I've just got back from a visit to the Norfolk coast after getting my new springs fitted up in Kings Lynn by AC Schnitzer. It was great to get a good 100 mile drive straight afterwards to really get to try them out.
Having driven GTSussex's car I was already full of anticipation and expectation that they were going to be good, to the point that on the way up this morning I started to get concerned that I'd built them up too much in my head! After all, how can it be that a set of springs costing less than £300 could make such a difference to a new car from BMW?
Anyway, I needn't have worried... the car is brilliant!
First of all a thanks to Lorcan at Rossiters for being a good host whilst the work was done, and answering all my inane questions on everything from ECU's to exhausts!
For those more concerned on looks I would say that it a little lower, more noticeable at the back than the front, but doesn't look like a "lowered" car as such. I tried to measure the before and after, and I would say there is about a 2 cm difference both front and back. Will try to upload some pics later.
In terms of ride comfort I would honestly say there is no loss of comfort in COMFORT mode compared to before. It rides differently for sure though... can only describe it as fluent and in control, precise and confidence inspiring. There is no harshness that wasn't there before, and you're certainly no more aware that you have runflats than with the standard springs. In same ways it's better as there isn't that sensation of "boinginess" that I sometimes felt.
As for the handling, well it really is superb now. Before I used to drive around in SPORT chassis mode most of the time, whereas now there really is no need to move it out of COMFORT until you really are pressing on. The spring and damper rate now just seems perfectly matched is all I can say. It stays flatter through curves, turns in so much more crisply and linearly, and makes the car feel eminently more agile and responsive, to both throttle and steering inputs.
Another unexpected benefit is how it has also improved both braking and accelerating sensations. A number of people have commented that the 335d brakes don't initially feel that powerful, or have much bite... but this is much improved I felt with the new springs, possibly because it contains weight transfer and dive that bit better I guess. Likewise, when you floor it there isn't the same amount of squat at the rear, which I'm sure is what is also helping to make it feel more responsive.
I did spend a bit of time in SPORT mode and even on bad roads it's not harsh, but you can really feel the dampers working in a stronger and quicker way. I didn't feel it was quite as fluent as in COMFORT mode, but I didn't really get a chance to really push things. My guess is they will really come in to their own on better surfaces or when really pushing it.
Anyway, I am absolutely chuffed to bits, and since the wife is away this weekend contemplating a daytrip to Wales! It's so good I may take the 335d rather than the Z4!
Having driven GTSussex's car I was already full of anticipation and expectation that they were going to be good, to the point that on the way up this morning I started to get concerned that I'd built them up too much in my head! After all, how can it be that a set of springs costing less than £300 could make such a difference to a new car from BMW?
Anyway, I needn't have worried... the car is brilliant!
First of all a thanks to Lorcan at Rossiters for being a good host whilst the work was done, and answering all my inane questions on everything from ECU's to exhausts!
For those more concerned on looks I would say that it a little lower, more noticeable at the back than the front, but doesn't look like a "lowered" car as such. I tried to measure the before and after, and I would say there is about a 2 cm difference both front and back. Will try to upload some pics later.
In terms of ride comfort I would honestly say there is no loss of comfort in COMFORT mode compared to before. It rides differently for sure though... can only describe it as fluent and in control, precise and confidence inspiring. There is no harshness that wasn't there before, and you're certainly no more aware that you have runflats than with the standard springs. In same ways it's better as there isn't that sensation of "boinginess" that I sometimes felt.
As for the handling, well it really is superb now. Before I used to drive around in SPORT chassis mode most of the time, whereas now there really is no need to move it out of COMFORT until you really are pressing on. The spring and damper rate now just seems perfectly matched is all I can say. It stays flatter through curves, turns in so much more crisply and linearly, and makes the car feel eminently more agile and responsive, to both throttle and steering inputs.
Another unexpected benefit is how it has also improved both braking and accelerating sensations. A number of people have commented that the 335d brakes don't initially feel that powerful, or have much bite... but this is much improved I felt with the new springs, possibly because it contains weight transfer and dive that bit better I guess. Likewise, when you floor it there isn't the same amount of squat at the rear, which I'm sure is what is also helping to make it feel more responsive.
I did spend a bit of time in SPORT mode and even on bad roads it's not harsh, but you can really feel the dampers working in a stronger and quicker way. I didn't feel it was quite as fluent as in COMFORT mode, but I didn't really get a chance to really push things. My guess is they will really come in to their own on better surfaces or when really pushing it.
Anyway, I am absolutely chuffed to bits, and since the wife is away this weekend contemplating a daytrip to Wales! It's so good I may take the 335d rather than the Z4!
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