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      02-21-2008, 11:44 PM   #1
ktdw
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Coilovers or Springs...what about Wheels?

I'm ichy to purchase all of my first mods before my 135 gets here, and probably the first performance mod is wheels and suspension. However, I have no idea of the what/when.

1. So, should I get coilovers or springs? I thought recall reading that you shouldn't just change the springs...what do you guys think? Now, this car will (here's hoping) see some track days, but it most likely see spirited street driving.

2. What about anti-roll bars? I see that the tirerack has them for the 135, but I'm not sure if it the "right" one.

3. Also, I will also replace the OEM wheels and tires, but shouldn't this be done at the same time as the above? I thought that getting more rubber up front would reduce the understeer, and perhaps change the suspention setup. Of course, we also need to know what size wheels will fit.....

Thanks.
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      02-21-2008, 11:52 PM   #2
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since ur from Cali i'll respond..
1. defintely get coilovers..im waiting to see if Bilsteins RideControl will work for our cars..but no telling so we have to wait..sucks
2. if they are eibach..they should be good stuff
3. wheel situation is up in the air..not even tirerack knows what will fit yet..i am bad at waiting but i suggest a little patience..wait until we get some confirmation regarding what will fit..don't go on what many think will fit
my response will not make u happy now but in long run..it will be best thing..
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      02-22-2008, 08:27 AM   #3
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1. coil overs are over kill unless you are a real track junkie or want to be able to say I have coil overs(bilstein PSS9 isn't even a true full coil over setup). coil overs are also more complicated. but when you change springs you should do shocks also. a nice set of H&R springs and bilstein sport shocks would work awesome.

2. if they sell them for the 135i they'll work just remember the difficulty/expense of the rear bar installation.

3 does not need to be done at the same time as suspension
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      02-22-2008, 08:58 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWeber View Post
2. if they sell them for the 135i they'll work just remember the difficulty/expense of the rear bar installation.
What's the issue with the rear ARB installation???
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      02-22-2008, 09:04 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Balls View Post
What's the issue with the rear ARB installation???
You have to drop the rear subframe to get access to remove the old bar, and install a new one. The sway bar routes on top of the subframe, just as it does on the current 3 series cars.
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      02-22-2008, 09:22 AM   #6
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You have to drop the rear subframe to get access to remove the old bar, and install a new one. The sway bar routes on top of the subframe, just as it does on the current 3 series cars.
Any idea the labor cost (hours involved)? Seems a very fitting mod to help reduce the dramatic understeer I experienced in the car on a dry but cold/windy day.
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      02-22-2008, 09:31 AM   #7
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Unfortunately not. For the 3er, I think it takes 3 hours to do. For the 1er, who knows yet. :iono:
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      02-22-2008, 09:50 AM   #8
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^^ It's worth it. Those tweaks make all the difference in the world (if you're like me and can be easily annoyed by things like understeer, tire noise, poor damping, body roll, etc.).
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      02-22-2008, 10:21 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Balls View Post
^^ It's worth it. Those tweaks make all the difference in the world (if you're like me and can be easily annoyed by things like understeer, tire noise, poor damping, body roll, etc.).
do you go to track events much or autocross? if yes then the understeer would be noticeable. on the street you'll never be able or should push the car hard enough to be an issue. also springs shocks and proper front camber should be enough to solve any understeer problems. also I run a stock 325i rear sway bar in my E36 M3 race car.
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      02-22-2008, 10:26 AM   #10
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^^ With my TT, I did coilovers (KW V3) first and afterwards didn't see the need for different ARBs. However, I've driven the 135i aggressively on familar (very curvy) roads here in Germany and the car plows far more than I'm used to and I don't like that. Steering seems good and quick, but the front end lacks grip. I'll probably do the same as the TT, mount KW V3s (or maybe V2s this time) and evaluate. I also hit Nurburgring every now and then and that place really shows if you have a bad suspension setup. I like a very neutral cornering car with minimal body roll and lots and lots of grip!
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      02-22-2008, 10:56 AM   #11
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^^^
didn't relize you had first hand experiance with the 135i, very cool. have you read any of Advevo post. he has already moded his 135 with springs bigger front tires and more -camber and says the understeer is gone. so all depending on how you like your car set up sway bars are more of a personal preference. I personally don't recommend large rear sway bars on higher powered RWD cars. it makes it harder to put the power down coming out of a corner.
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      02-22-2008, 10:58 AM   #12
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3. As far as wheel size is concerned, I think with F19 X 8 and R19 X 9 with the OEM offset you should be fine. Anything larger and you will have to roll your fenders.
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      02-22-2008, 11:01 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4th-n-1 View Post
3. As far as wheel size is concerned, I think with F19 X 8 and R19 X 9 with the OEM offset you should be fine. Anything larger and you will have to roll your fenders.

you people that live in places with warm weather and your 19" rims
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      02-22-2008, 11:10 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWeber View Post
you people that live in places with warm weather and your 19" rims
LOL I have 18's on my car now. It rains a mess load down here, and we have hurricanes
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      02-22-2008, 01:39 PM   #15
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Coil overs are not an over-kill. There's a difference betweem how you tune/adjust and what spring rate you use on the street. I have coil overs on all my cars, Koni, QA1 and KW stuff. On my track car I have 6 different spring sets so I can choose the right spring for the each individual track. the coil overs for the street however only need one set, that gives you the best handling and ride with properly set up rebound and compression, once you have the right combination you are happy to cruise around for million miles. :biggrin: The coil over kits offered for street car by the big manufacturers are usually set up for street use already...:headbang:
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      02-22-2008, 02:17 PM   #16
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Going with H&R springs for dd use. If I were tracking her I'd def. go with a coilover setup.

A bit off topic, is there any real difference between H&R & Eibach besides the lowering rates?
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      02-22-2008, 02:51 PM   #17
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I've had both...
I'll take H&R any day.

I found Eibach too soft in the 1st stage progression.
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      02-22-2008, 03:02 PM   #18
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^ Good to know, thanks.
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      02-22-2008, 03:27 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by groovyjay View Post
Coil overs are not an over-kill. There's a difference betweem how you tune/adjust and what spring rate you use on the street. I have coil overs on all my cars, Koni, QA1 and KW stuff. On my track car I have 6 different spring sets so I can choose the right spring for the each individual track. the coil overs for the street however only need one set, that gives you the best handling and ride with properly set up rebound and compression, once you have the right combination you are happy to cruise around for million miles. :biggrin: The coil over kits offered for street car by the big manufacturers are usually set up for street use already...:headbang:
I fully understand what your saying. but ktdw seems like he is pretty new to the suspension mods and the easiest and best all around for street use is using the standard spring mounting positions witch also the best for your warranty. and a lot of these coil over kits for the street give you no measurable performance gain but cost more.
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      02-22-2008, 04:21 PM   #20
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i have experience with Eibach springs only and they seem alittle too soft for me. i have driven a car with H&R's and i think they seemed alittle more firm.
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      02-23-2008, 12:18 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWeber View Post
but when you change springs you should do shocks also. a nice set of H&R springs and bilstein sport shocks would work awesome.
Thanks for the responses. Why is it recommended to change the shocks if you change the springs?

Also, can you explain a little why coilovers are more complicated? It seems that coilovers are bought in a kit, and that all is necessary is the install. But for springs and shocks, you need to do a lot more thinking about which springs go with what shocks, etc.
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      02-23-2008, 12:21 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by groovyjay View Post
Coil overs are not an over-kill. There's a difference betweem how you tune/adjust and what spring rate you use on the street. I have coil overs on all my cars, Koni, QA1 and KW stuff. On my track car I have 6 different spring sets so I can choose the right spring for the each individual track. the coil overs for the street however only need one set, that gives you the best handling and ride with properly set up rebound and compression, once you have the right combination you are happy to cruise around for million miles. :biggrin: The coil over kits offered for street car by the big manufacturers are usually set up for street use already...:headbang:
Amen!
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