The Benchmark - Vlogs - F30 335D Eibach Suspension Upgrade - Project 35D

[@rickheusdens4653]

I've got exactly the same problem on my 435xD , I was getting fear of heights coming from a E90 with Bilstein B14. Eibach's will be fitted quite soon. Great vid man.

[@christalbott9849]

Hi Dan, I hope all is well at your end. I have an LCI 335d M Sport F31 with adaptive suspension, 18’’ wheels, changed to MPSS tyres too. Am really pondering the ACS/Eibach springs upgrade. Tell me, would you say this upgrade improves road holding and stability ie when the car is on poor quality road surfaces/going over slightly raised white lines etc at speed…… Although my cars handling etc is improved since getting rid of the run flats and having a new steering rack fitted under warranty, I’d say that’s my biggest gripe now, how unsettled/ponderous/wallowy the car can become on poor quality road surfaces/going over slightly raised white lines etc at speed. As I’m sure you’ll agree, it can be quite disconcerting at times…… I’ve tried to get the use of a demo for a few hours that has the ACS/Eibach upgrade but has no joy. I really can’t justify the upgrade financially and then if I was to go on and do it and then be unhappy with it I’d be really peed off. Of course, maybe I’m just expecting too much from my car and fruitlessly chasing perfection. Looking forward to your thoughts/opinions. Regards Chris

[@zaink7037]

Recently picked up a 435d. Realised it has been lowered which looks to be with H&R springs as they are blue. Im wondering if a 430d RWD m sport springs if they exist are a good choice.

[@Fraternity187]

Will be interesting to see how the stiffer springs impacts your 1/4 mile times for the better or worse! Keep us posted!

[@jounistactics]

It's not just the Xdrive - I have RWD and the suspension is very high

[@lifeexperiences3422]

Alright mate how u finding the suspensions springs now that theyve settled? How do they look on the car? U need to put a video up of now theyve settles and another launch video with the new springs people like me find videos like this very interesting thanks mate

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

I was meaning to but I have not had a chance to do an update. Car is now much lower than it is in this video and also appears to have gotten softer... which is weird.

[@lifeexperiences3422]

The Benchmark softer? In a good or bad way? Do you still recommend the spring upgrade?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

I should of worded that better. It is stiffer compared to how it was before the springs, however it felt even firmer when the EIbachs were first installed and over a period of time they have sort of settled in and become a little softer.

[@richardward7267]

Hi Dan, still happy with the Eibachs? I'm struggling to find somewhere decent that will put the springs on for me..no-one seems interested!! Did you say that you would post up you suspension (toe and camber) settings as would be helpful mate 👍

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Hi Richard, Yep i am happy, the car has settled some more and is even lower than in this video. I have been meaning to make a new video but a combination of weather and camera issues have stopped it from happening. Follow me on instagram and you can probably see what I mean by camera issues :-)

[@richardward9006]

The Benchmark Hi Mate, hope you are well. Sorry to hear about your Mum. My Eibachs have also settled some more, since have also fitted PS4's but shortly after that some pratt swiped my car which meant 3 panel repair on passenger side, following week someone smashed my drivers wing mirror at speed which also caused damage to driverside...so 2 insurance claims later I have my car back from BMW 😐 Sorry to report that the handling is a bit choppy as springs seem to hard for shocks so having to experiment with tyre pressures at the moment. Saw a Joe Achilles video where he fitted spacers with thw springs to his 135i...wondering if this is worth doing, whats your thoughts?

[@stephenzuchowski5754]

Hi Dan do you have a link for the lowering springs? would they fit a f30 330d xdrive? Some people seem against lowering xdrive cars how is the 35d getting on any problems?Keep up the good work.

[@lolkevandewitte1713]

Thx Dan, the kind off review I was looking for. I drive a F31 320d x-drive (184hp). Offcourse not a 335d, but I do recognize your complaints about the standard setup. Much to soft. Rear end just breaks out to easy in a curve when you go over a little bump in the road. Just hop’s out! Also drove the e91-version few years ago. Drove really much better. No comparison! Are you still satisfied with the Eibach’s?

[@lolkevandewitte1713]

I drive the same car as you: same experience..... considering the Eibach pro kit.

[@Ratalala]

Mine has Adaptiv M Suspension, but this is the only video that convinced me to change them and also choose “EibachAC” :)) Will it be improved at high speeds and cornering ? Thank you P.S. after watching second time I’ve noticed: Same name I also have Ferrari Oakley glasses And my Suzy is also B39 color :))))

[@vkezii7616]

dansobolanu Hi . How did the new springs on the adaptive go ? Was there an obvious improvement? I’ve got same dilemma..

[@David-ju5ci]

Dan I have a 2017 35d/F31 fully loaded with adaptive dampers is it still possible to fit these springs.I agree with your comments on the stock setup much to soft.

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

+David yes you will be fine with the eibach springs. Interesting you find the adaptive too soft as others have commented that I should of got adaptive.

[@David-ju5ci]

Yes adaptive for me are to soft I would like the car to be a little stiffer my previous car was an M2 which I ran for 1000 mile to hard/noisy and got to many looks. I have had 6 BMW car with this engine when the power was 272 bhp/286 and now 313 bhp great engine was hearing BMW are testing this engine with 4 turbos would have one of these. keep the reviews coming 5 star.

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Thank you. If you want something lower than the Eibachs and a lot stiffer, H&R are another option. Again all should work with adaptive.

[@edwardsmith1969]

Good video Dan- as always 👌🏻 had my 330d remapped finally. A lot more torque and now running at 368BHP. Still want to get rid before the end of the year and get a good spec 335d.

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Thanks Edward. Now that sounds fun with rwd.

[@Helium_Hunter]

impressive what did you do to get it up to 365bhp? I have a 330d and a remap alone takes it up to 325bhp.

[@edwardsmith1969]

Janeshcw stage 1 ECU Remap. Then took it for a stage 2 which is DPF removal so air flows freely out the exhaust giving a lot more overall power and new intercooler. I highly advise you to get the intercooler or you will mess up components. My guys re did the ECU again at stage 2. I'm not going ahead with the stage 3 remap. That is new hybrid turbos and injectors and a final remap of the ECU. But will be huge strain on the engine and gearbox. Plus for the money might as well get a 335d or 435d and stage 1 it for same/ more power

[@satbilla9291]

What’s the best springs for an xdrive same car? 335d

[@stubones]

Very cool. I'm assuming the car wasn't specced with M sport adjustable damping from the factory? That is slightly lower. You mentioned SE suspension a few times in other videos...

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

No it was standard M-sport non adaptive. Yep the springs are from SE models hence why I mentioned it.

[@stubones]

Surprising the M sport suspension is so soft. As you say, not good on BMW's part. My E91 320D touring has non adaptive M sport suspension and its almost rock hard. The upside is it corners nice and flat and its sits quite low. I was given a 65 reg 118D courtesy car last year for a day while my car was in for repair and I put it into sport plus mode, which was a complete fail. The car bunny hopped down the road, crashing over the smallest bumps, until I put it back into comfort. Keep up the good work and tell your identical twin his car is awesome ;)

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Its weird isn't it, how they make some cars too soft and others too hard yet all claiming to be M-sport! Thanks for the kind comments :-)

[@stubones]

You're welcome :) Looking forward to the next video.

[@earvin2208]

Hi dan, Seeing your around a406 which is where im local. Im sold with the eibach and just wondering where did you get yours done? Thanks

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Yiannimizes cousin who also resides in Enfield runs a garage up the A10 specialising in body repair but he has also done a ton of spring installs on this model. was around £200-250

[@sm7538]

Are you looking to do more modifications to your car in the future

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Maybe my twin will ;-)

[@JelleVandeMoortel]

Hello Dan, I'm looking to lower my 330D, but don't want to go over the tup, or better said, under the top ;) how much was your car lowered?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

There is a link in the description to Eibach springs. You are looking at around £170 for the springs and installation can be anywhere from £150-300 depending on who you have do the installation.

[@JelleVandeMoortel]

Hi Dan, thanks for the info. Do you know how much the car was lowered?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

It was a minimal amount to be honest, I would hazard a guess at around 20-25mm (1 inch) all around. It makes it look like a factory 2wd Msport car. Which to be honest suits the car perfectly for the stealth look. Don't ask how I know this 😜 but the Eibach stamps/logo on the springs rub off with the rough edge of a sponge and brake cleaner.... so BMW could never tell it was changed as all springs are black and look identical. Plus that's just the aesthetics, handling improves by at least 20% with less body roll, more steady high speed driving and less 'boat' like action when launching from a dead stop. For the money its just a no brainer upgrade. You must take into account the lower the springs you add to the OEM dampers the worse the car will handle as the dampers will be taken out of their efficiency range and can cause premature wear of the damper and a Pogo effect over larger bumps, which is why I do not recommend any of the other springs as they all lower too much for the stock dampers. if you are considering H&R or ACS then budget for some Bilstein dampers... and the car will transform yet again.... but that's about £800 just for the parts searching on German sights for a deal without taking into account fitting costs. I may try to sneak in one more drag-strip run this year before they close for winter as I am convinced there is another 0.2 seconds there and possibly 0.3+ with good tyres and no run-flats! If anyone is free next month hit me up and we can make it a little fun trip!

[@JelleVandeMoortel]

Thanks for the insight Dan! You really helped me alot :) still on the OEM M-Sport springs and dampers now, but it's not the worst since it's a RWD and not the X-Drive. Would love to meet up but I'm from Belgium, but if you're going to the Nordschleife we can definitely meet make a fun trip! :)

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

I will be making my yearly pilgrimage to the ring next summer for sure, this years was the first year I was unable to go :-(

[@richardward9006]

I have a 15 plate 335d (pre LCI) with Adaptive, wonder if iy will work as well with Pre LCI? Nervous about swapping it out if I am honest. Would you be able to take some pictures of the car from the side as ACS springs are too low at the back which leads to an unbalanced look and wondering as Eibach make them they would be the same

[@richardward7267]

Thank you, looks fine to me!

[@richardward9006]

richard ward - order placed 😊

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Good choice, enjoy!

[@richardward9006]

The Benchmark You mentioned im your video that you had 4 wheel alignment done. Where did you have it done?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

The Tyre Shop, Chingford.

[@ReeveNNNNNNNNN]

no launch control video with the springs?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Soon...

[@ReeveNNNNNNNNN]

waiting ....

[@andyw3152]

Hi, does the touring suffer from the same ride height problem?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Couldn’t answer that, never seen one in real life.

[@lolkevandewitte1713]

I can, I drive one (F31). And yes, it does, like all x-drive versions....

[@lifeexperiences3422]

Hi dan did u put any spacers on the 335d when you lowered it? And if not do u suggest to do it?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Funny day to ask me as I had a nightmare of a day because of some spacers. So no I never recommend adding spacers. If you want more poke, do it properly and get lower offset wheels. The hub centric spacers on my Project M3 were snapped and they weren't cheap crap either, so I recommend staying away for safety reasons. I understand many people do it and are fine, but then there are many people like me who could of had a serious accident.... just not worth it.

[@lifeexperiences3422]

The Benchmark that's exactly the advice I was looking for nice one mate cheers

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Happy to help :-)

[@figuwolf7227]

I got the same ones in my 120d! Absolutely happy, the ride is awesome and looks much better!!! 👌

[@djjackjones1]

Need a wheel upgrade now to compliment the drop..... ;-)

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Would love some 20" 666m.

[@ridwan108]

Do you have the wheel alignment specs you did on your car for the 335d xdrive on eibach pro

[@joehammerton6556]

You going to be at bmw show 2nd july?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Not this time, been Santa Pod way too much this summer!

[@johnshaw8013]

You can feel little vertices???? Behave 🤣 Do the Eibachs really make that much difference? I have an F30 35d... itching to put these on it and a set of TWR slotted and grooved disks and some decent Ferrodo pads too... What tyres are you on? I'm still on Potenza S001 RFT as I do a lot of motorway miles and can't risk a flat with no spare, no jack, and no tyre foam. Especially with no hard shoulders!

[@jamiesmith6956]

Hi dan can you send me link for the springs, keep it up and hope things are well cheers Jamie

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Hi Jamie, It was a while ago now so I think my link in the description no longer works.

[@DodgeCity111]

I went for the Eibach pro kit instead of the AC springs myself because I'm a cheap bastard. Fitted them myself with a basic toolkit total cost with a full 4 wheel alignment, £200. BMW wanted to bend me over to the tune of £700 for fitting and alignment alone.

[@GabrielDima98]

I wonder how it would look and feel if you'd put some 19" wheels on it. I think that it should look ridiculously gorgeous with the car being lower than before 😍

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

ohhh don't, I cant justify it presently. Though my eBay is watching some 19" Alpina wheels and Michelin rubber..

[@rizwanmehmood5359]

Brilliant video mate. Keep up the good work

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Thank you Rizwan

[@MisterFeraz786]

Getting Eibachs fitted to my Fabia VRS tomorrow

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Funny you mention that, the fabia vrs is another example of stupid ride height.

[@MisterFeraz786]

The Eibachs have transformed the cars handling, great mod for any car

[@ajituning3535]

Great video! Was there anything special about removing the springs. Did your installer remove shocks or just remove the springs in situ?. Also what geometry settings did you go for?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

It was a very straight forward install, rears just slot in and the fronts require the usual spring compressor tool. Alignment settings will be in another video.

[@mkizzzo]

How much for fitting?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

mkizzzo depends on the installer. Most pay around £200-250 as it's quite a time consuming job.

[@zetecfiesta]

spacers transformed my handling and drive too too Don't take it on track without them or yellow stuff pads

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

I'm looking at Alpina spec pads.

[@CODManJake1]

Yellow stuff weren't enough but def better than stock.

[@Demoaccount-i2k]

Hi have you sold your 335d? If so, why? Thanx

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

no, its in a recent video in fact. also features on instagram a fair bit ;-)

[@Ukgyt99]

them ac springs are now 360

[@Tracks777]

Nice video! Keep it up!

[@demoor8697]

i literally did the same set of eibach springs last friday on my 435 xd gran coupe after buying the car a week earlier.. i couldnt live with the ugly suv look on this beautiful car ..it drives and looks much better now

[@Immyakram]

Hi Nisar, I would really be interesting in seeing some pics if you have some. Was there noticeable drop. I am after a drop - hopefully of around one inch once the springs settle but the Eibach Pro Kit - E10-20-031-06-22 - website suggests it will only drop it 15-20mm. Not sure if that would be enough.

[@CODManJake1]

They are a small improvement on stock and good value for it but still terrible really, the front especially! Can't wait to get them off now. HR are worth a look, other than that Birds or full on Bilstein B14 kit.

[@j-zee3579]

Very good video, keep it up!

[@croonersteve]

once you put decent rubber on then you will see that anti rollbars are more then needed , especially going to the ring ..!

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

This is no ring machine, Autobahn killer is more fitting!

[@335DF31]

Still looks like a jeep man, can easily lower it 3cm more. Love the 335d tho

[@Reef_Club_]

Good video but they’re not the exact same springs as the ACS. Same manufacturer but not the same spring

[@grcmcamcc8374]

Car is still chronically underdamped with springs, needs coilovers. KWV2 coilovers really transform the handling & roadholding.

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Bilstein are a far better quality of suspension. KW are a little more 'race car' in feel. As for the damping on the stock dampers, this is a LCI and I believe it has uprated dampers since this car does not feel under damped at all.

[@grcmcamcc8374]

The Benchmark Did the ACS upgrade on pre-LCI, was a major improvement until pushing on a bit on a bumpy road! KW coilovers go onto the M5 ring taxi, I can see why. After changing ACS springs for KW V2 coilovers, the car could go down a challenging road at speeds genuinely impossible with just the springs. Drove a new LCI 335d with adaptive recently, meh.

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

No doubt the KW is good on track, but on a daily driver I would never have them. Yeah the 'upgrade' done on the LCI suspension was incredibly minor.

[@grcmcamcc8374]

The Benchmark My last car was an E90 330d LCI M Sport. The KW set up is more comfortable than that on the road. I've put on a set of non runflat conti sport 6's too. As a practical daily driver it's going to be very hard to replace!

[@46holl]

Great vid 👍 but over £200 for install Jesus that’s steep!

[@top8329]

exactly that is a right rip off to be honest.

[@garethh81]

Should go for H&R it lowers it much more

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

I mention these on the video, they are too low for the stock dampers.

[@Pequin1000]

With respect, I can’t help thinking that BMW’s R&D department will have set the vehicle up to its optimum 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@CartubeCoIl]

In the last 10 year, BMW understood that most buyer don't care at all about the sportiness so much BMW cars are set for comfort and they are not so good about it. You want sportier feeling? go with M sport suspension or just but a full M car. That is the sad truth but BMW suspension of last 10 years, well 15 since they moved to RFT, is just not good enough.

[@josephine7782]

Why don’t you get some decent wheels?

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

The 35d is all about discreet but utterly devastating speed, so keeping the 18's and the looks of a mundane 3 series are what its all about... at least in my opinion. If looks are your thing you can buy a 320d and make it look like a wannabe M3.

[@edwardp5754]

josephine7782 wolf in sheeps clothing. Not everyone wants their car to look like it’s been dragged through Halfords.

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

That SL500 yesterday on the XXX (private island) got a horrible surprise when he refused to move out of the fast lane and a third lane opened up... did you know a mapped 335d goes off the clock? I didn't!

[@edwardp5754]

The Benchmark I pick up my 335d xdrive on Saturday morning

[@petemayes1940]

Have to be fair here they are not the same as ACS ACS spec them up to how they want them and Eibach make them

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

True, the front springs however are absolutely identical in size. Only the rear is a tiny bit shorter by half a coil on the ACS.

[@petemayes1940]

Have to say my F30 330d Luxury had standard suspension and even without the xdrive`the suspension was really bad,frighteningly horribly bad like a floating blancmange.I had driven middle of the road company cars before and just got in and drove but this was something else . Went up to Rossiters in Kings Lynn from London to get shocks and springs done thought id go the whole hog get both On the way the sat nav took me through this area that had 5 miles straight undulating road my partner and myself was laughing our heads off ,it was like ice road truckers bouncing up and down ,not exagerating. Coming back I found the same road stopped and hit the accelerator ,I could have cried it was so fantastic car fully planted. That suspension was so bad that I hhad stopped driving on the outside lane as when travelling at speed I felt I had no control like I was losing it .a large boat. I hadnt test drove because my 120d was se and that was fine thought this would be a step up . Good Luck to you look forward to more vids

[@Tylerbrook1992]

half of what you claim on your videos is total rubbish. How will lowering your car increase mpg. secondally you will not notice your allingment is out on turn in after lowering springs only your toe in and toe out will be affected. not like you've installed camber or caster plates and have an aggressive set-up. and finally your 1/4 times won't get better because your weight transfer will not make you loose traction on this kind of power, could understand if you was running 500hp on soft springs.

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Hi Tyler, Lowering does improve efficiency, most manufacturers do this on their eco models. Google it: www.google.co.uk/search?q=lower+car+improves+efficency&oq=lower+car+improves+efficency&aqs=chrome..69i57.4996j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#safe=off&q=lower+car+improves+efficiency Car felt off going round corners, I have just had the alignment done and can confirm that the rear end was negative 1.50 on the passenger side and almost zero on the drivers side with positive toe on both axles... no idea what it was before the install, but it felt odd and steered slower on low speed corners. As for the quarter mile, you may be right, that was just a theory as the car is wasting energy moving 1.7 tonnes all the way back like that.

[@Tylerbrook1992]

Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking you personally but the info in your videos is mostly guess work and always from incorrect articles from google. Well if your right then why do the eco version of the 3 series sit higher than the m3. If your argument was correct wouldn't they be the same so that your car would have better efficiency and mpg from factory? the bmw could rave even more about how fuel efficient it is

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Tyler, I linked to literally dozens of articles stating that lowering a car increases its fuel efficiency. The M3 is a sports car and will of course be lower, but the car you are talking about the ED does have lowered suspension from standard: www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/first-drives/6139645/BMW-320d-EfficientDynamics-review.html 6th paragraph.

[@Tylerbrook1992]

forgot everything on internet and in the telegraph is gospel lmfao. let me tell you just lowering your car doesn't increase fuel efficiency

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

The car is lowered by BMW to make it more fuel efficient, the link given just confirms that. Maybe you should consider writing to, VW, Bmw, Mercedes and all other manufacturers as you clearly know something their engineers don't. Good luck :-)