The Best Coilovers For Your BMW E46 3 Series And M3
Suspension guide
The E46 is the 3 Series a lot of people come to us with, and most of them want the same two things: the car sitting lower, and the soft factory damping gone. Twenty years on, the original dampers on most cars are tired whatever the mileage says.
Cameron's first question is always which E46, because for suspension it is really four cars on different part numbers. Garreth's is what the car is for, because the answer runs from a set of springs at a few hundred pounds to a 3-way race kit at six thousand.
Below is our pick at every level, cheapest first, with the price, what you can adjust and who each one is for.
- Six brands list E46 suspension with us
- The M3 has its own part numbers almost everywhere
- The xDrive 325xi and 330xi have their own AST kits
- Most coilovers come with a factory-style rear or a true coilover rear
- BC Racing takes you to a 3-way kit for a fraction of AST and MOTON money
Which E46 you have decides the part number
Before price, before brand, the kit has to match the car, and the E46 splits four ways on our listings.
| Your E46 | What changes |
|---|---|
| M3, 2000 to 2006 | Its own part numbers on AST, BC Racing, Bilstein, Eibach and H&R |
| Rear drive saloon, coupe, touring and convertible | The main kits, 316i to 330i and Ci |
| 325xi and 330xi xDrive | Separate AST kits for the four wheel drive front end |
| Compact | Its own Bilstein B12 kit |
From the vehicle tables on our listings. Every listing names the exact models it fits.
The second choice is the rear. On the E46 the rear spring sits apart from the damper, and most kits keep that layout. Several give you the option of a true coilover rear, with the spring on the damper: BC Racing lists both for every E46, and AST’s Clubracing kit is coilover at the back. Cameron’s rule is simple. Keep the factory layout for a road car. Go true coilover when you want to change the rear spring rate or set corner weights.
The ladder at a glance
Six levels, cheapest first, and prices are for the rear drive cars unless the pick says M3; the M3 version is usually the same money or close to it.
| Level | Our pick | Price inc VAT | What you can adjust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowering springs or matched kit | Eibach Pro-Kit springs (M3) | £377 | None, a fixed drop |
| Entry coilover | BC Racing BR | £1,049 | Height, 30 click damping |
| Fast road coilover | AST 5100 Street (M3) | £2,604 | Height, 12 click rebound |
| Club and trackday 1-way | AST 5100 Clubracing (M3) | £3,480 | Height, 12 click rebound |
| 2-way | BC Racing ER | £1,849 | Height, rebound and compression separately |
| 3-way | BC Racing ZR | £2,159 | Height, three way adjustable |
Prices read from the site on the day this guide was built, inc VAT. The product cards below show prices before VAT, as the rest of the site does; the Inc/Exc VAT switch changes them.
1. Eibach springs or Bilstein B12: lower, with no adjusting
If the car only needs to sit lower and ride better, a matched kit is the honest answer. The Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit puts Bilstein dampers with Eibach springs in one box for the M3, and there is a B12 Sportline for the Compact. If your M3 dampers are fresh, the Eibach Pro-Kit springs on their own are the cheapest way down.
Garreth’s caveat is coverage: we list these for the M3 and the Compact, and not the rear drive saloon or coupe. For those cars the first rung is a coilover.
- Price. £377 inc VAT
- Adjustment. None, a fixed drop
- In the box. Lowering springs, use your dampers
- Buy it if. You want the drop and the ride sorted, and never want to touch it again
2. BC Racing BR: the height adjustable starting point
BR is where most people land. Ride height on a threaded body, 30 clicks of damping on one knob, and a price that sits close to a spring and damper kit. BC Racing lists the E46 as separate kits for the M3 and the rest, and each comes with a true coilover rear as an alternative listing.
Cameron points out what the listing says that most people miss: default spring rates of 6 kg/mm front and 8 rear on the saloon and coupe, a choice of six top mount configurations, ride height that adjusts independently of spring preload, and dampers that can be rebuilt. Each listing also carries every BC series as an option, so BR, RM, ER, HM, ZX and ZR are all chosen on the same page.
- Price. £1,049 inc VAT, BR
- Adjustment. Height, 30 click damping
- In the box. Coilovers with springs; the top mount options are on the listing
- Buy it if. You want to set the height yourself and have a damping knob, on a sensible budget
-
BC Racing, BR Series Coilovers, ER Series Coilovers, HM Series Coilovers, RM Series Coilovers, Suspension, ZR Series Coilovers, ZX Series Coilovers
From £1,049.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadyNew for 2026Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
BC Racing, BR Series Coilovers, ER Series Coilovers, HM Series Coilovers, RM Series Coilovers, Suspension, ZR Series Coilovers, ZX Series Coilovers
From £1,049.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadyNew for 2026Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
BC Racing, BR Series Coilovers, ER Series Coilovers, HM Series Coilovers, RM Series Coilovers, Suspension, ZR Series Coilovers, ZX Series Coilovers
From £1,139.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadyNew for 2026Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
3. AST 5100 Street: a better damper for a road car
The step up in damper quality is AST. The 5100 Street is an inverted monotube, a 44.5mm strut with the rod inside, made in the Netherlands and rebuildable, with 12 clicks of rebound. It keeps your original top mounts and the factory-style rear. The Street Performance version adds camber-adjustable front top mounts, which a lowered E46 generally wants.
For the M3 it is ACU-B1103SD; the rest of the rear drive range is ACU-B1101SD, and the xDrive cars have their own kit.
- Price. £2,604 inc VAT
- Adjustment. Height, 12 click rebound
- In the box. Springs included, uses your original top mounts
- Buy it if. The car is driven properly on the road and you want the damper to show it
4. AST 5100 Clubracing or MOTON Clubracer: the trackday car
For a car that does regular trackdays, both of these are one knob coilovers with a coilover rear and the top mounts included. The AST 5100 Clubracing adds camber front and solid rear mounts to the same 12 click damper. The MOTON Clubracer is the non-inverted endurance design with 15 clicks of rebound and no reservoir.
Garreth would pick on the car: an M3 that also has to do the school run keeps its rubber rear mounts and a 5100 Street; one that lives on track wants this rung.
- Price. £3,480 inc VAT
- Adjustment. Height, 12 click rebound
- In the box. Coilover rear, camber front and solid rear top mounts
- Buy it if. You go on track often and want the rear spring rate and camber under your control
5. Two way: BC Racing ER, AST 5200 or MOTON 2-Way
Separate rebound and compression is where a track car starts to get tuned. On the E46 there are two very different ways to get it. BC Racing’s ER is the same listing as the BR, with a second dial and external reservoirs, for well under half the money. The AST 5200 and MOTON 2-Way are the European built alternatives, with remote reservoirs, custom spring rates and a UK rebuild centre.
Cameron’s view is that ER is the budget way to learn what a second dial does. Garreth would still spend the extra on AST or MOTON for a car that races: they build to the car, offer custom spring rates, and have a UK rebuild centre that can revalve them as the car develops.
- Price. £1,849 inc VAT, ER
- Adjustment. Height, rebound and compression separately
- In the box. Coilovers with external reservoirs and springs
- Buy it if. You set the car up session to session and want compression as well as rebound
6. Three way: BC Racing ZR, AST 5300 or MOTON 3-Way
The top rung splits compression into slow and fast movements. BC Racing’s ZR is its competition kit and still comes in far below the others. The AST 5300 is the same money as the 5200 plus a fixed step, with 14 or 15 clicks of low speed compression. The MOTON 3-Way turns that around, with 6 low speed and 15 high speed positions, and its lineage is touring car racing.
Buy one when somebody is going to write the settings down.
- Price. £2,159 inc VAT, ZR
- Adjustment. Height, three way adjustable
- In the box. Coilovers with external reservoirs and springs
- Buy it if. It is a race car, or a trackday car with somebody setting it up properly
Anti-roll bars to go with them
Coilovers change how the car sits and how it controls the body over bumps. Anti-roll bars change the balance in corners. H&R list uprated bars for the E46, one kit for the M3 and one for the rest, and they are the usual next step once the car is on coilovers.
Every option we list for the E46
| Range | Part number | Listed for | Price inc VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eibach Pro-Kit | E10-20-001-02-22 | BMW M3 Coupe (E46) / BMW M3 Convertible (E46) | £377 |
| BC Racing | BCR-I-121 | BMW 3 Sedan Convertible (RWD) (00-06) [E46 (M3)] | ZR £2,159, ZX £1,914, HM £2,159, ER £1,799, RM £1,289, BR £1,049 |
| BC Racing | BCR-I-90 | BMW 3 Sedan Convertible (RWD) (98-06) [E46] | ZR £2,159, ZX £1,914, HM £2,059, ER £1,799, RM £1,289, BR £1,049 |
| BC Racing | BCR-I-14 | BMW 3 Series Coupe (00-06) [E46 (M3)] | ZR £2,159, ZX £1,964, HM £2,059, ER £1,849, RM £1,239, BR £1,049 |
| BC Racing | BCR-I-02 | BMW 3 Series Sedan/Coupe (98-06) [E46] | ZR £2,159, ZX £1,964, HM £2,059, ER £1,849, RM £1,239, BR £1,049 |
| Bilstein B12 Sportline | 46-180124 | BMW 3 Series Compact (E46) | £1,115 |
| BC Racing | BCR-I-64 | BMW 3 Series (True Rear Coilovers) (00-06) [E46 (M3)] | RM £1,399, BR £1,139 |
| BC Racing | BCR-I-31 | BMW 3 Series (True Rear Coilover) (98-06) [E46] | ZR £2,369, ZX £1,964, HM £2,159, ER £1,849, RM £1,289, BR £1,139 |
| Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit | 46-000613 | BMW M3 Coupe (E46) / BMW M3 Convertible (E46) | £1,372 |
| AST 5100 Street | ACS-B1101SD | BMW E46 / E85 / E86 | £2,568 |
| AST 5100 Street | ACS-B1103SD | BMW M3 E46 | £2,568 |
| AST 5100 Street | ACU-B1101SD | BMW E46 / E85 / E86 | £2,604 |
| AST 5100 Street | ACU-B1103SD | BMW M3 E46 | £2,604 |
| AST 5100 Street | ACU-B1102SD | BMW 325xi / 330xi E46 | £3,072 |
| AST 5100 Street Performance | ACT-B1101SD | BMW E46 / E85 / E86 | £3,072 |
| AST 5100 Street Performance | ACT-B1103SD | BMW M3 E46 | £3,072 |
| AST 5100 Clubracing | ACC-B1106SD | BMW E46 / E85 / E86 | £3,480 |
| AST 5100 Clubracing | ACC-B1107SD | BMW M3 E46 | £3,480 |
| AST 5100 Clubracing | ACC-B1104SD | BMW 325xi / 330xi E46 | £3,576 |
| MOTON 1-Way Clubracer | M 505 174SD | BMW 3 Series E46 and M3 | £3,804 |
| AST 5200 2-Way Motorsport | RIV-B1101SD | BMW E46 / E85 / E86 | £5,064 |
| AST 5200 2-Way Motorsport | RIV-B1103SD | BMW M3 E46 | £5,064 |
| MOTON 2-Way Motorsport | M 505 030SD | BMW E46 Applications | £5,220 |
| MOTON 2-Way Motorsport | M 505 031SD | BMW 3 Series E46 and M3 | £5,220 |
| AST 5300 3-Way Motorsport | RAC-B1101SD | BMW E46 / E85 / E86 | £5,376 |
| AST 5300 3-Way Motorsport | RAC-B1103SD | BMW M3 E46 | £5,376 |
| MOTON 3-Way Motorsport | M 505 141SD | BMW E46 Applications | £6,000 |
| MOTON 3-Way Motorsport | M 505 154SD | BMW 3 Series E46 and M3 | £6,000 |
Every coilover and spring listing that names the E46 today. BC Racing prices are per series.
Before you order
- Which E46. M3, rear drive, xDrive or Compact: the part number differs
- Rear layout. Factory-style separate spring, or true coilover rear on the kits that offer it
- Droplinks. Part numbers ending SD include droplinks; a lowered E46 usually wants adjustable ones
- Alignment. Lowering changes camber and toe. Book the alignment as part of the job
Common questions
What are the best coilovers for an E46 on a budget?
BC Racing BR, which gives you height and damping adjustment for a little over a thousand pounds, and the same listing takes you up to a 2-way or 3-way later.
Are E46 M3 coilovers different from the 330i ones?
Yes. AST, BC Racing, Bilstein, Eibach and H&R all list the M3 separately. The listing names the models it fits.
Can I just fit lowering springs to my E46?
On the M3, yes: Eibach Pro-Kit springs, or the Bilstein B12 kit with dampers. We do not list a spring kit for the rear drive saloon or coupe, so for those the starting point is a coilover.
Do I need a true coilover rear?
Not for the road, but it matters when you want to change the rear spring rate or set corner weights on a track car.
What do the xDrive cars need?
The 325xi and 330xi have their own AST kits, for the four wheel drive front end, so send us the registration and we will confirm the rest.
What we would fit
For a road E46, Cameron fits BC Racing BR and spends what is left on an alignment and tyres, because it sits the car right and the damping knob sorts the ride.
Garreth’s pick for an M3 that gets used is the AST 5100 Street Performance: the better damper, camber at the front, and a kit that can be rebuilt. For a car that races, it is AST or MOTON at the 2-way level and up. Where they disagree is the ER. Cameron thinks it is the best value on this page. Garreth thinks a car that races is worth dampers built and valved for it, with a rebuild centre in the UK.
Our AST guide and MOTON guide go deeper on those two ranges, and the BC Racing BMW guide covers every BC fitment for the brand.
Send us the registration and whether the car is M3, rear drive or xDrive. We will confirm the part number and the rear layout before you order.
Tell us the model, whether it is rear drive or xDrive, and what the car is for. We will find the right part number at the level that suits it, and check the notes on the listing with you before anything is ordered.
