The BMW E90/E92 3 series is one of the best platforms for all enthusiasts across the board. They are very aesthetically pleasing and still look very current. During its time they set the standard for modern luxury and sporty aesthetics so they really are good looking cars for being upwards to 10 years old. The performance aspect of the 3 series (especially the 335i), is the best bang for your buck you can get with any car on the market today. With the prices dropping to very reasonable levels it makes no sense to why you wouldn’t want to get one!
These cars are starting to show its age, and most should have miles that average out to about 60k on the low end, and over 100k on the higher end. It is highly recommended that once your E9X reaches past 80k, it’s definitely time for new suspension. Here at ModBargains we always recommend our customers to do a full coilover suspension upgrade when replacing their worn OEM suspension. Coilover suspension provides a higher quality replacement than OEM, and features adjustability that can improve look and performance of the car. In this article we break down the best coilovers for the E9X platform. We separate the coilovers in tiers from good to best, so read further to find out what coilovers may suit your needs!
Tier 1
Looking at the 1st tier we go over entry level coilovers that are the best bang for your buck. These coilovers will definitely be a solid replacement for those looking to either upgrade or replace their OEM suspension and are more budget conscious. For the price point we can really only recommend Solowerks coilovers. These coilovers are perfect for those looking for an improvement in the handling department and having the liberty to adjust ride height but aren’t sure if they want to break the bank.
Solowerks
Solowerks are a great option and one of our favorites here at Modbargains. They are the bare bone of what a coilover system should be: quality suspension that offer adjustable ride height at a very fair price point. For $599 you can NOT go wrong with these coilovers. All Solowerks coilovers use progressive spring rates and are fine tuned to match each application for solid ride quality and performance. Each system is made of Zinc Coated Galvanized Steel to reduce cost while helping to prevent rust and ensure longevity. For more information on this system, check out the Solowerks post recently featured on our blog!
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Tier 2
Tier 2 consists of coilovers that offer more adjustability and/or are slightly higher quality than the coilovers placed in tier one, but are still within a reasonable price point for what the coilovers offer. For our Tier two coilovers we take a look at the BC BR and ST coilovers. All these coilovers have their great perks that make each of them unique and are all within the same price range as well.
BC Racing BR
BC BR is a very popular coilover here at ModBargains. With plenty of adjustability, these coilovers put you at a much higher advantage than the tier 1 coilovers. The BC BR offer front camber plates, rebound adjustment, and height adjustment. The great thing about the variety of adjustments is it allows you to customize your ride to what you prefer and allows more flexibility for tuning across all platforms. Aesthetically, for those looking to go extremely low the BC BR is known for being able to drop heaps amount in height. At the price of $995 you get a full package and you would get everything you’d expect from a great coilover, which is full adjustability and great ride quality.
ST Coilovers
ST is another great option for those who are looking to get a rigid and durable set of coilovers that are a level above the coilovers in the 1st tier. ST has been purchased by the renowned suspension company KW. The manufacturing and quality backed by KW lies within all sets of ST coilovers made. Progressive spring rates ensure good ride quality and great performance when you get into some faster turns. Their use of compression bumpstops and integrated dust boot also help protect the coilover from road contaminants and ensures long term durability. At only $1,020 those who are looking for a solid quality set of coilovers backed by KW should definitely look into ST as their choice. The main difference between these coils and the KW Variant 1 is that the ST coilovers are made from Galvanized Steel rather than Stainless Steel. While this makes the coilovers cheaper to produce it also makes them more susceptible to corrosion from environmental influences. For instance in states with heavy snow the roads will often be salted to prevent icing and improve traction. While this helps with traction and road safety the saltwater can cause corrosion. To help mitigate the wear and tear on these coilovers ST zinc coats all their systems for added durability. However, if you live in a state that doesn’t experience heavy snowfall, or don’t plan on driving your E90/E92 during the winter then you have nothing to worry about. Just be be sure to take into account the local climate before purchasing. If you’re going to be driving your E90/E92 in snowy or icy conditions there are better options for you in the next tier.
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Tier 3
Tier 3 is where we’ll be going over coilovers for those who are looking for a more performance-oriented set up. This is for the enthusiast who is looking to upgrade their current set of coilovers while still being able to retain a solid and comfortable street ride quality. The coilovers in this tier are the KW V1, KW V2 and ST XTA. The quality behind these coilovers are on a completely differently level compared to the coilovers mentioned in the first and second tier, but are still not priced to entirely burn a hole in your wallet. 
KW Variant 1
As mentioned before, KW is a renowned German suspension company that creates aftermarket suspension solutions for German applications. They are known among many, many enthusiasts for their high quality coilover systems. Their Variant 1 or V1 coilover is their entry level coilover. Although it is their entry level coilover, it is in the 3rd tier for a few good reasons. One reason being is in terms of quality and performance, they outperform most standard coilovers available on the market, and are made using the highest quality materials. Their shock bodies are made using stainless steel as opposed to the galvanized steel seen on many applications. Another reason is their cost is still much higher in comparison to other systems, but for what you get it is more than worth the price point. The V1 is a great system for those who want to start off with a high quality coilover system, or potentially looking to upgrade their current system.
KW Variant 2
The KW V2 is similar to the V1, but it includes height and rebound dampening adjustment. Rebound adjustment allows you to adjust for vehicle pitch and roll. Essentially it helps you reduce the amount the vehicle will lean when weight is shifting side to side or during braking/acceleration by slowing the rate at which the springs expand. This means that the side of your vehicle with the least amount of weight on it during a turn will not be pushing upwards as aggressively. This is a very important feature for those looking to improve performance out of their coilovers as well as switch between street use and track use. The V2, like the V1, uses a stainless steel body rather than galvanized, so the risk of rust is eliminated and deterioration is reduced significantly. This is a great choice for those how want the quality and performance of the V1 but with a little more potential for personalization.
ST XTA
Earlier we went over the ST coilover system and mentioned how it is a great bare-bone coilover system that does exactly what any coilover system should do without any issues. The quality is also backed by KW so we know that the ST system is a solid product. The ST XTA has all the benefits of the base ST coilover with additional features which allow for more adjustability in terms of performance and ride quality. This is ideal for those who are looking to do both street and occasional track driving. The ST XTA has adjustable rebound dampening like the KW V2, as well as a uniball top mount so you can fine tune the camber and caster to your liking. The price point is on par with the KW V1, so for the same amount you can get more adjustability and the same quality backed by the same brand. The XTA is a great upgrade for those coming from worn OEM suspension or those who have the regular ST system and want more adjustability with their coilover system. Please note that, like the normal ST coilovers, this system is made from Zinc Coated Galvanized Steel, so it is not recommended for those who will be driving on salted roads frequently.
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Tier 4
Tier 4 is the highest tier in our list of coilover systems. This tier is set for the high performance coilover systems and for those who are looking for a primarily track setup while still being driveable on the streets. These coilovers offer full adjustment and are of the highest quality to endure rigorous track days and races. The systems in this tier are the KW V3, KW Clubsports, and Ohlins. These three coilovers are the heavy hitters in the game and are just about the best you can get for your E9X.
KW Variant 3
Like the V1 and V2, the V3 still uses the same components and utilizes the same high quality material that its two little brothers use as well. The V3 however, is tuned to be a much more performance oriented coilover system. The V3 coilovers are for those who drive their car both on the road and on the track. The key factor that sets the V3 apart from the V2 is the fact that it offers independent adjustable compression dampening in addition to the rebound adjustability. Compression adjustability allows you to further control the pitch and roll of your vehicle. It is essentially the reverse of rebound dampening, affecting the rate at which your spring compresses. This allows you to reduce dive under hard braking and further reduce body roll in sharp corners where rebound alone can’t quite cut it. This offers a lot of customization and tuning to your specific preference and is primarily utilized to improve performance on the track. The V3 is the ultimate coilover system within its Variant line and is definitely for those who are looking to control every aspect of their suspension.
KW Clubsport
The Clubsport is KW’s ultimate track coilover system. It features all the adjustability you’d want from a coilover system such as rebound adjustment, camber adjustment, etc. with the quality and name backed behind it. Rather than a progressive spring rate, which is more efficient for daily driving and road use, the Clubsport uses a linear spring which proves to provide a much better track experience. The linear spring helps create consistent and even handling. This allows the driver to be aware of his suspension capabilities and fully understand how the car drives at all times which is extremely important for the track. The addition of a camber plate is also beneficial for fine tuning and adjustment for specific applications when used on the track as well. The quality components and construction of the system also call for higher life longevity on the track. Lastly, although a primarily track oriented suspension system, people have had great comments in regards to daily driving use on these coilovers noting that it is comfortable for what it is and very easy to endure when used in day to day driving.
Ohlin
Ohlins are the cream of the crop within the coilover world. With its highly advanced technology and incomparable quality, Ohlin’s Road and Track coilover suspension system is just about as good as it can get for your E9X. It utilizes a monotube system which has shown better results when on the track and more quality. Ohlin also utilizes a dual flow valve (DFV) that allows the user to change the stiffness of the shock absorber easily and quickly. Similar to adjustment on other systems using the knob at the top, the knob on the Ohlins can set the coilovers into a stiffer “race mode” which tightens up the the low/high speed compression and rebound dampening. High and low speed dampening are control how the suspension reacts to sharper bumps and road irregularities. Imagine hitting a sharp bump at 60mph, with an overly stiff suspension your tires will lose contact with the road because the rebound it too tight. With the DFV system it adjusts the rebound to match the compression so your tires will come back into contact with the road quicker, thus improving overall grip potential. It does the same in low speeds, matching the speed of compression on a less aggressive bump so you don’t dive unnecessarily afterwards. The system also adjusts automatically to different temperatures so you always get consistent performance even after long periods of aggressive driving. This means that on the track the DFV system allows the driver to react quickly and to utilize 100% control of the car. When off the track, the user can adjust the knob to a softer setting, providing a more comfortable and relaxing ride quality. Even in relaxed mode, however, it still is much snappier and quicker at responding than OEM suspension can ever do. Ohlins really create a bridge between fine tuned race suspension and quality, comfortable daily driving. It is the perfect coilover for those who want the best in both worlds.
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We hope this article has helped you select some coilover options for your E9X! All of these coilovers offer different benefits and drawbacks but they’re all solid options so we’re confident that one of them will really suit your needs.
If you have any questions regarding what type of coilovers to run or have trouble deciding which coilovers you want to run from this list, feel free to contact one of our ModExperts at any time!
Email: Sales@ModBargains.com
Phone: (714)-582-3330