New Dampers - Koni FSD

[Garabins]

Hello, I just recently purchased a 2010 135i, and let’s just say the suspension is not what i expected.

Will switching to new dampers (Koni FSDs) alone get rid of this sloppy/floaty (driving on an exercise ball) feeling? or do i need other suspension parts? I have the stock m-sport suspension (60k) and want to maintain the height/comfort, but can’t stand how this car drivers. I just want the car to feel stable/planted and not like a bouncy house..

Please any Input from anyone with stock springs and aftermarket dampers is appreciated. Thank you

[dcaron9999]

Stiffer rear subframe bushings like the E92/M3 ones is a good place to start. It will remove the rear end wiggle. The stock bushings have voids in them, and can be squeezed in your hands.

Many threads on this forum about this. Here's a recent one ...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ht=m3+bushings

[PrematureApex]

I know the feeling.

Not sure on the FSDs as they are known to be pretty soft...but from experience, Koni yellows or Bilstein HDs (I just installed HDs and made a thread), do MUCH to alleviate the issues you're describing. I run teh HDs on stock springs. Living in a NE city, the roads are horrible. Ride is firm, but much less harsh and much more controlled. It's the GFs car and she approves, if that's any indication on the ride. Koni yellows on full soft will be even more compliant on small bumps.

Best money I've spent on the car for sure.

Exercise ball is the perfect way to describe it...but also an exercise ball that crashes over large potholes. The factory suspension is BMWs worst effort that I have ever experienced. I also have subframe bushing inserts, which made a fair bit of improvement, but nothing like real shocks.

The rear squat/windup is largely gone (I'm at about 400 HP), turn in is much improved. Honestly drives like a different car.

[Dackelone]

I also think Koni FSD's are (probably)to soft. I think Koni Yellows or Bilstein HD or Sports would be the way to go for a street setup with some mild lowering springs.

I would also get rid of the RFT's and get regular ultra high performance tires like the Michelin PSS's.


Dackel's replacement of rear suspension OE bushings with M3 ones…
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...frame+bushings


My new Michelin PS3’s 225’s & 255’s…
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...chelin+PS3%27s

[Garabins]

Thanks on the info!! I will consider the Bilstein HDs.

[bselim3]

How would you guys prioritize this list of mods?
Michelin PSS to get rid of the rft's (225 fronts and 255 rears?)
M3 rear subframe bushings
Koni yellows (with Swift or stock 2012 springs?)

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by bselim3

How would you guys prioritize this list of mods?
Michelin PSS to get rid of the rft's (225 fronts and 255 rears?)
M3 rear subframe bushings
Koni yellows (with Swift or stock 2012 springs?)

Meh, get off the runflats for sure. After that, certainly shocks. Then bushings or inserts.

I know bushings are very popular, and for good reason. But when you factor in they cost just about as much (if not more if you're not doing the install) than struts/shocks...well, I think that makes it an easy call.

Dampers have benefits at both ends of the car in just about all aspects of handling. Much more dramatic change vs. the rear subframe (not saying that doesn't contribute to a ton of handling problems, it does).

[PrematureApex]

And while they are without question great tires...is Michelin paying us to make PSS the defacto tire?

Plenty of very good tires out there, some a better value than the PSSs.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Garabins

Thanks on the info!! I will consider the Bilstein HDs.

Can't go wrong with either them or the Koni Yellows. FSDs are built for soft comfort only, and really fall on their face when pushed.

[ShocknAwe]

If you can afford it get the tires and the dampers at the same time, then do the rear subframe bushings. OR. You could do tires dampers and rear subframe inserts (eg whiteline or prothane) all at once.

My feelings on tires only first is that while you will get better grip, the softer tires introduce yet another axis of motion to the suspension. Not cool.

Cant go wrong!

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Can't go wrong with either them or the Koni Yellows. FSDs are built for soft comfort only, and really fall on their face when pushed.

Just curious, do you know anyone who has used them? Are they really that bad when pushed, at say a lapping day?

Was thinking about them for my car, which is a daily driver first and foremost, and a lapping/teaching car second.

[PrematureApex]

Why bother? If comfort is a concern, than Koni yellows ride very, very well...plus you'll give up nothing at the track.

You're an instructor? Yeah, you'll hate the FSDs.

[1Pirate]

Go with Koni Sports (Yellows), add some M3 suspension parts and ditch the run flats for some decent performance tires and the handling of the car will be transformed. Since your car is a 2010 you might also consider replacing the rear M sport springs with 2011 or newer M sport springs. Beginning in the 2011 model year the rear M sport springs changed from progressive to linear. I found a set of 2011 M sport rear springs on the forum and changed mine when I added the Konis.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Just curious, do you know anyone who has used them? Are they really that bad when pushed, at say a lapping day?

Was thinking about them for my car, which is a daily driver first and foremost, and a lapping/teaching car second.

I personally have used them. I have a friend with a back injury from being rear ended by an SUV who got them for his 330i to increase comfort. They were absolutely magical in terms of their ability to transform the road surface into a smooth glass-like ride, but when I pushed them through the turns on the back roads they really weren't able to cope.

I think they are a fantastic shock, just not for sport applications.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

I personally have used them. I have a friend with a back injury from being rear ended by an SUV who got them for his 330i to increase comfort. They were absolutely magical in terms of their ability to transform the road surface into a smooth glass-like ride, but when I pushed them through the turns on the back roads they really weren't able to cope.

I think they are a fantastic shock, just not for sport applications.

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Why bother? If comfort is a concern, than Koni yellows ride very, very well...plus you'll give up nothing at the track.

You're an instructor? Yeah, you'll hate the FSDs.

Sorry about the sidetrack to the OP.

OK thanks. Yes, I instruct with the Motorsport Club of Ottawa at Calabogie. Usually up there several times a summer. Have been thinking about doing the Gentleman's GT Series with the car (Door to door racing with point by passing), similar to timed lapping with trophies.

I have been leaning towards the Yellow's, but have not gotten the FSD's out of my head....yet.....maybe now I have.....

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Sorry about the sidetrack to the OP.

OK thanks. Yes, I instruct with the Motorsport Club of Ottawa at Calabogie. Usually up there several times a summer. Have been thinking about doing the Gentleman's GT Series with the car (Door to door racing with point by passing), similar to timed lapping with trophies.

I have been leaning towards the Yellow's, but have not gotten the FSD's out of my head....yet.....maybe now I have.....

I'd skip them, personally. On full-soft, the yellows will both ride and handle better than stock, with the ability to dial them up if you really feel the need. But perhaps more importantly, they'll be linear and consistent.

You're lucky BTW, Calabogie is a blast.

[Garabins]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

I'd skip them, personally. On full-soft, the yellows will both ride and handle better than stock, with the ability to dial them up if you really feel the need. But perhaps more importantly, they'll be linear and consistent.

You're lucky BTW, Calabogie is a blast.

This makes the most sense to me. I should just go with the Koni Yellows on full soft, and if I feel the need for a stiffer ride, it’s as simple as turning a knob. From everything I have read, on stock springs the FSDs = too soft, Bilstein HDs = too stiff, and the Koni yellows = best of both worlds bc they can be adjusted .

[PrematureApex]

Well, I wouldn't call the HDs for the 1er too stiff. I like my yellows and I like my HDs. They behave differently, but neither are harsh or offensive. Small initial impacts/road imperfections are certainly felt more with the HDs, but it's more or a "road feel" type transmission than an offensive impact. Very controlled, overall very nice.

In fact, I'm not sure more people might not prefer the feeling of the HDs on a car like the 1er (which is in need of more control). They almost feel like they add a bit of spring rate to the car, especially in quick transitions, etc. Much moreso than the yellows.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Well, I wouldn't call the HDs for the 1er too stiff. I like my yellows and I like my HDs. They behave differently, but neither are harsh or offensive. Small initial impacts/road imperfections are certainly felt more with the HDs, but it's more or a "road feel" type transmission than an offensive impact. Very controlled, overall very nice.

In fact, I'm not sure more people might not prefer the feeling of the HDs on a car like the 1er (which is in need of more control). They almost feel like they add a bit of spring rate to the car, especially in quick transitions, etc. Much moreso than the yellows.

They do add spring rate inherently by their design.

[MightyMouseTech]

Any high pressure gas damper will add some spring rate.

[Garabins]

Would you guys go as far as saying that the Koni Yellows on thier softest setting are as comfortable as the Koni FSDs?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Garabins

Would you guys go as far as saying that the Koni Yellows on thier softest setting are as comfortable as the Koni FSDs?

No, nor should they be run full soft. It will break the strut in the long term and be a worse damper in the short term.