128 Sport

MA128 · 09-30-2012, 03:06 PM

It's been a few days since the work was done and I'd like to share the results. The car has 58,000 miles and the handling had become seriously sloppy. It's a daily driver with a 60-mile round trip commute into Boston. Rides on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+. The goal was to solve the handling issues and retain 90% of the ride comfort. Here's what was done:

M3 front sway bar (E93)
M3 control arms (tension strut and control arm)
M3 rear subframe bushings
Koni FSD struts/shocks

Pros:

The car drives like a proper sports car. All of the bounce, wallow, pitch and yaw is gone. It goes where it's pointed when the wheel is turned.
Much more planted and stable at highway speeds
Steering feel is improved and effort is slightly increased.
Here's the craziest pro - my clutch shudder is gone (see the thread http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...php?p=12763673)
The car is a delight to drive now - all of the responsiveness and control you could reasonably want.

Cons:

The ride is firmer - generally a plus but it's lost a bit if the original luxury plush ride. Guess you can't have both. What few panel creaks or rattles I had occur more frequently. On balance, I'm still happier with the new setup.
Added road noise via the firm M3 subframe bushings. Not on smooth asphalt but noticeable on rougher-grained surfaces. Looks like some Dynamat is the next upgrade. I will say that it's less noticeable now than two days ago. Do these need a little time to soften up? Or did I? In any case, it's not bad - just a little more NVH than before.

It's interesting how this has benefited more than just controlling the wheels going up and down. Everything seems more unified - steering, brakes, clutch, throttle. The car is more "of a piece." My Cayman envy ends here!

Southjersey128 · 09-30-2012, 09:50 PM

The bushings really are worth it. You do feel potholes and such more, but it feels so sharp in the turns. I'm looking forward to the M3 control arms and tension rods. Just a couple of months away.

andrey_gta · 10-01-2012, 08:25 AM

Great write up. Looking to follow the same path over the next year.

Hve you thought about any rear control arm upgrades to the M3 pieces?

bimmer74 · 10-03-2012, 09:23 PM

Sounds like a very nice setup. Where did you have it installed?

MA128 · 10-04-2012, 07:52 AM

Ace Performance Tuning in Tewksbury
www.aceperformancesystems.com
Contact: Baer Connard (978) 710-3116
The work was done by Ezra, who did a great job.

09-30-2012, 03:06 PM	#1
MA128 Second Lieutenant 89 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2013 128 Coupe 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Boston Suburbs iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 128 Coupe [0.00]	128 Sport - Suspension Upgrade Results It's been a few days since the work was done and I'd like to share the results. The car has 58,000 miles and the handling had become seriously sloppy. It's a daily driver with a 60-mile round trip commute into Boston. Rides on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+. The goal was to solve the handling issues and retain 90% of the ride comfort. Here's what was done: M3 front sway bar (E93) M3 control arms (tension strut and control arm) M3 rear subframe bushings Koni FSD struts/shocks Pros: The car drives like a proper sports car. All of the bounce, wallow, pitch and yaw is gone. It goes where it's pointed when the wheel is turned. Much more planted and stable at highway speeds Steering feel is improved and effort is slightly increased. Here's the craziest pro - my clutch shudder is gone (see the thread http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...php?p=12763673) The car is a delight to drive now - all of the responsiveness and control you could reasonably want. Cons: The ride is firmer - generally a plus but it's lost a bit if the original luxury plush ride. Guess you can't have both. What few panel creaks or rattles I had occur more frequently. On balance, I'm still happier with the new setup. Added road noise via the firm M3 subframe bushings. Not on smooth asphalt but noticeable on rougher-grained surfaces. Looks like some Dynamat is the next upgrade. I will say that it's less noticeable now than two days ago. Do these need a little time to soften up? Or did I? In any case, it's not bad - just a little more NVH than before. It's interesting how this has benefited more than just controlling the wheels going up and down. Everything seems more unified - steering, brakes, clutch, throttle. The car is more "of a piece." My Cayman envy ends here! __________________ SOLD: 2013 128 Coupe / 6MT / Premium / M-Sport / Cold / Xenon / HK Audio / CDV Delete / M3 RSFB SOLD: 2009 128 Coupe / 6MT / Premium / Sport / Cold / Xenon / HK Audio / CDV Delete / M3 Suspension Last edited by MA128; 10-01-2012 at 08:20 AM..
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09-30-2012, 09:50 PM	#2
Southjersey128 Second Lieutenant 43 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	The bushings really are worth it. You do feel potholes and such more, but it feels so sharp in the turns. I'm looking forward to the M3 control arms and tension rods. Just a couple of months away. __________________ Afe Scoops and CAI, PBX, BMS Paddleshift upgrade, 261M's Powder Coated Gunmetal, 225/255 Michelin PSS, (BMW Performance: BBK, Illuminated Door Sills, Shifter Knob and Boot, E-Brake Handle, Steering Wheel, Front Strut Bar), E93 FSB, E92 RSB, M3 Rear Subframe Bushings, M3 Front Control Arms, HPA coilover kit (Koni Adjustables and Swift Springs), Steel Brake Hoses, Black Kidneys, Smoked LED side markers, Blacklines, Msport lip spoiler...
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10-01-2012, 08:25 AM	#3
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	Great write up. Looking to follow the same path over the next year. Hve you thought about any rear control arm upgrades to the M3 pieces? __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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10-03-2012, 09:23 PM	#4
bimmer74 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 212 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (3)	Sounds like a very nice setup. Where did you have it installed?
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10-04-2012, 07:52 AM	#5
MA128 Second Lieutenant 89 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2013 128 Coupe 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Boston Suburbs iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 128 Coupe [0.00]	Ace Performance Tuning in Tewksbury www.aceperformancesystems.com Contact: Baer Connard (978) 710-3116 The work was done by Ezra, who did a great job. __________________ SOLD: 2013 128 Coupe / 6MT / Premium / M-Sport / Cold / Xenon / HK Audio / CDV Delete / M3 RSFB SOLD: 2009 128 Coupe / 6MT / Premium / Sport / Cold / Xenon / HK Audio / CDV Delete / M3 Suspension
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