BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      06-03-2012, 05:56 PM   #1
Gnip Gnop
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Anyone with coilovers, please click

I recently made a thread about springs and now I would like to hear about coilovers.

I have been doing research on my own searching through different brands but I would like to hear first hand experience.

My goal : resonably priced, good ride quality, I do not plan on doing many auto cross events, maybe one or two a year. I won't be going too low, so I don't need a set that will drop it to the ground. If possible I would like to spend a max of $1200, but from what I have seen, that's hard to do.

Suggestions?
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      06-03-2012, 06:04 PM   #2
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i have ST Coilovers (same as KW V1) which imo are perfect for the street. Nice tamed ride and a huge improvement over stock. I dont autox so you may want to pm Harold @ HP autowerks. You may want to wait for Sales specials with your target price. I picked mine up for about 40% discount b/c someone cancelled their order at a local shop. GL.
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      06-04-2012, 02:26 AM   #3
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Hi (from Australia),

I just installed Bilstein B14 coilovers in my 130i, and it is very good! Especially when cornering, the turn-in has improved a lot. You can carry so much more speed through the corner and it really inspires your confidence as well. The ride quality is not too bad, it is not as bouncy as stock. You can definitely feel that it is firmer, but the car feels much more fluid going through bumps.

The B14 is only height-adjustable and it will not drop your car to the ground. Your budget is quite easily achievable I think. I ordered mine from Germany and it will definitely save you $$.

Ken
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      06-04-2012, 07:31 AM   #4
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Scoop up some KW V1's from SonicMS (aprox. $150 over your budget) or take a look at the group buy section. I know EAS and GTB are doing some specials right now.
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      06-04-2012, 08:12 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kmli5 View Post
Hi (from Australia),

I just installed Bilstein B14 coilovers in my 130i, and it is very good! Especially when cornering, the turn-in has improved a lot. You can carry so much more speed through the corner and it really inspires your confidence as well. The ride quality is not too bad, it is not as bouncy as stock. You can definitely feel that it is firmer, but the car feels much more fluid going through bumps.

The B14 is only height-adjustable and it will not drop your car to the ground. Your budget is quite easily achievable I think. I ordered mine from Germany and it will definitely save you $$.

Ken
Thanks I will do some research on these!

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Originally Posted by Grayson View Post
Scoop up some KW V1's from SonicMS (aprox. $150 over your budget) or take a look at the group buy section. I know EAS and GTB are doing some specials right now.
Thanks! I never knew sonic motorsport existed. Great pricing. I thought the ST coilovers were the same as the KW V1's. They are just finished with a different coating that is not rust free, and they only have a 5 year warranty instead of KWNs lifetime warranty.

The ST coilovers are $999. And if I'm going to get the same ride out of each of them, I will just go with the ST to save a few hundred.
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      06-04-2012, 10:00 AM   #6
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I have STs and I am happy with them. In an ideal world, I'd maybe like them a bit stiffer, but riding around on crappy/rough NJ roads, I do appreciate how compliant they are. I don't mind the slight sacrifice in performance to be more comfortable. When they were first installed, the ride quality was very OEM-like, so for a minute I thought I got swindled. However, when I started taking some turns I realized how much better they are than stock.

They've also survived one (admittedly weak) winter with no visible rust on them. If anyone's worried about that, realize that no Koni shocks and most springs don't have a rust-proof coating either, and lots of people in snowy/salty climates run those.
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      06-04-2012, 10:10 AM   #7
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I have STs and I am happy with them also. They are slightly stiffer than the OEM set up like 1speedbike said and are great on the roads. I do wish I could make them slightly stiffer as well. I picked mine up from **********s for $900 which is a huge savings from the price of the KW Variant 1.
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      06-04-2012, 07:42 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krawzdogg View Post
I have STs and I am happy with them also. They are slightly stiffer than the OEM set up like 1speedbike said and are great on the roads. I do wish I could make them slightly stiffer as well. I picked mine up from **********s for $900 which is a huge savings from the price of the KW Variant 1.
That's good, 2 positive reviews already! I will check out **********s and likely order a set. I need these installed and the car aligned by june 29th. I will be busy!

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1speedbike View Post
I have STs and I am happy with them. In an ideal world, I'd maybe like them a bit stiffer, but riding around on crappy/rough NJ roads, I do appreciate how compliant they are. I don't mind the slight sacrifice in performance to be more comfortable. When they were first installed, the ride quality was very OEM-like, so for a minute I thought I got swindled. However, when I started taking some turns I realized how much better they are than stock.

They've also survived one (admittedly weak) winter with no visible rust on them. If anyone's worried about that, realize that no Koni shocks and most springs don't have a rust-proof coating either, and lots of people in snowy/salty climates run those.
Good to hear you like them. Seeing as it is my daily driver, comfort is my number one priority.




How was the install?
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      06-04-2012, 07:44 PM   #9
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ST's are 770 from 1xracing.com
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      06-04-2012, 10:23 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gnip Gnop View Post
How was the install?
Didn't install them myself, but it was a $350 flat rate where I got them installed. Usually about 3-4 hours of labor time. Some coils take up to 6 hours for some reason, even at good shops, but the STs are a breeze supposedly. I don't have a lift or jacks available, or else I would have tried myself. For the average person I'd say it's a full day/weekend job unless you've done it before, have a lift that you can comfortably work under, and/or have friends to help.

And yes, I'm very happy. As I said, if they were a BIT stiffer I would love it on flat, twisty roads, but over bumps I already feel like I'm beating up the car. On big bumps, there isn't as much residual bounce-back so that's actually MORE comfortable, but the sound and stiffness going over bumps and bridge expansion joints makes me actually feel bad for the car until I realize it would be taking this punishment anyway, I just wouldn't be feeling it with the soft shocks. On small bumps/imperfections it's less comfortable, but more composed/controllable. Overall, very happy. I'd want them stiffer if I lived in Germany and had those smooth autobahns, but in the US on crap roads, they're perfect.

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ST's are 770 from 1xracing.com
That's a steal! I got mine for $999 shipped about a year ago. Thanks for the info.
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      06-04-2012, 10:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1speedbike View Post
Didn't install them myself, but it was a $350 flat rate where I got them installed. Usually about 3-4 hours of labor time. Some coils take up to 6 hours for some reason, even at good shops, but the STs are a breeze supposedly. I don't have a lift or jacks available, or else I would have tried myself. For the average person I'd say it's a full day/weekend job unless you've done it before, have a lift that you can comfortably work under, and/or have friends to help.

And yes, I'm very happy. As I said, if they were a BIT stiffer I would love it on flat, twisty roads, but over bumps I already feel like I'm beating up the car. On big bumps, there isn't as much residual bounce-back so that's actually MORE comfortable, but the sound and stiffness going over bumps and bridge expansion joints makes me actually feel bad for the car until I realize it would be taking this punishment anyway, I just wouldn't be feeling it with the soft shocks. On small bumps/imperfections it's less comfortable, but more composed/controllable. Overall, very happy. I'd want them stiffer if I lived in Germany and had those smooth autobahns, but in the US on crap roads, they're perfect.



That's a steal! I got mine for $999 shipped about a year ago. Thanks for the info.

Yeah that is a great price!
I think I will go with these, I need to make a decision quick! I will be installing myself over a weekend coming up. Thank you for your input!
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      06-05-2012, 02:13 AM   #12
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i have ST.. very happy with them as well
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      06-05-2012, 04:49 PM   #13
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I paid $900 for a brand new ST and I am happy with my choice.
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      06-05-2012, 04:53 PM   #14
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      06-05-2012, 04:56 PM   #15
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Get the ST for $770 and spend the rest on M3 bushings
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      06-05-2012, 09:31 PM   #16
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thanks to everyone who has given input, this really helps. I am glad I did not order springs. Coilovers will really set the car off.
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      06-05-2012, 10:05 PM   #17
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Get the ST for $770 and spend the rest on M3 bushings
ST for $770?? Where at? Everywhere I checked there are around $900...because if I can find them at that price...looks like that could be an upcoming mod
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      06-06-2012, 04:16 AM   #18
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Quote:
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thanks to everyone who has given input, this really helps. I am glad I did not order springs. Coilovers will really set the car off.
Get the best one you can afford. It will save and satisfy you down the track.
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      06-06-2012, 06:57 AM   #19
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I originally ordered eibach springs, but I returned them for kw v1 coilovers. They arrive tomorrow. The front says minimum drop up is 1.2in. Anyone know if that is from Msport package or nonsport stock springs?
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      06-06-2012, 07:46 AM   #20
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I originally ordered eibach springs, but I returned them for kw v1 coilovers. They arrive tomorrow. The front says minimum drop up is 1.2in. Anyone know if that is from Msport package or nonsport stock springs?
I am curious about this too
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      06-06-2012, 08:00 AM   #21
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Has anyone heard of "megan racing coilovers". http://www.1xracing.com/megan_racing.../i-520081.aspx

Adjustable dampening, adjustable camber, full height adjustment, all for $800?? That is a wayy better deal than the ST coils.....
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      06-06-2012, 09:50 AM   #22
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Other than ride height adjustment, I struggle to see why anyone would want this over a matched shock / spring kit.

I had st V1 on my 335i and thought the ride was not good. It was not terrible, but was bouncier than stock and stiffer than stock. It also didnt really handle any better.

I drove a proper matched spring and shock combo on a 135 and it rode signficantly better.

I do not understand cheap coilover kits.
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