Stock suspension with Koni yellows?

[1junkie]

I'm sure this has been discussed within other threads but I really can't seem to find it. I am looking to firm up the ride of my 135i convertible. I don't want to lower the car but I want it to ride better. Now this may sound like an odd comparison but my DD is a 15 Lexus Ct200h Fsport. Yes slow but rides so nice but firm. The same bumps and dips that seem to make the 135 bottom out or bounce hard are nothing to the Lexus. It stays composed and firm. Never soft and floaty feeling which i feel the 135 can be at times. Both cars have a lil over 35k miles but the bmw is a 12. My thinking is that if I change over to Koni yellows I can adjust them a lil firmer and get the same or similar ride as the lexus. Is this the case? I realize different cars and spring rates and what not but for those of you who have only changed to koni yellows and left the rest the same what are your impressions.

[titium]

rear subframe bushes, the stock ones are terrible.

After that then yes you could go koni yellows.

[John_01]

The yellows transmit a bit of road vibration on harder settings, but its fine if you set them soft, such as 0.5~0.75 turns from full soft. For bigger bumps, the konis are surprisingly comfortable. I think that RFT tires would NOT be a good combination, but with conventional tyres it seems like a potentially good approach. I have the Koni yellows with Performance springs, so I can't directly answer your question.

[1junkie]

The Run flats are gone so just conventional tires on the car. And what kind of difference are talking with the bushings?

[John_01]

The rear subframe bushings are what attaches the entire rear axle assembly to the car. The stock ones are a compromised design to absorb harshness from the OE run flat tires. Upgrading them makes the car feel at lot more secure and more precise in every way. I think its equally as important as changing the dampers. Stock 135i dampers are quite poor when new, and unfortunately the same applies to the subframe bushings. More details here:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...9#post20480129

[chris@strutmonkey]

Koni Yellows would work, so would Bilstein B6. The Bilstein come firmer and are not adjustable. Koni are adjustable but the rears need to be removed from car to adjust - might take a couple tries before you get it right. Fronts are easy adjustment.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by chris@strutmonkey

... Koni are adjustable but the rears need to be removed from car to adjust ...

Really? I was thinking that it could be done from inside the trunk w/ the carpet removed. I can't say for sure, I've had the trunk apart to install stereo equipment but was not really paying attention to the struts at the time.

[tock172]

My vote is for the Bilstein B8 performance plus dampers. B6s won't work correctly with the M-sport springs in your suspension. Never been a big fan of Koni.

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Really? I was thinking that it could be done from inside the trunk w/ the carpet removed. I can't say for sure, I've had the trunk apart to install stereo equipment but was not really paying attention to the struts at the time.

The front struts are usually adjustable via a white knob, while the rears need to be completely depressed and then turned. Second procedure listed here (8240 series): http://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAm...stment-Guides/

[John_01]

The Koni struts in front are also difficult to adjust with the stock front strut-reinforcement bar in place.
If your budget allows, I'd recommend changing to the E82 1M front strut bar, together with the plastic caps that go over the top to keep debris out.

There is also this thread with info about settings for Koni shocks with M-sport springs.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636984

However in the above thread, the rear shocks are not the koni yellow. They are TC Kline / Koni externally adjustable, such as these http://www.tcklineracing.com/webdocs...Details943.cfm
I also have TC kline externally adjustable rear shocks. The rear shock body is exactly 1" shorter than the stock 135i shocks. I guess the valving may be slightly firmer, but its hard to be sure.

[juld0zer]

B8s ride hard. Even with PSS they are definitely not going to be like your Lexus.

[Olgeezer1]

Originally Posted by tock172

My vote is for the Bilstein B8 performance plus dampers. B6s won't work correctly with the M-sport springs in your suspension. Never been a big fan of Koni.



The front struts are usually adjustable via a white knob, while the rears need to be completely depressed and then turned. Second procedure listed here (8240 series): http://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAm...stment-Guides/

B6's are what Bilstein recommends for stock sport pkg. springs. B8's are recommended for springs that drop lower than sport pkg. I like the ride of my B6/ non-runflat tire combo. Firm but not harsh. Not interested in adjusting the Konis.

[tock172]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

B8s ride hard. Even with PSS they are definitely not going to be like your Lexus.

Why on earth would anyone want their BMW to ride and drive like a lexus?

Originally Posted by Olgeezer1

B6's are what Bilstein recommends for stock sport pkg. springs. B8's are recommended for springs that drop lower than sport pkg. I like the ride of my B6/ non-runflat tire combo. Firm but not harsh. Not interested in adjusting the Konis.

You have a 128i so it doesn't apply to you, but all US market 135i's came with M-Sport suspension, and the only dampers to pair with M-Sport springs are the B8 dampers which are designed for lowering springs. Your sport package 128i came with sport springs which are a different story, though they're probably low enough to pair with B8 dampers, but I wouldn't be shocked if they work fine with B6 dampers as well.

[chris@strutmonkey]

Nope. gotta take them off.

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Really? I was thinking that it could be done from inside the trunk w/ the carpet removed. I can't say for sure, I've had the trunk apart to install stereo equipment but was not really paying attention to the struts at the time.

[juld0zer]

Originally Posted by tock172

Why on earth would anyone want their BMW to ride and drive like a lexus?

Is that not what the OP wanted? I thought the same too, but every has their priorities. If i could have my suspension like my previous Megane 265 then that would be a good balance. It rode firm but well damped. Had heaps of suspension travel too for a former Nurburgring record holder, so it was everyday practical too

[John_01]

The suspension in the Lexus IS-F V8 is quite good as a road car. Firmly sprung with just enough damping. Lexus put double wishbone suspension on the front of their cars, which helps isolate the road noise and vibrations compared to BMW's strut setup.

BMW's suspension is full of compromises because it is designed for run-flat tires. The stock suspension in the 135i is a long way from a being a benchmark for ride and handling.

[1junkie]

I'm not saying I want it to ride ride like a big ol floaty LS or something. I just want to make it firmer but not jarring. The Fsport set up on the CT is very good. sporty and tossable.
Like my last MINI. The stock was firm but jarring. swapped out to koni's and the ride was sooo much better. more livable but still firm. I feel like the 135 is just the opposite stock. its too soft and bumps hit hard. Its not my dd but I dont want it to throw me outta my seat from bein so stiff when im done. Does that make sense?

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by 1junkie

I'm not saying I want it to ride ride like a big ol floaty LS or something. I just want to make it firmer but not jarring. The Fsport set up on the CT is very good. sporty and tossable.
Like my last MINI. The stock was firm but jarring. swapped out to koni's and the ride was sooo much better. more livable but still firm. I feel like the 135 is just the opposite stock. its too soft and bumps hit hard. Its not my dd but I dont want it to throw me outta my seat from bein so stiff when im done. Does that make sense?

I would say for bumps and small sharp imperfections, Konis are better suited for daily driving and bilsteins are a bit harsher.

Bilsteins (at least when talking B6/B8 vs Koni yellow) I find have better overall body control and react faster.

So it all depends on your preference. Both are good quality shocks, and certainly Konis would work fine on stock msport springs. The springs are however quite weak, you might as well upgrade both.

[1junkie]

i was thinking that the springs were probably weak. What are my options for springs if I don't want to lower the ride. I feel like mine is already pretty damn low.

[John_01]

Not much option for stock-height springs. Only possibly thing I can think of is a set of D7 front, D2 rear M-sport springs from an E92 335i Auto. I can't be sure how it would work on the rear.

EDIT: Since your car is a E88 vert, the springs from an E92 coupe wouldn't be enough to get an increase in height.

[ianc]

Aren't the springs for the performance suspension available separately? Might not be a bad match with the yellows. Or maybe just have the entire PS installed?

ianc

[dojk]

Isnt' the B6 (HD) designed to work with the M-Sport springs and the B8 to work with the BMW Performance springs?

[Gangplank]

Rear subframe bushings are a must have improvement. Best thing I did so far. Also the diff brace upgrade. Rear end is planted now. That plus non runflats 225/255. Very different ride.