Vogtland Coilover Review

greensto · 03-21-2013, 09:30 AM

I was looking around for coilovers for my 135i for quite some time and was debating between the ST's and KW V1's since they appeared to suit my needs for lowering the car to exactly where I wanted and providing a slightly stiffer ride with improved handling. Previously having Vogtland coilovers on my Audi A4 and being very satisfied with them, I discovered that there was an option for my 135i. I looked for reviews, but could hardly find anything. That was a little worrisome at first but, after seeing how similar the Vogtlands were to the ST's and KW's in terms of spring rate and structure, I decided to contact them. Although sometimes a little slow to respond, they provided pictures upon request to satisfy my concerns that I would be receiving a quality product that would be right for my car. The coilovers were packaged extremely well within two boxes and they looked beautiful.

Installation was the same as any other coilover system for our cars, however, these did not come with a top hat for the fronts, so the OEM ones had to be removed from the old and bolted to the new. Installation went smoothly and the provided tool made it straightforward to adjust to my likings. I didn't want to slam it and make the ride jarring, so I lowered it approximately 1.75" in the back and 2.25" in the front for a slight rake look. I know the ride will settle a bit, so I will likely end up with something around 2" drop in the back and 2.5" drop in the front. I may have kept it slightly higher if I lived up north where you can find potholes, but the roads here in Florida are very flat. I can always adjust the fronts if I need to by removing the wheel and just turning a knob.

I got into my car with my friend for a test drive (with the stock springs loaded in the trunk). To be honest, the Vogtlands exceeded my expectations. As I turned the steering wheel back and forth quickly, I didn't expect the responsiveness that I felt. They were worlds beyond my experience with the coilovers on my Audi. The ride is definitely stiffer than stock, but still smooth a stock-like in normal driving. Of course, the benefit of reducing wheel gap is always a huge plus too. The only downfall that I see with these coilovers is that they do not have adjustable dampening (but I don't track my car) and they are more prone to corrosion than the KW's because of the material (but I don't have to worry about that in Florida). Overall, the Vogtland system is a great set-up for street use and gives you great adjusting ability. I will let you guys know any updates after putting on some miles. For now, I will be enjoying them every time I get into my car

Here we go...

So old...

So fresh and so clean...

Now to the fronts...

Oops too low...

That's better...

Zombie1 · 03-21-2013, 10:04 AM

Very nice I need to make up my mind on suspension

lastMleft · 03-21-2013, 10:04 AM

Nice write up, and the coils look good, they appear to be well made?? Cars looking bad ass! I know I just mentioned that on your last thread but have to give props when due

andrey_gta · 03-21-2013, 11:56 AM

Thank you for this review

greensto · 03-21-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Thank you for this review

No problem at all. It was exactly what I would have wanted to know before ordering coilovers from a company, so I figured I'd help the community out since that's what it's here for.

greensto · 03-21-2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie1

Very nice I need to make up my mind on suspension

Coilovers instead of springs are really worth the upgrade in my opinion. They dramatically change the look and performance of every day driving without the amount of rebound you find with most springs. I'm not connected to Vogtland, but do support their product after having used their coilovers for years without issues.

RimasRS · 03-21-2013, 01:23 PM

Looks great. That is one of the mods which I am looking now when summer is coming...
How does that feels?

ShocknAwe · 03-21-2013, 01:28 PM

Great review thanks!

greensto · 03-21-2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimasRS

Looks great. That is one of the mods which I am looking now when summer is coming...
How does that feels?

Feels good

Onezie · 05-01-2013, 07:06 AM

Awesome review! I was in the same boat as far as my initial considerations for coilovers. Now i am considering these as well. Did u get these from a vendor on here?

greensto · 05-01-2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3_Dreamin

Awesome review! I was in the same boat as far as my initial considerations for coilovers. Now i am considering these as well. Did u get these from a vendor on here?

They are still performing amazingly. I contacted Vogtland NA directly.

NWillard77 · 02-16-2014, 08:06 PM

Greensto,

can you update this on how theyre holding up? I had votgland on my B7A4 i sold for the 1er. They were great for the money and i have found the e82 votglands for $811! Its between these or the ST's. Just interested in how the votglands are holding up through the past year or so. Thanks!

greensto · 02-17-2014, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wicked_pissah

Greensto,

can you update this on how theyre holding up? I had votgland on my B7A4 i sold for the 1er. They were great for the money and i have found the e82 votglands for $811! Its between these or the ST's. Just interested in how the votglands are holding up through the past year or so. Thanks!

My Vogtlands are doing great so far and I still love the ride. I say go for them. You won't regret it!

NWillard77 · 02-17-2014, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greensto

My Vogtlands are doing great so far and I still love the ride. I say go for them. You won't regret it!

Thanks for the reply! Votgland it is!!

greensto · 02-17-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wicked_pissah

Thanks for the reply! Votgland it is!!

yllwwgn · 02-18-2014, 10:47 AM

Greensto, thanks for the detailed review. Any idea what the MINIMUM lowering is with these? For instance if I only wanted to drop .25-.5" over the stock M Sport height, could I? Most coilovers are such that you HAVE to drop at least an inch or so at minimum, whether you wanted to or not.

swagon · 02-18-2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yllwwgn

Greensto, thanks for the detailed review. Any idea what the MINIMUM lowering is with these? For instance if I only wanted to drop .25-.5" over the stock M Sport height, could I? Most coilovers are such that you HAVE to drop at least an inch or so at minimum, whether you wanted to or not.

KW Street Comfort's. They can be set at almost stock height iirc, ranging from less than half an inch to 1.2 or so? (10-30 mm).

BMW Performance springs also lower the car by only 10 milimetres.

yllwwgn · 02-18-2014, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagon

KW Street Comfort's. They can be set at almost stock height iirc, ranging from less than half an inch to 1.2 or so? (10-30 mm).

BMW Performance springs also lower the car by only 10 milimetres.

Yup, the BMWP springs I was aware of, but was curious of some of the coilover setups. Good to know the KW Street Comforts can be set that high, thanks!

03-21-2013, 09:30 AM	#1
greensto Wild Card 91 Rep 683 Posts Drives: 1M Conversion Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (2)	Vogtland Coilover Review I was looking around for coilovers for my 135i for quite some time and was debating between the ST's and KW V1's since they appeared to suit my needs for lowering the car to exactly where I wanted and providing a slightly stiffer ride with improved handling. Previously having Vogtland coilovers on my Audi A4 and being very satisfied with them, I discovered that there was an option for my 135i. I looked for reviews, but could hardly find anything. That was a little worrisome at first but, after seeing how similar the Vogtlands were to the ST's and KW's in terms of spring rate and structure, I decided to contact them. Although sometimes a little slow to respond, they provided pictures upon request to satisfy my concerns that I would be receiving a quality product that would be right for my car. The coilovers were packaged extremely well within two boxes and they looked beautiful. Installation was the same as any other coilover system for our cars, however, these did not come with a top hat for the fronts, so the OEM ones had to be removed from the old and bolted to the new. Installation went smoothly and the provided tool made it straightforward to adjust to my likings. I didn't want to slam it and make the ride jarring, so I lowered it approximately 1.75" in the back and 2.25" in the front for a slight rake look. I know the ride will settle a bit, so I will likely end up with something around 2" drop in the back and 2.5" drop in the front. I may have kept it slightly higher if I lived up north where you can find potholes, but the roads here in Florida are very flat. I can always adjust the fronts if I need to by removing the wheel and just turning a knob. I got into my car with my friend for a test drive (with the stock springs loaded in the trunk). To be honest, the Vogtlands exceeded my expectations. As I turned the steering wheel back and forth quickly, I didn't expect the responsiveness that I felt. They were worlds beyond my experience with the coilovers on my Audi. The ride is definitely stiffer than stock, but still smooth a stock-like in normal driving. Of course, the benefit of reducing wheel gap is always a huge plus too. The only downfall that I see with these coilovers is that they do not have adjustable dampening (but I don't track my car) and they are more prone to corrosion than the KW's because of the material (but I don't have to worry about that in Florida). Overall, the Vogtland system is a great set-up for street use and gives you great adjusting ability. I will let you guys know any updates after putting on some miles. For now, I will be enjoying them every time I get into my car Here we go... So old... So fresh and so clean... Now to the fronts... Oops too low... That's better... __________________ Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you. Build Thread http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=779265 Last edited by greensto; 03-21-2013 at 09:57 AM..
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03-21-2013, 10:04 AM	#2
Zombie1 Colonel 171 Rep 2,347 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 2010 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Island long iTrader: (6)	Very nice I need to make up my mind on suspension __________________ Mods:-Berkexhaust -alpinaB3flash -CobbAP -Cobb FMIC -ER charge pipe tialQ bov -M3 front sway bar -M3 subframe bushings -M3 front upper and lower control arms -M3 guide rods -M3 rear upper control arms -Mfactory LSD -defiv lockdown kit -TC Kline SA coilovers /camber plates- HP rear toe arms
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03-21-2013, 10:04 AM	#3
lastMleft Major 30 Rep 1,364 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	Nice write up, and the coils look good, they appear to be well made?? Cars looking bad ass! I know I just mentioned that on your last thread but have to give props when due
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03-21-2013, 11:56 AM	#4
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	Thank you for this review __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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03-21-2013, 01:23 PM	#7
RimasRS Colonel 85 Rep 2,438 Posts Drives: BMW X3 SD Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Looks great. That is one of the mods which I am looking now when summer is coming... How does that feels?
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03-21-2013, 01:28 PM	#8
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3228 Rep 7,889 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Great review thanks! __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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05-01-2013, 07:06 AM	#10
Onezie Private First Class 9 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 09 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MD/VA iTrader: (1)	Awesome review! I was in the same boat as far as my initial considerations for coilovers. Now i am considering these as well. Did u get these from a vendor on here?
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02-16-2014, 08:06 PM	#12
NWillard77 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2008 135i sparkling grey/red Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North Shore, MA iTrader: (2)	Greensto, can you update this on how theyre holding up? I had votgland on my B7A4 i sold for the 1er. They were great for the money and i have found the e82 votglands for $811! Its between these or the ST's. Just interested in how the votglands are holding up through the past year or so. Thanks!
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02-18-2014, 10:47 AM	#16
yllwwgn Lieutenant 170 Rep 444 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Milky Way, Earth, North America, Arizona more specifically. iTrader: (0)	Greensto, thanks for the detailed review. Any idea what the MINIMUM lowering is with these? For instance if I only wanted to drop .25-.5" over the stock M Sport height, could I? Most coilovers are such that you HAVE to drop at least an inch or so at minimum, whether you wanted to or not. __________________ "Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak".
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