The Pro-Kit performance lowering springs were installed with the Original Equipment BMW dampers. Whenever installing performance lowering springs, spring manufacturers recommend replacing the stock dampers, especially on higher mileage cars. Because the suspension has to be disassembled anyway to install the new springs, there is typically no additional labor cost to install new dampers at the same time. More importantly, aging factory dampers may not be up to the task of controlling the movements of the performance lowering springs, which can lead to a harsh, bouncy ride if not replaced.
The factory dampers on the BMW 330Ci are very capable to begin with, and our test vehicles have relatively low miles on them, so we opted to equip this vehicle with Eibach Pro-Kit springs and the stock dampers, simulating what owners of newer cars often elect to do. Installing Pro-Kit springs on most vehicles results in approximately 1.25-1.6″ lowering in the front and rear. Because the 330Ci coupe already sits somewhat lower than the sedan version, our coupe test car was lowered about half the usual amount.
Out on the road, the car equipped with Pro-Kit springs felt somewhat more nimble than the stock suspension. This vehicle had less body roll when carving around the off ramps, and steering response felt more crisp. The Pro-Kit-equipped car did ride more firmly over choppy pavement, but was not rated as being harsh by our team. On the track, feedback to the driver was enhanced over the car equipped with the stock suspension. Steering response was improved, as was steady state cornering around the skid pad portion of our test track. Time and speed gains were made in all areas, with the average lap time improving nearly 0.250 second over the stock suspension.
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