I own a set of Bilstein B12: Eibach pro kit springs with Bilstein B8 shocks. They are perfect imo. Stiff, but not too stiff, still have some comfort. Before I replaced the springs, I replaced only the shocks to B8 with my existing H&R springs. B8 with H&R springs = awesome combo, but too stiff over bumps and potholes, which we have a lot in my country.

 

+1 for bilstein B12's, I had these on my 330ci for a while with 17" alloys and it was a great balance of sporty and comfortable, it was even bearable on a cobblestone road i found myself on while lost in Belgium, I now have b14's on 18" wheels which is quite a bit more on the stiff n' sporty side.

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You might be interested in my little write-up that I recently did here: BUDGET PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION GUIDE (Ultimate E46 OEM+ SACHS Setup)

 

Another vote for the Bilstein B12 kit.

BILSTEIN B12 - BILSTEIN Performance

Our BILSTEIN B12 performance suspension kit is the perfect sport suspension system for upgrading, handling and quick and easy lowering. Combining the best looks with the most dynamic driving experience.

www.bilstein.com

Be sure to replace the front sway bar as well. I went with a used one from an M3 convertible, which is 27mm. Got it on ebay for less than $100.

BMW E46 M3 Convertible 2001-2006 Front Sway Bar - Anti Roll Bar w/ Brackets | eBay

Item: BMW E46 M3 Convertible - Sway Bar / Anti-Roll Bar. Model: 2004 E46 M3 Convertible. We are not responsible, under no circumstance, for lost labor costs.

www.ebay.com

 

Cheers for the advice, seems the B12 kit is well regarded and tested although expensive! Sounds worth the cost.
Is the drop enough of the Eibach springs? Mines got quite a gap at the front and wanting to even it all out. That or the rear springs have had it!
If you’ve got any photos of them on the car please post !

Does the sway bar need to be replaced? Or is it just as you’re there - replace it.

 

Does the sway bar need to be replaced? Or is it just as you’re there - replace it.

It is not needed, but a larger front sway bar dramatically improves handling.

 

Eibach pro kit has as light drop. You can also get the B12 with Eibach Sportline springs. Those will lower it slightly too much imo. Well, for our shitty roads that is.

 

Changing the suspension heights and spring rates comes with caveats:

BMW did a decent (?) job with the car and all of the compromises that needed to be made for the real world. Many choose different springs and/or shocks and/or coil-overs wanting to improve stance.

The problem IMO is that often choices are made for looks (that's fine) but ultimately change the characteristics of the car for the worse:
Improper ft./rear weight distribution.
Improper cross corner weighting.
Shocks not properly matched to the increased spring rate. On and on.

My advice is to stay within the guidelines from members here and the mfr.s that make the components. Likely one of the best things you can do when done is to find a specialist shop that is very familiar with scales and corner weighting/adjusting. Followed on immediately by a proper wheel alignment.

The amount of weight on each corner of the car (think of the 4 tires as 4 sneakers) has a dramatic effect on how any car behaves when going out for spirited drives. I have sorted out a few and the worst is when a car behaves differently in a left fast sweeper as opposed to a fast right handed sweeper.

Also a car that was lowered too much in the front (when compared to the rear: Too much rake) and the car is nose heavy: Pointy.
At/near the edge, the ass end wants to come around too easily.

Not going coil-over? Some small adjustments can be made at the rear with various thickness spring pads to bring a small modicum of corner weight correction.

Good luck.

 

I have ST coilovers (made by KW) that are outstanding on my touring. It's not a track set-up, but it does improve the handling some and the ride is nearly as sweet at the factory sport suspension. I've dropped my car 36mm (avg) and have never bottomed it.

[edit] Oh, and I bought mine from someone who never even opened the box, but the prices (at least here in the states) was about the same as new springs, dampers, and all the mounting bits. Very cost effective.

 

 

I have a set of Bilstein coilovers that were on the car when I bought it. They are height adjustable of course, but not easily. Also complicates alignment. (slotted at the top of the strut towers). I have them set very low so clearance (front) is an issue. Otherwise; I find them fine for daily use. Harder ride, but better handling. Especially at high speeds.

 

Cheers for all the advice, seems there's plenty of options out there. The Bilstein B12 with the eibachs are looking the best bet so far - I've seen some with the eibachs with the supersport lowering spring caps to lower the front another 10mm but yet to find anymore!

Coilovers still do tempt me, but as a daily I wouldn't want to lower it much more than the kit would.

 

I do like the Bilsteins Sports, but the Koni Sport adjustables I like better.

 

The Konis with the adjustable dampening? Same drop aren’t they also.

 

I've been running KONI FSD/Special Active with Eibach Pro-kit and they're a great great pair. Extremely compliant ride, have had people mention how comfortable the car rides yet sits little lower than stock sport springs. Car gets tossed through the corners a lot and handles amazing as well as high speed track corning stays insanely flat.