BMW Coilovers by Chassis: 3 Series and 5 Series
BMW coilovers are listed by chassis code first, then by body style, drivetrain and factory dampers. Get those four right for your 3 Series or 5 Series and the right coilover kit is easy to spot.
BMW makes this harder than most brands. One generation can carry sedans, coupes, wagons, convertibles, xDrive, M cars and two or three types of factory damper. Brands answer that with a lot of separate listings. Below is a chassis-by-chassis map of what we list. It runs from the E36 to the G20 and from the E39 to the G30, with the traps that catch people.
How to Read BMW Coilovers Listings
Every BMW listing we carry starts with years, and most name the chassis code. After that, watch for four kinds of split.
Body style. Sedan, coupe, convertible, Touring (wagon), Compact and Gran Turismo can each get their own kit.
Drivetrain. xDrive cars have a driveshaft through the front hub, so brands list them apart from RWD cars.
Factory electronic dampers. EDC, Adaptive Drive and adaptive M suspension all change which kit you need. Some kits include a cancellation or delete unit. Some are built to work with the factory system.
Mounts and M models. Top mount bolt count, on-center or off-center mounts and M versus non-M all show up in titles.
If a listing names something your car does not have, or leaves out something it does, stop and check. Confirm on the product page or call 1-800-460-9106 with your VIN.
3 Series E36 and E46
E36 (1992 to 1999)
BC Racing lists the E36 in four main kits. There is a Sedan RWD (1992 to 1998) and a Coupe/Convertible RWD (1994 to 1999). There is a Compact RWD (E35 and E36, 1995 to 1999). And there is a 1995 to 1999 kit titled "Incl. M3". That last title notes on-center mounts as the default, with off-center mounts available on request. BC Racing also lists an Extreme Low kit for the E36 coupe, sedan, convertible and M3.
KW splits the E36 into non-M cars (sedan, coupe, wagon and convertible, all engines excluding M3), the M3 and the Compact. Fortune Auto lists the E36 3 Series and the E36 M3, both marked "Separate Style Rear".
E46 (1999 to 2006)
BC Racing splits the E46 five ways: Sedan RWD, Coupe RWD, Convertible RWD (Non-M3), Convertible M3 and the M3. There is also an Extreme Low kit for the coupe and sedan.
KW lists 2WD cars (sedan, coupe, wagon and convertible), AWD sedan and wagon, and the M3 coupe and convertible as three separate kits. Öhlins lists a Road & Track kit for the E46 M3, plus a "DFV Dedicated" kit for the 3 Series RWD and M3 RWD.
3 Series E90, E91, E92 and E93
This generation added xDrive and EDC to the mix, and the listings show it. BC Racing lists:
RWD: E90 Sedan RWD (2006 to 2011), E92 Coupe RWD (2006 to 2013), and a second E92 coupe kit marked "Excludes M3".
Wagon and convertible: E91 and E93 Touring, Wagon and Convertible RWD (Non-M), 2007 to 2013.
AWD: xDrive Sedan and Coupe (E90 and E92, marked "Swift Rear Only"), plus an E91 Wagon AWD kit.
M3: two kits that each cover the E90 and E92 M3, one for cars "Originally with EDC" and one for cars "Originally without EDC". The E93 M3 Convertible gets two kits, one marked "W/O EDC".
BC Racing also lists Extreme Low kits for the non-M E90 and E92 and for the AWD cars. If you own an M3 from this era, the EDC question decides the part. Check your build sheet or ask us to decode the VIN.
3 Series F30 and G20
F30 (2012 to 2019)
The F30 hides a trap in the top mounts. BC Racing lists the F30 by bolt pattern. There is a 3-bolt top mount F30 RWD kit for 2012 to 2015 and a 5-bolt top mount F30 RWD kit for 2015 to 2018. Each has an xDrive twin. The 2015 overlap means you count the bolts, not the year.
KW splits the F30 by engine, drivetrain and dampers. The 320i, 328i, 328d and 330i get one set of kits, and the 335i and 340i get another. Each comes in RWD or xDrive, with or without EDC. The with-EDC kits include EDC cancellation. Fortune Auto lists F30 RWD and AWD kits, both with front end links included and a separate style rear.
G20 (2019 on)
BC Racing lists a G20 RWD kit for 2019 to 2022, marked "Swift Rear Only". There is also a 2019 to 2025 AWD kit that excludes the M3 and a 2021 to 2022 330e Plug-In Hybrid RWD kit. A separate AWD kit covers the G21 Touring and G26 4 Series Gran Coupe.
KW lists the 330i RWD and 330i xDrive without EDC, and the M340i with and without electronic dampers. The KW M340i xDrive kit with electronic dampers includes an EDC cancellation kit. Confirm the drivetrain with us before ordering, because KW's M340i titles mix 2WD and xDrive wording.
Bilstein takes a different route for cars with factory electronic dampers. Its EVO SE kits are built for cars with factory electronic damping. Bilstein describes them as true plug-and-play with the car's electronic controls. We list the Bilstein EVO SE for the G20 in RWD and xDrive versions. For G20s without electronic suspension, Bilstein lists EVO S, EVO T1 and EVO T2 kits. Fit is per car, so confirm by part number or listing.
5 Series E39, E60 and E61
E39 (1995 to 2004 across listings)
BC Racing lists the E39 Sedan RWD (1995 to 2003) and Touring RWD (1999 to 2004). KW lists the sedan, then two wagon kits: one without rear automatic levelling and one with air suspension on the rear axle. Bilstein's E39 B14 PSS kits are for cars "Without Electronic or Self-Leveling Suspension". Solo-Werks lists its E39 sedan kit as "Non-M - Without OEM Sport Package", so a factory Sport Package car needs a different listing.
E60 and E61 (2004 to 2010)
BC Racing lists the E60 RWD, the E60 xDrive and an M5 kit marked "RWD Only, Also Fits 04-10 Non-M5 Sedan". KW lists the E60 sedan and the E61 wagon, each in 2WD and 4WD. The M5 comes with or without an EDC delete bundle. Fortune Auto lists the E60, and the E61 Touring with the note "Rear Spring Upgrade Not Available".
5 Series F10 and G30
F10 (2011 to 2017)
BC Racing lists the F10 non-M as "RWD Only - Swift Front Only", plus a separate F10 M5 RWD kit. KW splits the F10 by Adaptive Drive. The KW F10 kit for cars with Adaptive Drive is a bundle that includes an EDC delete unit. A second KW kit covers cars without it. The F10 M5 gets its own KW kits, with and without EDC.
Fortune Auto lists the F10 RWD with front end links included. BC Racing and Ksport also list 2011 to 2016 xDrive kits; the BC Racing title names no chassis code, so call us.
G30 (2017 on)
BC Racing lists a G30 RWD kit marked "Swift Front Only" and a G30 Sedan AWD kit. KW lists the G30 sedan four ways: 2WD or AWD, each with or without electronic dampers.
Picking a Brand for Your BMW
Once you know which listings fit, the brand choice is about how you drive.
BC Racing
BC Racing's series ladder delivers feature parity with higher-priced brands at a value-performance price point. Custom rates and Swift Springs SPEC-R upgrades are available across most fitments. Notes like "Swift Front Only" tell you where Swift springs are available on a kit.
KW
KW Suspension brings German engineering pedigree, the KW V1, KW V2 and KW V3 street ladder and TÜV certification on most kits. It adds OE-supplier credibility through KW's BMW M, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche programs.
Bilstein, Öhlins and Fortune Auto
Bilstein brings OE-supplier credibility and the EVO SE route for electronic dampers. Öhlins brings TTX twin-tube technology and DFV dual-flow valving on Road & Track kits. Fortune Auto delivers hand-built construction with custom valving on every kit.
Not sure coilovers are the right move at all? Our comparison of coilovers vs lowering springs covers the trade-off. If ride comfort on a daily 3 Series is the worry, read how coilovers affect ride quality. Spring rate and damping matter more than the brand name there. For why German and Japanese brands tune differently, see our piece on regional coilover design philosophy.
Two last notes. A coilover kit does not cut unsprung weight on its own; wheels, tires, hubs and brakes carry most of it. And every height change moves camber and toe, so book an alignment after you set ride height and tighten each locking collar. Good performance suspension on a BMW starts with the right listing and ends with a good alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do BMW coilovers fit xDrive cars?
Only kits listed for xDrive. Brands list xDrive and RWD as separate kits on the same chassis, because AWD changes the front of the car. BC Racing, KW and Bilstein all split their BMW listings this way. Match the drivetrain in the title.
Can I install coilovers on a BMW with EDC or Adaptive Drive?
Yes, with a kit listed for it. Some KW kits include an EDC cancellation or delete unit. Bilstein EVO SE kits are built to work with factory electronic damping. BC Racing splits some M3 listings by "Originally with EDC" and "Originally without EDC".
How do I know if my F30 has 3-bolt or 5-bolt top mounts?
Count the bolts on the front strut tower under the hood. BC Racing lists 3-bolt kits for 2012 to 2015 and 5-bolt kits for 2015 to 2018, so a 2015 car could be either. If you are unsure, call us with your VIN.
Will a 3 Series sedan coilover kit fit my Touring?
Not unless the listing says so. BC Racing lists the E91 and F31 Touring as their own kits, and KW lists wagons separately on several chassis. Use the listing for your exact body style.
Are M3 and M5 coilovers the same as the regular 3 Series or 5 Series kit?
Usually not. Most brands list M cars separately. A few titles cover both, such as BC Racing's E60 M5 kit that "Also Fits 04-10 Non-M5 Sedan". Go by the title, never by the badge alone.
What do "Swift Front Only" and "Swift Rear Only" mean on BMW listings?
They show where Swift Springs SPEC-R springs are available as an upgrade on that BC Racing kit. The G20 RWD kit reads "Swift Rear Only". The F10 non-M and G30 RWD kits read "Swift Front Only". They do not change fitment.
Which BMW coilovers suit a daily driver?
Any kit with a street-friendly spring rate and adjustable damping can work. KW, Bilstein, BC Racing and Fortune Auto all list 3 and 5 Series fitments, and Öhlins lists kits for several M3 generations. Tell us your roads and wheels and we will narrow it down.
Want Us to Match a Kit to Your BMW?
BMW fitment rewards the details: chassis, body, drivetrain, dampers and mounts. Send us those, or just your VIN, and we will check every listing that fits. Call 1-800-460-9106 and we will help you pick the kit for how you drive.
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