Ordered new suspension parts today.

[brocklanders]

I have ordered white line rear subframe and front tension strut bushings along with eibach sways. I have debated this choice for two months now and believe this combination will give the most dramatic change in suspension feel. I don't have any desire to track the car I'm just looking for a more no compromise sports car feel that I believe this car lacks. I'm thinking engine and trans mounts next along with diff bushings.

[TheSt|G]

Struts would be a much better investment than the sways.

[brocklanders]

I agree tires and shock absorbers would be the best upgrades to any stock vehicle, but something inside of me will not allow me to dispose of perfectly good parts. These are definitely in my future, in my previous cars I would refresh the shocks at 50k miles. I would eventually sell the tires but would most definitely have to trash the struts. I have a set of wheels that have been taking up space in my garage for four years, after multiple attempts to sell them, I'm about to throw them in the dumpster, I just can't bring myself to it.

[TheSt|G]

I think you will find that once you do upgrade the struts, the thought of the stock ones as being perfectly good will evaporate.

[3002 tii]

Eh, it's fine. I'm in the same boat as you. I have every intention of dumping runflats and I have a fresh set of PSS waiting for me in storage but I drive so much I'm confident I can burn through the runflats by end of year. If the wait were any longer then I'd probably go Stig's route and switch them out first.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Eh, it's fine. I'm in the same boat as you. I have every intention of dumping runflats and I have a fresh set of PSS waiting for me in storage but I drive so much I'm confident I can burn through the runflats by end of year. If the wait were any longer then I'd probably go Stig's route and switch them out first.

Yeah, I think I lasted all of two weeks before I was on the phone with Tirerack.

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Yeah, I think I lasted all of two weeks before I was on the phone with Tirerack.

Please explain. What was it that was so bad about the stock tires that you didn't like? And what difference do you notice with other tires? This is my third car with the same Bridgestone runflats. I have had two e90's and now an e82, when I took my 335 to the drag strip I thought the stock tires performed fairly well. I was whooping everyone's ass, two 500hp gt500's and a number of other v8's. Don't get me wrong I still try to buy the softest tires I can find within a price range, but in my twenty years of street driving experience I cant tell any noticeable difference in basically any tire. The point I'm trying to make is the word performance is a marketing scheme, 98% of us never use tires, suspension or the cars for that matter to a point where all these aftermarket parts even matter. Yet all you hear on these forums is how bad the stock parts of these BMW's are. As I have stated earlier I want the feel of a true sports car because it brings me enjoyment. That is after all why I buy BMW's, that and the fact that I have come to the realization that I will most likely never have the 911 I've always wanted.

[brocklanders]

Before you reply, I just want to state that if you regularly track your car on a road course then I completely understand. I track my motorcycle on a road course three or four times a year and would never compromise on the tires. But if that's the case there are a lot of better options then pss tires.

[John_01]

I think the sways and RSF bushes will give a nice improvement in body control. However you are probably going to have some harshness and vibrations from the rear of the car due to runflats. You may also find the rear of the car becomes a bit more underdamped compared to stock. You will have a higher effective spring rate once the RSF bushings are changed. I hope I am wrong about that, but I'm interested to hear the outcome.

[brocklanders]

There is no doubt there will be more harshness the question is how much. the problem with suspension modifications is that I wont know until its done. I am more concerned about the tension strut bushings then the rear as far as harshness. It was a great debate for me to go with poly over rubber.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by brocklanders

Please explain. What was it that was so bad about the stock tires that you didn't like? And what difference do you notice with other tires? This is my third car with the same Bridgestone runflats. I have had two e90's and now an e82, when I took my 335 to the drag strip I thought the stock tires performed fairly well. I was whooping everyone's ass, two 500hp gt500's and a number of other v8's. Don't get me wrong I still try to buy the softest tires I can find within a price range, but in my twenty years of street driving experience I cant tell any noticeable difference in basically any tire. The point I'm trying to make is the word performance is a marketing scheme, 98% of us never use tires, suspension or the cars for that matter to a point where all these aftermarket parts even matter. Yet all you hear on these forums is how bad the stock parts of these BMW's are. As I have stated earlier I want the feel of a true sports car because it brings me enjoyment. That is after all why I buy BMW's, that and the fact that I have come to the realization that I will most likely never have the 911 I've always wanted.

Originally Posted by brocklanders

Before you reply, I just want to state that if you regularly track your car on a road course then I completely understand. I track my motorcycle on a road course three or four times a year and would never compromise on the tires. But if that's the case there are a lot of better options then pss tires.

I didn't like the lack of grip, NVH, weight, or ride quality offered by the run-flats. I use all of my performance parts on a regular basis, and specifically purchased this car because I wanted something I could wring out on the street(hence why I'm not driving an M3). My 911 is my more compromised vehicle.

Track tires are a separate thing. PSS might be the best all around street summer, but they aren't the greatest from a track perspective.

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by brocklanders

Please explain. What was it that was so bad about the stock tires that you didn't like?

I just changed to non-RFTs. The most obvious difference, rolling out of the tire shop, and driving gently to break in the tires, was seriously improved ride. There's also a feeling that the car will handle more smoothly, but I don't have good information yet.

Basically, there are reasons why pneumatic tires are a good idea, and the very stiff sidewalls on RFTs impact those things. It certainly was a factor in Car and Driver rating the Audi A3 over the 228. They also got seriously better cornering numbers with the A3. 0.94 g (excellent) versus 0.86 g (economy car with simple suspension territory).

[brocklanders]

I installed the front sway, the only thing that doesn't seem right is the end links ball joint is full down. I followed the instructions and the hotchkis diy, so I'm some what comfortable. Also since the bar is thicker there were no threads showing through the nut, the bolt is flush on the end of the nut, there are plenty of threads holding and the bar is square and seated against the end link. I'm hoping that will be ok with the lock-tight.

[brocklanders]

here they are

[brocklanders]

I installed the front tension strut bushings today with a cheap press, a 2" socket and a 3" coupler that I found at northern tool. I would post a diy but I do not have smashing the poly bush in to the arm down to a science. It took me quite some time and a lot of patience, its like trying to mount a car tire with a screw driver. The stock bushings came right out, the m3 bushings should be much easier, you would just need ensure they are centered.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

I didn't like the lack of grip, NVH, weight, or ride quality offered by the run-flats.

+1*10^6

[brocklanders]

what is the r1100rsl, I have seen the rs but never an rsl, here is mine a 2001 r1100s

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by brocklanders

what is the r1100rsl, I have seen the rs but never an rsl, here is mine a 2001 r1100s

The RSL has a full lower fairing, the RS only has a half fairing. RSLs are fairly uncommon in the US. Something about them catching fire if left running for long periods while stationary and lawyers... Mine has ~70 k flame-free miles.

I always liked the S, but it's a bit tall for my stubby little legs.

[brocklanders]

Update on the poly tension strut bushings. At first It wasn't bad, close to stock but a different sound, more hollow sounding over bumps. But now, about 1000 mls later it sounds like there is something hanging off the front off the car over bumps. It is at its worse when driving on brick or cobble stone.