[M235SDCA]

Hey everyone,

I just installed a set of AC Schnitzer springs on my F23 vert. There are not a lot of spring options specifically for the F23, and I was looking for a subtle drop that just gives the car a slightly more aggressive stance. So I forgot to measure the height before, but it looks like about 15mm front and rear.

So Thanks to Sail Boat for the writeup on the spring installation. There are a few things I didn't pay much attention to before starting that I should have. Having done this installation on an E46, I thought there would be no issue.

1) The spreader tool is a must. I thought I could get away with a pry bar like some others have, but no dice. Of course this is not the kind of tool that you can just buy anywhere. In a bit of a pinch I sacrificed a 3/8 drive 2" extension with an angle grinder to make a tool that did the job. Bottom line make sure you have all the tools you need or might need! They are not that expensive and not having the right tool will cost a lot of time.

2) Impact wrench is another must. Normally I only use these on the wheel bolts, but I absolutely needed it to get the rear strut nut off. Probably could have muscled it with a breaker bar, but the impact gun makes rather short work of it.

3) The rear camber arm bolt on my 2016 was not a 21mm. Perhaps BMW changed the bolt or the F23 has different ones. Instead it was a star head (e-torx). Again, this seems to be a very uncommon tool. A 16mm 12 point socket fit perfect, but this is not the right tool for the job.

Overall I am very happy with the springs so far. Ride seems slightly firmer than stock. Haven't really tested out the handling, but with the lower stance and slightly higher spring rate it should be better.

Here are the before pictures:

[M235SDCA]

Here are the results:

[M235SDCA]

Here is a picture of my 'I don't have time to order a spreader tool right now' homemade spreader and the two rear strut / camber arm bolts. Note the bolt head in the red circle is an e-torx. A 16mm 12 point works, but not the right tool for the job.

[XutvJet]

Keep us posted on how much these settle.

AC says they lower the car by 30mm. Your drop looks much less aggressive than that and I love it.

[M235SDCA]

Will certainly take some more shots and post in a couple of weeks. Already it has settled a little bit more.

[XutvJet]

Where did you get these from? The springs appear to be black whereas the AC part ads show the springs being gray. Is there a different spring for the convertible?

[M235SDCA]

Yes, the springs were black with the ACS part number printed in white. I got them from ECS Tuning in November when they were having a Black Friday special, so were 20% off with free shipping. From the fitment guide it looks like the F23 springs are also the same ones used on the F30 / N55 or the F30 xDrive with N20.

[M235SDCA]

OK, car has settled a little bit. From the top of the tire tread to the fender it is about 1" gap in the rear and maybe 1/2-3/4" in the front. It looks like more in the picture but I just measured it. Overall I am very happy with the ACS springs. Ride in comfort mode is slightly stiffer, so to me it feels just right. Not bouncy at all. Sport of course firms up the dampers a bit. My only other experience is from a Bilstein PSS on an E46, and it is not nearly as firm a ride as those are even in sport mode. For me in this car now it is perfect for a DD.

Getting an alignment in a couple of days to complete the job.

[x233]

Originally Posted by M235SDCA

OK, car has settled a little bit. From the top of the tire tread to the fender it is about 1" gap in the rear and maybe 1/2-3/4" in the front. It looks like more in the picture but I just measured it. Overall I am very happy with the ACS springs. Ride in comfort mode is slightly stiffer, so to me it feels just right. Not bouncy at all. Sport of course firms up the dampers a bit. My only other experience is from a Bilstein PSS on an E46, and it is not nearly as firm a ride as those are even in sport mode. For me in this car now it is perfect for a DD.

Getting an alignment in a couple of days to complete the job.

This looks and sounds very much like what you get with Eibach springs.

[XutvJet]

M235SCDA - Can you measure the distance from the center of the wheelcap to the bottom inner edge of fender? This will help us gauge the drop. I'll provide the stock measurements.

I like the look of this stance and drop.

[M235SDCA]

Yes - Rear 13 1/4, Front 13. Measured all 4 in my garage where it is flat - not the flagstone where I took the pics.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by M235SDCA

Yes - Rear 13 1/4, Front 13. Measured all 4 in my garage where it is flat - not the flagstone where I took the pics.

Thanks. My M235 (6MT, moonroof delete) measures out at:

Front left: 13 3/4"
Rear left: 13 7/8"

Front right: 13 3/4"
Rear right: 13 3/4"

So, we've a 3/4" drop in the front and around a 1/2" drop in the rear.

I wish I knew the springs rates of the OEM springs and the AC springs.

[x233]

Originally Posted by x233

This looks and sounds very much like what you get with Eibach springs.

In fact, I wonder if they are rebranded Eibach springs. At least, the pictures of a full suspension F22 kit on their website show what is most certainly Bilstein B8 shocks painted black and the springs that accompany them look exactly like Eibach springs.

[M235SDCA]

Originally Posted by x233

In fact, I wonder if they are rebranded Eibach springs. At least, the pictures of a full suspension F22 kit on their website show what is most certainly Bilstein B8 shocks painted black and the springs that accompany them look exactly like Eibach springs.

They very well could be manufactured by Eibach or another spring manufacturer. Eibach lists the same springs for the couple and cabrio, and ACS does not. This is why I tried ACS.

[M235SDCA]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Thanks. My M235 (6MT, moonroof delete) measures out at:

Front left: 13 3/4"
Rear left: 13 7/8"

Front right: 13 3/4"
Rear right: 13 3/4"

So, we've a 3/4" drop in the front and around a 1/2" drop in the rear.

I wish I knew the springs rates of the OEM springs and the AC springs.

Thanks for checking! Of course I thought about this after I had the car up on jackstands...

Hear that on the spring rate, and it probably isn't something the aftermarket suppliers would publish. Something else I should mention is that I bought the part numbers for the bumpstops that were in another thread that were equivalent to the ones Dinan used. The front worked fine, but the rear did not stay seated in the upper mount. You just press them in place, but the ones I got had a slightly smaller diameter. Also the cover was shorter, and the OEM one from my 235 didn't fit. Lesson learned I guess. If I had bought from Dinan I could have called for support if they didn't fit.

[XutvJet]

I'm wavering on buying these springs and only running them in the rear. I feel like the OEM front spring rate is fine for a DD (especially after I add 245s to the front to improve grip), but that the OEM rear spring rates are a bit too soft. Perhaps these AC springs would help things out back. Since you have a convertible, I would think the drop on my lighter 6MT hardtop would be a bit less significant.

[x233]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I'm wavering on buying these springs and only running them in the rear. I feel like the OEM front spring rate is fine for a DD (especially after I add 245s to the front to improve grip), but that the OEM rear spring rates are a bit too soft. Perhaps these AC springs would help things out back. Since you have a convertible, I would think the drop on my lighter 6MT hardtop would be a bit less significant.

They may be the same springs for coupe and convertible. Moreover, rear springs usually are the same for different engines. Eibach lists same part numbers for coupe and convertible, and these are most likely Eibach Pro-Kit springs. Rear springs are identical for RWD coupe, convertible and xDrive, different engines. It's only front springs that may differ.