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10-21-2012, 12:47 AM | #1 |
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Suggestions to reduce sloppy feel
Hi, I just bought a used 08 135i this weekend, and am experiencing the sloppy feel that everyone is talking about.
I was wondering ... if I only upgraded the M3 Sway Bar, and M3 front control arms (tension strut, control arm, headlight adj rod), will it be sufficient to eliminate the issue? I do not wish to install coilovers at this time. This is because I currently have a full set of suspension upgrades on my 335i. It's relatively cheap to purchase a 2nd M3 sway bar & control arm kit for the 135i, but I'm trying not to spend money on a 2nd coilover set. I will turn the 335i back into a family car in the future, but am not ready to swap the coilovers over to the 135i just yet. Coming from the 335i with full suspension upgrades + LSD, you can imagine how much the sloppy feeling bothers me! Thanks!
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10-21-2012, 01:40 AM | #2 | |
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If the body roll: M3 front roll bar If steering is sloppy: M3 control arms + wishbones If the rear feels like the subframe and the car aren't moving as one: rear subframe bushings (this is an important one) If it's sloppy coming out of corners: M3 Rear links (upper + toe arm) I'd do all of those before considering upgrading to coilovers or new springs/shocks. You won't get the full benefit of upgrading the springs/shocks unless parts move up and down correctly. |
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10-21-2012, 01:32 PM | #3 |
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I think that most of the slop in daily driving is due to the sub frame bushings. I would do them first. Then bars and such when you switch to coil overs. I installed coil overs before the bushings and could still feel plenty of slop in daily driving. After the bushings, much more solid.
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10-22-2012, 07:36 AM | #4 |
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As per mine experience, the following mods are the most important and have the most effect on "sloppiness" elimination (from strongest to weakest):
1) Rear subframe bushings (or Powerflex inserts in front ones as those are difficult to fit) 2) Springs (or whole coilovers) 3) Shocks (if coilovers were not installed in part 2) 4) M3 E93 front sway bar (more effect in steering accuracy and bumps suspension noise elimination) 5) M3 front control arms (more effect in steering accuracy and bumps suspension noise elimination)
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10-22-2012, 07:45 AM | #5 | |
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The effect is in elimination of the suspension noise when passing road cracks and bumps (especially feels on the railway crossing is you have the in-city ones), and flat cornering with a fast and accurate reaction to the steering adding inside of the corner. Best when used with at least straight M3 front control arms- their stiffer bushings totally delete the suspension hits and rattling, and the approximately 1cm bigger length increases camber from 0.6 to 1.1 degree which reduces understeering with no negative effect.
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'13 F30 320i (328i ECU) RWD M-Sport
Michelin PSS, M-Sport brakes, 320i LCI muffler F32 bottom V-bar F80 bottom reinforcement plate Koni Sport, M-Performance springs, M135i Anti-roll bars |
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10-22-2012, 07:53 AM | #6 | |
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Also, a lot of places sell the control arms in a package with the wishbones. Is there much benefit to spending the extra $200ish for the wishbones?
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Mods completed: JB4+ & FBO || LSD || BMW-P suspension + F/R sway bars || 18" Breyton GTS-R || M3 front bushings || Vogtland camber plates || BMW-P rotors + Stoptech pads |||| Acquired, not installed: BMS WW Meth kit || Logic HVI intake || Mishimoto OCC |||| Shopping for: Summer tires |
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10-23-2012, 02:49 PM | #7 | ||
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Harold explains it here. He doesn't mention that it's an effect of MacPherson struts, so I'll add that from another source.
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10-23-2012, 05:29 PM | #8 |
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Sure it has to, so what compromise is fastest? You can only know by testing them on a track.
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10-24-2012, 05:10 PM | #9 |
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Thanks for everyone's input. It's been a few days and 300 miles since I bought the car (89K miles on it), and I now have a better description of 'sloppy'.
Basically, when I was first getting used to the car, there was a lot of body movement while driving on regular roads. The periodic imperfections present on all roads causes a MINOR left to right unsettling motion (in addition to the normal up and down travel), that when factored over a course of a daily commute, was enough to give me a little motion sickness. It's been a couple hundred miles now, and my body has since adapted (no longer feel the motion sickness), but I still want to correct this feeling. Based on your input, it seems like worn rear subframe bushings are the main culprit? Question 1: How much labor (hrs) should my mechanic charge to replace the rear subframe bushings? While I'm at it, what other upgrades can I do to save on labor? Question 2: Do I have to change the front subframe bushings too? What's the estimated labor hours? Question 3: What are the total sum of all types of bushings in the car that will eventually wear and affect ride comfort and handling? a) Sub-frame bushings (front + rear) - alignment needed? b) Sway Bar bushings? (might as well upgrade to the M3 sway bar) c) Control Arm bushings? (a reason for the M3 control arm kit upgrade) d) Anything else? I thought the sway bar connects to the tie rod ends or something, and those have bushings? Or is that part of the M3 sway bar kit? Thanks for the help!
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10-24-2012, 06:52 PM | #10 |
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Q1: Plan on 6-8 hours for the rear subframe bushings. Make sure the mechanic has performed the swap and has the tool necessary to remove/install the bushings. HP Autowerks rents the tool if your mechanic does not have one. In order to swap the bushings, the rear subframe is removed from the frame. This requires that the rear brake lines need to be removed. There are actually four rear brake lines. Two mid-rear lines and two rear-rear lines. If you ever plan on installing new brake lines, do it know. The mid-rear lines are a complete PITA to replace without lowering the subframe. Also, if you plan on upgrading to the M3 rear sway bar, do it know. Most people would not recommend this upgrade (especially if you have an open differential).
Q2: I do not believe that there are similar front subframe bushings, and I have never heard of anyone changing them... I could be wrong... I've never looked. I believe the comment regarding front subframe bushings was in reference to the front two bushings in the rear subframe (there's a total of four bushings in the rear). Q3: There are countless bushing that could impact the ride quality/accuracy but you nailed the most important ones. Keep in mind that anytime you change suspension components it's a good idea to get a proper alignment. Only possible exception is the front sway bar. If you upgrade to the M3 control arms, you MUST get an alignment. And if you need to drive the car to the alignment shop, be careful! Controlling the car will be a handful. |
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02-14-2014, 01:23 PM | #12 |
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I think I know the sloppy feeling he is talking about, my 350Z felt very accurate and responsive with turning, the 135i feels a bit delayed.
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02-14-2014, 01:37 PM | #13 |
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Huh? I googled that and I see info about the manual transmission clutch....
Test drove a E46 330CI and a E90 325i and it makes me appreciate the steering in the 135i even more, definitely much better than the older models, although the cars were much older, so not sure how much was wear and tear on the steering components.
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02-14-2014, 01:52 PM | #14 | |
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One thing that addressed the floating sensation coming from the rear of my 135i is the replacement of the stock subframe bushings. These are so soft that you can squeeze them in you hands. Try this when you are ever under your car - the subframe can be moved with a light force from a large screwdriver or crowbar. Easy and cheapest way to address this is with buhings inserts that will fill the voids in your stock bushings. Best way is replacement with M3 bushings, but the rear subframe has to be loosened, and driver side brake lines detached. The stock front control arms can be replaced with the M3 ones as well, which have sturdier bushings, and provide about -0.7* of negative camber. Both of these features help with turn in and steering preciseness. Did this to my 135i which I take to track, and it helped a lot. Big positive impact to car behavior on the street as well...
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Last edited by dcaron9999; 02-14-2014 at 02:04 PM.. |
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