Home › BMW 3 Series E90 / E92 / E93 › Lowering springs

E90/E92/E93 · Handling

E90/E92/E93 Lowering springs

Your E90/E92/E93

Pick your year to see what fits.

This page covers the US sedan, coupe and convertible. It doesn't cover the 335d diesel or the E91 wagon.

Stance + less roll
Hard$320–$3804–6 hrs
All E90/E92/E93 mods

Why do it

Drops the car about an inch and cuts body roll, while keeping your stock struts.

Heads up

Spring compressors can hurt you if they slip. Many people have a shop swap the springs.

Tools you'll need

Starting out? See our budget tool list.

Parts to buy

Double-check fitment before buying. We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Before you start

  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • Spring compressors can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.

Steps

  1. Remove the caliper and strut

    • Remove the wheel and caliper, then pull the strut.
    Watch this step (Speed Academy, on an E9X) (2:33–5:46) Watch the strut come out (5:46–7:54)

  2. Swap the front spring

    • Compress the spring, undo the top nut, swap in the new spring, tighten the nut and release the compressor.
    Watch this step (7:54–11:59)

  3. Refit the strut

    • Refit the strut and tighten its lower bolt.
    Watch this step (11:59–15:45)

  4. Do the rears

    • Support the shock and pry down the lower control arm to swap the rear spring.
    Watch this step (15:45–20:01)

  5. Remove the caliper and strut

    • Remove the wheel and caliper, then pull the strut.
    Watch this step (Speed Academy, on an E9X) (2:33–5:46) Watch the strut come out (5:46–7:54)

  6. Swap the front spring

    • Compress the spring, undo the top nut, swap in the new spring, tighten the nut and release the compressor.
    Watch this step (7:54–11:59)

  7. Refit the strut

    • Refit the strut and tighten its lower bolt.
    Watch this step (11:59–15:45)

  8. Do the rears

    • Support the shock and pry down the lower control arm to swap the rear spring.
    Watch this step (15:45–20:01)

  9. Remove the rear spring

    • Support the lower control arm with a jack, remove the outer bolt and lower the arm to pull out the spring.
    Watch this step (Ricer Race, on a 328xi) (2:50–4:09)

  10. Fit the rear spring

    • Move the rubber piece to the new spring. Unhook the headlight level sensor arm for more room, then seat the spring.
    Watch this step (5:15–7:26)

  11. Refit the rear

    • Reconnect the sensor arm, mount the shock and torque the bolts. Do the other side.
    Watch this step (8:43–9:18)

  12. Remove the front strut

    • Disconnect the sway bar link and the clamping bolt, move the strut brace aside, undo the 3 top nuts and drop the strut.
    Watch this step (15:04–15:57)

  13. Swap the front spring

    • Compress the spring, undo the 19mm top nut and fit the new spring. Keep the writing on the spring readable.
    Watch this step (15:57–17:03) Watch the new spring go on (18:11–20:04)

  14. Remove the front springs

    • Pull the front strut and compress the spring to get it off.
    Watch this step (Sal's Garage, on an E93 M3) (1:06–3:06)

  15. Fit the front springs

    • Fit the new spring and refit the strut.
    Watch this step (3:06–4:49)

  16. Do the rears

    • Lower the rear arm to remove the rear spring, then fit the new one.
    Watch this step (4:49–5:55) Watch the new spring go in (5:55–7:13)

  17. Check and align

    • Bounce the car to settle it, check the height and get an alignment.
    Watch this step (7:13–8:26)

How to know it worked

Did this guide work for you?

Safety first

  • Park on flat ground, set the parking brake and chock the wheels.
  • Never get under a car held up only by a jack. Use jack stands.
  • Let the engine and exhaust cool first.
  • Disconnect the battery before unplugging electrical parts.
  • Wear safety glasses.
  • If something doesn't match your car, stop and ask a shop.

Follow your part's instructions and your service manual's torque specs.