What is the difference between the piggyback and hose reservoir configurations on the NTR-R3?

Piggyback reservoirs mount directly to the shock body, keeping the package compact and straightforward for installation. Hose reservoirs use a flexible line to position the reservoir remotely, which can be useful where packaging space is tight or where easier access to the compression adjusters is a priority. Both configurations offer the same 3-way independent adjustment capability; the choice comes down to fitment preference and how the car is being built.

Does the FAL system work at speed or only at low speeds?

The FAL is designed for low-speed obstacle clearance; driveways, parking lots, and speed bumps. The auto off function is part of how the system manages appropriate use. Once the front axle returns to ride height, the suspension operates exactly as configured with no effect on handling.

Nitron NTR-R3 Coilover Kit with Standalone FAL for G80 BMW M3 / M3 Competition

The G80 BMW M3 and M3 Competition carry genuine motorsport capability, and the Nitron NTR-R3 Coilover Kit with Standalone FAL is built for drivers and engineers who want to take full advantage of it. Independent 3-way damping adjustment with separate high and low speed compression control gives the range needed to properly dial the car in across different circuits and conditions. 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. A large diameter piston and ultra-strong piston rod sit at the core of the design, providing the damping control and feedback that serious setups depend on. Piggyback or hose reservoir configurations are available for both front and rear, keeping high and low speed compression adjustment accessible at both ends without adding complexity to the installation. 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. The R3 is a proven race winner with lap records across a wide range of international motorsport formulas, and every kit is custom built, custom sprung, and fully serviceable. Hard-anodized titanium finish parts and high-grade materials keep corrosion out and weight in check, so the dampers maintain their performance standard season after season.

The Nitron Front Axle Lift (FAL)

Running a lowered G80 M3 or M3 Competition 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 G80 M3 and M3 Competition NTR-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 delivers clean, precise installation without the fitment compromises that come with conventional end fittings.

Unique Technology

Nitron builds every shock from 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 cutting corners on part quality or how components perform together under load. Everything is machined to tight tolerances and inspected individually by trained technicians; that quality control runs through every stage of production rather than being concentrated at the end. New materials, finishes, and processes are validated extensively before adoption, with proprietary Nitron technologies integrated throughout to produce shocks that consistently hold up against the competition on road and track. That engineering standard is what the brand has been built on since 1998.

Bespoke Engineering

Nitron doesn’t adapt a generic damper to fit the G80 M3 and M3 Competition; they engineer one around it. Every application goes through a dedicated development process where components, spring rates, and damping characteristics are determined by the specific platform, not borrowed from something close enough. The geometry, weight distribution, and suspension travel of the M3 are part of the design from the beginning, not corrections introduced later. That’s the difference between suspension that works with a car and suspension that was developed for it.

Features

Coilover and divorced rear suspension variants
Front and rear piggyback or hose reservoir options
Quick release dry breaks for front hose reservoirs
16 clicks of high compression
26 clicks of low compression
24 clicks of rebound
Preload adjuster
3-way independent adjustment
Full alloy body
Nitron FAL raises 25mm at the shock
Consists of 4 coilovers, reservoirs, hoses, 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: NTR-R3 with standalone FAL
Adjustment Type: 3-way independent
Adjustment: 16 clicks of high compression / 26 clicks of low compression / 24 clicks of rebound
Reservoir Type:
- Front:
  - Piggyback
  - Hose
- Rear:
  - Piggyback
  - Hose
Rear Suspension Types:
- Coilover
- Divorced
Droplinks Included: Yes
Recommended Spring Rates:
- FRS – Fast Road Spec:
  - Front: 685lbs/inch (120N/mm)
  - Rear:
    - Coilover: 400lbs/inch (70N/mm)
    - Divorced: 799lbs/inch (140N/mm)
- TDS – Track Day Spec:
  - Front: 799lbs/inch (140N/mm)
  - Rear:
    - Coilover: 514lbs/inch (90N/mm)
    - Divorced: 914lbs/inch (160N/mm)

Applications

BMW M3: G80 | 2021-present
BMW M3 Competition: G80 | 2021-present

Other Suspension Kits for G80 M3 / M3 Competition

NTR-R1 Coilover Kit
NTR-R1 Coilover Kit (G80 M3 Competition xDrive only)
NTR-R1 Coilover Kit with Standalone FAL
NTR-R1 Coilover Kit with Standalone FAL (G80 M3 Competition xDrive only)
NTR-R3 Coilover Kit
NTR-R3 Coilover Kit (G80 M3 Competition xDrive only)
NTR-R3 Coilover Kit with Standalone FAL (G80 M3 Competition xDrive only)

Notes

Does not fit xDrive AWD models
Front hose reservoirs come standard with quick release dry break connections
The G80 M3 and M3 Competition come standard with BMW Adaptive M Suspension. Fitting a non-electronic coilover kit without addressing that system will typically trigger fault codes and warning lights, so the Nitron Electronic Damping Delete Kit is required alongside this kit on all of these variants.
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 is the difference between the piggyback and hose reservoir configurations on the NTR-R3? Piggyback reservoirs mount directly to the shock body, keeping the package compact and straightforward for installation. Hose reservoirs use a flexible line to position the reservoir remotely, which can be useful where packaging space is tight or where easier access to the compression adjusters is a priority. Both configurations offer the same 3-way independent adjustment capability; the choice comes down to fitment preference and how the car is being built.
Does the FAL system work at speed or only at low speeds? The FAL is designed for low-speed obstacle clearance; driveways, parking lots, and speed bumps. The auto off function is part of how the system manages appropriate use. Once the front axle returns to ride height, the suspension operates exactly as configured with no effect on handling.

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 NTR-R3 Coilover Kit with Standalone FAL for G80 BMW M3 / M3 Competition [NTCBM029R3+FAL]

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