Australian Shockworks coilovers (Ohlins alternative)

[OzJustin]

Hi all

I've been looking into quality coilover options for my 135i and recently stumbled upon Shockworks, which is a Melbourne company. They have been making custom valved dampers for various makes and models for some time now and from everything I've read they come very highly regarded. They are custom valved for each car and height, compression & rebound adjustable (10-12 increments) from what I've read.

Many say they are superior to Ohlins and are cheaper (I've seen AUD$2k prices), more comfortable, can be rebuilt locally etc.

I've confirmed that Shockworks have made dampers for the 1M but not 135i/335i to my knowledge.

I understand 1M dampers cannot be used on 135i/335i cars. For those in the know:
- what are the differences between the dampers?
- can they be made to fit with replacement arms etc?
- how different are the damper & spring rates between the 1M & 135i?

If the 1M dampers aren't feasible, my backup plan is to push for development of some coilovers specifically for the 135i/335i platform. Would anyone be interested in a locally developed & custom valved kit on par with Ohlins?

[totti84]

I'll be in the coilover market shortly, do you have any links or reviews you could share with us?

Have you considered KW V2/V3 when they have their factory annual discount sale? Massive savings can be made!

[Simonnn]

I had a set of Shockworks coilovers in my S15 and they were amazing (extremely smooth and comfortable yet very confidence inspiring on our aussie roads). I would have thought 1M suspension would be interchangeable with a 135i, but if not surely they can develop a set for the E82/E92 135i/335i platform?

A friend of mine used his car as the development car as they did not produce a set of dampers for his particular vehicle at that point in time. I have had coilovers in my 135i previously that were designed for a 3 series, springs rates were probably a bit off but I didn't notice anything drastic during normal driving.

[martymil]

On the 1m the front knuckles are different

On the rear the control arms are different

[titium]

OzJustin what makes you say they are superior to the ohlins ? personal experience?

[Orangee94]

thinking of getting coils too myself and if this company develops a 1 series set im interested to hear the review

also looking at ST coil overs tad cheaper and built by KW also aparently

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by totti84

I'll be in the coilover market shortly, do you have any links or reviews you could share with us?

Have you considered KW V2/V3 when they have their factory annual discount sale? Massive savings can be made!

I have considered KW but not so interested in them myself. I've read of quality control issues.

If you google Shockworks it comes up with a fair few forum posts and user reviews. I'm yet to read anything bad about them.

Here are a few threads:
http://www.hachiroku.com.au/forums/s...uspension-Kits
http://forum.liberty.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=26090
http://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/to...ressions-pics/
http://www.fordforums.com.au/forumdisplay.php?f=360

Originally Posted by Simonnn

I had a set of Shockworks coilovers in my S15 and they were amazing (extremely smooth and comfortable yet very confidence inspiring on our aussie roads). I would have thought 1M suspension would be interchangeable with a 135i, but if not surely they can develop a set for the E82/E92 135i/335i platform?

A friend of mine used his car as the development car as they did not produce a set of dampers for his particular vehicle at that point in time. I have had coilovers in my 135i previously that were designed for a 3 series, springs rates were probably a bit off but I didn't notice anything drastic during normal driving.

Thanks again for your feedback Simon. Your S15 got me keen to consider this option.

Originally Posted by martymil

On the 1m the front knuckles are different

On the rear the control arms are different

Thanks Marty. I wonder if the front knuckles could be altered and then I just get a set of 1M control arms (do they fit 135i) to make the 1M kit fit? I'm sure it's not that easy.

Originally Posted by titium

OzJustin what makes you say they are superior to the ohlins ? personal experience?

No personal experience. I'm just relaying what I have read. Read some of the user posts and some of them compare against more expensive Ohlins kits.

Originally Posted by Orangee94

thinking of getting coils too myself and if this company develops a 1 series set im interested to hear the review

also looking at ST coil overs tad cheaper and built by KW also aparently

I'll keep you in the loop on what Shockworks say about developing a kit for our cars.

[MR RIZK]

I thought the front 1M/135 strut was interchangeable but the rear is different. However with the below from turner you could run the 1M rear on a 135i

[Kirst]

Just fyi
MCA suspension do 1 series coilovers now
They arent listed on their website afaik but you can email them

Far
Far
Far
Superior

[martymil]

No the front is different

The hole for the shock in the knuckle is bigger

I personally would change the rear control arm and not use
those brackets as they will shorten the shock travel

At normal shock length it should be a problem, but it possibly be when lowered

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by Kirst

Just fyi
MCA suspension do 1 series coilovers now
They arent listed on their website afaik but you can email them

Far
Far
Far
Superior

What makes you say the MCA are far superior? Have you personally tested both products?
Last I checked MCA Reds were $2600-2900 depending on options chosen.

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by martymil

No the front is different

The hole for the shock in the knuckle is bigger

I personally would change the rear control arm and not use
those brackets as they will shorten the shock travel

At normal shock length it should be a problem, but it possibly be when lowered

I do like the idea of purchasing a 1M kit as it would give me flexibility to transfer them to a 1M if I ever bought one.

It sounds like the 1M rear arms aren't a problem. Marty are you aware of any methods of adjusting the knuckle hole or other ways of making the front compatible?

[Kirst]

I have run them in another car @ozjustin and found the mcas better all round, plus they have proven track performance which is always a big bonus

The reds start at 2500 but there are blues and x options also which come in a lot cheaper. If you arent taking your car to the track the reds are a bit excessive

[_ink]

Interesting option indeed!

What other adjustability do they provide? I.e. Camber plates (ala BC racing), dampening dial for front and rears?

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by Kirst

I have run them in another car @ozjustin and found the mcas better all round, plus they have proven track performance which is always a big bonus

The reds start at 2500 but there are blues and x options also which come in a lot cheaper. If you arent taking your car to the track the reds are a bit excessive

You've run the Shockworks in another car and the MCA in your old 135i?

[Kirst]

No ive run both in other cars, josh from mca was refusing to make the cheaper options other than golds for 1ers until a couple of months ago

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by Kirst

No ive run both in other cars, josh from mca was refusing to make the cheaper options other than golds for 1ers until a couple of months ago

That's excellent. You're in a very unique position to be able to comment directly on the strengths/weaknesses of each brand. Would you mind sharing some thoughts comparing both i.e. performance for high and low frequency bumps, crashing over pot holes/train tracks, quick direction changes, pitch/squat under acceleration/braking, flatness through corners, noise from the camber plates, range of damper adjustability etc. Any thoughts you could provide would be appreciated.

[jaze55]

Originally Posted by Kirst

No ive run both in other cars, josh from mca was refusing to make the cheaper options other than golds for 1ers until a couple of months ago

That is good news indeed as I have been debating between Ohlins or Bilstein coilovers. The more options that are available the better, based on the above info I am leaning towards MCA as they are developed for each car where the ohlins and bilstein are 3 series units.

[questionable]

I love my bilstien pss10/b16

[135]

Originally Posted by jaze55

That is good news indeed as I have been debating between Ohlins or Bilstein coilovers. The more options that are available the better, based on the above info I am leaning towards MCA as they are developed for each car where the ohlins and bilstein are 3 series units.

All non-M coilovers (i.e. struts and shocks) are identical for both 1- and 3-series. Only the spring rate differs and, if you're getting custom spring rates, then it doesn't matter.

If you're tracking your car then don't bother with the MCA Blue/Red - get the Gold with remote reservoirs.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by OzJustin

I do like the idea of purchasing a 1M kit as it would give me flexibility to transfer them to a 1M if I ever bought one.

It sounds like the 1M rear arms aren't a problem. Marty are you aware of any methods of adjusting the knuckle hole or other ways of making the front compatible?

Sounds like if the knuckle bore size is larger, it may be as simple as machining up a set of sleeves that slip on over the shock body and are a tight intermediate fit in the 135i knuckle?

[martymil]

The shock is larger on the 1m so you can't fit it in the 135i

You could fit a 135 Shock in a 1m with a sleeve but it's bigger for a reason to hold more oil ti help with heat dissipation