmness and comfort for me. B16s are rated by a guy I spoke to who runs them, not a huge amount extra either over the B14s.

[d_a_n1979]

Pizzaeatingking said:

I’ve got Bilstein B14s and I’m chuffed with them. They are the perfect balance between firmness and comfort for me. B16s are rated by a guy I spoke to who runs them, not a huge amount extra either over the B14s.

Cheers

I'm out tomorrow in this lads F30 33D on the B16s, so that'll be interesting to see how they are. I'll report back

I am going to hang on until closer to Christmas before I order them as want to see if any offers come up with it being that time of year Can't get them fitted until mid to late Jan anyways due to the extended BMW warranty, hence me starting my parts bin in the garage in readiness for the suspension refresh...

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

Cheers

I'm out tomorrow in this lads F30 33D on the B16s, so that'll be interesting to see how they are. I'll report back

I am going to hang on until closer to Christmas before I order them as want to see if any offers come up with it being that time of year Can't get them fitted until mid to late Jan anyways due to the extended BMW warranty, hence me starting my parts bin in the garage in readiness for the suspension refresh...

Do AUTODOC sell them? I keep getting notifications of 41% days via the app.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Cheers

I'm out tomorrow in this lads F30 33D on the B16s, so that'll be interesting to see how they are. I'll report back

I am going to hang on until closer to Christmas before I order them as want to see if any offers come up with it being that time of year Can't get them fitted until mid to late Jan anyways due to the extended BMW warranty, hence me starting my parts bin in the garage in readiness for the suspension refresh...

Do AUTODOC sell them? I keep getting notifications of 41% days via the app.

Yes and they're nicely overpriced so that the discount doesn't really do much... Think they've been watching what ECP do and have no followed suit

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

Yes and they're nicely overpriced so that the discount doesn't really do much... Think they've been watching what ECP do and have no followed suit

bds!

Demon Tweeks have a promotion on Bilstein products at the mo so might be worth checking them out.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Yes and they're nicely overpriced so that the discount doesn't really do much... Think they've been watching what ECP do and have no followed suit

bds!

Demon Tweeks have a promotion on Bilstein products at the mo so might be worth checking them out.

Yup; it's them that I'll probably go through as they've been great on chat (to suss out the prices for the B16s and B16 Komforts) etc

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

Yup; it's them that I'll probably go through as they've been great on chat (to suss out the prices for the B16s and B16 Komforts) etc

According to the ad on FB, it’s up to 25% off.

I’ve bought a few bits from them and they’ve been grand; quick delivery etc.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Yup; it's them that I'll probably go through as they've been great on chat (to suss out the prices for the B16s and B16 Komforts) etc

According to the ad on FB, it’s up to 25% off.

I’ve bought a few bits from them and they’ve been grand; quick delivery etc.

Yup; but as per the usual they haven't got that on the more expensive stuff... The price they have for them is the same it's been for a while now...

I've decided to reduce my Apple gadgets collection too (half of it's not being used and I want the space back in my office TBH); so selling that will pay for the whole suspension overhaul more or less (M1 Mac Mini, M1 MBA, M1 iPad Pro 12.9" and my old iPhone 12 Pro Max)...

I really need to stop hoarding

[Pizzaeatingking]

d_a_n1979 said:

Cheers

I'm out tomorrow in this lads F30 33D on the B16s, so that'll be interesting to see how they are. I'll report back

I am going to hang on until closer to Christmas before I order them as want to see if any offers come up with it being that time of year Can't get them fitted until mid to late Jan anyways due to the extended BMW warranty, hence me starting my parts bin in the garage in readiness for the suspension refresh...

Ahhh yes, I waited out 2 years of my cars 3 year warranty before I couldn’t wait anymore and stuck them on. That together with swapped the runflats out transformed the car for me.