Best suspension mods for the money

DaveSakky135 · 11-24-2009, 10:29 AM

What do you guys think would be the best suspension mods for the money for my 1er. Recently was over at Turner Motorsport and they told me to just stay away from just doing springs and that i was better off doing a coilover set. What do you all think?

BroDoze · 11-24-2009, 10:40 AM

Front sway bar?

arrutled · 11-24-2009, 12:51 PM

Coilovers are proving to be a tough decision for me. I have gotten the M3 front control arm kit and M3 front sway and could not be happier.

jlee · 11-24-2009, 09:29 PM

i just did the BMW performance suspension and love it !

Jeff

WhiteOne · 11-25-2009, 06:41 PM

The stock front suspension uses struts.(coil springs/shocks combined)
The stock rear uses separate springs and shocks.
Coilover kits use the same setup.
They do offer the ability to adjust your ride height.(and corner weight)
Do you plan on racing your car?

SPEZNAS92 · 11-25-2009, 07:38 PM

I would start in this order

1.M3 parts minus sway bars (w/ proper alignment)

2. Coil over system

3. properly sized sway bars for fine tuning.

You may feel that M3 parts are enough for you and want to stop there, if thats the case then get your proper sway bars.

I say proper because the rigidity/ size of the sway bar should be dependent on the suspension set up you have.

DaveSakky135 · 11-25-2009, 11:29 PM

Thank you for the input. Where can i get this m3 setup? will it be cheaper than a coilover kit?

cpt97m3 · 11-26-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveSakky135

Thank you for the input. Where can i get this m3 setup? will it be cheaper than a coilover kit?

Harold has the parts you need at: http://www.hpashop.com/

The front arm kit is around $400, and the torque arms (Guide Rods) for the rear are $370. Those are probably the best bang for the buck. The lower arms requires new shocks also.

clar · 11-26-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveSakky135

Thank you for the input. Where can i get this m3 setup? will it be cheaper than a coilover kit?

I have the M3 parts (front and rear) and Perf Suspension. The M3 parts are so good that it reveals the ugly side of the stock M suspension. Soon after getting them, i could not stand the roll and got the Perf suspension installed.

sliderpass · 11-26-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpt97m3

Harold has the parts you need at: http://www.hpashop.com/

The front arm kit is around $400, and the torque arms (Guide Rods) for the rear are $370. Those are probably the best bang for the buck. The lower arms requires new shocks also.

Shocks for the front or rear? What do they need to be changed to?

Cheers

Simon

DaveSakky135 · 11-26-2009, 11:38 PM

alright so M3 bits or just a coilover kit? what do you guys think? maybe both?

arrutled · 11-27-2009, 08:08 AM

both!

cpt97m3 · 11-28-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sliderpass

Shocks for the front or rear? What do they need to be changed to?

Cheers

Simon

The rear M3 arm on the 135i has a different mounting system for the lower shock mount, so it requires M3 style rear shocks. The E82 style shocks have a big rubber bushing on the arm and a straight through mounting. So if you do the lower rear arm, that's the time to upgrade to Koni DA's or AST's with the M3 style mount. It will get rid of the big rubber bushing also.

trfortin69 · 12-03-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arrutled

Coilovers are proving to be a tough decision for me. I have gotten the M3 front control arm kit and M3 front sway and could not be happier.

are you ever in the No MA South east NH area. I would love to see how that set up you have handles. Thanks

trfortin69 · 12-03-2009, 09:23 PM

does this set up work for the vert?

arrutled · 12-04-2009, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trfortin69

are you ever in the No MA South east NH area. I would love to see how that set up you have handles. Thanks

Would be best if you waited until spring and I would love to give you a ride when im on my summer tires.

DaveSakky135 · 12-04-2009, 08:16 AM

going with the H&R coilover kit from Turner Motorsport. Anyone running this setup that can give me some insight? Thanks

trfortin69 · 12-04-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arrutled

Would be best if you waited until spring and I would love to give you a ride when im on my summer tires.

yeah makes sense, I'm not doing any mods until after winter. Thanks,

ModBargains.com · 12-11-2009, 03:42 PM

Going with a full coilover system is going to be the most beneficial for your vehicle. Coilover system come with a shock and strut and allows you to adjust the height, and dampening on your vehicle.

A system such as the KW Coilover is what I recommend to anyone who is interested in doing a complete overhaul on their suspension.

tjockey · 12-11-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveSakky135

going with the H&R coilover kit from Turner Motorsport. Anyone running this setup that can give me some insight? Thanks

I've got the H&R from Turner and while the set-up performs well, it is difficult to get the ride height and there is no dampening adjustment. Just stay away from expansion joints and sudden dips...

Mega Man · 12-20-2009, 03:55 PM

Lots of vendors are recommending the KW's; are they really THAT good?

cpt97m3 · 12-20-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mega Man

Lots of vendors are recommending the KW's; are they really THAT good?

Looks like the ones that are better, TC Kline, AST, Moton, are all more money. So KW's might be a good choice for value. I'm leaning toward the TC Klines or AST's, but it's going to be a while before I switch.

11-24-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
DaveSakky135 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 135i Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	Best suspension mods for the money What do you guys think would be the best suspension mods for the money for my 1er. Recently was over at Turner Motorsport and they told me to just stay away from just doing springs and that i was better off doing a coilover set. What do you all think?
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11-24-2009, 10:40 AM	#2
BroDoze Captain 268 Rep 910 Posts Drives: Stuff Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Front sway bar?
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11-24-2009, 12:51 PM	#3
arrutled Colonel 104 Rep 2,474 Posts Drives: Olsa Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Western Mass iTrader: (0)	Coilovers are proving to be a tough decision for me. I have gotten the M3 front control arm kit and M3 front sway and could not be happier. __________________ AW 135i w/ blackette, performance short shift kit, BMW alarm, Performance rotors, APEX ARC-8 wheels, Direzza Star Spec 235/275, Dinan stage 3 suspension, M3 wishbones/tension rods/front sway/rear subframe bushings and thats all folks!
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11-24-2009, 09:29 PM	#4
jlee Captain 168 Rep 773 Posts Drives: M2CS+GTS Targa+RRS SVR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (1)	i just did the BMW performance suspension and love it ! Jeff
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11-25-2009, 06:41 PM	#5
WhiteOne Major 28 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	The stock front suspension uses struts.(coil springs/shocks combined) The stock rear uses separate springs and shocks. Coilover kits use the same setup. They do offer the ability to adjust your ride height.(and corner weight) Do you plan on racing your car?
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11-25-2009, 07:38 PM	#6
SPEZNAS92 First Lieutenant 11 Rep 305 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Studio City iTrader: (2)	I would start in this order 1.M3 parts minus sway bars (w/ proper alignment) 2. Coil over system 3. properly sized sway bars for fine tuning. You may feel that M3 parts are enough for you and want to stop there, if thats the case then get your proper sway bars. I say proper because the rigidity/ size of the sway bar should be dependent on the suspension set up you have. __________________ B6 Audi S4 B7 Audi S4 E46 BMW M3 E92 BMW 335i E82 BMW 135i
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11-25-2009, 11:29 PM	#7
DaveSakky135 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 135i Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	Thank you for the input. Where can i get this m3 setup? will it be cheaper than a coilover kit?
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11-26-2009, 11:38 PM	#11
DaveSakky135 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 135i Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	alright so M3 bits or just a coilover kit? what do you guys think? maybe both?
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11-27-2009, 08:08 AM	#12
arrutled Colonel 104 Rep 2,474 Posts Drives: Olsa Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Western Mass iTrader: (0)	both! __________________ AW 135i w/ blackette, performance short shift kit, BMW alarm, Performance rotors, APEX ARC-8 wheels, Direzza Star Spec 235/275, Dinan stage 3 suspension, M3 wishbones/tension rods/front sway/rear subframe bushings and thats all folks!
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12-03-2009, 09:23 PM	#15
trfortin69 Lieutenant 18 Rep 406 Posts Drives: 135i Convertible Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seacost NH iTrader: (1)	does this set up work for the vert? __________________ Jet Black/Savvanah Beige - Premium Package, Cold Package, Ipod, Style 142 Winter Wheels w/ All season runflats, Style 264 Summer Wheels w/ Ventus V12 evo K110 225/40R- 18 Front 255/35R-18 Rear Prior Vehicles: 2002 Porsche Boxster, 2004 A-4 Ultra Sport Stage II software/injectors w/ stasis street sport suspension, 2006 e90 w/ sport, premium, cold.
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12-04-2009, 08:16 AM	#17
DaveSakky135 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 135i Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	going with the H&R coilover kit from Turner Motorsport. Anyone running this setup that can give me some insight? Thanks
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12-11-2009, 03:42 PM	#19
ModBargains.com Banned 475 Rep 13,583 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	Going with a full coilover system is going to be the most beneficial for your vehicle. Coilover system come with a shock and strut and allows you to adjust the height, and dampening on your vehicle. A system such as the KW Coilover is what I recommend to anyone who is interested in doing a complete overhaul on their suspension.
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12-20-2009, 03:55 PM	#21
Mega Man エアーマンが倒せない 279 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	Lots of vendors are recommending the KW's; are they really THAT good? __________________ 1ADDICT \| Black Shadowline Grills \| KW V2 \| CP-E Tow-Hook Plate \| CP-E Catback Exhaust \| Tow-Hook \| Evolution Racewerks Intercooler \| ER Charge Pipe \| HKS SQV IV \| ER Intercooler Shroud \| BMS Oil Catch Can \| COBB Access Port \| APEX ARC-8 \| EAS OE Performance Brake Upgrade \| SLeK Carbon Fiber Hood \|
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