Question on unique set up...

cleveland797 · 12-04-2011, 07:03 PM

I apologize in advance if I run on and this makes no sense to some people, but Ill do my best...

Car:
08 135i DCI, JB3, ER FMIC, 19" LM reps, Stock suspension
57k miles

Location: NM

Me: 25, Med device rep (spine), single, no kids. I ride off-road motorcycles and snowboard. Car whore.

I love this car. But I have a few questions. Im posting this here cause I feel its going to be mostly chassis related.

Currently with the stock suspension and 19" (225/35 19, 265/30 19) lm reps I rub fairly often. For work I have to carry surgical sets, which can be pretty heavy. I've stuffed like 12 in the truck/back seat before. Each weighing anywhere from 15-50 lbs...just depends. So lets say worst case, Ill have 400lbs back there. This is rare though, most of the time I would say its closer to 250lbs total in the car.

Most times its just around ABQ hospitals running sets for our cases. But we do a lot of business in Santa Fe and Farmington so I am making this trek fairly often. Hitting expansion joints at 80+ mph isn't fun. It isn't fun without surgical sets in the car.

Next I wanna put a hitch on to pull my little 3 rail dirt bike trailer. I've seen the DIY thread, and know that with what I wanna be able to do, this is work fine. My GF has her 4runner which we usually pull the trailer with (I got her a bike, so she rides too), but when I wanna go ride for a couple hours without her, I don't have to steal her 4runner and leave her home. Max 2 bikes at around 220lbs plus gear and gas shouldn't really be a problem. I saw the dude towing the two jet-skis with his 135i, my set up is much less weight.

With NM's weather I need a winter wheel set up. Its doesn't snow much around ABQ or SF, but it gets into the 10-20's F*. Snow is always possible up to Farmington, and in this business, you HAVE to be there. When your responsible for implants going into someones spine, you gotta be there. I would like to know I can head up to Taos, or WC to snowboard when its coming down and make it up there. I have my stock 18" staggered wheels I want to put tires on.

So I guess Im looking for set up advice on a suspension set-up. Im not super concerned with a low set up or any real "stance". I just want some peoples opinons on what the think I need. I want something that can handle the situations its put in comfortably. Go before show...

Should I put some ultra high perf All Seasons on my 18"s or go to a full 17" winter set up?

And yes, I have owned numerous trucks...not interested in going that route right now.

pixelblue · 12-04-2011, 07:37 PM

I would first look into changing the rear springs to a higher rate. This should help with the extra weight you carry around in the back. This would also be the cheapest route. I can tell I had no trouble with traction in 6" of snow on my Conti DWS tires. Great year round tire.

cleveland797 · 12-04-2011, 07:46 PM

Thanks. What about a spring/shock combo all around? Any suggestions?
What size conti dws where you running?

Focusedintntions · 12-05-2011, 06:38 AM

Your rubbing issues are from the large 19's with the 265s...got with something smaller 255 and or 18" wheel and you'll get rid of the issue. Also a smaller rim with more rubber around the rim will help with the expansion joints.

IGoFast1589 · 12-05-2011, 06:56 AM

Pixelblue is right, you will need more spring in the rear. That will help it stay level with weight, but in all honestly I would expect the car to burn through dampers with your level of use with anything aftermarket for this car. They weren't designed for your utility like use. If I were you I would stick with stock everything for the durability benefits and get a smaller set of wheels and tires so that when it is loaded up they wheels aren't buried in the fenders. That's for a cost effective, functional solution.

pixelblue · 12-05-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleveland797

Thanks. What about a spring/shock combo all around? Any suggestions?
What size conti dws where you running?

Yeah that'll be the next logical step up. I would hit up Harold at HP Autowerks. He'll take care of you. Also I agree with the previous post regarding 19" harsh ride. I'm running 225/255 with my tires

12-04-2011, 07:03 PM	#1
cleveland797 Private 5 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 16 M2 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ABQ iTrader: (3)	Question on unique set up... I apologize in advance if I run on and this makes no sense to some people, but Ill do my best... Car: 08 135i DCI, JB3, ER FMIC, 19" LM reps, Stock suspension 57k miles Location: NM Me: 25, Med device rep (spine), single, no kids. I ride off-road motorcycles and snowboard. Car whore. I love this car. But I have a few questions. Im posting this here cause I feel its going to be mostly chassis related. Currently with the stock suspension and 19" (225/35 19, 265/30 19) lm reps I rub fairly often. For work I have to carry surgical sets, which can be pretty heavy. I've stuffed like 12 in the truck/back seat before. Each weighing anywhere from 15-50 lbs...just depends. So lets say worst case, Ill have 400lbs back there. This is rare though, most of the time I would say its closer to 250lbs total in the car. Most times its just around ABQ hospitals running sets for our cases. But we do a lot of business in Santa Fe and Farmington so I am making this trek fairly often. Hitting expansion joints at 80+ mph isn't fun. It isn't fun without surgical sets in the car. Next I wanna put a hitch on to pull my little 3 rail dirt bike trailer. I've seen the DIY thread, and know that with what I wanna be able to do, this is work fine. My GF has her 4runner which we usually pull the trailer with (I got her a bike, so she rides too), but when I wanna go ride for a couple hours without her, I don't have to steal her 4runner and leave her home. Max 2 bikes at around 220lbs plus gear and gas shouldn't really be a problem. I saw the dude towing the two jet-skis with his 135i, my set up is much less weight. With NM's weather I need a winter wheel set up. Its doesn't snow much around ABQ or SF, but it gets into the 10-20's F*. Snow is always possible up to Farmington, and in this business, you HAVE to be there. When your responsible for implants going into someones spine, you gotta be there. I would like to know I can head up to Taos, or WC to snowboard when its coming down and make it up there. I have my stock 18" staggered wheels I want to put tires on. So I guess Im looking for set up advice on a suspension set-up. Im not super concerned with a low set up or any real "stance". I just want some peoples opinons on what the think I need. I want something that can handle the situations its put in comfortably. Go before show... Should I put some ultra high perf All Seasons on my 18"s or go to a full 17" winter set up? And yes, I have owned numerous trucks...not interested in going that route right now.
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12-04-2011, 07:37 PM	#2
pixelblue Colonel 140 Rep 2,234 Posts Drives: the silver bullet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: northern virginia iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i [8.90]	I would first look into changing the rear springs to a higher rate. This should help with the extra weight you carry around in the back. This would also be the cheapest route. I can tell I had no trouble with traction in 6" of snow on my Conti DWS tires. Great year round tire. __________________ "I would quote everything pixelblue said, but you've already read it. Take it from someone who's put the 1 through its paces"
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12-04-2011, 07:46 PM	#3
cleveland797 Private 5 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 16 M2 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ABQ iTrader: (3)	Thanks. What about a spring/shock combo all around? Any suggestions? What size conti dws where you running?
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12-05-2011, 06:38 AM	#4
Focusedintntions Colonel 105 Rep 2,696 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	Your rubbing issues are from the large 19's with the 265s...got with something smaller 255 and or 18" wheel and you'll get rid of the issue. Also a smaller rim with more rubber around the rim will help with the expansion joints. __________________ Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
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12-05-2011, 06:56 AM	#5
IGoFast1589 Captain 49 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	Pixelblue is right, you will need more spring in the rear. That will help it stay level with weight, but in all honestly I would expect the car to burn through dampers with your level of use with anything aftermarket for this car. They weren't designed for your utility like use. If I were you I would stick with stock everything for the durability benefits and get a smaller set of wheels and tires so that when it is loaded up they wheels aren't buried in the fenders. That's for a cost effective, functional solution.
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