MSS urban adjustable springs for X3 M

r33_RGSport · 09-03-2020, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisiX

Picked the car up earlier after having the shop copy Ben's exact settings. They had dropped my car far too low first time around.

I can comfortably say, MMS, at a reasonable 1" drop (1.25" after settling), rides better than the standard suspension on the X3M Competition.

The ride is firm but very compliant. Zero crashing or bump stop issues (not that I had bump stop issues before at the lower height).

Thank you Ben r33_RGSport for assisting me, even though I didn't buy the kit from you. Much appreciated.

I'll get some new photos.

Glad I can help.

elisiX · 09-03-2020, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisiX

Picked the car up earlier after having the shop copy Ben's exact settings.

They had dropped my car far too low and said to meet Ben's settings of 25mm front and 20mm rear, they had to raise the front and rear 10mm-15mm!

I can comfortably say, MMS, at a reasonable 1" drop (1.25" after settling), rides better than the standard suspension on the X3M Competition.

The ride is firm but very compliant. Zero crashing or bump stop issues (not that I had bump stop issues before at the lower height).

Thank you Ben r33_RGSport for assisting me, even though I didn't buy the kit from you. Much appreciated.

I'll get some new photos.

Glad I can help.

There is a 2.5 finger vertical gap front and 2 finger vertical gap rear. I'd expect the gap to be reversed if the 6mm rake was followed.

I now fear my springs have been installed back to front. The car seems to be tilting backward. I need to double check tomorrow.

allinon72 · 09-03-2020, 04:23 PM

I don't think it's possible to swap the springs due to different diameters. You probably just need some adjustments.

matt9999 · 09-03-2020, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinon72

I don't think it's possible to swap the springs due to different diameters. You probably just need some adjustments.

I've learnt the hard way - it most definitely is possible...

r33_RGSport · 09-03-2020, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt9999

I've learnt the hard way - it most definitely is possible...

You got it fixed?

matt9999 · 09-03-2020, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

You got it fixed?

Yep - all good now. many thanks for your help in diagnosing and giving the right advice to the right workshop.

elisiX · 09-03-2020, 08:31 PM

I'm not sure that mine are back to front, but seeing as it's a common issue, I will just get my shop to double check. From the picture above I posted, where i've made sure the wheels are level, it does seem to be raking forward. I'm just thrown by the fact that I have a 2.5 finger gap on the front and 2 finger gap on the rear. Ben explained to be that it should be the other way round, with a larger finger gap rear and smaller finger gap front.

suby01 · 09-04-2020, 12:41 AM

How much does install cost on these for you guys?

allinon72 · 09-04-2020, 04:37 AM

Maybe it's somewhere earlier in the thread but are the instructions available? I want to see how so many installers are installing wrong. Or maybe they're just disregarding the instructions all together.

r33_RGSport · 09-04-2020, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinon72

Maybe it's somewhere earlier in the thread but are the instructions available? I want to see how so many installers are installing wrong. Or maybe they're just disregarding the instructions all together.

So far, from what I know from doing free customer support for MSS without any credit given by MSS.
Instead I am being blamed for one issue that I am trying to deal with locally.

1 Australian shop installed the spring backward.
2 or 3 US shop didn't replace the bump stop correctly as instructed.

Instruction is in the box, somehow it got ignored.

But, from my end, so far, about 19 out of 20 or more MSS installation, went smoothly.

Even recently this past Monday, got customer all the way from Portland, OR. just to get MSS installed on his X3M for 1/2" drop.

elisiX · 09-04-2020, 11:01 AM

Bump stop switch, springs being installed in correct front and rear position, as well as not going down too low (more than 1"-1.25" will ensure a smooth install. Fail to follow any of these things, which are all really obvious but missed by shops, will result in 'issues'.

I didn't get a chance to inspect my springs today to see if they're back to front or not, and they might be fine, but I will do so on Monday. I just want to make sure. The shop may have missed that the springs 'look' very similar, but one pair is in-fact larger in thickness/diameter.

In short, you want the MSS225-1 in the rear and the MSSMQB220 in the front. If you don't, even if you do ensure a 6mm rake with a front tilt, you might still end up with a larger gap at the front and smaller at the rear, which is incorrect.

James Cole · 09-04-2020, 11:12 AM

Great info on this thread...

BTW... do the springs also help with the small stuff? Like road reflectors and washboard roads that rattle the whole cabin? Or is this more for the big bumpy stuff that makes you jump in your seat.

r33_RGSport · 09-04-2020, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Cole

Great info on this thread...

BTW... do the springs also help with the small stuff? Like road reflectors and washboard roads that rattle the whole cabin? Or is this more for the big bumpy stuff that makes you jump in your seat.

I believe it does. It has been a while I am riding on stock suspension.

elisiX · 09-04-2020, 11:42 AM

Setup correctly, this kit gives a 30%-40% improvement over stock.

It’s still firm, but it never becomes unsettled and none of the bumps from before are jarring in any way.

In fact, I think it performs better in Sport adaptive dampers than it does in Comfort.

Reason being that it shortens the time before the vrgicke return to a completely neutral position again.

Neutral - bump - neutral

vs.

Neutral - bump - wave - neutral

That’s not to say that the first example is jarring - it’s not at all. It just ‘get over it’ quicker.

AlexFL · 09-04-2020, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Cole

Great info on this thread...

BTW... do the springs also help with the small stuff? Like road reflectors and washboard roads that rattle the whole cabin? Or is this more for the big bumpy stuff that makes you jump in your seat.

yes, it does.

Bmwtech113 · 09-04-2020, 01:11 PM

I've had my kit installed for about 2 weeks. At first I had it set to 1.25" lower than stock. It looked good but the ride quality was worse than stock. Now I'm slightly less than 1" below stock and the ride quality is better than stock.

Jerich0 · 09-04-2020, 02:07 PM

At the highest setting is it still lower than stock?

sys64738 · 09-04-2020, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

1 Australian shop installed the spring backward.

Wait.. so that is even possible?

Now I want to check out my MSS install to make sure that didn't happen to me. Is there a way to identify the front springs vs rear springs? e.g. # of coils or some sort of part # on the springs? Pic of one of my front springs is attached.

I am sure I am fine as my installer did follow the MSS instructions.

sys64738 · 09-04-2020, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sys64738

Wait.. so that is even possible?

Now I want to check out my MSS install to make sure that didn't happen to me. Is there a way to identify the front springs vs rear springs? e.g. # of coils or some sort of part # on the springs? Pic of one of my front springs is attached.

I am sure I am fine as my installer did follow the MSS instructions.

Ok answered my own questions -- it appears the front springs are part # 220 and the rears are # 225-1. Confirmed that 220's are installed on my fronts.

For those that have been curious, here are the full MSS install instructions provided by MSS.

allinon72 · 09-04-2020, 03:32 PM

There is no excuse for a competent shop to get this wrong. That being said, those instructions are pretty horrible. There needs to be pictures and more description than "remove and replace spring."

Influence · 09-04-2020, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinon72

There is no excuse for a competent shop to get this wrong. That being said, those instructions are pretty horrible. There needs to be pictures and more description than "remove and replace spring."

Also notice that for both the front and rear installs, the parts list shows the "larger of the 2 sets" of adjusters. Well, where do the larger adjusters go? The front or the rear? The instructions say both.

I had to laugh at their usage of the the word "ceased" when I believe that they mean "seized" when referring to how difficult the job is depending upon whether parts are "ceased" or not.

elisiX · 09-05-2020, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sys64738

Wait.. so that is even possible?

Now I want to check out my MSS install to make sure that didn't happen to me. Is there a way to identify the front springs vs rear springs? e.g. # of coils or some sort of part # on the springs? Pic of one of my front springs is attached.

I am sure I am fine as my installer did follow the MSS instructions.

From my earlier post, you want the MSS225-1 in the rear and the MSSMQB220 in the front.

09-03-2020, 04:23 PM	#399
allinon72 Brigadier General 4950 Rep 3,823 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (2)	I don't think it's possible to swap the springs due to different diameters. You probably just need some adjustments.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2020, 08:31 PM	#403
elisiX Major 687 Rep 1,328 Posts Drives: '20 X3M Competition Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure that mine are back to front, but seeing as it's a common issue, I will just get my shop to double check. From the picture above I posted, where i've made sure the wheels are level, it does seem to be raking forward. I'm just thrown by the fact that I have a 2.5 finger gap on the front and 2 finger gap on the rear. Ben explained to be that it should be the other way round, with a larger finger gap rear and smaller finger gap front. __________________ 2020 BMW X3M Competition ///M - ALPINE WHITE / SAKHIR ORANGE Past: 18' BMW M3CS \| 18' BMW X5M \| '17 BMW M3 Competition \| '16 Mercedes GLC250 \| '16 BMW X5M \| '15 BMW X5 M50d \| '14 Audi SQ5
	Appreciate 1 r33_RGSport13045.50 Quote

09-04-2020, 12:41 AM	#404
suby01 Cowboy Astronaut Millionaire 2323 Rep 2,889 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT, USA iTrader: (0)	How much does install cost on these for you guys? __________________ The Youtubes https://youtu.be/gzinBJjxIUY Insta https://www.instagram.com/gatosandturbos/
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09-04-2020, 04:37 AM	#405
allinon72 Brigadier General 4950 Rep 3,823 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (2)	Maybe it's somewhere earlier in the thread but are the instructions available? I want to see how so many installers are installing wrong. Or maybe they're just disregarding the instructions all together.
	Appreciate 1 r33_RGSport13045.50 Quote

09-04-2020, 11:01 AM	#407
elisiX Major 687 Rep 1,328 Posts Drives: '20 X3M Competition Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Bump stop switch, springs being installed in correct front and rear position, as well as not going down too low (more than 1"-1.25" will ensure a smooth install. Fail to follow any of these things, which are all really obvious but missed by shops, will result in 'issues'. I didn't get a chance to inspect my springs today to see if they're back to front or not, and they might be fine, but I will do so on Monday. I just want to make sure. The shop may have missed that the springs 'look' very similar, but one pair is in-fact larger in thickness/diameter. In short, you want the MSS225-1 in the rear and the MSSMQB220 in the front. If you don't, even if you do ensure a 6mm rake with a front tilt, you might still end up with a larger gap at the front and smaller at the rear, which is incorrect. __________________ 2020 BMW X3M Competition ///M - ALPINE WHITE / SAKHIR ORANGE Past: 18' BMW M3CS \| 18' BMW X5M \| '17 BMW M3 Competition \| '16 Mercedes GLC250 \| '16 BMW X5M \| '15 BMW X5 M50d \| '14 Audi SQ5
	Appreciate 1 r33_RGSport13045.50 Quote

09-04-2020, 11:12 AM	#408
James Cole Private 33 Rep 98 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Great info on this thread... BTW... do the springs also help with the small stuff? Like road reflectors and washboard roads that rattle the whole cabin? Or is this more for the big bumpy stuff that makes you jump in your seat.
	Appreciate 1 r33_RGSport13045.50 Quote

09-04-2020, 11:42 AM	#410
elisiX Major 687 Rep 1,328 Posts Drives: '20 X3M Competition Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Setup correctly, this kit gives a 30%-40% improvement over stock. It’s still firm, but it never becomes unsettled and none of the bumps from before are jarring in any way. In fact, I think it performs better in Sport adaptive dampers than it does in Comfort. Reason being that it shortens the time before the vrgicke return to a completely neutral position again. Neutral - bump - neutral vs. Neutral - bump - wave - neutral That’s not to say that the first example is jarring - it’s not at all. It just ‘get over it’ quicker.
	Appreciate 1 tarponman8544.00 Quote

09-04-2020, 01:11 PM	#412
Bmwtech113 Private First Class 31 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2023 M5 Competition Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Knoxville, TN iTrader: (2) Garage List 2023 BMW M5 [0.00]	I've had my kit installed for about 2 weeks. At first I had it set to 1.25" lower than stock. It looked good but the ride quality was worse than stock. Now I'm slightly less than 1" below stock and the ride quality is better than stock.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-04-2020, 02:07 PM	#413
Jerich0 Love to Drive 197 Rep 602 Posts Drives: X4 & M4 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Around iTrader: (2)	At the highest setting is it still lower than stock?
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09-04-2020, 03:32 PM	#416
allinon72 Brigadier General 4950 Rep 3,823 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (2)	There is no excuse for a competent shop to get this wrong. That being said, those instructions are pretty horrible. There needs to be pictures and more description than "remove and replace spring."
	Appreciate 0 Quote