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      11-12-2008, 09:27 PM   #1
KerryE
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BMW Performance Suspension

Just had to Dinan Stage 2 kit installed with the BMW performance suspension. Would have to say that I do not think it is worth the 4700 dollars. Maybe, I should have tracked the car stock and then done the mods and tracked again to really tell. Just seems like not enough bang for the buck. It is quite abit faster but I really do not think the suspension is going to improve my lap times. I also installed Breyton wheels with Bridgstone tires.(the ones Gill recommended, the light wheels and stickiest tires.) Cannot remeber the actual models, I am more of a driver than a tech kind of guy. Going to track it at TWS in Texas this weekend, will let you'll know how it does. Just coming from a 08 Z06 with mods that I lapped at TWS in 1:55, curious to see how the 135 does. My goal is to eventually get it close to the same time.

18 x 7.5 225/40 front
18 x 8.5 255/35 rear
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      11-12-2008, 09:36 PM   #2
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so you upset with the dinan, suspension, or both?
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      11-13-2008, 06:16 AM   #3
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What, exactly, are you unhappy with? Is the suspension not firm enough for you?
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      11-13-2008, 07:38 AM   #4
KerryE
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I am more unsure about the suspension, not stiff enough and less predictable. The streets have been damp and maybe it is these tires in the wet(still have the original tires on), took it out last night in the dry and it was much better. Of course you can only drive so hard on the street for safety reasons. I live in the country and there are some 2nd gear s turns that tell me alot though. To me the most important aspect in the ability to go fast is predictability and confidence, maybe with laps this will come.

The Dinan seems to be what it is advertised. You can hear the spools more on the turbo. The motor revs faster and is all around livier.

Thanks to some of the posters for helping me out on tire choices, Gill was a big help as well.

Kerry
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      11-13-2008, 11:57 AM   #5
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If you were looking for the best performing suspension then OEM probably was not the way to go. Aftermarket products will be much stiffer and even adjustable (coilovers). OEM stuff is usually more for looks.
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      11-13-2008, 12:45 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorfast View Post
OEM stuff is usually more for looks.
In BMW's case, OEM stuff is mostly for street, not looks.
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      11-13-2008, 01:37 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adc View Post
In BMW's case, OEM stuff is mostly for street, not looks.
Thats what I meant. Its more for comfortable street use than raw performance.
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      11-13-2008, 02:46 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KerryE View Post
Just had to Dinan Stage 2 kit installed with the BMW performance suspension. Would have to say that I do not think it is worth the 4700 dollars. Maybe, I should have tracked the car stock and then done the mods and tracked again to really tell. Just seems like not enough bang for the buck. It is quite abit faster but I really do not think the suspension is going to improve my lap times. I also installed Breyton wheels with Bridgstone tires.(the ones Gill recommended, the light wheels and stickiest tires.) Cannot remeber the actual models, I am more of a driver than a tech kind of guy. Going to track it at TWS in Texas this weekend, will let you'll know how it does. Just coming from a 08 Z06 with mods that I lapped at TWS in 1:55, curious to see how the 135 does. My goal is to eventually get it close to the same time.

18 x 7.5 225/40 front
18 x 8.5 255/35 rear
I assume you had the BMW Performance springs installed with the shocks - how is the ride quality. I'm still trying to decide whether to swap the Koni Sports shocks and Eibach springs that I bought for the BMW Performanc setup. I felt the Koni/Eibach set up is too stiff and bottoms too easily on the street.
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      11-13-2008, 06:00 PM   #9
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whoa 4700 bucks is quite a lot more than what I paid for mine. Anyhow very interested in your feedback after tracking it. I'm satisfied with the setup...but the only thing I was looking for was a strict street based improvement over stock (which I think it fits the bill).

if you were going to track the car I would have gone with a coilover setup honestly...but please report back.
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      11-13-2008, 06:58 PM   #10
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4700 was for both the Dinan Stage 2 and the performance suspension
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      11-13-2008, 07:51 PM   #11
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shoulda got kw coilovers and jb3 for half the price that you paid:wink:
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      11-14-2008, 05:40 PM   #12
KerryE
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just took the car out for a hard test drive, checking everything out for tomorrow and the car was awesome. Very predictable, understeered in turns and then would oversteer on exit, but, very predictable. This only ocurrs when really pushed hard. Smelled the clutch when I stopped, has this happened to anybody else?

Kerry
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      11-15-2008, 06:58 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KerryE View Post
just took the car out for a hard test drive, checking everything out for tomorrow and the car was awesome. Very predictable, understeered in turns and then would oversteer on exit, but, very predictable. This only ocurrs when really pushed hard. Smelled the clutch when I stopped, has this happened to anybody else?

Kerry


I was surprised by the clutch smell as well after driving post flash.

I take it your impression of the suspension has changed a bit from your initial thoughts.
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      11-15-2008, 09:08 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KerryE View Post
This only ocurrs when really pushed hard. Smelled the clutch when I stopped, has this happened to anybody else?
It's probably the clutch delay valve (CDV) - happens all the time in my 335i.

Just get a gutted replacement unit from Zeckhausen and see if you still have the clutch smell...
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      11-17-2008, 06:08 PM   #15
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Sway bars, camber plates, and a square setup will do wonders.

We're running 18x8.5 & 255/35/18 front & rear.
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      11-17-2008, 07:57 PM   #16
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Berk, I have camber plates and 245 all around. What sway bars did you end up using?
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      11-18-2008, 06:14 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pkcormier View Post
Berk, I have camber plates and 245 all around. What sway bars did you end up using?
We're using H&R front & rear. Rear bar is a terrible install, the front bar is cake.
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      11-22-2008, 09:20 AM   #18
KerryE
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DIALING OUT UNDERSTEER

CAN I TAKE SOME OF THE CAMBER OUT OF MY REAR WHEELS MYSELF, OR DO I NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE BMW STORE? I DO NOT THINK THE BMW SPORT SUSPENSION IS WORTH THE MONEY, NO WAY, I PROMISE MY TIMES WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME WITH THE STOCK SETUP, IT DID LOWER THE CAR ALITTLE WHICH LOOKS COOL. THE BRIDGTONE RE01'S DID A GOOD JOB FOR STREET TIRES, REALLY GOOD. THIS TRACK IS BRUTAL ON TIRES AND MY CAR PUSHES HORRIBLY AND THEY HELD UP NICELY.

PHILLIP,

HAD A GREAT TIME LAST WEEKEND, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND ADVICE! OUR 135 SHOWED THEMSELVES WELL, OUR TIMES WERE VERY RESPECTABLE CONSIDERING VERY LITTLE DONE TO OUR CARS. YOUR CAR SEEMS TO BE FASTER THAN MINE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT YOURS WILL DO WITH A COMPUTER UPGRADE.

OUR 135'S WERE HITTING 144 MPH ON THE FRONT STRAIGHT OF TWS, IF WE COULD DIAL OUT MORE UNDERSTEER IN THE INFIELD SECTIONS, LOOKOUT!

KERRY
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      11-22-2008, 09:52 AM   #19
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You should not mess with the alignment angles yourself. Please get a professional alignment done.
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      11-22-2008, 10:51 AM   #20
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[Pardon the plug]

Here's a great example of one of the benefits of belonging to the BMW CCA. The local chapter will know the reputable garages that can do that work, often at rates below the dealership. If you can afford the car you can afford the $40 a year for belonging to the BMW CCA (and it comes with a great monthly magazine ; -).

Here's the website: http://www.bmwcca.org/

[/Pardon the plug]

:roundel:
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      11-22-2008, 11:35 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by atr_hugo View Post
[Pardon the plug]

Here's a great example of one of the benefits of belonging to the BMW CCA. The local chapter will know the reputable garages that can do that work, often at rates below the dealership. If you can afford the car you can afford the $40 a year for belonging to the BMW CCA (and it comes with a great monthly magazine ; -).

Here's the website: http://www.bmwcca.org/

[/Pardon the plug]

:roundel:
I agree
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      11-23-2008, 12:16 AM   #22
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Kerry, I had a great time as well. I think you left before the 3rd yellow run session. At the end of the 3rd, I went off between turns 8&9. The stock rear tires got hot and greasy. I was sliding around the track near the end of the session and just couldn't gather it in on that turn. It was the last lap so I didn't lose any track time. I had to get a bead clean. I had grass stuffed between the tire and wheel on the passenger side. Got it all on tape. I think I will make a compilation of my off track excursions. There have been many over the years.

I always get the itch to add more mods immediately after a track weekend. Considering a software upgrade and some sway bars.

Are you going to pop for the GT3 RS?
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