Different Suspension & Brake Recommendations

[e30newman]

M52 swapped car, want a fast road setup but still retain a relatively soft ride nothing too harsh. Lowering wise im after 20-40mm. I’m not price sensitive either.

The most common option on here seems to be Bilstein pro kit with Eibach springs - with the general feedback being a very stiff ride.

What are the other options… Koni yellows with “X”springs?

Standard shocks with “X” springs?

What are some recommended coilovers or alternatives?

Same question for brakes - can a 325i setup cope for an m52 or is something bigger recommended?

Cheers!

[flybynite]

Not much has changed on the spring and shock front, IMHO B12kit with B8 and Eibach springs/arb is still the go-to. Koni Yellow and H&R springs and ARBs slightly stiffer alternative.

I have read people complaining about the B12 ride but that is not my experience. They were always softer than my Koni Yellows even on the softest setting.

Have a search and you can read all the previous opinion here

For coilovers my choice would be the KW Classic, pretty highly regarded (I have V3 on something else) and they come with a forged spindle which saves a bit of work.

[e30newman]

Not much has changed on the spring and shock front, IMHO B12kit with B8 and Eibach springs/arb is still the go-to. Koni Yellow and H&R springs and ARBs slightly stiffer alternative.

I have read people complaining about the B12 ride but that is not my experience. They were always softer than my Koni Yellows even on the softest setting.

Have a search and you can read all the previous opinion here

For coilovers my choice would be the KW Classic, pretty highly regarded (I have V3 on something else) and they come with a forged spindle which saves a bit of work.

Thanks for info - I’ve searched a lot! Everything is conflicting haha I guess it comes down to personal preference.

KWs v3 M3 setup is the ideal (and probably end goal), that would mean 5 lug swap, new wheels etc. so would probably be £5k deep. Not quite ready for that yet!

[e30newman]

Gone for B4’s + Eibach springs + Eibach ARB

[flybynite]

Gone for B4’s + Eibach springs + Eibach ARB

That should work, just keep in mind you might get the occasional bottoming as the B4 is built for normal height springs. I usually say B4 works best with Standard or Mtech springs with a mild lowering.

Eibach used to ship the B12 kit with B6 shock absorbers (same height as the B4) but it did cause an occasional problem so they now ship the shorter B8 with those Eibach springs. Again should be ok but something to keep in mind

[e30newman]

Gone for B4’s + Eibach springs + Eibach ARB

That should work, just keep in mind you might get the occasional bottoming as the B4 is built for normal height springs. I usually say B4 works best with Standard or Mtech springs with a mild lowering.

Eibach used to ship the B12 kit with B6 shock absorbers (same height as the B4) but it did cause an occasional problem so they now ship the shorter B8 with those Eibach springs. Again should be ok but something to keep in mind

Cheers! Appreciate the heads up, if this setup doesn’t work well for the time being I’ll probably just wait and get some KWs

[rix313]

I can't say I've ever experienced th B4/Eibach combo or the B12 kit (same springs with a B8 damper) being too stiff on the road neither have the countless peoples cars I've fitted them to.

[e30newman]

I can't say I've ever experienced th B4/Eibach combo or the B12 kit (same springs with a B8 damper) being too stiff on the road neither have the countless peoples cars I've fitted them to.

That’s good to hear

I’ll let everyone know how it goes