What does the Standalone FAL kit include?

Everything required for a complete installation; hydraulic cylinders, lines, pump, wiring loom, and controller.

What is the difference between the elec-TRON R3 and the elec-TRON R1 on the F80 M3?

Both kits use Nitron's proportional solenoid valve and integrate directly with EDC, but the R3 adds independent manual high and low speed compression adjustment alongside the electronic damping control. That gives drivers and engineers control over both the active and mechanical sides of the setup simultaneously, a level of tunability the R1 doesn't offer.

At what point does the divorced rear configuration make more sense than the coilover setup?

When the build is moving toward dedicated circuit use and geometry optimization becomes a priority over installation simplicity. The divorced setup allows the spring and damper to be positioned and adjusted independently, which opens up setup options that a coilover configuration physically can't offer. For road use or occasional track days, the coilover setup covers everything needed without the added complexity.

Nitron elec-TRON R3 Coilover Kit w/ Standalone FAL for F80 BMW M3

The Nitron elec-TRON R3 Coilover Kit with Standalone FAL for the F80 M3 takes the elec-TRON platform a step further than the R1, combining Nitron’s proportional solenoid valve electronic damping control with independent manual compression adjustment so drivers and engineers have control over both the active and mechanical sides of the damping setup simultaneously. Each shock carries its own solenoid valve, with the elec-TRON system managed directly through BMW’s existing Electronic Damping Control (EDC) system in real time; no additional controller required. Coilover and divorced rear suspension configurations are both available to suit different build requirements, and the kit includes droplinks so the installation is complete without sourcing additional hardware. Both front and rear units run piggyback reservoirs, keeping independent high and low speed compression adjustment accessible at both ends alongside the electronic control, giving the elec-TRON R3 a level of tunability that neither a purely electronic nor a purely mechanical kit can match on its own. Adjustable top mounts and race springs are included, and the kit is built for drivers who want to extract the most from the F80 M3 on road or track without leaving performance on the table. The included Standalone FAL addresses the practical challenge of running a lowered M3 on public roads, raising the front axle by 25mm to clear driveways, speed bumps, and parking obstacles without affecting the suspension setup or how the car drives once conditions return to normal.

elec-TRON

Nitron’s elec-TRON system is built around a proprietary proportional solenoid valve fitted to each shock individually, giving BMW’s EDC precise, independent damping control at every corner of the car simultaneously. Brake pressure, g-force, acceleration, steering inputs, and vehicle speed are all monitored at once, with damping adjustments made in real time. The suspension is responding to what the road and the driver are doing as it happens, not catching up after the fact.

The Nitron Front Axle Lift (FAL)

Running a lowered F80 M3 on the road comes with a familiar set of frustrations; steep driveways, speed bumps, and parking lot ramps that sit just low enough to make every approach a calculation. The Nitron Standalone Front Axle Lift system is built around that specific problem. With 25mm of lift available at the front axle, it clears the obstacles that lowered ride heights make problematic without requiring any changes to the suspension setup and without affecting how the car performs once you’re back on the road or circuit. It’s a practical addition to a performance suspension package, not a compromise of one.
- 250W pump
- 25mm lift height
- Typical lift time under 3-seconds
- Audible in-cabin warning system
- Switch with built-in warning light
- Auto off function
- Protects your car from damage caused by steep driveways and speed bumps
- Compatible with a wide range of suspension setups

Coilover vs Divorced Rear Suspension

The F80 M3 elec-TRON R3 with Standalone FAL is available with two rear suspension configurations depending on how the car is being built. The coilover setup combines the spring and damper into a single unit, keeping things compact and straightforward for road and general track use. The divorced configuration separates the spring and damper, allowing each to be positioned and tuned independently; this is the preferred approach for dedicated race builds where maximizing suspension geometry and setup flexibility matters more than packaging simplicity. Nitron offers both to make sure the R3 works with the build rather than against it.

Specialized Bi-Axis Hose Fittings

Nitron R3 Hose shocks use Nitron’s own 720 degree Bi-Axis fittings exclusively; a proprietary design that makes for clean, precise installation without the compromises that come with conventional end fittings.

Integration with OEM Electronic Systems

The Nitron elec-TRON R3 with Standalone FAL goes in as a direct bolt-in replacement on the F80 M3, picking up the existing EDC integration without any modification needed. Factory functionality stays intact; EDC continues to operate exactly as designed, with significantly more capable damping hardware now doing the actual work alongside the manual compression adjustment the R3 adds on top.

Unique Technology

Nitron starts every shock with precision components that go through a thorough design and development process long before final assembly. The modular construction gives engineers the flexibility to approach each application on its own terms, without compromising part quality or how components perform together under real load. Everything is machined to tight tolerances and inspected individually by trained technicians; that standard of quality control runs through every stage of production, not just the end of it. New materials, finishes, and processes go through extensive validation before they’re adopted, with proprietary Nitron technologies built in throughout to produce shocks that consistently hold up against the competition on road and track. That’s the engineering foundation the brand has been built on since 1998.

Bespoke Engineering

Nitron doesn’t adapt a generic damper to fit the F80 M3; they engineer one around it. Every application goes through a dedicated development process where components, spring rates, and damping characteristics are shaped by the specific platform, not carried over from something similar enough to work. The geometry, weight distribution, and suspension travel of the F80 M3 are part of the design from day one, not corrections introduced later. That’s the difference between suspension that works with a car and suspension that was purpose-built for it.

Features

Coilover and divorced rear suspension variations
Piggyback reservoir type
No manual damping adjustments are required, fully controlled by the solenoid valve
Preload adjuster
Full alloy body
Nitron FAL raises 25mm at the shock
Consists of 4 coilovers, reservoirs, hoses, adjustable top mounts, and droplinks (+FAL kit)
FAL kit contains all components (cylinders, hydraulic lines, pump, wiring loom and controller)
Hand made to order

Specifications

Coilover Type: elec-TRON R3 with standalone FAL
Reservoir Type: Piggyback
Rear Suspension Type:
- Coilover
- Divorced
Droplinks Included: Yes
Recommended Spring Rates:
- FRS – Fast Road Spec:
  - Front: 685lbs/inch (120N/mm)
  - Rear:
    - Coilover: 400lbs/inch (70N/mm)
    - Divorced: 742lbs/inch (130N/mm)
- TDS – Track Day Spec:
  - Front: 799lbs/inch (140N/mm)
  - Rear:
    - Coilover: 514lbs/inch (90N/mm)
    - Divorced: 914lbs/inch (160N/mm)

Applications

BMW M3: F80 | 2014-2018

Other Suspension Kits for F80 M3

Notes

Works with BMW’s EDC system, no additional products are required for proper use
Custom spring rates also available, please contact us directly here for more information or for a consultation on custom rates
Images used for illustration purposes only. Specific details, finishes and end fittings may differ from that shown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Standalone FAL kit include? Everything required for a complete installation; hydraulic cylinders, lines, pump, wiring loom, and controller.
What is the difference between the elec-TRON R3 and the elec-TRON R1 on the F80 M3? Both kits use Nitron’s proportional solenoid valve and integrate directly with EDC, but the R3 adds independent manual high and low speed compression adjustment alongside the electronic damping control. That gives drivers and engineers control over both the active and mechanical sides of the setup simultaneously, a level of tunability the R1 doesn’t offer.
At what point does the divorced rear configuration make more sense than the coilover setup? When the build is moving toward dedicated circuit use and geometry optimization becomes a priority over installation simplicity. The divorced setup allows the spring and damper to be positioned and adjusted independently, which opens up setup options that a coilover configuration physically can’t offer. For road use or occasional track days, the coilover setup covers everything needed without the added complexity.

About Nitron Suspension

Nitron Suspension has been at the forefront of precision suspension engineering since 1998, founded by Guy Evans with the goal of building high-performance shocks for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Over 200 dealers now carry Nitron products across Europe, Asia, the US, Australasia, and Africa. In 2008, the company moved into a dedicated facility in the UK’s Motorsport Valley, adding dynamometers, 5-axis CNC machines, and 3D CAD capabilities to support both growing demand and continued product development. A second expansion came in 2023 with a new office in Murrieta, California. The team behind every Nitron product draws from deep backgrounds in machining, materials technology, hydraulics, bike engineering, and F1 racing, with many engineers bringing firsthand experience as competitive drivers and riders. That depth of knowledge across both the technical and competitive sides of motorsport shapes every product Nitron develops.

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Nitron elec-TRON R3 Coilover Kit w/ Standalone FAL for F80 BMW M3 [NTCBM027ER3+FAL]

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