suspension for the daily driver (and more!)

Swimjim · 08-11-2015, 10:28 AM

i have been reading a great deal about suspension for the 128i. so i pose the question... what is a great and affordable set-up for the daily driver who would like to do a little track time on occasion?

i now run a 225/255 set-up on 18x8.5/9.5 wheels with +45 offset. the car is a 2008 sport pkg w/ 96k miles on the stock suspension. while the stance is "perfect" the car has tire rub in the rear when hitting dips in the road... at 70+ mph!!! so i need to address this... bump stops, stiffer springs???

95% of my driving is combined city/hwy. i'd like to upgrade to a bilstein cup kit since i don't have the $$$ for coil-overs. i have also read the article from tc kline about upgrading bushings at the same time.

for those in my situation, what is the "best bang for the buck?"

850tgul · 08-11-2015, 11:01 AM

really any aftermarket dampers will be a nice upgrade over stock. I DD my car and didn't want to go too low so I went with Bilstein HD/Swift Spec R and am very happy. I also wasn't concerned about adjustability though, which you may be. Biggest bang for your buck is really the subframe bushings tbh. If you can do the work yourself you can transform the car for like $200. A two piece design like the Whiltelines make the diy even easier.
I was able to get my dampers/springs/bushings for like $1,200-$1,300 since I did the work myself. That was the biggest savings right there.

ShocknAwe · 08-11-2015, 11:06 AM

Best bang for buck, especially if light track duty is on the docket, springs & dampers. Dampers are the weak link in these cars.

If you're already rubbing out back at stock height, what's your alignment specs? You may need more rear camber, and I would really recommend addressing those rear fender lips. Have this problem addressed before you do any suspension work. Then see how much room you have, and pick your parts accordingly.

+45 is somewhat tough in the rear, especially with a big tire. I'd recommend changing up your wheel/tire setup and going 245 square for your 128i.

MightyMouseTech · 08-11-2015, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimjim

i have been reading a great deal about suspension for the 128i. so i pose the question... what is a great and affordable set-up for the daily driver who would like to do a little track time on occasion?

i now run a 225/255 set-up on 18x8.5/9.5 wheels with +45 offset. the car is a 2008 sport pkg w/ 96k miles on the stock suspension. while the stance is "perfect" the car has tire rub in the rear when hitting dips in the road... at 70+ mph!!! so i need to address this... bump stops, stiffer springs???

95% of my driving is combined city/hwy. i'd like to upgrade to a bilstein cup kit since i don't have the $$$ for coil-overs. i have also read the article from tc kline about upgrading bushings at the same time.

for those in my situation, what is the "best bang for the buck?"

If it rubs while driving, you have incorrect offsets for the width of tire.

Fix the problem, not the symptom.

You need a higher offset rim in the back.

Swimjim · 08-11-2015, 11:26 AM

Thanks everyone. I think the tire rub is due to stock sport suspension with 96k miles on it. The camber is all stock.

Best place to purchase bushings? Anyone know if an entire spring, shock, bushing kit can be bundled by one store?

ShocknAwe · 08-11-2015, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimjim

Thanks everyone. I think the tire rub is due to stock sport suspension with 96k miles on it. The camber is all stock.

Best place to purchase bushings? Anyone know if an entire spring, shock, bushing kit can be bundled by one store?

I tend to disagree on the rubbing being due to worn suspension. I don't rub even on full compression.

Parts can be bundled if you find a retailer with them all in stock. Best way to get good prices is to shop around and ask for price matching. Best place depends on the bushings you want. Same rule applies to all the parts you select. If you list the parts you're interested in, I'm sure those of us with experience specific to those parts can chime in with pros/cons.

Up to you to do the research though.

chris82 · 08-12-2015, 01:32 PM

What about the BMW Performance suspension? If you're not looking for anything too crazy, I think that'd be great option.

Olgeezer1 · 08-17-2015, 04:06 PM

I think MightyMouseTech hit it. Your rubbing is caused by incorrect offset. Stock offset on 18x8.5 rears is 52 if I remember correctly. As a side note- that's a lot of tire for the 128's power. I find my square 225's just right for this car especially at the AutoX, much less plowing of the front.

08-11-2015, 10:28 AM	#1
Swimjim Private First Class 24 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TX iTrader: (1)	suspension for the daily driver (and more!) i have been reading a great deal about suspension for the 128i. so i pose the question... what is a great and affordable set-up for the daily driver who would like to do a little track time on occasion? i now run a 225/255 set-up on 18x8.5/9.5 wheels with +45 offset. the car is a 2008 sport pkg w/ 96k miles on the stock suspension. while the stance is "perfect" the car has tire rub in the rear when hitting dips in the road... at 70+ mph!!! so i need to address this... bump stops, stiffer springs??? 95% of my driving is combined city/hwy. i'd like to upgrade to a bilstein cup kit since i don't have the $$$ for coil-overs. i have also read the article from tc kline about upgrading bushings at the same time. for those in my situation, what is the "best bang for the buck?"
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08-11-2015, 11:01 AM	#2
850tgul Captain 279 Rep 998 Posts Drives: 718 GT4, F87 M2, F30 330xi, X3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (15)	really any aftermarket dampers will be a nice upgrade over stock. I DD my car and didn't want to go too low so I went with Bilstein HD/Swift Spec R and am very happy. I also wasn't concerned about adjustability though, which you may be. Biggest bang for your buck is really the subframe bushings tbh. If you can do the work yourself you can transform the car for like $200. A two piece design like the Whiltelines make the diy even easier. I was able to get my dampers/springs/bushings for like $1,200-$1,300 since I did the work myself. That was the biggest savings right there. __________________ Current: 718 GT4 6MT, F87 M2 6MT, F30 330xi, F25 xdrive35i Gone: E82 128i M-Sport, 997.2 911, B8.5 S5, 987.2 Cayman, W211 E550, E92 M3, B8.5 S4, 981 Cayman, E82 128i, E46 M3, Z4MC, Mk5 GTI VR6, MZ3R, C5 Z06, B5 S4, Volvo T-5R, Volvo 740Ti
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08-11-2015, 11:06 AM	#3
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,894 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Best bang for buck, especially if light track duty is on the docket, springs & dampers. Dampers are the weak link in these cars. If you're already rubbing out back at stock height, what's your alignment specs? You may need more rear camber, and I would really recommend addressing those rear fender lips. Have this problem addressed before you do any suspension work. Then see how much room you have, and pick your parts accordingly. +45 is somewhat tough in the rear, especially with a big tire. I'd recommend changing up your wheel/tire setup and going 245 square for your 128i. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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08-11-2015, 11:26 AM	#5
Swimjim Private First Class 24 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TX iTrader: (1)	Thanks everyone. I think the tire rub is due to stock sport suspension with 96k miles on it. The camber is all stock. Best place to purchase bushings? Anyone know if an entire spring, shock, bushing kit can be bundled by one store?
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08-12-2015, 01:32 PM	#7
chris82 Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY NY iTrader: (8) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i [9.80]	What about the BMW Performance suspension? If you're not looking for anything too crazy, I think that'd be great option.
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08-17-2015, 04:06 PM	#8
Olgeezer1 Lieutenant 183 Rep 505 Posts Drives: 2010 128i 6MT Sport Pkg. 18" Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E82 128i N52 [0.00]	I think MightyMouseTech hit it. Your rubbing is caused by incorrect offset. Stock offset on 18x8.5 rears is 52 if I remember correctly. As a side note- that's a lot of tire for the 128's power. I find my square 225's just right for this car especially at the AutoX, much less plowing of the front.
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