How to improve handling??

[suprtran]

My car: 135i
Suspension mods: H&R Coilovers, E93 Front sway bar.

Coming recently from 2 M cars (E46 M3 & E85 M Roadster), my 1er feel annoyingly loose, unplanted, and non-driver oriented. I was hoping the aftermarket coilovers and M3 front sway bar would improve handling and add more rigidity, but improvement is minimal.

What else can I do to the suspension to beef-up the chasis and give the car that planted characteristic?

[Focusedintntions]

M3 lower control arms and M3 rear subframe bushings.

[VMRWheels]

Does it feel loose when you're taking turns in general (body roll and such) or are you losing traction during turns?

[1ToBeOn2Wheels]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

M3 lower control arms and M3 rear subframe bushings.

THIS. Seriously, the control arms, sway bars, and bushings completely transform the car. Awesome turn-in, planted and comfortable ride, much greater high speed stability, and better traction. It's the closest you can get to a 1M.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

M3 lower control arms and M3 rear subframe bushings.

+1. this combined with coilovers and a m3 front sway bar and your car will greatly be improved.

[ken1137]

+1000...I was also not completely satisfied with coilovers, although it was an improvement over stock. I did quite a bit of research and I added the M3 front & rear sway bars, M3 rear sub-frame bushings, M3 front control arm kit, and Rogue engineering rear toe arms. The ride is beautiful, very compliant, and stiff where and when it should be.

Sorry, dont put your wallet away just yet

[CJ421]

The M3 suspension parts are excellent upgrades. They are aluminum and have harder bushings; no more deflection under load. That means more of your input is directly transmitted to the road.

I also highly recommend the front control arms/tension struts and rear subframe bushings (there are four of them). The front control arms/tension struts will make the steering heavier and give you a better feel for the road. The M3 subframe bushings are full bushings unlike the stock ones.

Adjustable rear toe arms are the last component after the subframe bushings to keeping your car's rear planted; the stock toe arms will not hold the toe in check under acceleration so the angle will fluctuate. Not good. Also a big problem if the car is lowered.

This hasn't been mentioned yet but what tires are you running? Those make a huge difference too ... more important than any suspension mod.

Last thing you're missing compared to your M cars is the limited-slip differential.

[yaymitch]

I'm new to the mod thing so excuse me if this is a stupid question. If you go with the BMW Perf. suspension upgrade would there be any need for coilovers?

[pharmdphd98]

Where do you guys go to get these parts? Is there one place you trust? Any chance you could list the part numbers? I think every stock 135i needs these mods ASAP to unleash its true potential. For a car with such a beautiful engine, the suspension of this car truly sucks......

[yaymitch]

Try Turner Motorsports... All of the above parts can be found on this site.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by yaymitch

I'm new to the mod thing so excuse me if this is a stupid question. If you go with the BMW Perf. suspension upgrade would there be any need for coilovers?

No, get one or the other. BMW perf suspension is mainly springs and shocks. Coilovers are also springs and shocks.

[Focusedintntions]

Originally Posted by pharmdphd98

Where do you guys go to get these parts? Is there one place you trust? Any chance you could list the part numbers? I think every stock 135i needs these mods ASAP to unleash its true potential. For a car with such a beautiful engine, the suspension of this car truly sucks......

Talk to my man Dan @ Unitedbmwonline...he'll hook you up

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by yaymitch

I'm new to the mod thing so excuse me if this is a stupid question. If you go with the BMW Perf. suspension upgrade would there be any need for coilovers?

Coilovers are nothing magical as noted, it's just a matched spring and shock set with adjustable ride height.

Originally Posted by pharmdphd98

Where do you guys go to get these parts? Is there one place you trust? Any chance you could list the part numbers? I think every stock 135i needs these mods ASAP to unleash its true potential. For a car with such a beautiful engine, the suspension of this car truly sucks......

I got most of my M3 parts and nearly all OEM parts I installed onto my car from Tischer BMW - getBMWParts.com. Excellent customer service.

[suprtran]

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

Does it feel loose when you're taking turns in general (body roll and such) or are you losing traction during turns?

It feels more unplanted in general.

And my stock RFTs aren't helping either.

[suprtran]

Originally Posted by CJ421

The M3 suspension parts are excellent upgrades. They are aluminum and have harder bushings; no more deflection under load. That means more of your input is directly transmitted to the road.

I also highly recommend the front control arms/tension struts and rear subframe bushings (there are four of them). The front control arms/tension struts will make the steering heavier and give you a better feel for the road. The M3 subframe bushings are full bushings unlike the stock ones.

Adjustable rear toe arms are the last component after the subframe bushings to keeping your car's rear planted; the stock toe arms will not hold the toe in check under acceleration so the angle will fluctuate. Not good. Also a big problem if the car is lowered.

This hasn't been mentioned yet but what tires are you running? Those make a huge difference too ... more important than any suspension mod.

Last thing you're missing compared to your M cars is the limited-slip differential.

Do you have part#s for all these components? Which ones are OE BMW and which ones are aftermarket parts? Any idea on whether PowerFlex offer any of the bushings mentioned?

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by suprtran

Do you have part#s for all these components? Which ones are OE BMW and which ones are aftermarket parts? Any idea on whether PowerFlex offer any of the bushings mentioned?

They are all OEM parts save for the rear toe arms - the M3 ones do not work on a non-M. I got the Rogue Engineering adjustable rear toe arms from VAC Motorsports - call to order them. They are a Rogue dealer. www.vacmotorsports.com. Or PM Mike@VAC here.

I have part #s on www.getBMWParts.com for the M3 pieces - put these in their search:

The whole kit - PKE9XM3SUSPENSION

Individually:
Strut tower brace - PKE9XM3BRACE
Front control arms/tension strut retrofit kit - PKE9XM3ARMS
Rear guide rod set - PKE9XM3RGUIDE
Rear wishbone set - PKE9XM3REARWISH
Rear sway bar kit - PKE9XM3RSWAYKIT
Front sway bar kit - PKE9XM3FSWAYKIT

Only thing I can't seem to find individually is the rear subframe bushings. You can add them to the whole kit or the front control arms/tension struts retrofit kit when you order however ^.

Powerflex makes many bushings for the E8X - http://store.powerflexusa.com/bmw-e8...ngs-p1426.aspx
#19/20 in their diagram are alternatives to the M3 bushings. I personally like the M3 bushings, they're around the same price and it is an OEM part.

You can look at the Meyle HD parts as alternatives to the M3 parts. (warning: PDF link) http://www.meyle.com/_download/locat...-parts-BMW.pdf
I personally don't have experience with those; the reviews I've read indicate they are of excellent quality (made in Germany) and good upgrades over stock. They are in-between the stock part and the M3 parts in terms of what they'll do for handling. Pretty good run-down here of what they offer.

[suprtran]

Much appreciated

Originally Posted by CJ421

They are all OEM parts save for the rear toe arms - the M3 ones do not work on a non-M. I got the Rogue Engineering adjustable rear toe arms from VAC Motorsports - call to order them. They are a Rogue dealer. www.vacmotorsports.com. Or PM Mike@VAC here.

I have part #s on www.getBMWParts.com for the M3 pieces - put these in their search:

The whole kit - PKE9XM3SUSPENSION

Individually:
Strut tower brace - PKE9XM3BRACE
Front control arms/tension strut retrofit kit - PKE9XM3ARMS
Rear guide rod set - PKE9XM3RGUIDE
Rear wishbone set - PKE9XM3REARWISH
Rear sway bar kit - PKE9XM3RSWAYKIT
Front sway bar kit - PKE9XM3FSWAYKIT

Only thing I can't seem to find individually is the rear subframe bushings. You can add them to the whole kit or the front control arms/tension struts retrofit kit when you order however ^.

Powerflex makes many bushings for the E8X - http://store.powerflexusa.com/bmw-e8...ngs-p1426.aspx
#19/20 in their diagram are alternatives to the M3 bushings. I personally like the M3 bushings, they're around the same price and it is an OEM part.

You can look at the Meyle HD parts as alternatives to the M3 parts. (warning: PDF link) http://www.meyle.com/_download/locat...-parts-BMW.pdf
I personally don't have experience with those; the reviews I've read indicate they are of excellent quality (made in Germany) and good upgrades over stock. They are in-between the stock part and the M3 parts in terms of what they'll do for handling. Pretty good run-down here of what they offer.

[haggomyeggo]

so ok stupid noob question. when shopping for these parts you just buy M3 replacement parts? they bolt right up?

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by suprtran

Much appreciated

You're welcome!

Originally Posted by haggomyeggo

so ok stupid noob question. when shopping for these parts you just buy M3 replacement parts? they bolt right up?

Yes - the parts I mentioned above are direct bolt in replacements for the stock parts.

[jayely1]

So for lets say $500 whats the best handling upgrade?

[sharkatron]

Bear in mind the strut tower brace for e82 is slightly different - hp sell one for e82 and one for e9x. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, just that on hp website for m3 suspension conversion there is an option for one or the other.

[sharkatron]

Originally Posted by jayely1

So for lets say $500 whats the best handling upgrade?

Apparently the rear subframe bushings.