BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-16-2012, 07:40 PM   #1
Spitfire007
Captain
Spitfire007's Avatar
189
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW 328i  [0.00]
Anyone on Koni Yellow Sports?

Anyone using KONI Sport shocks?
The yellow ones. Not FSD.

I might upgrade and wonder how these are.
Maybe FSD is the way to go?
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2012, 06:41 AM   #2
Focusedintntions
Colonel
United_States
105
Rep
2,696
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (1)

There's a bunch of people running them. If you don't track and are a set it and forget it kind of person the FSD's are the way to go. If you track and will be adjusting for street and track then get the yellows as they're better. FSDs are better for the street.
__________________
Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2012, 08:49 AM   #3
1Pirate
Captain
1Pirate's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
639
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 135i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Greenville, NC

iTrader: (2)

If you prefer more sporty handling and adjustablility the Koni Sports are the way to go. I've got Koni Sports on my car along with 2011 M Sport springs (which are linear) rather than the 2009 M Sport springs (which are progressive) that came on my car. The combination of the Konis and the linear springs makes for a nice setup and a good compromise between ride and handling. My rear Koni sports are the externally adjustable ones that HP Autowerks sells. The regular rear Koni sports are not externally adjustable.

I currently have the front dampers set at one full turn from soft and the rears at 2/3 of a turn from full soft. Those settings seem to work well for me and my set up, but I may turn the fronts another quarter turn to see how I like them. My car also has an E93 M3 front sway bar and M3 control arms and tension rods. Overall I'm very happy with the set up.

From what I read and been told the FSDs are better than stock, but not nearly as sporty as the Sports and of course they are not adjustable. The front Koni Sports are easily adjustable with the adjustment knob on top. The rears are harder to get to, but still have the adjustment on top.
__________________
2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2012, 08:57 AM   #4
GaryS
Colonel
37
Rep
2,084
Posts

Drives: 2009 135i 6MT
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 135i  [6.50]
Here's a comparison. The Sports are set to full soft for the test, so expect better on track performance with them than the review indicates.

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/tests/koni_fsd.jsp
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2012, 11:15 AM   #5
Spitfire007
Captain
Spitfire007's Avatar
189
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW 328i  [0.00]
Thanks.

I've switched out the runflats for Conti DWS, but now the car wallows all over.
If you try to push the car hard, it understeers HORRIBLY. There is a tremendous delay between a steering wheel input, vs the car actually going where I want it to.
The Conti DWSs are super smooth on bad roads. I really can go over any bump, but their on-center feel is horrid. The car feels baloony and floaty not.

I must admit on thing:
The Runflats made the car feel sharp, and VERY precise.

I guess what I'm looking for is the following:

-Get the precision feel back.

-Change the ride quality, so the car is taut, and hunkered down to the road, but WITHOUT the jarring that I used to get on expansion joints and back roads. (which is exacerbated by runflats...)

-Cure the bunny- HOP, mid turn, and on rough roads.

I drive on really bad roads, so lowering is not an option for me.

Maybe Konis will help?
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2012, 12:08 PM   #6
1Pirate
Captain
1Pirate's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
639
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 135i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Greenville, NC

iTrader: (2)

I think the Koni Sports would help you. A different set of springs would too.

I also didn't want to lower my car that's why I went with 2011 M Sport springs instead of aftermarket springs. Beginning with the 2011 model year BMW switched from progressive to linear springs. I picked up mine from somone on the forum who switched to aftermarket springs.
__________________
2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2012, 12:29 PM   #7
GaryS
Colonel
37
Rep
2,084
Posts

Drives: 2009 135i 6MT
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 135i  [6.50]
Better shocks will make a huge difference. Besides curing the bunny-hop, they will bring back some steering feel. To bring back more, try these HD control arm bushings.

http://www.hpashop.com/E82-E9X-HD-Fr...sh-e82-e9x.htm
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2012, 04:00 PM   #8
Spitfire007
Captain
Spitfire007's Avatar
189
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW 328i  [0.00]
thanks guys.
Next time I'm back home in MD, I'll have to look you up gary. I'd be interested to see your car and have you take me for a ride in it if you were amenable to that.

btw, what tires are you guys running?
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2012, 06:06 PM   #9
Focusedintntions
Colonel
United_States
105
Rep
2,696
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (1)

I have the pss as well as Gary
__________________
Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
Appreciate 0
      04-22-2012, 04:01 PM   #10
Obioban
Emperor
Obioban's Avatar
1611
Rep
2,753
Posts

Drives: M3, M3, M5, M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Chester, PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW M5  [0.00]
2017 BMW i3  [0.00]
2005 BMW M3 Coupe  [0.00]
2001 BMW M5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spitfire007 View Post
Thanks.

I've switched out the runflats for Conti DWS, but now the car wallows all over.
If you try to push the car hard, it understeers HORRIBLY. There is a tremendous delay between a steering wheel input, vs the car actually going where I want it to.
The Conti DWSs are super smooth on bad roads. I really can go over any bump, but their on-center feel is horrid. The car feels baloony and floaty not.

I must admit on thing:
The Runflats made the car feel sharp, and VERY precise.

I guess what I'm looking for is the following:

-Get the precision feel back.

-Change the ride quality, so the car is taut, and hunkered down to the road, but WITHOUT the jarring that I used to get on expansion joints and back roads. (which is exacerbated by runflats...)

-Cure the bunny- HOP, mid turn, and on rough roads.

I drive on really bad roads, so lowering is not an option for me.

Maybe Konis will help?
When did they change to linear springs?
__________________

2005 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Wagon, 2001 M5 Sedan, 2008 M5 6MT Sedan, 2012 128i M sport
Appreciate 0
      04-22-2012, 05:09 PM   #11
Spitfire007
Captain
Spitfire007's Avatar
189
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW 328i  [0.00]
2011 model year but not sure of the production month
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 08:42 AM   #12
1Pirate
Captain
1Pirate's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
639
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 135i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Greenville, NC

iTrader: (2)

As I understand it BMW switched to linear springs at the beginning of the 2011 model year production.
__________________
2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 08:58 AM   #13
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10511
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Pirate View Post
As I understand it BMW switched to linear springs at the beginning of the 2011 model year production.

Yes, but only for the rear springs from what I remember.
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 10:44 AM   #14
1Pirate
Captain
1Pirate's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
639
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 135i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Greenville, NC

iTrader: (2)

The 2011 rear springs are definitely different from the 2009s that my car came with. The shape of the 2011 springs is uniform top to bottom. My 2009 M sport spirngs were not. They are slightly smaller at each end than in the middle.
__________________
2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
Appreciate 0
      04-29-2012, 03:58 PM   #15
Spitfire007
Captain
Spitfire007's Avatar
189
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW 328i  [0.00]
So the consensus is either Koni yellow sports OR FSDs and 2011 linear springs.

My car is a daily driver and I have no intention of ever tracking it so the FSDs might be the more comfy way to go. I just want to set it and forget it and enjoy the ride!
Appreciate 0
      04-29-2012, 09:39 PM   #16
1Pirate
Captain
1Pirate's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
639
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 135i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Greenville, NC

iTrader: (2)

Given what you are looking for I think the Koni Sports or FSDs and a set of 2011/12 springs would give you what you want without spending a lot of money. FSDs if you don't want to mess with adjusting the dampers. I would still consider adding the M3 FSB and control arms and tension rods. I think you would be pleasantly surprised with the set up.
__________________
2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2012, 04:44 PM   #17
Spitfire007
Captain
Spitfire007's Avatar
189
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW 328i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Pirate View Post
Given what you are looking for I think the Koni Sports or FSDs and a set of 2011/12 springs would give you what you want without spending a lot of money. FSDs if you don't want to mess with adjusting the dampers. I would still consider adding the M3 FSB and control arms and tension rods. I think you would be pleasantly surprised with the set up.
thanks guys.
when you say control arms and tension rods, you mean for the front, correct?
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 08:24 AM   #18
1Pirate
Captain
1Pirate's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
639
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 135i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Greenville, NC

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spitfire007 View Post
thanks guys.
when you say control arms and tension rods, you mean for the front, correct?
Yes, for the front.

I've done my suspension mods in stages. I also went with aftermarket wheels with non runflat tires. At each step I've seen an incremental increase in handling and overall feel. First I installed the M3 E93 FSB. Next I installed the M3 control arms and tension rods. Finally I added the Koni Sports and 2011 M Sport springs.

The M3 FSB removed significant amount of the body roll in the car. The M3 control arms and tension rods tightened up the steering and steering feel and enhanced turn in. The struts/shocks/springs greatly reduced squat and dive, made the suspension more responsive to driver imput and improved cornering.

I know a lot of people contend that installing M3 rear subframe bushings is one of the best things you can do to improve the 1s handling. I'm sure it does and I may consider doing it as a future mod. However, it's not cheap given the labor involved. Also in my opinion the most glaring weak links in the stock handling are the FSB and the struts/shocks/springs. The 2011/12 springs are an improvement over the 08-10 springs and seem to work well with a good set of aftermarket dampers.
__________________
2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 09:18 AM   #19
GaryS
Colonel
37
Rep
2,084
Posts

Drives: 2009 135i 6MT
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 135i  [6.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spitfire007 View Post
thanks guys.
when you say control arms and tension rods, you mean for the front, correct?
If keeping cost down is important, you should consider this alternative.

http://www.hpashop.com/E82-E9X-HD-Fr...sh-e82-e9x.htm
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 02:08 PM   #20
Spitfire007
Captain
Spitfire007's Avatar
189
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW 328i  [0.00]
Thanks guys. Coming up with a wish list as we speak.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 11:22 PM   #21
Fireflyer239
First Lieutenant
United_States
19
Rep
349
Posts

Drives: BMW, Jeep, Ducati & Harley
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New Haven, CT

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryS View Post
If keeping cost down is important, you should consider this alternative.

http://www.hpashop.com/E82-E9X-HD-Fr...sh-e82-e9x.htm
I just ordered a set, thanks for the link. Doing my mods in stages and the M3 parts don't fit into the first stage plan, but these bushings might be a nice bang-for-the-buck, in terms of improved steering feel. We'll see.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 08:09 AM   #22
1Pirate
Captain
1Pirate's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
639
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 135i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Greenville, NC

iTrader: (2)

Let us know how easy/difficult the front control arm bushings are to swap out. I suspect that they aren't that easy to swap out, but I may be wrong. Also according to the HP Autowerks website these bushings are stiffer than the OEM bushings, but not as stiff as the M3 bushings that come with the M3 control arms. Still for the price they should be an improvement over the stock bushings.
__________________
2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:06 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST