128i mod plan - comments?

[128Convertibleguy]

I'll try to head off stuff I've already considered. And note that I do not want stiffer springs/lowered car. A balance between ride and handling.

Koni FSD shocks.

Eibach 28mm solid front antiroll bar.

M3 (TRW) front suspension arms.

Rear subframe bushing inserts (I'm not hardcore enough to justify the cost of replacing the bushings, at 32K miles and no track/autocross yet, mine should be good enough, the inserts wil help them last longer, also).

OZ wheels 17X8 - 40, Michelin PSS 225/45 and 245/45. (Considered square, want to correct the speedo error, better ride, I can't see how increasing rear grip is a bad idea). Will the rears fit with a 40 offset? If not I could get 45-47 and add a front spacer if necessary. But I don't like the wheels as much.

Camber recommendations? Plan to go with stock toe, F and R.

[kobeballer96]

Looks like your on the right track! Disa stage 3 intake manifold. Best bang for your buck if you end up getting a n52 128i

[pj.rodriguez]

Apprently et40 should fit fine both front and rear. And I think you should look into getting different width rims perhaps if you're going staggered. Although, I would highly recommend going square for better control and less understeer. Our N52's don't have that much power to need to have staggered tires.

Go with the subframe bushing replacement rather than inserts. There are some reviews from inserts that weren't much of a difference.

I've also seen a couple things of people selling their solid swaybars because they were TOO stiff. You may want to go M3 sway bar. I've had a ride in a 128i with an M3 front sway and it made a pretty good difference in the turn. More flat ride. With a 28mm Solid, it may be too much.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

I'll try to head off stuff I've already considered. And note that I do not want stiffer springs/lowered car. A balance between ride and handling.

Koni FSD shocks.

FSDs are known for premature failure and do not carry the lifetime warranty that Yellows do. Get the Yellows instead.

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

Eibach 28mm solid front antiroll bar.

Overkill, get the E93 M3 bar if you feel you need a sway bar.

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

Rear subframe bushing inserts (I'm not hardcore enough to justify the cost of replacing the bushings, at 32K miles and no track/autocross yet, mine should be good enough, the inserts wil help them last longer, also).

Inserts are close to the same amount of install work as proper bushing replacement. Seeing as some find them to be not much different, I would just do it right the first time(and did).

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

OZ wheels 17X8 - 40, Michelin PSS 225/45 and 245/45. (Considered square, want to correct the speedo error, better ride, I can't see how increasing rear grip is a bad idea). Will the rears fit with a 40 offset? If not I could get 45-47 and add a front spacer if necessary. But I don't like the wheels as much.

Awesome choice on the wheels. I would stick with a square setup like 235 all around. Really helps dial out factory understeer and gives you much better tire life thanks to rotations. 40 in the rear is fine, that's what I'm running.