Affordable suspension kit battle

[bazil769]

Thank you for all the info guys greatly appreciated.

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I would also suggest to get the DINAN rear shock mounts. They will give you slightly MORE rear shock travel and get rid of the soft rear mounts that are most likely shot by ~70K miles.

http://dinancars.com/product/d110-00...e-2008-2013-2/

10mm or 12mm?
http://dinancars.com/product/d110-00...e-2008-2013-2/
http://dinancars.com/product/d110-00...?series=&mid=/

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by _Ryan_

10mm or 12mm?
http://dinancars.com/product/d110-00...e-2008-2013-2/
http://dinancars.com/product/d110-00...?series=&mid=/

I don't know. I think it depends on the shocks that you go with. Maybe ask Dinan.


Dack

[lakefront]

If Dinan uses Koni shocks the 10mm is for the standard "remove to adjust" and the 12mm is for the top adjustable shocks. Seems that way from their web site anyway.....

[Cheeze1]

Couple questions about the B12 Pro-Kit:

1) I currently have Ground Control camber plates in order to get my BBS wheels to fit properly (which they do with minimal camber). Will the B12s change the geometry significantly regarding the wheels fitting?

2) Will they work with the Ground Control camber plates?

3) Is the kit the same / compatible with a 135i (all the product pages say 128i or convertible)?

4) Somewhat unrelated but I'd be doing them at the same time - what are the preferred rear subframe bushings these days? (daily driver comfort is priority over supreme handling, and cost is relevant as well).

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by Cheeze1

Couple questions about the B12 Pro-Kit:

1) I currently have Ground Control camber plates in order to get my BBS wheels to fit properly (which they do with minimal camber). Will the B12s change the geometry significantly regarding the wheels fitting?

2) Will they work with the Ground Control camber plates?

3) Is the kit the same / compatible with a 135i (all the product pages say 128i or convertible)?

4) Somewhat unrelated but I'd be doing them at the same time - what are the preferred rear subframe bushings these days? (daily driver comfort is priority over supreme handling, and cost is relevant as well).

1, 2, The B12 uses the OEM mounting methods, thus your GC camber plates will fit if they fit with your OEM springs. Regarding clearance, this will be determined by the spring perch height (distance from strut lower mounting point to spring perch). best to measure both.

3, e9x and e8x non-M kits are interchangeable. 135i/128i B12 kits are interchangeable.

4, In order of cost from lowest to highest.
- Whiteline inserts (<$100)
- Turner Motorsport alu bushing replacements (<$300)
- M3 (<$350)

Labour for inserts is less than bushes. NVH on the M3 is lower than the TMS. The TMS Alu replacements won't wear, also of interest is the use of solid items in the newer cars.

[Cheeze1]

Originally Posted by _Ryan_

1, 2, The B12 uses the OEM mounting methods, thus your GC camber plates will fit if they fit with your OEM springs. Regarding clearance, this will be determined by the spring perch height (distance from strut lower mounting point to spring perch). best to measure both.

3, e9x and e8x non-M kits are interchangeable. 135i/128i B12 kits are interchangeable.

4, In order of cost from lowest to highest.
- Whiteline inserts (<$100)
- Turner Motorsport alu bushing replacements (<$300)
- M3 (<$350)

Labour for inserts is less than bushes. NVH on the M3 is lower than the TMS. The TMS Alu replacements won't wear, also of interest is the use of solid items in the newer cars.

Thank you very much.

[bazil769]

The guys on 1addicts are the best

[SHFT]

I just had a set of Bilstein and swift springs installed and I am amazed how clean OEM+ it drives. The drop is subtle but still there and the ride is superb. For a streetcar setup, I couldn't be happier!

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by SHFT

I just had a set of Bilstein and swift springs installed and I am amazed how clean OEM+ it drives. The drop is subtle but still there and the ride is superb. For a streetcar setup, I couldn't be happier!

Where did you source both for the good deal?
Bilstien are hard to find on sale

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by SHFT

I just had a set of Bilstein and swift springs installed and I am amazed how clean OEM+ it drives. The drop is subtle but still there and the ride is superb. For a streetcar setup, I couldn't be happier!

+2 I have swifts with b6, as far as I'm concerned no one makes shock absorbers like Bilstein. I would hold out if you had to.

[BMWX1-35i]

For what it's worth, I just installed a set of Koni FSD's front and rear using the OEM springs. Much better ride and feels much more responsive as well. I did not want to lower the car at all. Got the set for $699.. My original struts and shocks only have 24 k on them .

[SHFT]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Where did you source both for the good deal?
Bilstien are hard to find on sale

Kamispeed for the springs & ajusa for the shocks! BTW my car just hit 60k and my shocks were completely BLOWN on stock suspension.

[bazil769]

we have a winner

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by SHFT

Kamispeed for the springs & ajusa for the shocks! BTW my car just hit 60k and my shocks were completely BLOWN on stock suspension.

Who did the install? Did you install yourself?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by bazil769

we have a winner

So tell us what you think of them? How is the ride and the control?

Dackel

[bazil769]

I didn't get them yet...i just said they were the winner based on the opinions of the forum members.

[Luftmeister]

I did search, but does anyone have actual results from a track or something quantifiable about any setup?

I've been in this game long enough to know that lowering and it "feeling" firmer does absolutely *NOT* mean that it is handling better. In fact, sometimes it can actually be worse.


I'm leaning/considering the BMW Performance Suspension because I'm leased and I want the warranty when I buy it. $2950 installed at the dealer per the website. (BAHAHAH!) It must include several bags of weed and a happy ending.

I'll give them a phone call Monday... I'm told a price of ~1100 for the kit and 6 hours of install time is more typical, any help would be appreciated. I'm in Madison, WI and I have no problem driving to Milwaukee or Chicago for a more competitive price.

Thanks,

[lakefront]

Originally Posted by Luftmeister

I did search, but does anyone have actual results from a track or something quantifiable about any setup?

I've been in this game long enough to know that lowering and it "feeling" firmer does absolutely *NOT* mean that it is handling better. In fact, sometimes it can actually be worse.


I'm leaning/considering the BMW Performance Suspension because I'm leased and I want the warranty when I buy it. $2950 installed at the dealer per the website. (BAHAHAH!) It must include several bags of weed and a happy ending.

I'll give them a phone call Monday... I'm told a price of ~1100 for the kit and 6 hours of install time is more typical, any help would be appreciated. I'm in Madison, WI and I have no problem driving to Milwaukee or Chicago for a more competitive price.

Thanks,

Don't have anything "quantifiable" to recommend but don't settle for the BMW suspension if you want something else (coils, Swift, etc). My wife's 335 has TCK coilovers on it and the Milwaukee dealership replaced some steering shaft parts under warranty with no problem. They have to prove that the aftermarket parts caused a repair problem. Thought they would raise hell because its pretty slammed in the front, but no worries.
And if you don't mind driving to Oconomowoc, a place there will install, corner balance, and align for a crazy low price. PM for details.

[Subisti]

I just bought my wife a e82 128 non sport. Would a set of b12's drop the suspension over a set of vmr's or will there still be a large gap? I'm hoping to get a set of 18's but may need to move to 19's. Let me know your thoughts.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Subisti

I just bought my wife a e82 128 non sport. Would a set of b12's drop the suspension over a set of vmr's or will there still be a large gap? I'm hoping to get a set of 18's but may need to move to 19's. Let me know your thoughts.

The B12's drop should be about 1.2" F and 1" R. I think the front is perfect but the rear seems to be still high - less rake than with H&R Sport Springs, that's for sure, though.

[Subisti]

I guess that's my question. It looks like yours is a sport package. Mine being non sport. dont non sport cars sit a it higher than sport? So is the 1.2" drop from sport and a non sport would still have a gap? Or do both suspensions end up about the same place? Sorry if that confusing.