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3 Series F30 and M3 F80

BMW 3 Series F30 and M3 F80 Coilovers

Before you order BMW F30 coilovers, check one more thing besides the engine, body and drive: whether each front top mount (where the strut bolts to the body) has three bolts or five. BC Racing and Fortune Auto make different kits for each. Add the body, xDrive and EDC, and fifty-five kits narrow down to a few. BC Racing comes first in every section.

Not sure of your bolt count or EDC? Call 1-800-460-9106.

Blue BMW 340i F30 sedan lowered on coilovers on a parking garage rooftop at dusk

Animated illustration. It shows where coilovers sit on a car, not your exact kit. Depending on the car and the kit, coilovers can lean forward or back or stand straight up, and some cars use a separate spring and shock in the rear. Your ride height depends on the kit and how it is set up.

Four things to check, in order

Work down the list. For most cars here, the third check, the bolt count, decides the kit.

1. Body

Your car is a sedan, F31 Touring, F34 Gran Turismo or F80 M3. Each has its own section below.

2. Drive

BC, KW and Fortune Auto make F30 xDrive coilovers apart from their rear-drive kits. Bilstein has separate kits named for xDrive models.

3. Bolts

BC's 2012 to 2015 kits are 3-bolt and its 2015 to 2018 kits are 5-bolt. Fortune Auto does the same on the M3. A 2015 car can be either, so count the bolts.

The fourth check is EDC. KW and Solo-Werks sell kits for cars with and without it, and Ksport's kit does not fit EDC cars. If you are unsure, read us the build details and we will check.

BC Racing across the F30 family

Eleven BC kits, from BR to ZR

BC Racing coilovers for the F30 and F80 come in seven series: BR, DS, ER, RM, HM, ZR and ZX. The M3 kits come in all seven. Between them, the two rear-drive sedan kits come in six series. The xDrive sedan comes in BR, DS and RM. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US.

See all BC Racing coilovers Go to the rear-drive sedan

Which BC series fit each F30 body

Which series you can get depends on the body and the drive.

BR, DS and RM: every body

BR and DS have one 30-click knob that sets compression and rebound together, and DS adds a digressive piston for firmer control. RM is BC's upside-down (inverted) monotube, made for MacPherson strut cars. You can order all three on every BC kit here except Extreme Low.

ER and ZX: rear drive, Touring and M3

ER is an upright damper with a separate oil reservoir, and compression and rebound each have their own 30-click knob. BC calls ZX its "most track-tested" series. The GT gets ER, not ZX.

HM and ZR: the M3, plus HM on one sedan

HM combines RM and ER, with separate compression and rebound knobs. ZR has three knobs: "30-click rebound, 15-click low-speed compression and 12-click high-speed compression." Both come with Swift Springs for most cars.

HM is also sold on the 2012 to 2015 rear-drive 3-bolt sedan kit. For other series, order Swift Springs through the Custom Build for BC Coilovers page. Extreme Low kits come in BR only; start with standard height if you are unsure.

KW, Öhlins, Bilstein, Solo-Werks and more

We carry eight more coilover brands for these cars. Questions about any kit? Call 1-800-460-9106.

KW has sixteen kits, split by body, engine, drive and EDC. EDC kits include a cancellation kit, and there are M3 kits with and without Adaptive M Suspension.

Öhlins

Öhlins makes Road & Track kits for the F3X 3 and 4 Series and for the F8X M cars, plus an EDC cancellation kit for each.

Bilstein

Bilstein has twelve kits in B12 Pro-Kit, B12 Sportline and B14 PSS, named by model, all for cars without electronic suspension.

Solo-Werks

Solo-Werks makes two rear-drive sedan kits for 2012 to 2016, one for cars with EDC (delete kit included) and one without.

Fortune Auto

Fortune Auto hand-assembles its kits in Powhatan, Virginia. It makes RWD and AWD sedan kits and two M3 kits, all with front end links and the rear spring and shock mounted apart.

Feal

Feal makes one F30 kit and one M3 kit.

Ksport

Ksport makes a sedan kit that does not fit xDrive, EDC or M-Technik cars, an xDrive wagon kit, and an M3 kit.

Swift Springs

Swift makes one set of Sport Spec-R springs, for the F80 M3 from 2015 to 2018.

Daily 328i, back-road 340i or track M3

The daily driver

For commutes and road trips, plan a small drop, and check the height again once the car settles.

Kits to look at: BC Racing DS or BR, KW, Ksport, a Bilstein B12 or B14

Six-cylinder on back roads

For a 335i or 340i on twisty back roads, look at BC's DS and ER, which adjust in different ways. Ask us how the KW, Solo-Werks and Öhlins kits compare on your car.

Kits to look at: BC Racing DS or ER, KW, Solo-Werks, Öhlins Road & Track

Track M3

An M3 at a track day works its dampers hard. BC's HM and ZR adjust compression and rebound independently. Set the height and alignment for the track you run.

Kits to look at: BC Racing ZR, ZX or HM, KW, Öhlins Road & Track, Fortune Auto

Every kit we carry, by body and drive

We list F80 M3 coilovers first, then the sedan, the kits for all bodies, the Touring and the GT. Open a card for the full name and price.

M3 sedan, F80

Codes: F80; Öhlins lists F8X

**BC Racing kit**The BC Racing coilover kit for the 2014 to 2015 BMW 3 Series M3. Photo: BC Racing.

Count first: Check the bolt count. BC and Fortune Auto each sell a 3-bolt kit (2014 to 2015 for BC, 2014 for Fortune) and a 5-bolt kit (2015 to 2018). KW has kits with and without Adaptive M Suspension and includes an EDC cancellation kit where the car has it. BC's M3 kit names say "EDC"; call us to confirm your car.

F30 sedan, rear-drive (not xDrive)

Codes: F30; Bilstein also lists F31, F34, F35

**BC Racing kit**The BC Racing coilover kit for the 2012 to 2015 BMW 3 Series. Photo: BC Racing.

Count first: Count the bolts on a front top mount. BC sells a 3-bolt kit for 2012 to 2015 and a 5-bolt kit for 2015 to 2018. KW and Solo-Werks have kits with and without EDC. Ksport's kit does not fit EDC, xDrive or M-Technik cars. Every Bilstein kit is for cars without electronic suspension. Bilstein kit names list models, with xDrive cars listed separately.

F30 sedan with xDrive

Codes: F30; Bilstein kit names add F35 and F80

**BC Racing kit**The BC Racing coilover kit for the 2012 to 2015 BMW 3 Series xDrive. Photo: BC Racing.

Count first: Count the bolts here too. For xDrive, BC's 2012 to 2015 kits are 3-bolt and its 2015 to 2018 kits are 5-bolt. KW has separate kits by engine and by EDC. Bilstein's xDrive kits are for cars without electronic suspension. Their kit names also include the code F80, so call us to confirm the fit.

Kits with no body or drive in the name

Codes: F30, F3X

**BC Racing kit**The BC Racing coilover kit for the 2012 to 2018 BMW 3 Series F30. Photo: BC Racing.

Count first: These kit names do not list one body or drive. BC's two Extreme Low kits come in a 3-bolt and a 5-bolt version; start with a standard-height kit if you are unsure. Öhlins lists its Road & Track kit for the 3 and 4 Series, F3X and G2X, RWD and xDrive, plus an EDC cancellation kit.

The F31 Touring wagon

Codes: F31

Count first: Bilstein's B14 PSS kit in the sedan section also lists the F31. The wagon has its own two BC kits: 3-bolt for 2014 and 2015, 5-bolt for 2015 to 2017, and both say RWD and AWD. KW makes AWD Sports Wagon kits with and without EDC. Ksport's kit is for the xDrive wagon only.

The F34 3 Series Gran Turismo

Codes: F34

Count first: BC names its GT kit RWD. Bilstein's B14 PSS kit in the sedan section also lists the F34. KW and Bilstein make kits for the xDrive GT. KW has separate kits by engine and EDC.

Quick comparison table

Model	Years	What decides the kit	BC Racing series
M3 (F80)	2014 to 2020	3-bolt or 5-bolt mount for BC and Fortune, Adaptive M Suspension for KW	BR, DS, ER, RM, HM, ZR, ZX
Sedan, rear drive	2012 to 2019	3-bolt or 5-bolt mount for BC, EDC for KW and Solo-Werks, engine for KW and Bilstein	BR, DS, ER, RM, HM, ZX
Sedan, xDrive	2012 to 2019	3-bolt or 5-bolt mount for BC, EDC for KW, engine for KW and Bilstein	BR, DS, RM
Kits for all bodies	2012 to 2025	3-bolt or 5-bolt, for BC Extreme Low	BR
Touring (F31)	2012 to 2018	3-bolt or 5-bolt mount for BC, EDC for KW	BR, DS, ER, RM, ZX
Gran Turismo (F34)	2014 to 2019	RWD for BC or xDrive for KW and Bilstein, and EDC for KW	BR, DS, ER, RM

Before you buy: what F30 owners run into

What owners report most often, from owner forums, recalls and service bulletins, and what each point means for your BMW F30 coilovers.

No factory front camber adjustment once lowered

F30, F31 and F34 (non-M), 2012 to 2019

A lowered F30 owner on Bimmerpost reports cupped inner edge front tire wear that shops could not align out, since front camber has no factory adjustment. A lowered 435i owner there reports maxing out the stock rear camber adjustment. A lowered F30 can end up with more front camber than an alignment can take out, and that wears tires faster.

Before you install: For more than a mild drop, choose a kit with camber plates or plan for camber bushings or adjustable arms, and check the alignment soon after the install.

Rear lower ball joint creak

F30, F31 and F34, 2012 to 2019

Bimmerpost F30 owners describe a 'squeaking mattress' rear creak over bumps, some tracing it to the rear lower ball joint. One says it began at about 90,000 miles, one had it return after replacing the joint, and one found worn upper rear shock mounts caused it. If the creak is still there after the install, the new coilovers get the blame.

Before you install: Check the rear lower ball joints and upper shock mounts for play or torn boots while the rear is apart. If you replace a joint, make sure the press tool has a small enough sleeve.

Warning messages when EDC dampers are removed

F30, F31 and F34 with Adaptive M Suspension (EDC), 2012 to 2019

Fitting non-EDC shocks or coilovers disables EDC and brings up iDrive errors. On Bimmerpost, an F30 335i owner got a chassis warning after fitting passive shocks, and other owners pointed to a plug-in EDC module or coding as fixes. Plan for the old damper wiring, or the warnings will stay on.

Before you install: Confirm whether the car has EDC before ordering, then plan a cancel module or coding. Coding may be overwritten during regular service.

BMW F30 history

The sixth-generation 3 Series

BMW called the F30 the sixth generation of its most important high-volume model. The sedan reached markets worldwide on February 11, 2012, with the 328i and 335i among the first models.

2012

SedanThe F30 launches. Our earliest sedan kits start at 2012.
2014

More bodiesMost of our F31 Touring, F34 Gran Turismo and M3 kits start this year.
2015

Switch to five boltsBC and Fortune switch from 3-bolt to 5-bolt kits in 2015.

Once you know the bolt count, the body and whether it has xDrive, only a few kits above will fit.

Questions about BMW F30 coilovers: bolts, EDC and other details

How do I know if my F30 has 3-bolt or 5-bolt top mounts?

Count the bolts on one of the front top mounts. BC's 2012 to 2015 kits are 3-bolt and its 2015 to 2018 kits are 5-bolt, so a 2015 car can be either. If you are not sure, call us.

Does my car have EDC?

KW and Solo-Werks have separate kits for cars with and without EDC, and their EDC kits include a cancellation or delete kit. Ksport's sedan kit does not fit EDC cars. Bilstein kit names say "without electronic suspension." Call us with your build details and we will check.

What BC series can I get for an F80 M3?

You can get all seven. BC sells every one of them on its 3-bolt M3 kit and on its 5-bolt M3 kit.

Is there a kit for the 3 Series wagon?

Yes. BC sells two F31 Touring kits named RWD and AWD. KW has a kit for the xDrive Sports Wagon, Ksport has an xDrive wagon kit, and the name of Bilstein's B14 PSS kit includes the F31 and F34.

Do F30 kits fit the 4 Series?

Go by the kit name. Öhlins names its Road & Track kit and one EDC cancellation kit for both. The 4 Series and M4 have their own page.

Do BC Racing F30 and M3 kits have a warranty?

BC Racing North America currently lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, subject to its warranty terms. Each of the other brands sets its own warranty terms.

More BMW pages and guides

Coilover Kits by CarOur car pages in one index. Reading BMW Coilover Listings: Chassis Codes for the 3 Series and 5 SeriesSetup and ownership tips for the 3 Series F30. Does Your Car Have Adaptive Dampers? Keep Them, Cancel Them or Replace ThemKeep, cancel or replace the electronic dampers on your 3 Series F30. AWD, RWD or FWD: Why Drivetrain Changes the Coilover Kit You OrderWhy the drivetrain changes which kit fits your 3 Series F30. How to Set Ride Height on CoiloversMeasure and set the drop on your 3 Series F30. After You Lower It: Alignment Timing, Driver-Assist Calibration and Headlight AimAlignment, driver-assist and headlight checks once the 3 Series F30 is lower. Adjustable vs. non-adjustable coiloversHow much adjustment your F30 needs. BC Racing for BMWBC's BMW kits. BMW coiloversBMW kits, all brands. BMW 3 Series E90 to E93The generation before. BMW 3 Series E46The E46 and its M3. BC Racing series explainedAll seven series, one guide. How to install coiloversBefore you lift the car.

Count the bolts, then call

You can reach us Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

Call 1-800-460-9106