Best Damper Setup for DD

[ASAP]

Gents, I am interested in what the opinion is on a good damper setup for the 135i as a DD. The stock dampening is absolutely awful given how uncomfortable it is and how much bounce / play there is in the rear. I do not want to lower the car at all... simply make it more stable and pair with a good set of bushings or bushing inserts.

Yellows, FSDs, Eibach....?

[Kgolf31]

I'd personally recommend TCKline Dual Adjustables because you can actually adjust compression which deals with how the shock reacts to the piston compression.

Rebound deals with the opposite, of how fast/slow the piston returns to its original position. With set compression on all SA shocks, IMO it leaves much to be desired.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

I'd personally recommend TCKline Dual Adjustables because you can actually adjust compression which deals with how the shock reacts to the piston compression.

Rebound deals with the opposite, of how fast/slow the piston returns to its original position. With set compression on all SA shocks, IMO it leaves much to be desired.

That's a good bit of money... a tad over $2K... is the only difference between this and V3s, height adjustment?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

I'd personally recommend TCKline Dual Adjustables because you can actually adjust compression which deals with how the shock reacts to the piston compression.

Rebound deals with the opposite, of how fast/slow the piston returns to its original position. With set compression on all SA shocks, IMO it leaves much to be desired.

Totally overkill for a DD, plus he said he's not looking to mess with height so coilovers is unnecessary IMO. To mate with stock springs, go with Koni Yellows.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Totally overkill for a DD, plus he said he's not looking to mess with height so coilovers is unnecessary IMO. To mate with stock dampers, go with Koni Yellows.

You can run the shocks w/stock springs and maintain stock ride height.

The fact that I can run double the spring rates essentially on front and rear and maintain OE ride should mean something.

He didn't have a price limit, simply wanted to know the best dampers. IMO, TCKline has one of the best dampers on the market.

[ASAP]

Guys I am just looking for the best option and best balance of comfort / handling for a DD. The main concern is the real play and wiggle that the car exhibits... I know the bushings are part of the issue there... not sure I want to pay $900 for an install when whiteline inserts may do the job w a great set of dampers / shocks.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

You can run the shocks w/stock springs and maintain stock ride height.

The fact that I can run double the spring rates essentially on front and rear and maintain OE ride should mean something.

He didn't have a price limit, simply wanted to know the best dampers. IMO, TCKline has one of the best dampers on the market.

He didn't mention a price limit but he gave examples which are all about $1k or less so I'm going off that. Plus he said he just wanted dampers to be used with good bushings, a minimalist approach which seems wise.

I agree TCK are top notch but recommending revalved Koni's intended for higher spring rates seems redundant when he's content with the oe progressive springs. And why pay for height adjustability if you don't need it?

- my 42 cents

[gregthegr8]

I'd say koni yellows or get the bmw performance suspension (~$1200) which will have new shocks, springs, and upgraded front sway bar, which is a great complete suspension setup for a daily driver with occasional spirited driving. The koni yellows should be pretty comparable if you just want new shocks though and is cheaper. The performance suspension though does lower the car VERY subtly (10mm).

[brocklanders]

bilstien hd's fit and finish is leaps and bounds above any koni product, not to mention the advantages of mono tube design. Plus you just throw them on and forget them instead of removing to adjust.

[ASAP]

So how about Bilstein HD with whiteline bushing inserts?

Is this a very significant improvement in bounciness and play? How about comfort?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by ASAP

So how about Bilstein HD with whiteline bushing inserts?

Is this a very significant improvement in bounciness and play? How about comfort?

Bilsteins are solid but I personally found them to be a little harsh for everyday driving, at least for the tri-state where NYC and NJ crumbling roads are common.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by ASAP

So how about Bilstein HD with whiteline bushing inserts?

Is this a very significant improvement in bounciness and play? How about comfort?

Forum member @Fireflyer239 put Bilstein HD's on, with a few other mods. You can see his thread in the link below.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690794

[TwinTurboed]

I have the Bilstein B12 kit - Matched eibach springs and bilstein b8 sport dampers. I agree with 3002 tii that they are a little harsh, but combined with the m3 swaybar and whiteline inserts, my 1er now handles how I dreamed it would have from the factory (thanks for screwing us BMW).

Even though I say it is harsh, it is not as harsh as the 370z, the 135i is still a fairly soft car due to all the other bushings, but it just feels more solid now.

[128Convertibleguy]

You have a lot of great recommendations, if your main priority is handling, and not ride. And if you want to mess around with shock settings.

If ride has equal priority, and you're not planning on lowering/stiffer springs, and you don't need adjustable shocks, I'd recommend the FSDs. This professional test is eye opening. In careful numerical testing the FSDs do amazingly well. The yellows that the FSDs are being to compared to would no doubt handle better off full soft. But then the ride difference would be even larger.

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/tests/koni_fsd_s.jsp

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by ASAP

So how about Bilstein HD with whiteline bushing inserts?

Is this a very significant improvement in bounciness and play? How about comfort?

I have Bilstien hd's with swift springs, whiteline front tension strut and rear subframe full poly bushings and eibach sways front and back. All I can say is the entire car is solid, yes the ride is rougher and louder than stock.

[Ski Killset]

I've had Koni yellows on for about three weeks and theyvare awesome. They are only slightly stiffer than stock (tey are rebound adjustable) but hardly stuff enough to make you forget you are in a BMW. I did Whiteline inserts at the same time and there os a little wiggle still but I probably drive a tad harder than it sounds like you will. It's a great setup. I have Cobb springs as well but the front rate isabout the same and the rear rate is a bit higher.

All in all I spent $570 on shocks (Tire Rack was having a sale) $255 on springs and $54 on inserts.

Worth every penny.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

You have a lot of great recommendations, if your main priority is handling, and not ride. And if you want to mess around with shock settings.

If ride has equal priority, and you're not planning on lowering/stiffer springs, and you don't need adjustable shocks, I'd recommend the FSDs. This professional test is eye opening. In careful numerical testing the FSDs do amazingly well. The yellows that the FSDs are being to compared to would no doubt handle better off full soft. But then the ride difference would be even larger.

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/tests/koni_fsd_s.jsp

Thats really an eye opening test... #1 to me is stability and reduction if bounciness and play.

It looks like there is a lot of opinion between FSD and Yellow.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Thats really an eye opening test... #1 to me is stability and reduction if bounciness and play.

It looks like there is a lot of opinion between FSD and Yellow.

Not really, the FSDs are purely a comfort focused shock. When pushed to the limit they completely fall on their face and require much more frequent rebuild/replacement intervals.

Get Koni yellows if you want comfort/performance and Bilsteins if you want fit&finish/performance.

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Not really, the FSDs are purely a comfort focused shock. When pushed to the limit they completely fall on their face and require much more frequent rebuild/replacement intervals.

Get Koni yellows if you want comfort/performance and Bilsteins if you want fit&finish/performance.

I agree that "test" is an advertisement, in the real world I have seen a lot of complaints about the fsd's.

[ASAP]

It seems like that test shows that they are close... with the added benefit of the FSDs being more comfortable. I am not sure I want a less comfortable damper, the 1 series OEM damper is god awful in that regard.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by ASAP

It seems like that test shows that they are close... with the added benefit of the FSDs being more comfortable. I am not sure I want a less comfortable damper, the 1 series OEM damper is god awful in that regard.

They simply are not close.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

They simply are not close.

Right... but how much worse is the comfort? I don't see how it's possible to make a car less comfortable than a 1 series.