Best suspension for Daily Driver / Backroads Dancer 135i

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by JDamian

Sweet! That's the exact setup I'm going with. I installed Whiteline KDT918 bushing inserts last week and ordered a set of B-12s, Dinan camber plates, RSM's, and front upper strut mounts and lower rear mounts. I'll be doing the install as soon as I get all my parts. After an alignment I'll be switching from Conti DW's to PSS's.

Great! What were your impressions on the inserts? I'm still pondering m3 rsfb vs whiteline 2 piece full bushings. Haven't considered the inserts, curious to hear your impressions as you put them in standalone and I will be doing everything in one shot.

[Gangplank]

I did the in inserts about 6-8 weeks ago. Massive improvement even in everyday driving. The back end is much more consistent and less floaty in corners. That said, I am planning to go to the full M3 inserts eventually. It was always a short term cheap fix for me until I'm in there doing more suspension or LSD upgrades down the road.

[Gangplank]

I'm now strongly considering the ST XA coilovers or KW V2.

[JDamian]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

I did the in inserts about 6-8 weeks ago. Massive improvement even in everyday driving. The back end is much more consistent and less floaty in corners. That said, I am planning to go to the full M3 inserts eventually. It was always a short term cheap fix for me until I'm in there doing more suspension or LSD upgrades down the road.

Yup, I totally agree with Gangplank. After install, my rear felt more connected to the road. I too might switch to M3 bushings after installing my B12s if I feel the Whitelines aren't cutting it. Right now I'm satisfied with the results. Totally worth the $50 and two hours to install.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by JDamian

Yup, I totally agree with Gangplank. After install, my rear felt more connected to the road. I too might switch to M3 bushings after installing my B12s if I feel the Whitelines aren't cutting it. Right now I'm satisfied with the results. Totally worth the $50 and two hours to install.

Alright thx. I will probably go with full bushings frome whiteline...since everything will be apart.

[Gangplank]

The thing I keep circling back on is the drop/lowering. For those of us that want minimum lowering our best option seems to be the BMW Performance Springs matched with either the BMWPS or Koni Sport or Billstein B6/B8.

[asbrr]

Yes, the BMW PS will be the "least" low of the various choices, unless you're talking coilovers.

I think you mentioned that there were a few coilover sets that were in your price range, that will give you ultimate height control. At the highest setting many coilovers should be minimal drop when compared to m-sport (remember the drop amounts are almost always quoted from "non-sport" so you need to take away 15-20 mm or whatever off of what is being quoted to get a relative drop vs m-sport).

EDIT: Sorry - I mixed you up with the OP, this thread is so long that I'm now officially confused lol.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by asbrr

this thread is so long that I'm now officially confused lol.

Me too!

But I don't mind - I learn a little more from nearly every post here.
For instance, I didn't want to pay for a shop to install RSFB's, but I don't really want to go there DIY (remove exhaust and brake lines, need expensive special tool, 8 hours labor if you know what you're doing.) But I was afraid the inserts were a waste of energy.

People here got me thinking about inserts again, and after reading more reviews elsewhere I think, for me (primarily street use, DD, DIY-able) they'll ultimately be the way to go.

So, please, keep sharing!

[CRYA]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

The thing I keep circling back on is the drop/lowering. For those of us that want minimum lowering our best option seems to be the BMW Performance Springs matched with either the BMWPS or Koni Sport or Billstein B6/B8.

Curious about running the BMW PS with the Dinan tuned Konis. The OP never heard back from Dinan as to why they don't offer their springs anymore, yet they still advertise their Konis as tuned for the Dinan springs. Well that's pointless if you can't get the springs, so what about using the Dinan tuned Konis with the BMW Performance springs? Yay? Nay?

I'm going M3 RSFB personally. If I keep the car for 50,000 more miles, it'll be worth it long-term.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Me too!

But I don't mind - I learn a little more from nearly every post here.
For instance, I didn't want to pay for a shop to install RSFB's, but I don't really want to go there DIY (remove exhaust and brake lines, need expensive special tool, 8 hours labor if you know what you're doing.) But I was afraid the inserts were a waste of energy.

People here got me thinking about inserts again, and after reading more reviews elsewhere I think, for me (primarily street use, DD, DIY-able) they'll ultimately be the way to go.

So, please, keep sharing!

I think that those, who say the inserts made a very noticeable improvevement, have still the stock suspension. I think you will want more after a year or two.

I've been going back and forth between the inserts and M3 RSFBs, too. Labour costs as much as the bushings alone...

[mike082802]

i have the koni yellows and bmwper springs. for daily driving and spirited weekends the are more than enough. i want to start tracking my car so i will probably switch over to a coilover either tc,st xta, or maybe ast's. they might be in the for sale section in the next month.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by CRYA

Curious about running the BMW PS with the Dinan tuned Konis. The OP never heard back from Dinan as to why they don't offer their springs anymore, yet they still advertise their Konis as tuned for the Dinan springs. Well that's pointless if you can't get the springs, so what about using the Dinan tuned Konis with the BMW Performance springs? Yay? Nay?

I'm going M3 RSFB personally. If I keep the car for 50,000 more miles, it'll be worth it long-term.

From the post I linked on page 6, the Dinan are 144/490 so pretty close to some of the other options like Cobb, Eibach & BMW Perf. springs.

"As a reference, spring rates for the E82/135i are:
BMW M sport = 120/350 lbs/in.
Dinan = 144/490.
Cobb = 148/457. (Same rate as Eibach)
BMW performance = 160/420.
Swift Spec-R springs = 201/ 503."

[CRYA]

Originally Posted by mike082802

i have the koni yellows and bmwper springs. for daily driving and spirited weekends the are more than enough. i want to start tracking my car so i will probably switch over to a coilover either tc,st xta, or maybe ast's. they might be in the for sale section in the next month.

Let's talk.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by swagon

I think that those, who say the inserts made a very noticeable improvevement, have still the stock suspension. I think you will want more after a year or two.

I've been going back and forth between the inserts and M3 RSFBs, too. Labour costs as much as the bushings alone...

Out here, labor to install will be at least 2x cost of bushings - possibly approaching 3x. Since I'm not going to track the car (except the occasional driver-improvement session) I just can't see dropping all that cash if I can pay less for parts and essentially nothing for labor (I value my time, but I learn in the process and get to know my car) to get what seems like ~ 70% of the improvement. I mean, it is almost good enough as-is.
I'm even thinking to DIY the shocks/springs ne coilovers so I can swing the better set, then pay a local motorsports shop to corner balance and give her a proper alignment.

[titium]

don't do suspension until you've done the rsfb.
I can't comment on how the inserts are vs full replacement but I installed the nolathane two piece bushes and couldn't be happier massive improvement.

you need to think of it from a $$ to performance point of view not a labor to parts cost ratio.

a good suspension setup will set you back $2.5k minimum installed. rsfb will set you back $800-1k and in my opinion my suspension upgrade didn't make 2.5x the difference installing the bushes did. I honestly feel the bushes made a bigger difference in making the car 'feel' the way i wanted.

bang for buck performance wise the bushes are a no brainier just need to get over the fact that you are spending $800 on bits of rubber/poly and getting them installed.

[Gangplank]

I thought I'd made my decision.

[edit, still debating shocks/coilovers ha!]
BMW Performance Springs
Dinan Camber plates
E92 or E93 sway bar
M3 control arms
Perf. Bump stop for rear
Dinan upper shock mounts/remove camber pins

+ new BMW front upper shock mounts

I already have the RSFB inserts. Might eventually do the M3 bushings but might wait n'see.

[or.... ugh]

[tjswarbrick]

Sounds good, GP.

Now I'm really wondering how much more difficult it is to install 2-piece urethane bushings vs inserts. Some say bushings are "easy"; others, it's just like 1-piece rubber bushings.
I think I saw a DIY bushing removal tool. Will need to search for that link.

[titium]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Sounds good, GP.

Now I'm really wondering how much more difficult it is to install 2-piece urethane bushings vs inserts. Some say bushings are "easy"; others, it's just like 1-piece rubber bushings.
I think I saw a DIY bushing removal tool. Will need to search for that link.

i think the majority of the hard work is getting the old bushes out, especially if you get unlucky and they are seized in.

the two piece makes it easier to put the new bushings in without needing to drop the subframe completely.

[Gangplank]

One thing I've been wondering is whether people who do the inserts and then feel the need to upgrade do so because the inserts being stiffer put more wear on other parts like the soft rear shock mounts or bump stops. I've seen a few posts about the rear upper shock mounts being replaced w/ Dinan units and it stiffening up the suspension as well. I'm planning to try this when I upgrade my suspension. If it's not enough I'll do the M3 bushes. For me the inserts have made a huge improvement but at 43k I do feel the suspension is wearing certain parts.

Best way I can describe is that the inserts have quelled the slow rollover on turn exit or off camber bumps. The rear end still feels floaty on hard acceleration lane changes or quick side to side. That could be more shocks & other parts worn out. Hard to know but at $500 installed for the bushings vs. $150 for the inserts replacing them will be after other parts for me.

[swagon]

I'd replace some wear items on the suspension at that mileage, GP. Also look up the Monroe 907984 kit in the E90 suspension section.

Is there anyone who's had the Whiteline inserts for a longer period of time (year +)? I was thinking about fitting them on the E91 and doing the M3 bushings on the E82.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by swagon

I'd replace some wear items on the suspension at that mileage, GP. Also look up the Monroe 907984 kit in the E90 suspension section.

Is there anyone who's had the Whiteline inserts for a longer period of time (year +)? I was thinking about fitting them on the E91 and doing the M3 bushings on the E82.

Yes sir. I saw those and am considering them. Plus some new front strut mounts.

I'm pretty sure a few have had the inserts longeR. Maybe someone will chime in.

The problem is I keep going round and round on the shock & spring choices. Lol. by the time you add in shocks + springs the Eibach combo kits are priced better by a few hundred, or ST X or Billstein B12. I'm sure they would all be an upgrade over the stock Msport. It really comes down to making choices based on limited info/scientific testing.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Yes sir. I saw those and am considering them. Plus some new front strut mounts.

I'm pretty sure a few have had the inserts longeR. Maybe someone will chime in.

The problem is I keep going round and round on the shock & spring choices. Lol. by the time you add in shocks + springs the Eibach combo kits are priced better by a few hundred, or ST X or Billstein B12. I'm sure they would all be an upgrade over the stock Msport. It really comes down to making choices based on limited info/scientific testing.

Lol just when you thought you'd narrowed it down! It does sound like you're leaning strongly towards an OEM+ type of upgrade rather than full aftermarket. I was in the same boat but after going round and round I figured the B12 is not that far beyond an OEM+ kit and went for it. It may be a bit lower than you want, that's the only thing.

Short term you're going to like whatever you land on because it will be an improvement, just think longer term based on what your preferences generally are. Are you going to doubt the B6 + BMWPS setup long term for any reason? Meaning wanting more spring rate, or lower or something else? The money side doesn't seem to be the end all be all for you as you've quoted coilovers as well as basic spring/shock combos, so think of what long term will be more important based on your biases and what you want to do with the car, then just do it!