Megan Springs

[E82.Love]

Anyone suggest Megan springs on a 128? I heard they're normally on Japanese cars. But wanted to know what others thought of them on German cars. If anyone has them on theirs?

[MarkkyyMan]

I had quality issues with their exhaust system along time ago(I was 17 and just got into modding cars). Since then I have steered clear of all Megan products.

If springs are all you are after checkout eibach or h&r.

[TheSt|G]

Yup, pretty junk.

[andrey_gta]

Vogtland makes cheap springs if you want to go cheap route. But keep in mind the entire isntall procedure is expensive, and best done very seldom
because you get to be just steps away from removing shocks

[vwbrady]

The only engineering that goes into springs is material, size, spring rate and coating. Material is defined by sae spec and size is dictated by the car. So, pick the brand that has the right spring rate and drop for you and spend the least amount of money possible.

[mechavore884]

megan springs albeit aren't the worst (strangely LOL) they are notorious for sagging over time...for the price and the fact there in our FS section relatively frequently the eibach/H&R are the better purchases

[MarkkyyMan]

Look at it like all season tires, they try to be good at everything and in return end up being good at nothing. A company that specializes in suspension products is going to be like a dedicated winter or summer tire. Built for a specific purpose & typically great at it. Eibach & H&R don't build anything other than suspension products, that is their only focus.

Tires, Suspension components, & brakes are usually not places you want to use bargain parts. Just my 2 cents.

[E82.Love]

Originally Posted by MarkkyyMan

Look at it like all season tires, they try to be good at everything and in return end up being good at nothing. A company that specializes in suspension products is going to be like a dedicated winter or summer tire. Built for a specific purpose & typically great at it. Eibach & H&R don't build anything other than suspension products, that is their only focus.

Tires, Suspension components, & brakes are usually not places you want to use bargain parts. Just my 2 cents.

So what would you suggest?

[chris82]

Originally Posted by E82.Love

So what would you suggest?

based on his post I think H&R or Eibach (as I would). You can't go wrong with either of those

[Fifty3bags]

I have megan coils on my car and I really like them. I'm going a different route with my suspension and will be taking them off. I did research before purchasing these, and spoke with many e9x and a few e82 owners on Megan coilovers and I didn't get any bad reviews about the quality. The only negative I got was that they didn't go low enough.

If you want only springs, go with Eibach or H&R, for a good budget coilover go with Megan, if you want fully customizable go with Broadway Static or Fortune Auto 500 coils.

[Kgolf31]

A SPRING IS NOT A SPRING

Please, read this and consider that statement:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...gs-dynoed.html

[TwinTurboed]

@Kgolf31

Swift undoubtedly are one of the best spring making companies out there. But, for the majority of us who are unsure about the spring rates and are using them on a daily driven car, Eibach and H&R produce good quality products.

[MarkkyyMan]

Originally Posted by E82.Love

So what would you suggest?

Look into Eibach and H&R. Once you find a spring you like, shop around for best price (Turner Motorsports, ECS Tuning, AJ USA, etc etc).

If you post up what spring your are looking for, members might have already found a great price on that specific spring and can make a suggestion as well.

I personally plan on picking up a Bilstein B12 kit this winter. After reading around it appears that the stock shocks/struts aren't the greatest.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by vwbrady

The only engineering that goes into springs is material, size, spring rate and coating. Material is defined by sae spec and size is dictated by the car. So, pick the brand that has the right spring rate and drop for you and spend the least amount of money possible.

A car is a car, they have four wheels, engine, seats and a steering wheel. So why spend the money on a BMW as well?

Spring manufacturers can use all different kinds of steel to engineer their springs. Also, the equipment used to make the spring (a coiler) and the exact manufacturing steps can vary as well. Finally, not all coatings are created/engineered the same.

Therefore, not all springs are the same and I recommend you spend money on something that is quality made and well engineered for your vehicle.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

A car is a car, they have four wheels, engine, seats and a steering wheel. So why spend the money on a BMW as well?

Spring manufacturers can use all different kinds of steel to engineer their springs. Also, the equipment used to make the spring (a coiler) and the exact manufacturing steps can vary as well. Finally, not all coatings are created/engineered the same.

Therefore, not all springs are the same and I recommend you spend money on something that is quality made and well engineered for your vehicle.

Yup, was about to post the same exact thing.

[MarkkyyMan]

BMW Commercial "It's Only a Car":

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboed

@Kgolf31

Swift undoubtedly are one of the best spring making companies out there. But, for the majority of us who are unsure about the spring rates and are using them on a daily driven car, Eibach and H&R produce good quality products.

Easy, all you have to do is ask someone.

I personally run an aggressive rate - #400F/#700R

I good setup for DDing is something that TC himself would recommend, #350F/#500 Rear

I will add, without proper dampers a spring will leave you with negative effects.

[TwinTurboed]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Easy, all you have to do is ask someone.

I personally run an aggressive rate - #400F/#700R

I good setup for DDing is something that TC himself would recommend, #350F/#500 Rear

I will add, without proper dampers a spring will leave you with negative effects.

350F/500R seems pretty high. Stock spring rates are 120F/350R.

I bought eibach springs and bilstein sport dampers as a package deal - the B12 Pro-Kit. For a daily driven car, I could not be happier for the $750 I spent on the kit.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboed

350F/500R seems pretty high.

http://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/101...2#.VCGtm_ldWHU

[TwinTurboed]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

http://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/101...2#.VCGtm_ldWHU

That was a good read, thanks for posting.

"In racing, Kline explains, the secret is to run softer springs with more shock damping."

"If Kline were setting up a 1 Series to be driven exclusively on the street, he would recommend 300-350-lb. springs in the rear with taller bump stops for more ride comfort."

The eibach spring rates are about 150F/450R, the bilstein dampers will easily out dampen those rates. With this setup, the car is smooth like a luxury BMW should be and the handling is much better than stock.

I am not saying Eibach is better than Swift, but for my situation, I am happy with what I have.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboed

350F/500R seems pretty high. Stock spring rates are 120F/350R.

I bought eibach springs and bilstein sport dampers as a package deal - the B12 Pro-Kit. For a daily driven car, I could not be happier for the $750 I spent on the kit.

Not to single you out, but you make a perfect point for me.

Spring rates are ideally there to control body roll, they do have some direct effect towards ride quality but not as much as you think.

Shocks are where the money is at. With a GOOD shock, a "high" spring rate can feel like OE because of the damping that occurs.

Like I said, I run #400/#700 rear and the car rides 10% stiffer than OEM M Sport and it, IMO rides smoother than my Z4M on stock suspension

Spring rates DOES NOT dictate ride quality unless you throw a crappy shock on it

[TwinTurboed]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Like I said, I run #400/#700 rear and the car rides 10% stiffer than OEM M Sport and it, IMO rides smoother than my Z4M on stock suspension

Your 1er is still smoother than the Z4M because of various other things such as suspension arms, subframe bushings, diff bushings, transmission mounts, etc

I have driven and ridden in cars with high spring rates and good quality dampers (Ohlins, KW Clubsports). They felt much more than 10% stiffer.

The aftermarket coilover spring rates are confusing to me, let me explain:

Motion ratio of 135i:

Front: 0.96^2
Rear: 0.563^2

Stock spring rates:

Front - 120 lbs/in
Rear - 350 lbs/in

Eibach spring rates (These are for the e92, couldn't find e82 rates):

Front - 148 lbs/in
Rear - 456 lbs/in

Coilover spring rates:

Front - 400 lbs/in
Rear - 700 lbs/in

Wheel rates calculation:

Spring rate * Motion ratio = Wheel rate

Stock wheel rate:

Front - 120 * 0.96^2 = 110.59 lbs/in approx.
Rear - 350 * 0.563^2 = 110.94 lbs/in approx.

Eibach wheel rate:

Front - 148 * 0.92^2 = 136.40
Rear - 456 * 0.563^2 = 144.54

Coilover wheel rate:

Front - 400 * 0.96^2 = 368.64
Rear - 700 * 0.563^2 = 221.88

As you can see stock wheel rates are even, where as the springs you are running are about 66% softer in the rear compared to the fronts. So, compared to the factory setup, your front end is much stiffer than the rear, which would cause the rear to have a lot of traction (great), but the front to understeer a whole lot (not so great).

The Eibachs are similar to BMW factory spring/wheel rates or atleast maintain the ratio of the rear being stiffer. Also, here are the e92 M3 factory spring rates:

Front: 160 lb/in
Rear: 550 lb/in

Can someone explain to me why you would want the rear to be so much softer than the front on a RWD car?