[awawd335]

I have an e90 335xi that is mainly a daily driver, but that I also have started to autocross (went twice last year and hope to go 4 or 5 times this year). I'm having a really good time with autocrossing, but would not want to compromise my car as a daily driver.

I've tried to read up on suspension modification, but I am pretty new to it. I'm looking to improve the handling of the car while still having it ride comfortably. I'd like a small drop in ride height, but nothing too extreme (too much could compromise the car's ability in snow). An additional factor is coilovers would push me into the next class up in my autocross series, so I'd prefer to avoid them.

It seems to me that the Dinan stage 2 suspension system would accomplish my goals reasonably, but I am open to opinions about other suspension options that might be better. Cost is not a big factor (within reason).

Btw, I'm using Michelin PSS (non run flat) tires in the stock 18 inch staggered sizes if it matters.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

[J3]

For what you're looking for (small drop, performance, autocross) Dinan is your best option. There are good track reviews on here if you search for them.

I'm considering them as well but i also want a bigger drop and i don't like how the front struts are not replaced. I read though, you can't tell bc of the track testing and tuning that Dinan has done

[awawd335]

Thanks for the response. I'm also a little concerned about not replacing the front struts and just wondering if there is a better option out there. I think I'll repost to the suspension section as well.

[thegrinchboy]

You can replace the front struts, if you choose to do so, by ordering them from any Koni re-seller. The Dinan specific Koni shocks have the rebound adjustments up top. That is pretty much the only difference per the Dinan sales rep I spoke with.

The Dinan springs does drop the car slightly, however more significant in the rear than in the front. Someone on the forum had posted that they are re-branded H&R, but don't know for sure.

See attached pic

[awawd335]

Is that your car grinch? The overall drop looks pretty good to me. Do you know of anyone who has done just Dinan springs with Koni yellows all around on an xi?

[mister wiggles]

where did you get the dinan setup from?

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by splatjeff

Is that your car grinch? The overall drop looks pretty good to me. Do you know of anyone who has done just Dinan springs with Koni yellows all around on an xi?

Yes, that is my car. It's a 2011 335xi 6MT with Dinan springs (F/R) and Koni Yellows (F/R) all around. I went through several iterations of different springs (e.g. Eibach, ZSP) with the Koni Yellows before settling on Dinan springs. Also installed are UUC F/R sways, along with M3/Z4 bumpstops (shorter than stock 3 series) to allow for more suspension travel. Lastly, I do have the Dinan 10mm rear upper shock mounts but have not had a chance to install them.

If I was going to do this over again, I probably would go with rebound/dampening, and height adjustable coilovers, as I travel a bit up north for skiing. But in your case, it does put you into another class for tracking purposes.

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by mister wiggles

where did you get the dinan setup from?

Koni Yellow struts/shocks from Autoanything on sale.
Dinan springs and rear upper shock mount kit directly from Dinan.
UUC F/R sways on sale from UUC.
Z4/M3 bumpstops from Tischer.

[awawd335]

Thanks for the response grinch. Your car looks great! I assume these pictures were taken after the car had fully settled. Any idea how much of a drop you got? What size gap is there for both front and back?

How would you review the dinan spring/koni yellow combo from a performance standpoint and a comfort standpoint?

[thegrinchboy]

My current set up has 5K+ miles on it. It was installed on Mar 9, 2014, so it has settled.

Here are high level feedback on the 3 different springs setups with the same Koni Yellows @ 1/3 range (not turn) from full soft.

First Setup:
Eibach Prokit springs (For RWD cars - Eibach does not have an xDrive version), Koni F/R, NO UUC F/R sways: Most significant drop of the three. The rear appeared very tucked in. Too much drop for me - scraping over larger bumps and raised driveways. Middle of the pack in terms of comfortable, nice linear spring loading, not as firm or attuned as Dinan.

Second Setup:
ZSP (D6F/D4R) springs, Koni Yellows F/R, UUC F/R sways. Great drop. Most comfortable ride of the 3 (important to the wife). Unhappy with spring loading during spirited cornering/driving as ZSP are progressive. Felt that springs would easily compress, and then firm up. Drove me insane.

Current:
Dinan springs, Koni Yellows F/R, UUC F/R sways. OK drop. Too much in back. Firmer ride (which I like), nice linear spring compression and feel.

I would still like sharper turn-in feel. Maybe camber plates, along with upgraded rear subframe bushings and front control arm bushings, but since I am not tracking, they are not critical (yet )

The first pic is with Eibachs. The second pic is with ZSP. The third pic is with Dinan (same as previously posted).

Hope this helps.

[BigHoncho]

Originally Posted by thegrinchboy

First Setup:
Eibach Sport springs (For RWD cars - Eibach does not have an xDrive version), Koni F/R, NO UUC F/R sways: Most significant drop of the three. The rear appeared very tucked in. Too much drop for me - scraping over larger bumps and raised driveways. Middle of the pack in terms of comfortable, nice linear spring loading, not as firm or attuned as Dinan.

Nice review!
Nevertheless I wonder why people are only trying the E90 335i springs, since Eibach has 5 different (!) spring kits for the 335:

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by BigHoncho

Nice review!
Nevertheless I wonder why people are only trying the E90 335i springs, since Eibach has 5 different (!) spring kits for the 335:

Thanks.

Unfortunately, according to the chart, the only one for 335 xDrive equipped vehicles are specific to the E91, which is a much heavier vehicle. But that may not be a bad thing since it will result in a lesser drop if used (usable) on a E90.

[BigHoncho]

Originally Posted by thegrinchboy

Thanks.

Unfortunately, according to the chart, the only one for 335 xDrive equipped vehicles are specific to the E91, which is a much heavier vehicle. But that may not be a bad thing since it will result in a lesser drop if used (usable) on a E90.

Right, but you could use the E91 335i RWD version, since it has the same springs in the front and lower springs in the rear.

[d3l0n]

Quick question. I have Koni yellow rear shocks with H&R sports springs. Can you use the Dinan strut mount kit with this set up? I wanted a tougher mount set, doesn't look like any difference between M3 and non-M e90. However, Dinan website stressed "only for dinan shocks"

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by d3l0n

Quick question. I have Koni yellow rear shocks with H&R sports springs. Can you use the Dinan strut mount kit with this set up? I wanted a tougher mount set, doesn't look like any difference between M3 and non-M e90. However, Dinan website stressed "only for dinan shocks"

Dinan has a set for non-top adjusting shocks. These are for the standard Koni shocks.

http://dinancars.com/product/d110-00...ries&mid=1123/

[d3l0n]

Originally Posted by thegrinchboy

Dinan has a set for non-top adjusting shocks. These are for the standard Koni shocks.

http://dinancars.com/product/d110-00...ries&mid=1123/

Thanks! I misread some of them or got confused. Called them up to make sure and placed my order yesterday!