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BMW 8 Series, Z8, i8, i3 and Classic BMW Coilovers

This page groups BMW 8 Series coilovers, current and older, with kits for BMWs that do not have a page of their own: the Z8, the electric i3, the i8, and two classics, the E9 coupe and the E21 3 Series. That is sixteen kits in all. For the E31, Bilstein makes a kit named for the 850Ci and two more for the 850i and the 840Ci.

Not sure of your engine, body or strut size? Call 1-800-460-9106.

White BMW 850CSi E31 coupe lowered on coilovers at a mountain pass overlook at golden hour
Big coupes and rare BMWs
BMW 8 Series

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.

Pick your BMW

What decides a coilover kit on these BMWs

It depends on the car.

Body and drive

The current 8 Series has separate Coupe and Gran Coupe kits, and RWD and AWD kits.

Engine

Bilstein names its E31 kits by V12 or V8.

Strut size

BC makes separate E21 kits for a 45mm or 51mm front strut.

BC Racing coilovers for these BMWs

Nine BC kits, five model lines

BC Racing makes its BMW 8 Series, i8, i3, E9 and E21 coilovers in two series only: BR and DS. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US. The E9 and i3 kits come in BR only.

See all BC Racing coilovers The current 8 Series

BC's BR and DS series

Here are the two BC series for these cars.

BR

BC Racing BR coilovers have one 30-click knob and come on all nine kits.

DS

DS adds a digressive piston and comes on the 8 Series, i8 and E21 kits.

Notes in the kit names

The i8 and i3 kit names say "Swift Springs Not Available", and the E9 and E21 kit names include welding notes.

KW, Bilstein and Ksport

Seven of the kits here come from these three brands. Call 1-800-460-9106 to compare.

KW

KW makes kits for the Gran Coupe 4WD (G16), the Z8 (Z52) and the 3.0 Coupe (E9).

Bilstein

Bilstein makes three B12 Pro-Kits for the E31.

Ksport

Ksport makes one kit, for the i8 (L12).

Three example cars and their kits

1995 850CSi

The 850Ci kit also fits the 850CSi.

Kits to look at: Bilstein 1993-1997 8 Series 850Ci V12 (Also Fits 94-95 850CSi), Without Electronic Suspension, E31, B12 Pro-Kit
2021 840i coupe, rear drive

BC's G15 RWD kit fits this car.

Kits to look at: BC 2020-2023 8 Series Coupe RWD, G15
1980 320i

The E21 kits are split by front strut size.

Kits to look at: BC 1977-1983 3 Series RWD (45mm Front Strut, Weld in) or (51mm Front Strut, Weld in), E21

Every BMW coilover kit on this page

We list the 8 Series kits first, then the Z8, i cars and classics.

Notes in BC kit names: "Swift Front Only" means the optional Swift spring upgrade is offered for the front springs only on that kit.

Today's 8 Series coupe and Gran Coupe

Code: G15, G16
Good to know: BC makes separate kits by body and drive: an 8-Series Coupe G15 AWD kit, an 8 Series Coupe RWD G15 kit, an 840i Gran Coupe RWD kit and a Gran Coupe X-Drive G16 kit, all BR or DS. KW makes one Gran Coupe 4WD (G16) kit. The AWD coupe kit is listed for 2018 to 2022 and the 840i Gran Coupe RWD kit for 2020 to 2022; no kit here fits a 2023 AWD coupe or a 2023 RWD Gran Coupe.

V12 and V8 coupes of the 1990s

Code: E31
Good to know: Bilstein makes three B12 Pro-Kits, all "Without Electronic Suspension": 850i V12 (1991 to 1992), 850Ci V12 "(Also Fits 94-95 850CSi)", and 840Ci V8.

The first 3 Series

Code: E21
BC Racing coilover kit for the 1977 to 1983 BMW 3 Series
BC Racing kitThe BC Racing coilover kit listed for the 1977 to 1983 BMW 3 Series. Photo: BC Racing.
Good to know: BC makes two kits, one for a 45mm and one for a 51mm front strut. Both are "Weld in" (they need welding), and both come in BR or DS. Measure the strut or read us the VIN before ordering.

Seven model lines and their BC series

Car Years What decides the kit BC Racing series
8 Series, G15 and G16 2018 to 2023 Body and drive BR, DS
8 Series E31 1991 to 1997 Engine and model No BC kit
Z8 2000 to 2006 One kit No BC kit
i8 2014 to 2021 One kit per brand BR, DS
i3 2014 to 2021 One kit BR
E9 coupe 1969 to 1976 Brand BR
3 Series E21 1977 to 1983 Front strut size BR, DS

Before you buy: what 8 Series owners run into

This page mixes rare cars: an E31 850Ci, a Z8, an i8, an E9 coupe. Owners of cars like these tend to restore, not lower, so we see few suspension reports after a coilover install. The exception is the i3, where owners often mention tire wear and front camber.

i3 tire wear and fixed front camber
i3 and i3s, 2014 to 2021

The Autopian reports i3 owners often replace the factory tires around 24,000 miles or sooner. One owner says the i3 has no front camber adjustment as far as he knows, and a lowered owner's alignment showed about -1.1 degrees front camber. Lowering adds front camber that cannot be dialed out, which can worsen tire wear.

Before you install: Keep the drop modest on an i3, use a shop that knows lowered cars, and check tire wear soon after the first alignment.

i8 history

Built at BMW's Leipzig plant

BMW's March 10, 2014 release on the i8 said: "Delivery of the first customer cars will start in June 2014, beginning with the main European markets."

  1. 2014
    ProductionThe same release says production was being set up at "the BMW Group plant in Leipzig".

Questions about 8 Series bodies, E31 damping and E21 struts

Which BMW 8 Series coilovers fit my 2021 M850i Gran Coupe xDrive?

BC's 2020 to 2023 8 Series Gran Coupe X-Drive (G16) kit and KW's 2021 to 2023 Gran Coupe 4WD (G16) kit name that body and drive. Neither names the M850i; call us.

My E31 has electronic damping. Do the Bilstein kits fit?

All three Bilstein E31 kit names say "Without Electronic Suspension". Call us.

Which E21 kit do I need, 45mm or 51mm?

BC sells both. The strut size decides it; tell us what your car has.

Is there an M8 kit?

No kit here is listed for the M8.

Which BC series can I get?

You can get BR or DS on the 8 Series, i8 and E21 kits, and BR only on the i3 and E9 kits.

Do the E9 and E21 kits bolt in?

Both BC kit names include welding notes ("Weld In Front Lower Mounts", "Weld in"). KW's 3.0 Coupe (E9) kit name has no weld note. Call us before ordering.

Other BMW coupes and roadsters

Coilover Kits by CarSee every car page we have.BMW 6 SeriesBMW's other big coupe.BMW 3 Series E30The next generation of 3 Series.BMW Z3 and Z4BMW's two-seat roadsters.BC Racing for BMWEvery BC kit we carry for BMW.
Does Your Car Have Adaptive Dampers? Keep Them, Cancel Them or Replace ThemKeep, cancel or replace the electronic dampers on your 8 Series. AWD, RWD or FWD: Why Drivetrain Changes the Coilover Kit You OrderWhy the drivetrain changes which kit fits your 8 Series. Coilovers on an EV: Weight, Springs and Damping for the Tesla Model 3, Y and SBattery weight, spring rates and damping on an electric car. Buying Used Coilovers: What to Check Before You PayWhat to check on secondhand coilovers for an older 8 Series. Comfort and Stance on a Daily Driver: Setting Up Coilovers for BothA comfortable drop on a 8 Series you drive every day.
Tell us the BMW and its details, and we will match the right coilovers to your car

Call us weekdays, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

Call 1-800-460-9106