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      12-24-2010, 01:43 PM   #1
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New Suspension Review ST Coilovers VS. H&R Sport + Koni Yellows VS. H&R Sport + OEM

Hey guys, back with some new mods for my car, although it's not too visually noticeable, it's still worth reading. I don't do too many long posts without photos, but since this a review of some great products for out car, it will have to do so bear with me here Also don't ask me all the technical aspects of the suspension I ran, cause I don't even know what spring rates are or do.

I got all my suspension work done and parts from longtran@ltbmw feel free to contact him! Great guy and service!

ST Coilovers
I don't have any photos of the suspension itself or how to car looks now (crazy rain in Socal ), but I will try to explain it. ST Coilovers are from the same company as KW's they are EXACTLY like the KW V1's but in a nutshell they don't have a lifetime warranty and is cheaper. The height is adjustable, but not the dampening. The ride is smoother than even my previous H&R Sport + Koni Yellow Shocks. Even though I can't adjust the dampening it was better than the Koni's on medium setting. I loved the racked look that the H&R Sport springs had, but the gap in the back made me want to go lower, but not H&R Race low. I find that the ST Coilovers is the perfect blend of looks and ride. I went lower in the back and left the front. I can pass through the bumps that I had trouble with in the past without my worrying too much about the suspension not being able to compensate. I'm just wondering to myself, why didn't I know about this before?!

H&R Sport + Koni Yellow Shocks

With the addition of Koni Yellows, I was more confident when I was passing bumps on roads without having to worry about bottoming out. My Koni's were set on Medium setting the whole time and I never changed it. In retrospect the fronts were ok, but the back need some tightening up since it would be too bouncy back there without some weight. The ride was overall bearable for a 2 hour drive. I would think I would have gotten sick of it if I was going on a 4 hour drive or more. The springs are actually pretty harsh for a long drive.

H&R Sport + OEM Shocks

When I first decided to get a drop I was being cheap. I read that the springs would ride fine with the OEM shocks. Man, was I wrong The ride was only good and bearable on smooth local roads, if you live in Miami, you should have no problem, but if you commute in Los Angeles, you will hate every bit of it. There was no rebound from the OEM shocks since they weren't made for those springs and I would bottom out due to the slightest bump on the road. The look was good, but the drive was horrible, especially on bumpier roads. I quickly got Koni Yellows after a month.

OEM Non-Sport + OEM Shocks

When I first got the car I thought to myself, man! this car is low and looks great. Of course it was not until I got a drop that I was actually low. I felt that BMW had dumbed down the suspension. Coming from a E90 3-Series, I thought the handling would be better especially since the car was smaller and sportier. There was too much body roll for me and it was a bit floaty. This set up is really made for comfort IMO. When I think back, this is the setup to stay with if you like hassle-free suspension and comfort on long journeys or on bumpy roads. I would still angle into dips and driveways, but not much, never bottomed out.


I got all my suspension work done and parts from longtran@ltbmw feel free to contact him! Great guy and service!
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      12-24-2010, 05:21 PM   #2
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Nice! I checked the website and he has great prices on installs. Congrats.
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      12-25-2010, 01:59 PM   #3
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How does it (ST) compare to stock in terms of firmness, like 35% more firm? Since I am going to replace my tires with non-run-flat, I would like the suspension to be more firm. Please let me know. Also, please PM me where you bought it from and the price too. Thanks.
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      12-25-2010, 07:11 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by My135 View Post
How does it (ST) compare to stock in terms of firmness, like 35% more firm? Since I am going to replace my tires with non-run-flat, I would like the suspension to be more firm. Please let me know. Also, please PM me where you bought it from and the price too. Thanks.
Thanks guys.

I can't really put a percentage on the firmness but it is way firmer that stock also since it's lower and I have 19s makes the car feel mote planted and cornering is easy now. St is the choice it is also bearable since it compensates well.

As I said in my post I got it from longtran@ltbmw feel free to give him a pm or email!
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      12-26-2010, 11:49 PM   #5
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Really nice looking ride - love the windmill shot
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      12-27-2010, 12:10 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodzilla View Post
Nice! I checked the website and he has great prices on installs. Congrats.
Yep he does!
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Originally Posted by cwg View Post
Really nice looking ride - love the windmill shot
Thanks
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      12-27-2010, 10:41 AM   #7
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I saw that on **********s they have ST coilovers for the e92. Are those the same ones that would fit our cars?
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      12-27-2010, 10:43 AM   #8
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Crazy shots as usual. How the eff do you get them to look like that? Your car looks like it's blue chrome. All post processing?
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      12-27-2010, 03:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1-2MANY View Post
I saw that on **********s they have ST coilovers for the e92. Are those the same ones that would fit our cars?
No they are different part numbers I would not risk it.
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Originally Posted by BerkTechnology View Post
Crazy shots as usual. How the eff do you get them to look like that? Your car looks like it's blue chrome. All post processing?
Thanks Post processing helps but lighting does too
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Originally Posted by maxnix View Post
So you had to angle into driveways with OEM non-sport springs and OEM shocks?

That's weird!
You dont want to be in LA
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      03-26-2011, 04:38 PM   #10
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whats the best deal koni yellow hr springs ?
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      03-26-2011, 11:12 PM   #11
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Pics yet?
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      03-27-2011, 01:02 AM   #12
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How would you compare lowest height on ST coilover to H&R sport in the front?
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      03-29-2011, 12:18 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrbig View Post
whats the best deal koni yellow hr springs ?
medium was alright for me. 50-75% firm is good. Not sure about you though... every person is different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by driftdriven View Post
Pics yet?
It's been here in my build thread for a while... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388997
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Originally Posted by e90sexion View Post
How would you compare lowest height on ST coilover to H&R sport in the front?
3/4" lower than sport in the front.
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      04-04-2011, 05:10 PM   #14
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I tried calling LT for fender rolling but no one answers not even a vm.
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      07-10-2012, 10:59 PM   #15
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[QUOTE=jzhang;8558731]Hey guys, back with some new mods for my car, although it's not too visually noticeable, it's still worth reading. I don't do too many long posts without photos, but since this a review of some great products for out car, it will have to do so bear with me here Also don't ask me all the technical aspects of the suspension I ran, cause I don't even know what spring rates are or do.



Do you have a pic of the st on your car?
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      04-15-2015, 11:35 PM   #16
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i agree 100% that HR on oem shocks isnt fine or comfortable and the way the back bounces probably isn't safe.
Read the same things you did on my e90 and had to do the same mod twice cost me more. so do it once and do it right with matched shocks!

thanks for the comparison i just picked up ST for my e93
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      04-16-2015, 07:04 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Murph335 View Post
i agree 100% that HR on oem shocks isnt fine or comfortable and the way the back bounces probably isn't safe.
Read the same things you did on my e90 and had to do the same mod twice cost me more. so do it once and do it right with matched shocks!

thanks for the comparison i just picked up ST for my e93
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      05-19-2015, 03:25 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by _Ryan_
Quote:
Originally Posted by Murph335 View Post
i agree 100% that HR on oem shocks isnt fine or comfortable and the way the back bounces probably isn't safe.
Read the same things you did on my e90 and had to do the same mod twice cost me more. so do it once and do it right with matched shocks!

thanks for the comparison i just picked up ST for my e93
I freaking love these ST coilovers!!! OP was correct perfect balance of comfort.

Vs Stock sport...
On my commute the most notable difference was on the highway.
Loop 101 to the 60 - banked left hand ramp with 3 expansion joints. The car would jump to the right under load and you had to be ready for it. STs make this car stick!
Same experience on the way home loop 101 to loop 202 ramp.

Incredible how oem plus these are. Past 15 yrs aftermarket meant rides like crap great on track.

No more compromises! For $815 from vrsf there is no reason to buy springs or stay stock.
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      05-19-2015, 05:23 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Murph335 View Post
I freaking love these ST coilovers!!! OP was correct perfect balance of comfort.

Vs Stock sport...
On my commute the most notable difference was on the highway.
Loop 101 to the 60 - banked left hand ramp with 3 expansion joints. The car would jump to the right under load and you had to be ready for it. STs make this car stick!
Same experience on the way home loop 101 to loop 202 ramp.

Incredible how oem plus these are. Past 15 yrs aftermarket meant rides like crap great on track.

No more compromises! For $815 from vrsf there is no reason to buy springs or stay stock.
love your examples, i'm still on stock suspension and those freeway ramps do make the rear end hop. making it stick sounds awesome. time to consider some STs... been debating between an affordable coilover setup vs. koni yellow + springs (swift or h&R)
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      05-19-2015, 09:09 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbchun
Quote:
Originally Posted by Murph335 View Post
I freaking love these ST coilovers!!! OP was correct perfect balance of comfort.

Vs Stock sport...
On my commute the most notable difference was on the highway.
Loop 101 to the 60 - banked left hand ramp with 3 expansion joints. The car would jump to the right under load and you had to be ready for it. STs make this car stick!
Same experience on the way home loop 101 to loop 202 ramp.

Incredible how oem plus these are. Past 15 yrs aftermarket meant rides like crap great on track.

No more compromises! For $815 from vrsf there is no reason to buy springs or stay stock.
love your examples, i'm still on stock suspension and those freeway ramps do make the rear end hop. making it stick sounds awesome. time to consider some STs... been debating between an affordable coilover setup vs. koni yellow + springs (swift or h&R)
I also have an e90 on hr touring kit $750 (sport spring with matched damper). It's a very harsh ride. I am considering putting ST on it, but it's not my daily (wife likes it) so leaving it.


I can only pull from experience that a swift koni unmatched setup is a last resort and not much cheaper so do it once and the right way.
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