AST ASTLS-19-008 Lowering Springs for 2014-2018 BMW F80 M3 Competition Sedan 3.0

Vehicle Fitment

• 2014-2018 BMW M3 Sedan (F80, S55B30 3.0L Twin-Turbo I6 425hp, RWD) - standard specification
• 2016-2018 BMW M3 Competition Sedan (F80, S55B30 3.0L Twin-Turbo I6 444hp, RWD) - Competition Package (ZCP)
• 2016 BMW M3 "30 Jahre" Sedan (F80, S55B30 450hp limited edition, RWD) - Competition Package equipped

Fitment Notes

• This kit is confirmed EDC compatible - it works correctly with the Adaptive M Suspension (Electronic Damping Control) fitted as standard on Competition Package models and available as an option on the standard F80 M3. Unlike conventional lowering springs that are incompatible with adaptive damper systems, the ASTLS-19-008 has been specifically validated for use with the F80 M3's EDC-equipped suspension.
• Fits the F80 Sedan (four-door) body style only. The coupe (F82 M4) and convertible (F83 M4), while sharing the same S55 engine and core hardware, use different body structures and spring perch geometry - they are not confirmed fitments for this spring kit. A separate AST application exists for F82/F83 M4 variants.
• The F80 M3 was exclusively rear-wheel drive throughout its production run (03/2014-10/2018). All-wheel drive was never offered for this generation of M3 - the first xDrive M3 is the G80 generation (2021+).
• For M3 Competition Package models (from 2016): the Competition Package includes stiffer factory springs and a lower factory ride height than the base M3 as standard equipment. The indicated 30mm front / 25mm rear drop is measured from the standard (non-Competition) factory ride height. On Competition-equipped vehicles, which are already lower from the factory, the effective drop will be modestly reduced relative to the stated figures.
• The 2018 M3 CS (453hp limited edition) uses significantly upgraded suspension components. While the S55 engine and F80 chassis are shared, the CS-specific suspension calibration differs from the standard and Competition variants. Confirm fitment directly with AST before ordering for an M3 CS.
• Front drop: 30mm / Rear drop: 25mm. These are fixed values - this is not an adjustable spring kit. A separate AST adjustable lowering spring (ALS) kit is available for the F80 M3/F82 M4 family if adjustable ride height is preferred (ASTALS-21-001).
• Wheel alignment must be verified and corrected following installation. The F80 M3's aluminium front double wishbone and rear 5-link suspension geometry makes four-wheel alignment correction important after any ride height change.

Features

• M3-specific progressive spring rate, developed and validated by AST engineers for the F80 M3's aluminium-intensive front double wishbone and rear 5-link suspension geometry - a platform already engineered to a very high dynamic standard by BMW M, where spring calibration must complement rather than compromise the existing geometry.
• Asymmetric 30mm front / 25mm rear drop - deliberately calibrated for the F80's front-biased weight distribution (S55 engine mass) and the rear 5-link geometry's sensitivity to ride height change, producing a balanced, level lowered stance without inducing adverse rear camber deviation.
• EDC compatible - confirmed to work with the factory Electronic Damping Control (Adaptive M Suspension) system without triggering fault codes or degrading the adaptive damper's function across its Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ operating modes.
• Lowers the M3's center of gravity further at both axles, reducing remaining body roll, improving initial corner entry response, and giving the F80's already-capable chassis a sharper, more planted feel - gains that are meaningful even on a platform as dynamically well-resolved as the F80.
• Progressive spring design delivers improved body motion control under higher lateral loads and at spirited pace, while retaining appropriate low-speed compliance for daily use - not track-only spring rates.
• Direct OEM spring replacement - installs into the factory aluminium front strut housings and rear 5-link spring perches using original mounting hardware; no modification to the EDC system, suspension geometry, or M-specific hardware required.
• Compatible with both the 6-speed manual and 7-speed M-DCT transmission variants - drivetrain choice does not affect spring fitment.
• Manufactured from premium high-tensile chromium-silicon wire, individually handpicked by AST engineers for material quality and long-term fatigue resistance.
• Cold-wound on precision Wafios coiling machines, then heat-treated to increase hardness and eliminate residual winding stress from the manufacturing process.
• Each spring is individually shot peened, phosphate treated, and powder coated for maximum corrosion resistance and long-term service life.
• Each spring is blocked and computer-tested prior to shipment to minimise post-installation settling, ensuring the 30mm/25mm target drop is achieved immediately upon installation.
• Most AST spring applications are TUV certified - certificates available upon request for technical inspection or registration compliance.
• Lifetime warranty against breakage - backed by AST Suspension's manufacturer guarantee.

Specifications

• Part Number: ASTLS-19-008
• Type: Fixed Lowering Springs (full set of 4)
• Spring Design: Progressive rate
• Spring Material: Premium high-tensile chromium-silicon wire
• Manufacturing Process: Cold-wound, heat-treated, shot peened, phosphate treated, powder coated, computer-tested
• Front Lowering: 30mm
• Rear Lowering: 25mm
• Engine: S55B30 3.0L Twin-Turbo I6 (425hp standard / 444hp Competition)
• Front Suspension Type: Double wishbone (aluminium, M-specific geometry)
• Rear Suspension Type: 5-link (aluminium, M-specific geometry)
• Drivetrain: RWD only
• EDC / Adaptive M Suspension: Compatible
• Transmission Compatibility: 6-speed manual and 7-speed M-DCT
• Fitment Style: Direct OEM spring replacement
• Warranty: Lifetime against breakage
• TUV Certification: Available upon request
• Position: Front Left, Front Right, Rear Left, Rear Right

Included Components

• 2x Front lowering springs (left and right)
• 2x Rear lowering springs (left and right)

Product Description

The AST ASTLS-19-008 Lowering Spring Kit is engineered for the fifth-generation BMW M3 Sedan (F80), covering 03/2014 through 10/2018 production in both standard and Competition Package specification. A key distinguishing feature of this kit for the F80 application is its confirmed EDC compatibility - it is specifically validated to work with the Adaptive M Suspension (Electronic Damping Control) system fitted as standard to Competition Package cars and available as an option on the base M3. This matters more on the F80 than on many other platforms because the Competition Package, which became the dominant variant and the one most likely to be encountered in the used market, includes the Adaptive M Suspension as standard equipment. A spring kit that is incompatible with EDC would either require disabling the adaptive damper system or risk triggering fault codes - the ASTLS-19-008 avoids both issues entirely.

The 30mm front and 25mm rear drop is asymmetric for a deliberate reason. The F80 M3's S55 engine sits forward in the chassis, creating a front-heavier weight distribution than the rear-biased ideal. A greater front drop versus rear corrects for this slightly, producing a level or very subtly nose-down stance rather than a tail-down one, while also respecting the rear 5-link suspension's geometric sensitivity - the rear multi-link geometry responds less well to large ride height changes than the front double wishbone does. At these values, both axles remain well within the geometric range where standard alignment correction can restore all four corners to optimal settings. The resulting improvements - reduced body roll, sharper initial turn-in, more committed cornering posture - enhance a chassis that is already genuinely exceptional by the standards of the four-door sports sedan class, without making the F80 unusable on public roads.

Every spring is manufactured from premium high-tensile chromium-silicon wire on precision Wafios coiling machines in the Netherlands, individually computer-load tested before shipment, and backed by AST's lifetime warranty against breakage. TUV certification documentation is available upon request for technical inspection or registration requirements. Owners preferring an adjustable drop rather than the fixed 30mm/25mm values should consider the AST Adjustable Lowering Springs (ASTALS-21-001), which offers a variable drop range also confirmed EDC compatible for the F80 M3 and F82/F83 M4 family.