Which to do first?

raiyo · 01-19-2010, 11:34 PM

I told myself I won't mod this car, but its hard to resist. My 128i is bone stock, no options, and I feel the ride sucks. Since I am running on run flats, which isn't helping. I plan to swap them out once the run flats go bald.

Alright, back to topic. Which should I do first? My car is a DD and I like to take corners now and then. Right now with the non-sport stock suspension, the body rolls too much. I've read members who have the KW coilovers wish they went with the M3 suspension bits first.

1). M3 suspension bits (front control arm + rear guide rods) with e93 front sway bar

2). KW V2 Coilovers

3). Change out run flats to Yokohama S. Drive tires (size???) and e93 front sway bar.

akak1997 · 01-20-2010, 02:20 AM

It depends what you goal is, the control arms are good for adding -ve camber and improve steering response, but it is not gonna improve ride. KW V1 isn't gonna improve ride much but you can lower the car a bit, I don't know what spring rate V1 is, but I think it should also help with body roll.

Run crap sucks, period, no grip, no comfort, I just swap them out b4 they go bald, maybe sell it to someone who wants run crap tires. Serious, I think ditching the run crap is the best mod here but since you'll have to get new tire eventually, I guess you can wait.

arrutled · 01-20-2010, 06:57 AM

1) control arms and sway

new tires should not even be an option, its a must if you want a more compliant ride.
The rear of the car should be fine for you unless you plan to autocross or track so you wont need rear guide rod kit.

M3_Dust · 01-20-2010, 07:20 AM

do the tires first, everything else is going to feel completely different with runflats vs. non-runflats

SV Concepts III · 01-20-2010, 11:51 AM

Definitely get rid of the run flats, they will completely transform the car. I would then go with KW V1s to lower the car and reduce body roll.

raiyo · 01-20-2010, 02:16 PM

Guess everyone have there own thoughts on what to do. One thing is for sure, no one selected to do coilovers first.

I might go with the non-run flats and front sway bar first. Just have to find out which tire size. I might be able to get some money back from the 300 miles run flat tires.

Would it be an overkill if I went with KW V2 for street?

onefastman · 01-20-2010, 02:21 PM

1. Run flats
2. M3 parts
3. suspension but pay the bit extra and get something better than the v1's. If looking for something not too harsh then get kw street comfort.

raiyo · 01-20-2010, 03:53 PM

thx for all the help guys.

I first thought to change the run flats, but found out they don't worth much at all. $100 for 2? I might as well run them close to bald and swap them out instead.

Already purchased a e93 front sway bar and going to see how the goes. Once done, I'll move onto KW V2. After that I'll go with the M3 front control arm + rear guide rods. Hopefully by then, its time to change out the run flats.

tgxmike · 04-02-2010, 09:05 AM

Sorry to reopen an old threads, but I'm curious about any changes you made.

I have a 128i non-sport. I have already ditched the RTF and put hankook V12 on.

HUGE difference. I feel like its a different car. The RTF were garbage and I'm saving the 6/32 tread for when I trade the car in.

I would like to upgrade the suspension, but I'm on a budget (just bought a house). I never track the car, but I drive spiritedly

I'm thinking of....

1) front sway only (to start) ~$250 (DIY!!!) or
2) BMW performance suspension ~$2250+tax (I hate NY tax) or
3) Eibach + Koni FSD ~$950+install

has anyone replaced just the front sway on a non-sport 128i??? any thoughts on doing that first??

raiyo · 04-02-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgxmike

Sorry to reopen an old threads, but I'm curious about any changes you made.

I have a 128i non-sport. I have already ditched the RTF and put hankook V12 on.

HUGE difference. I feel like its a different car. The RTF were garbage and I'm saving the 6/32 tread for when I trade the car in.

I would like to upgrade the suspension, but I'm on a budget (just bought a house). I never track the car, but I drive spiritedly

I'm thinking of....

1) front sway only (to start) ~$250 (DIY!!!) or
2) BMW performance suspension ~$2250+tax (I hate NY tax) or
3) Eibach + Koni FSD ~$950+install

has anyone replaced just the front sway on a non-sport 128i??? any thoughts on doing that first??

First I did the front sway bar, and planning to change out tires once weather gets better. After that, it will be K1 coilovers.

tgxmike · 04-02-2010, 12:13 PM

Thanks Raiyo I'm thinking I'll do the sway bar first,

Was the difference noticable with just the front sway bar on the non-sport suspension??

Once you put the new non-RTF on, you will realize how much the non-sport suspension sucks!! I have 205/50/17 Hankook V12's all around and this is such a huge improvement. I would go 225/45 all around if you stick with the 17in wheels.

raiyo · 04-02-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgxmike

Was the difference noticable with just the front sway bar on the non-sport suspension??

yup, very.

wa128 · 04-02-2010, 03:38 PM

When you add new wheels and tires on to a non-sport suspension you are going to wish you had lowered first. You will get that SUV feeling for awhile until you can change the rest of your suspension.

My preference would be to add a sway bar last, if needed, only as a fine tuning device. I'd say lower first. When you lower, you are lowering the car's center of gravity which in itself starts to aid in reducing roll. You might find that you really can manage without the sways after all especially if you are not going to autox or track the car.

The V2's might be the way to go. You can adjust them to your comfort level then if body roll still bothers you, go and add in the sways.

Just my 2 cents.

ModBargains.com · 04-02-2010, 05:21 PM

It really depends on the goals you have on your car. Changing up the suspension on your car is going to totally change the stance of your 1er and provide you with a drop as well as improve handling of your BMW across the board.

A coilover suspension basically gives you a matched lowering spring and shock absorber combination with the added benefit of adjustable ride height and spring rates through a moveable spring perch or perches. Coilovers are to your car's advantage by reducing unsprung mass, increasing suspension travel, and allowing the car to be corner balanced. As such a crucial component of your vehicle, suspension is definitely something you do not want to cheap out on. KW is known for their reinforced and durable suspension components. KW's coilovers have been carefully crafted and designed by studying the flaws of competitors and improving on them. In addition KW coilovers can go lower than just about any other brand and allow you to set your car to a "slammed look", "sporty look", or anywhere in between.

01-19-2010, 11:34 PM	#1
raiyo Private 8 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Which to do first? I told myself I won't mod this car, but its hard to resist. My 128i is bone stock, no options, and I feel the ride sucks. Since I am running on run flats, which isn't helping. I plan to swap them out once the run flats go bald. Alright, back to topic. Which should I do first? My car is a DD and I like to take corners now and then. Right now with the non-sport stock suspension, the body rolls too much. I've read members who have the KW coilovers wish they went with the M3 suspension bits first. 1). M3 suspension bits (front control arm + rear guide rods) with e93 front sway bar 2). KW V2 Coilovers 3). Change out run flats to Yokohama S. Drive tires (size???) and e93 front sway bar. Last edited by raiyo; 01-20-2010 at 02:30 PM..
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01-20-2010, 02:20 AM	#2
akak1997 Major 62 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: BMW 135 @ 135mph Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	It depends what you goal is, the control arms are good for adding -ve camber and improve steering response, but it is not gonna improve ride. KW V1 isn't gonna improve ride much but you can lower the car a bit, I don't know what spring rate V1 is, but I think it should also help with body roll. Run crap sucks, period, no grip, no comfort, I just swap them out b4 they go bald, maybe sell it to someone who wants run crap tires. Serious, I think ditching the run crap is the best mod here but since you'll have to get new tire eventually, I guess you can wait.
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01-20-2010, 06:57 AM	#3
arrutled Colonel 103 Rep 2,474 Posts Drives: Olsa Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Western Mass iTrader: (0)	1) control arms and sway new tires should not even be an option, its a must if you want a more compliant ride. The rear of the car should be fine for you unless you plan to autocross or track so you wont need rear guide rod kit. __________________ AW 135i w/ blackette, performance short shift kit, BMW alarm, Performance rotors, APEX ARC-8 wheels, Direzza Star Spec 235/275, Dinan stage 3 suspension, M3 wishbones/tension rods/front sway/rear subframe bushings and thats all folks!
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01-20-2010, 07:20 AM	#4
M3_Dust Michelin Man 386 Rep 740 Posts Drives: F10 535i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on forums iTrader: (0)	do the tires first, everything else is going to feel completely different with runflats vs. non-runflats
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01-20-2010, 11:51 AM	#5
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	Definitely get rid of the run flats, they will completely transform the car. I would then go with KW V1s to lower the car and reduce body roll.
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01-20-2010, 02:16 PM	#6
raiyo Private 8 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Guess everyone have there own thoughts on what to do. One thing is for sure, no one selected to do coilovers first. I might go with the non-run flats and front sway bar first. Just have to find out which tire size. I might be able to get some money back from the 300 miles run flat tires. Would it be an overkill if I went with KW V2 for street?
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01-20-2010, 02:21 PM	#7
onefastman Major General 159 Rep 5,689 Posts Drives: 2009 135i 2011 e92m dct Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Earth iTrader: (15)	1. Run flats 2. M3 parts 3. suspension but pay the bit extra and get something better than the v1's. If looking for something not too harsh then get kw street comfort. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(1addicts.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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01-20-2010, 03:53 PM	#8
raiyo Private 8 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	thx for all the help guys. I first thought to change the run flats, but found out they don't worth much at all. $100 for 2? I might as well run them close to bald and swap them out instead. Already purchased a e93 front sway bar and going to see how the goes. Once done, I'll move onto KW V2. After that I'll go with the M3 front control arm + rear guide rods. Hopefully by then, its time to change out the run flats.
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04-02-2010, 09:05 AM	#9
tgxmike Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 293 Posts Drives: '21 M2C 6MT, '21 Charger Scat Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW M2 [0.00]	Sorry to reopen an old threads, but I'm curious about any changes you made. I have a 128i non-sport. I have already ditched the RTF and put hankook V12 on. HUGE difference. I feel like its a different car. The RTF were garbage and I'm saving the 6/32 tread for when I trade the car in. I would like to upgrade the suspension, but I'm on a budget (just bought a house). I never track the car, but I drive spiritedly I'm thinking of.... 1) front sway only (to start) ~$250 (DIY!!!) or 2) BMW performance suspension ~$2250+tax (I hate NY tax) or 3) Eibach + Koni FSD ~$950+install has anyone replaced just the front sway on a non-sport 128i??? any thoughts on doing that first??
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04-02-2010, 12:13 PM	#11
tgxmike Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 293 Posts Drives: '21 M2C 6MT, '21 Charger Scat Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW M2 [0.00]	Thanks Raiyo I'm thinking I'll do the sway bar first, Was the difference noticable with just the front sway bar on the non-sport suspension?? Once you put the new non-RTF on, you will realize how much the non-sport suspension sucks!! I have 205/50/17 Hankook V12's all around and this is such a huge improvement. I would go 225/45 all around if you stick with the 17in wheels.
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04-02-2010, 03:38 PM	#13
wa128 Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2012 AW 135i DCT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: wa state iTrader: (0)	When you add new wheels and tires on to a non-sport suspension you are going to wish you had lowered first. You will get that SUV feeling for awhile until you can change the rest of your suspension. My preference would be to add a sway bar last, if needed, only as a fine tuning device. I'd say lower first. When you lower, you are lowering the car's center of gravity which in itself starts to aid in reducing roll. You might find that you really can manage without the sways after all especially if you are not going to autox or track the car. The V2's might be the way to go. You can adjust them to your comfort level then if body roll still bothers you, go and add in the sways. Just my 2 cents. __________________ 2012 135i \| AW on Blk \| 7DCT \| M-Sport + Premium \| Nav \| Harmon Kardon \| BMW Performance Exhaust & Kidney Grilles
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04-02-2010, 05:21 PM	#14
ModBargains.com Banned 475 Rep 13,583 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	It really depends on the goals you have on your car. Changing up the suspension on your car is going to totally change the stance of your 1er and provide you with a drop as well as improve handling of your BMW across the board. A coilover suspension basically gives you a matched lowering spring and shock absorber combination with the added benefit of adjustable ride height and spring rates through a moveable spring perch or perches. Coilovers are to your car's advantage by reducing unsprung mass, increasing suspension travel, and allowing the car to be corner balanced. As such a crucial component of your vehicle, suspension is definitely something you do not want to cheap out on. KW is known for their reinforced and durable suspension components. KW's coilovers have been carefully crafted and designed by studying the flaws of competitors and improving on them. In addition KW coilovers can go lower than just about any other brand and allow you to set your car to a "slammed look", "sporty look", or anywhere in between.
	Appreciate 0 Quote