Suspension NOOB needing advice

ONErLOVE · 07-30-2016, 09:19 PM

I've had my 135 for almost two years now, and have only made a few cosmetic mods. I just got 18" VMR VB3s and now I want to lower my car. I just have no clue what route to go. I don't want to go too low, I just want to get rid of most of the wheel gap. I do not track my vehicle, not sure that I ever will. It's just my fun daily driver. My budget is around 2k. Do you suggest coilovers or springs/shocks. Any good brand suggestions? My only concern is a bouncy ride, I do not want that at all. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks for your time.

desertman123 · 07-31-2016, 08:33 AM

BMW performance suspension sounds perfect. Apparently it's slightly stiffer and a small drop with little compromise

lowbudgethero · 07-31-2016, 08:42 AM

+1 if you do a search for pictures of performance suspension you can see if that's low enough for you, otherwise one of the aftermarket spring/shock combos will be good. As long as you get appropriately matched shocks to the springs you shouldn't have a problem. I wouldn't recommend springs only on this car because the shocks are barely adequate for the stock spring rate imo.

Gangplank · 07-31-2016, 09:15 AM

If you check the suspension section there is a ton of info. Koni or Bilstein w/ Eibach springs are good options.

KNS · 07-31-2016, 01:47 PM

I did the Performance Suspension. Love it, the car should have come this way from the factory.

davis449 · 08-01-2016, 10:34 AM

Eibachs and stock shocks. No complaints after almost 20K miles.

fast1eddy · 08-02-2016, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNS

I did the Performance Suspension. Love it, the car should have come this way from the factory.

Agree 100%. BMW performance suspension is just about perfect for a daily driver. You've got to do the rear subframe bushings too though to get the full benefit.

bodega_bladerunner · 08-02-2016, 11:26 AM

Gonna go against the grain and suggest going coil overs from the getgo. You will be happier in the end. My previous car I started with just springs. Those were cool. Then I got shocks. Those were cool. Then I got new lower springs. Those were cool. Then I finally ponied up for coilovers and I said to myself, never again. Always coils from the getgo. Once you lower it, the mod bug will haunt you no doubt about it.
I had kw v1 and loved those things and plan to get them for the 1 if I do go with new suspension. The msport suspension seems low/firm enough.

07-30-2016, 09:19 PM	#1
ONErLOVE New Member 3 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2010 CR 135i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Tacoma Washington iTrader: (0)	Suspension NOOB needing advice I've had my 135 for almost two years now, and have only made a few cosmetic mods. I just got 18" VMR VB3s and now I want to lower my car. I just have no clue what route to go. I don't want to go too low, I just want to get rid of most of the wheel gap. I do not track my vehicle, not sure that I ever will. It's just my fun daily driver. My budget is around 2k. Do you suggest coilovers or springs/shocks. Any good brand suggestions? My only concern is a bouncy ride, I do not want that at all. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks for your time.
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07-31-2016, 08:33 AM	#2
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	BMW performance suspension sounds perfect. Apparently it's slightly stiffer and a small drop with little compromise
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07-31-2016, 08:42 AM	#3
lowbudgethero Captain 125 Rep 750 Posts Drives: '98 Z3M (gone), '09 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: 908 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [8.50]	+1 if you do a search for pictures of performance suspension you can see if that's low enough for you, otherwise one of the aftermarket spring/shock combos will be good. As long as you get appropriately matched shocks to the springs you shouldn't have a problem. I wouldn't recommend springs only on this car because the shocks are barely adequate for the stock spring rate imo.
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07-31-2016, 09:15 AM	#4
Gangplank Brigadier General 1541 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vero Beach, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	If you check the suspension section there is a ton of info. Koni or Bilstein w/ Eibach springs are good options. __________________ 2011 135i w/ DCT \| ZSP Sport Pkg \| PPK \| Ohlins R
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07-31-2016, 01:47 PM	#5
KNS Lieutenant 137 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 128i and Porsche Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I did the Performance Suspension. Love it, the car should have come this way from the factory.
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08-01-2016, 10:34 AM	#6
davis449 Captain 423 Rep 887 Posts Drives: 2014 Audi SQ5 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Eibachs and stock shocks. No complaints after almost 20K miles.
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08-02-2016, 11:26 AM	#8
bodega_bladerunner Lieutenant 156 Rep 434 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	Gonna go against the grain and suggest going coil overs from the getgo. You will be happier in the end. My previous car I started with just springs. Those were cool. Then I got shocks. Those were cool. Then I got new lower springs. Those were cool. Then I finally ponied up for coilovers and I said to myself, never again. Always coils from the getgo. Once you lower it, the mod bug will haunt you no doubt about it. I had kw v1 and loved those things and plan to get them for the 1 if I do go with new suspension. The msport suspension seems low/firm enough.
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