Bringing back that BMW feeling - Front sway bar review.

[AW128i]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Well, I am not the suspension guru, but I know it isn't a phenomena of MacPherson strut front suspension design alone. In fact, while the phenomena dose exist where the front stays positive under load, I think this is more due to the double pivot BMW employs.

The lack of LSD and the rear geometry I believe has more to do with the chassis not responding as virtually all other cars do to an increase in front anti-sway stiffness increasing understeer.

I was going to say, it must be something somewhat unique to the 1-series chassis because there are plenty of MacPherson-equipped cars that don't exhibit the seemingly exaggerated understeer that the 1-series does.

[mke135i]

Bar is sitting in my garage waiting for the weather to warm up. Hopefully this weekend... /sigh

[bozola]

Bring back your review!

[Diver]

Perhaps I am a wuss, but I find the stock suspension of my 2011 135i to be up to par for the kind of driving I do (which does not include trips to the track). The 2011 suspension was revised with linear springs rather than progressive. A tendency towards excessive body lean that set up understeer has been attributed to the progressive springs. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a professional review that compares the 2011 with prior years on this point. I did see a video shot on a track of a 2011, and that car appeared to corner flat.

None the less, there are 2011 owners who want ever higher levels of performance. Whether these mods produce better lap times, or are simply the product of a consumption culture urged on by the complaints of owners of 2008-2010 MY owners, is unknown to me.

[LeifW]

Originally Posted by bozola

Is this the Leif from the Ti list???

While I was on the list, I believe you might be thinking of Leif Anderberg.

Leif W

[ptack]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

You're certainly entitled to your subjective impression, but the power difference between the 128i vs the 318i is pretty significantly greater than the difference between the 128i vs the 135i.

Just sayin'.

Let's just say the difference between a 128i and the 318i was forgetable compared to the difference between the 318i and the 135i.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by ptack

Let's just say the difference between a 128i and the 318i was forgetable compared to the difference between the 318i and the 135i.

LOL, I can only imagine.

[Diver]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Good points. I have never seen a a technical article concerning the change in spring design, so for me it is a board rumor. Front springs are almost always linear as load doesn't var much there. Rear springs are always progressive as load does vary a lot there.

Mark171r does have a later 135i with DCT and he likes the stiffer front bar, but I cannot recall if it is E92 or E93.

Not a rumor:

http://www.bimmerfile.com/2010/05/16...35i/#more-6793

There has been a tendency among members of this forum to discount this change.

[Diver]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Sorry, but I don't believe all automotive journalists carte blanche.

I would have to see published BMW specifications or actual spring tests.

What did I say about discounting?