Best Coilovers for BMW E46

The E46 is still one of the best-steering saloons BMW built, but at 20+ years old even a low-mileage car is running on tired dampers. A coilover kit restores control and lets you set a ride height that the factory M Sport setup never offered.

What to look for on an E46

• Body style and cylinder count. Saloon, Touring, Coupe and Convertible, and 4-cylinder versus 6-cylinder cars, all sit differently. Kits are listed by both.
• Rear shock mounts. The E46's rear shock mounts are a known weak point. Replace them, and fit reinforcement plates, while the suspension is apart.
• Front control arm bushes. Worn "lollipop" bushes ruin the geometry a new kit gives you. Budget for them.
• The M3 is a different car. M3 and M3 CSL have their own geometry and their own kits. Standard E46 kits do not fit.
• Height only, or adjustable damping? A fast road car benefits from damping adjustment. A daily driver does not need it.
• Corrosion protection. Coated damper bodies matter on a car this age.

Our E46 picks

JOM BlueLine E46, 4 and 6-cylinder incl. Touring, £159.04

The cheapest way into height-adjustable suspension on an E46, listed for 1998-2005 cars.

JOM BlueLine E46 with domed cap set, £187.32

The same kit supplied with JOM's domed cap set, which is the version we suggest if you are refreshing top mounts at the same time.

JOM Redline E46, 4 and 6-cylinder incl. Touring, £194.00

A stiffer, fast-road focused kit covering 316 through 330 models.

JOM NJT Extreme E46, £258.00

Our top E46 coilover kit, listed for 4 and 6-cylinder cars including the Touring, 1998-2005.

Eibach spring kits, from £251.06

If you would rather keep standard dampers, Eibach is the premium route: Touring 325xi / 330xi - £288.51 and Convertible 330Cd - £251.06. For M3 and M3 CSL there is a separate Eibach kit that does not fit standard E46 models.

See all BMW E46 suspension.

Fitment checklist for the E46

1. Body style and cylinder count.
2. Whether the car is an M3, in which case only M3-specific parts fit.
3. Rear shock mount condition. Replace them as a pair.
4. Front axle load against the kit specification.
5. Wheel size and offset clearance.

Fitting tips from our workshop

• Do the rear shock mounts, reinforcement plates and top mounts in the same job.
• Replace original front control arm bushes now rather than twice.
• Pay for a proper four-wheel alignment. The E46's rear camber and toe are adjustable, so a good setup transforms the car.
• Drop links and rear trailing arm bushes are cheap jobs to bundle in while it is apart.

FAQs

Will a coilover kit make my E46 too harsh? At sensible ride heights, no. Harshness usually comes from worn bushes, cheap top mounts and cars lowered so far they ride on the bump stops.

Do I need adjustable damping? For a road car, no. For track days, yes.

Can I fit these to an E46 Compact? Check the listing or send us your registration, because fitment varies by model.

Unsure which kit fits your E46? Send us the registration and we will confirm it before you order.