Modified blue BMW F30 Saloon with silver multispoke wheels at a countryside turnout

BMW 3 Series F30.
The coilover guide.

Shop the coilovers

A daily-driven Saloon, a loaded Touring, a long-distance GT or an F80 M3: choose the suspension for the actual body, driven wheels and mounts, then set a height you can use.

Which 3 Series F30 do you have?77 listed kits · 7 brandsReviewed 12 November 2026

The 3 Series grew into several different jobs

An F30 on a good set of wheels can look right with a modest drop. Check the front mounts, identify any electronically controlled dampers and record the wheel and tyre sizes already on the car before choosing the kit.

F31 Touring, F34 Gran Turismo and F80 M3 applications have their own part numbers and restrictions. Use the body choices below to narrow the listed kits, then check the exact engine, axle ratings and equipment on the product you open.

BMW revealed the sixth-generation 3 Series Saloon in October 2011. Its longer wheelbase gave rear passengers more room, while the headlights now reached towards the kidney grille. Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines sat alongside the diesels and six-cylinder models. The engine and axle ratings are part of the suspension choice.

The F31 Touring followed in 2012, with an estate roof and room for luggage. The F34 Gran Turismo arrived as a third body style in 2013, with a longer wheelbase and a taller, sloping-roof cabin. A Touring carrying family luggage and a GT used for long journeys have good reasons to keep useful suspension travel when lowered.

The F80 M3 reached the UK in 2014 with a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and substantially M-specific chassis hardware. BMW kept the M3 name for the Saloon and called the related Coupe the M4.

For a modified road car, start with the wheels and the routes it actually uses. A large rim, a low-profile tyre and a deep drop leave less room to deal with broken surfaces or a loaded boot. Circuit use adds a different set of questions about tyres, adjustment and the time available to set the car up between sessions.

Start with your 3 Series F30.

Match the model year, engine and body style before comparing brands.

Blue modified F30 Saloon with upgraded silver wheels beside a country road

F30 Saloon

Separate rear-wheel drive from xDrive and confirm three- or five-bolt front mounts on the actual car. BC has different Saloon references for those combinations. AST and MOTON list particular engines and mounting arrangements; a broad year range does not settle the choice. TEIN applications here name Japanese-market chassis codes.

See F30 Saloon kits
Dark green modified F31 Touring with silver mesh wheels outside a stone workshop

F31 Touring

Use the dedicated Touring references. BC lists three- and five-bolt Touring kits for RWD/AWD; the listed Bilstein B14 is an xDrive application. Eibach separates permitted axle loads and electronic-damper conditions. Check luggage use and the actual rear axle rating before choosing the specification.

See F31 Touring kits
Silver modified F34 Gran Turismo fastback with bronze wheels outside a country hotel

F34 Gran Turismo

The GT has its own application checks. BC I-95 names rear-wheel drive with a 50 mm front shock; the listed Bilstein B14 names particular xDrive engines. Eibach gives GT-specific axle loads and lowering figures even where the part is shared with a Touring. Do not select a Saloon kit on the strength of the 3 Series name.

See F34 GT kits
Grey F80 M3 Saloon with silver forged-style wheels and a modest lowered stance

F80 M3 Saloon

Start with an F80 M3 reference and confirm the front mounting bolts, factory damping equipment and rear spring arrangement. BC, AST and MOTON separate three- and five-bolt versions. Nitron also offers M3-specific packages with different rear and electronic options. A broad F30/F80 heading alone does not establish M3 fitment.

See F80 M3 kits

Check your F30 application

For an uncertain application, a 330e, an import or a car with changed hubs, mounts or suspension, give us the exact build details and existing part numbers. Confirm the manufacturer reference before ordering. A registration result alone cannot identify replacement running gear.

Ask about my car

What do you want
from the car?

Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.

Selected configurationSee optionsinc. VAT · RWD 330i Saloon, five-bolt mounts and factory damping confirmed / BC I-80 BR-RN

Choose a sensible working height and keep the tyre clearance you need every day.

Read the buying advice

For a rear-drive 330i Saloon with five-bolt front mounts confirmed, BC I-80 BR-RN is a specific starting point. The selected configuration names no supplied front top mounts and rubber rear mounts. Have the installer check the mounts to be reused, factory damping equipment and the wheel package before agreeing the exact kit.

  • Five-bolt RWD Saloon application
  • Confirm the reused front mounts
  • Keep road and loaded-car clearance
View current configurations
Selected configurationSee optionsinc. VAT · RWD 330i Saloon, five-bolt mounts and factory damping confirmed / AST ACT-B2101S/5D

Use a setting you can live with between events, then keep notes when you adjust it.

Read the buying advice

AST ACT-B2101S/5D is listed for the five-bolt rear-drive F30 330i and keeps a separate rear spring arrangement. It gives this car a rebound-adjustable option with the specified front mounts. Agree spring specification, the treatment of any electronic dampers and an alignment suited to the tyres. Leave time to learn the adjuster before changing several settings together.

  • Exact ACT-B2101S/5D reference
  • Separate rear spring arrangement
  • Agree tyres and alignment with the fitter
View current configurations
Selected configurationSee optionsinc. VAT · RWD 330i Saloon, five-bolt mounts and factory damping confirmed / MOTON M 505 151SD

Choose extra damping adjustments when the car and its setup programme can use them.

Read the buying advice

MOTON M 505 151SD is the listed three-way, separate-rear-spring reference for a five-bolt rear-drive F30 330i. Agree a setup programme with the tyre and chassis specialist, including time to understand each adjustment. Confirm reservoir placement, supplied hardware and service arrangements before ordering.

  • Five-bolt MOTON 151SD application
  • Three-way damping adjustment
  • Plan reservoir routing and setup time
View current configurations

The factory rear spring sits beside the damper.

Separate rear spring and damperA spring between its own upper and lower seats sits beside a separate shock absorber.SpringDamper

On a standard BMW F30, the rear spring and shock absorber are mounted separately.

Layout only. Mounts and spring seats vary by kit.

The F30 has an independent five-link rear axle. Its coil spring sits inboard on its own seat, with the damper beside it. A factory-style height-adjustable kit keeps those functions apart. The F80 M3 also has a separate rear spring and damper, but its M-specific axle hardware and kit references need their own checks.

Some listed BC, AST and MOTON references instead put the rear spring around the damper. That changes where the spring load enters the body. Ask the specialist fitting the exact kit to confirm mounting, structural condition and any support requirements. The comparison identifies spring and damper positions, not chassis dimensions or approval for a conversion.

Understand rear height and preload
Mechanic using a handheld inspection light beside the front tyre of a silver modified F30 Saloon on a flat workshop floor

Give the fitter the car you have now

Record the wheel width, offset, tyre size and spacers, then have the installer inspect the mounts, joints and bushes. Count the front mounting bolts on the car and identify the damping system before deciding which parts will be reused. Earlier work can make a registration or model-year shortcut unreliable.

Agree a usable height with the car on its intended wheel and tyre package. The tyre needs room through steering and suspension movement, including when the Touring or GT carries its normal load. Plan alignment and any settling checks after fitting; supporting repairs belong in the booking as well.

Wheel clearance on both sides of the tyre

Check the inside of the wheel against the front strut and spring seat as well as the tyre against the arch. Give the fitter the actual offset, width, tyre size, spacers and brake changes. A photographed stance cannot settle clearance for a different wheel package.

Mounts and driven wheels

RWD and xDrive references can differ, and three- and five-bolt front mounts are separate choices. Count the mounting bolts and compare the exact part reference. Do not choose by a facelift label alone; supplier date ranges overlap and previous owners may have changed parts.

Factory electronic damping

Decide with the installer what happens to the original damper controls. Some Eibach kits include PRO-TRONIC, while others require it separately; error suppression does not retain adaptive damping. A mechanical kit with a suitable canceller still needs the correct application and supplied instructions.

Rear hardware, load and alignment

Match the permitted axle ratings and the rear spring arrangement to the body and intended use. A Touring carrying luggage needs that load included in the height and clearance checks. Finish with alignment after the working height is set, following the kit and vehicle instructions.

The current 3 Series F30 range.

Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.

BC Racing

Separate F30 Saloon, F31 Touring, F34 GT and F80 M3 references, then choose the actual configuration. The main list names the I-29/I-80 Saloon as F30 despite broader F30/F31 wording in the store. Touring and integrated-rear alternatives have their own codes; I-95 names a RWD GT with a 50 mm front shock.

View BC Racing 3 Series F30 kits

AST

The F30 entries distinguish RWD/xDrive, front mounting bolts and separate or combined rear springs. F80 M3 parts use different references. Check the exact engine and supplied mounts; a generic F3x set description does not extend these F30 engine rows to every Touring or GT.

View AST 3 Series F30 kits

MOTON

The listed F30 references name five-bolt RWD applications; 147SD/151SD keep separate rear springs, while 149SD/153SD name combined rear arrangements. F80 M3 references differ again. Confirm the exact rear layout, mounting hardware and reservoir requirements before choosing a one-, two- or three-way kit.

View MOTON 3 Series F30 kits

Bilstein

The B14 listed here is an xDrive application for particular Saloon, Touring and GT engines, with fixed damping. The 48-256322 B16 has a mechanical, three-bolt Saloon application through December 2014 and specific axle-load limits. Its store title says with EDC, but the manufacturer row says without electronic suspension control. Have that application and the exact certificate checked before ordering for a car with factory electronic dampers.

View Bilstein 3 Series F30 kits

Eibach

Pro-Street S references separate body, axle loads and electronic-damper equipment. Touring and GT lowering figures differ even on a shared part. Some kits include PRO-TRONIC; xDrive references 07/08 require the named unit separately where factory electronic damping is fitted. Match the exact engine and current certificate, including any additional OE parts.

View Eibach 3 Series F30 kits

TEIN

The listed FLEX Z VSGA8-C1AA3 names particular Japanese-market F30 chassis codes and trims. Its electronic-suspension checks and recommended height ranges are application-specific. Confirm the exact code and vehicle market before ordering.

View TEIN 3 Series F30 kits

Nitron

The F80 M3 listings include mechanical RoadSport, R1 and R3 packages alongside elec-TRON versions. Mechanical R1 combines compression and rebound adjustment; mechanical R3 separates rebound, low-speed compression and high-speed compression. Elec-TRON R1 controls damping electronically; elec-TRON R3 adds manual compression settings. Match the rear layout, mounts, electronics and any FAL lift package before ordering, including its controller and wiring requirements. Shared 035 listings need an application check: their broad F30/F80 heading sits above M135i/M140i/M235i variant wording.

View Nitron 3 Series F30 kits

Find your 3 Series F30 coilovers.

Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.

77 listings

Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.

6 of 77 shown
All 3 Series F30 kit links and part numbers

Before you order.

  1. Identify your car

    Identify the body and engine. Confirm F30 Saloon, F31 Touring, F34 GT or F80 M3, plus build date, vehicle market and any replaced running gear.

  2. Match the kit

    Match the mounting hardware. Check RWD or xDrive, count the front mounting bolts and identify the existing rear spring arrangement.

  3. Check what’s included

    Confirm equipment and axle ratings. Check factory electronic dampers, permitted axle loads, exact kit markings and any required extra parts against the application.

  4. Check your modifications

    Check the modifications. Record wheel width, offset, tyre size, spacers and brake changes; agree clearance through steering and suspension travel.

  5. Plan fitting

    Plan the fitting and setup. Agree supporting repairs, supply timing, usable height and alignment with the installer before booking the car in.

See what the adjustments do.

Choosing coilovers for road and track

Compare the kit against your roads, tyres and setup plans before counting adjusters.

Ride height and spring preload

Understand the two adjustments before choosing a lowering range.

What spring rate tells you

Compare force and movement, read the units and choose a spring with the damper in mind.

Spring rates and top mounts

Read the front/rear figures and check which mounts come with your kit.

Questions about BMW 3 Series F30 coilovers.

Check the details before choosing your kit.

Do RWD F30 coilovers fit xDrive cars?

Use the drivetrain named for the exact part. BC and AST have separate RWD and xDrive references, and the B14 listed here names particular xDrive engines. A shared body code or similar product photograph is not enough to approve a RWD kit for an xDrive car.

How do I choose three- or five-bolt front mounts?

Have the mounting bolts counted on the actual car, then match the selected kit and any mounts to be reused. Manufacturer tables distinguish both patterns. A facelift label or registration year alone can be misleading, especially if the car has had replacement suspension or mounting parts.

Will a coilover kit keep my adaptive damper controls?

Nitron lists EDC-compatible elec-TRON options for the F80 M3. Match the exact option and confirm its controller and wiring requirements, particularly with FAL. Ordinary F30 applications need separate confirmation. Mechanical coilovers do not gain adaptive damping from a canceller. Eibach note176 kits include PRO-TRONIC to suppress the error and lose electronic damping function; note177 applications require the named unit separately.

Can I use the same kit on a Saloon, Touring or GT?

Only where the exact manufacturer application covers the actual body and equipment. BC has dedicated Touring and GT references. Some Eibach and Bilstein parts cover more than one body, but engine, axle-load and electronic-damper conditions still apply. Use the lowering figures for your own body.

Is the standard F30 rear spring separate from the damper?

Yes. The F30 has a five-link independent rear axle with the coil spring on its own inboard seat beside the damper. A factory-style kit keeps that arrangement. A true rear coilover carries its spring around the damper and needs the exact mounting and structural requirements checked by the installer.

Are F80 M3 coilovers the same as ordinary F30 kits?

Select an F80 M3 application. Its M-specific hardware has separate kit references, including different front mount patterns and rear arrangements. General tables headed F30/F80 can contain ordinary-engine rows; that heading does not make every part in the table an M3 part.

How low should I set an F30 on upgraded wheels?

Choose the working height with the installer after checking the actual tyres, wheel width and offset. Keep clearance at full steering lock and through suspension movement, including with normal passengers or luggage. Stay within the exact kit instructions and recommended operating range, then have the alignment checked.

What needs checking on a 330e or an imported F30?

Give us the original vehicle market, exact chassis or VIN details, engine and damping equipment. Some listed parts name the 330e or Japanese-market codes, but their axle limits, trims and certificate conditions differ. Confirm the particular reference; a generic F30 label does not cover every battery-equipped or imported car.

Let’s talk suspension.

Find your BMW, then add the body, engine, build date, mounting details and any changed wheels or running gear. Tell us whether it is a daily road car or a developed circuit build so the exact application can be checked.

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