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03-09-2023LAST POST
I am trying to understand how different are the springs + shocks of M3 E90 92 93 and 1M

The E92 M3 has generally X1 or X2 springs that are quite low rate.
Recently purchased a full E90 M3 suspension, springs are front Y4 and rear Y1, both have 1mm thicker wire than the E92.

So my first conclusion is that the E90 has firmer springs and firmer dampers than the E92.

Could everyone post here the marking on the spring and type of car (E90 E92 1M EDC non EDC, ZCP, Japan etc...)

This could help me and others understanding....
Probably very closely related to what the options on the car were, so you need that info too. On E46's, transmission choice, folding seats, and even which stereo influenced which spring paint marks the cars had.

My 2008 E90 M3 has X1 front springs, I will look at the rears when I get a chance. The only factory options were 19" wheels, cold weather, and premium packages. A car equipped with the sunroof, DCT, and tech package would weigh in excess of 90lbs more than my car, so I think it's safe to assume it would have different spring codes.
Mine is X7 front, X4 rear.

E92 2011
DCT
ZCP
iDrive, Nav, iPod, Apps
DAB
Electric + heated seats
Electric folding mirrors
Heated washer jets and wing mirrors

No sunroof, no power-shades, no upgraded HiFi, no digital TV Tuner, no comfort access.
Yes I know that options will influence the weight thus the spring rate.
Normally for one type of car, lets say the E90 + E92 M3 the letter should be the same, but the number changes.

For light (no options) E92 m3 it is front X1 rear X1 or X2
As posted a full option M3 E92 has X4 up to X7

What makes me strange is that the springs I got from ebay from en E90 M3 have the marking Y4 in front and Y2 in rear.
Changing from X to Y letter, the thickness is 1mm extra for the Y !! This makes the springs a lot more stiff, no sense for an E90!?

Maybe the ebay dude has taken the springs from an E93 M3? and don't want to admit it? But the shocks that where bundled with these springs are indeed from E90 M3 (checked on realoem.com)

Any marking for E93 please?
marconi118 wrote
Yes I know that options will influence the weight thus the spring rate.
Normally for one type of car, lets say the E90 + E92 M3 the letter should be the same, but the number changes.

For light (no options) E92 m3 it is front X1 rear X1 or X2
As posted a full option M3 E92 has X4 up to X7

What makes me strange is that the springs I got from ebay from en E90 M3 have the marking Y4 in front and Y2 in rear.
Changing from X to Y letter, the thickness is 1mm extra for the Y !! This makes the springs a lot more stiff, no sense for an E90!?

Maybe the ebay dude has taken the springs from an E93 M3? and don't want to admit it? But the shocks that where bundled with these springs are indeed from E90 M3 (checked on realoem.com)

Any marking for E93 please?
I wouldn't consider mine fully optioned as I haven't got popular options like comfort access and an upgraded HiFi. I also suspect that the higher spring rate markings on my car are also due to the competition package. We'll find out more if people with ZCP and DCT post their spring markings.
could someone with E93 and 1M post their spring markings please?
My rears are X2's, by the way. So far we have these confirmed, I'll try to update this as more people post.

Confirmed E9x M3 Spring Codes
USA 2008 E90 6-speed, ZPP and ZCW: X1 Front, X2 Rear
UK 2011 E92 ZCP, DCT, nav: X7 Front, X4 Rear
USA 2011 E92 ZCP 6-speed, tech: X3 Front, X5 rear

USA 2011 1-series M Coupe: Y8 Front, Y8 Rear
Post referenced by derbo in OE ZCP Suspension Info 04-01-2018
08 E90 X5 rears, fronts dont know
'11 1M
Y8 front & rear
TXmtrhed wrote
'11 1M
Y8 front & rear
Y8 is a lot stiffer than the M3!!!

Y4 is 1mm thicker wire than X2

I suppose Y8 would be 1.5mm thicker, this explains why the 1M is stated as more sporty as the M3
X3 Front
X5 Rear

'11 ZCP
Bubbles: options?
Thicker wire doesnt necessarily mean higher spring rate though it is a good indicator. If the ramp rate is the same yes, if not then need to get them on a spring tester to be sure what the effect is, or at least measure the ramp angle.
marconi118 wrote
Y8 is a lot stiffer than the M3!!!

Y4 is 1mm thicker wire than X2

I suppose Y8 would be 1.5mm thicker, this explains why the 1M is stated as more sporty as the M3
For what it's worth, I went ahead and measured the diameter of my Y8 springs.

F: 12.6mm
R: 14.35mm
Richbot wrote
Bubbles: options?
Zcp, tech, 6mt, pretty much loaded and fat :).
TXmtrhed wrote
For what it's worth, I went ahead and measured the diameter of my Y8 springs.

F: 12.6mm
R: 14.35mm
Great job man! this is quite important because the pitch and windings number should be the same, so the wire diameter determines the stiffness.

I will come back with my Y4 springs diameter...
Bump, who else has spring codes they can share?
I have ETK which is BMW's official electronic parts catalog. Springs part numbers are based on the options each car has. I can take a look at how many variations there are when I get a chance.
rldzhao wrote
I have ETK which is BMW's official electronic parts catalog. Springs part numbers are based on the options each car has. I can take a look at how many variations there are when I get a chance.
That'd be awesome, it'd be great to have a spring code compendium on the forums, and once we know what kind of spring comes from what we could start getting rate data compiled. It's not that important to know what car with what options I guess, but it'd be cool to have X1 = xxx free length front, xxx lb/in. Those paper tags aren't going to last forever, and right now I'm in the dark about what is even available.

Good for finding cheaters in competition classes that require factory parts too, it's always been a common cheat to grab convertible or loaded-up springs and stick them on a lighter BMW for those kinds of competition classes, and sometimes hard for an unconnected person to know for sure without doing a VIN order
Bring this thread back to life.

Anyone know the spring markings for an E90 ZCP with 6MT and no sunroof.
Listed are the part numbers. I just need the markings that go with them.

Front: 31332283563
Rear: 33532283569
Reviving old thread (pt 2).....

Just bought OEM springs off an 08 E90 M3 which had the X2 fronts and X3 rears. I just got a quick look at his car but it had 6mt and sunroof. Didn't ask about other options.

I have an 11 E92 with DCT, sunroof, well optioned with (Conv Pkg, PP2, Enhanced Audio, No ZCP). Right stiffness?
The thing that confuses me is how we can order them online. If I look up springs on ESCtuning, there's no options for which spring marking such as X3, X5.