[hewes_ryan]

I just purchased a 2014 328i and I love it but I desperately need to get rid of the fat wheel gap. Looking to get a set of coilovers but I live in Maine so I'm worried about corrosion as I am going to be driving the car year-round? What is my best option? I have looked into the KW V1 which has a non-corrosive coating and uses stainless, but I don't really want to spend $1,700. Are there any less expensive options that still will still provide protection from corrosion? Thanks guys!!

[cfm56d7b]

Well - there isn't such a thing as less expensive coilovers. There are coilovers which offer fewer capabilities at a less expensive price point. Since you live in Maine (I used to live in NY; traveled to Maine often), a few questions and answers will be a good start to point you in the right direction:

- How important is comfort for you? Comfortable ride means different things to different people

- Do you need flexibility to adjust compression and rebound in case initial settings do not produce desired suspension behavior? Comfort is a combination of three things: suspension travel, rebound and compression

- What is your lowering target considering you have to deal with winter once a year?

[hewes_ryan]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Well - there isn't such a thing as less expensive coilovers. There are coilovers which offer fewer capabilities at a less expensive price point. Since you live in Maine (I used to live in NY; traveled to Maine often), a few questions and answers will be a good start to point you in the right direction:

- How important is comfort for you? Comfortable ride means different things to different people

- Do you need flexibility to adjust compression and rebound in case initial settings do not produce desired suspension behavior? Comfort is a combination of three things: suspension travel, rebound and compression

- What is your lowering target considering you have to deal with winter once a year?

I'd like compression adjustment so I can at least make them ride decent and not be super bouncy. Don't care as much about rebound adjustment. Looking to lower it by about an inch to an inch and half front and rear. I was thinking about going with a spring set up but after getting decent shocks to supplement the springs I might as well just get a fully adjustable coilover set up so I can adjust the height.

[cfm56d7b]

One of the candidates for your requirements would be KW V3 coilovers with independent rebound and compression controls, practically invaluable for North East roads where more precise suspension tuning would be needed.

KW V1 offer a pre-set rebound / compression settings. KW V2 offer only rebound controls.

There are others but KW coilovers are made from stainless steel.

[cfm56d7b]

Oh ... visit https://www.kwsuspensions.com/products for more information. And search this subform as well. There are many suspension specialists who freely share advice and experience like FaRKle!.

[hewes_ryan]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

One of the candidates for your requirements would be KW V3 coilovers with independent rebound and compression controls, practically invaluable for North East roads where more precise suspension tuning would be needed.

KW V1 offer a pre-set rebound / compression settings. KW V2 offer only rebound controls.

There are others but KW coilovers are made from stainless steel.

Thank you! More concerned with rust and corrosion than fine tuning honestly. I'd be fine to sacrifice a bit of ride quality to spend a little less as long as they'll hold up to the salt on the roads in the winter.

[cfm56d7b]

hewes_ryan, glad to help. Having the flexibility of tuning rebound and compression is an insurance policy to ensure that your investment in coilovers is well spent. I have seen too many instances where what seemed to be a good decision turned out to be an unwise one.

Regardless of the choice, just enjoy a better ride!

[blumagic]

For budget coils:

If you are not xdrive I’d get ST coils

If you are xdrive I’d get bilsteins (better ride) or BC (more low)

Then get these for whatever you choose:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...MaArIFEALw_wcB

+anti seize on the threads to be sure.

I just used WD40 (not even anti seize) on my threads (yearly) on my old car in Indiana year round with form function coils and never had anything seize or rust.

[hewes_ryan]

Originally Posted by blumagic

For budget coils:

If you are not xdrive I'd get ST coils

If you are xdrive I'd get bilsteins (better ride) or BC (more low)

Then get these for whatever you choose:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...MaArIFEALw_wcB

+anti seize on the threads to be sure.

I just used WD40 (not even anti seize) on my threads (yearly) on my old car in Indiana year round with form function coils and never had anything seize or rust.

When you say Bilstein's, which ones do you mean? The B12's?

Never even thought of shock covers that's a great idea. I have xdrive so unfortunately I think ST coils are out of the question which sucks cause I've heard good things about them. Was looking into silver, BC Br's, or teins. Thinking about pulling the trigger on the BC's but have read a lot about how they're too stiff and bouncy. Anyone have experience with this?

[cfm56d7b]

Unless there was a chance in materials, ST coilovers have a galvanized coating. KW coilovers use stainless steel.

I would not recommend BC coilovers based on your requirements.

Another KW variant to explore is KW Street Comfort coilovers which my previous vehicle had. For daily driving with xDrive suspension, KW Street Comfort coilovers - with rebound controls only - represent an excellent choice.

[blumagic]

Originally Posted by hewes_ryan

When you say Bilstein's, which ones do you mean? The B12's?

Never even thought of shock covers that's a great idea. I have xdrive so unfortunately I think ST coils are out of the question which sucks cause I've heard good things about them. Was looking into silver, BC Br's, or teins. Thinking about pulling the trigger on the BC's but have read a lot about how they're too stiff and bouncy. Anyone have experience with this?

B14 pss, only slightly more than BC on ECS tuning at $1044.

If you have never had coilovers before BC might be extreme. I’ve always had good experience with them on my slammed cars but linear springs have that stiffness right at the initial moment of compression. Nothing like OE, where bilstein b14 has progressive springs which will feel a more like OE.

BC is the easier install since it comes with camber plate top mounts and you’ll be able to get lower.

At the end of the day it comes down to personal taste.