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03-22-2015, 03:42 PM | #1 |
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Suspension overhaul + MFactory Helical LSD Impressions
Only had this car for little over a month, and already went in on changing up so many things about it.
From driving my friends 1ers and E9x 3s around well before buying this car it became very clear to me what I wanted to do to when I got my hands on one. Without a doubt, the lack of a true LSD on this car or any 1er is its clearest and greatest weakness. From the 1 to 3 series, I could always feel the car having trouble when I would throttle out of a turn. So an LSD was the first mod I put on my list, and thankfully MFactory was running a special price last month for their helicals and I was able to pick one up at a very reasonable price. Shocks and springs were going to be replaced anyways so I landed a awesome deal on Koni Sports and a set of 2011 135i M-Sport springs as replacements. Finished it up with a set of Whiteline RSFBs, M3 front control arms and Stoptech SS brake lines. Most of the install of these parts minus the control arms were done at Offset Motorwerks in Glendora, CA, a shop I highly recommend to people around SoCal, seriously very professional and reasonable guys to work with who make sure everything is done right. Only had the car for less than a day and the rear springs still need to be installed, but my initial impressions are that the car feels EXACTLY how I intended it to be. The suspension overhaul itself has made a huge difference in making the car feel planted, there is no longer a bouncy or floaty feeling I got from the stock shocks and RSFBs. While the Konis have been set to medium setting all around (2 clicks/2 half turns) the car's drivability around town has not really changed (maybe its the California roads). The CLEAREST difference maker however has been the LSD, no doubt. I took the car on a set of mountain roads nearby my house and I can literally feel the power being put down as I modulate the throttle out of a turn. I don't really know how to properly explain it since this is my first RWD car with a proper LSD (in the past owned a 07 Civic Si), but as I put my foot down the rear tires just seem to "bite" the road. On my Civic Si, which also had a helical LSD you could not really feel this "bite" as much, probably due to it being FWD and all. Seriously put a smile on my face since that is exactly what I wanted to feel. Oh and getting the tail out is much easier now (haven't actually drifted the car yet though). Will post updates as I go along. I will simply say this for now; for those people who regularly do spirited driving and are on the fence about getting an LSD for their cars, I HIGHLY recommend doing so. This chassis feels like it has been literally begging for one since it was conceived. |
03-23-2015, 10:03 AM | #3 | |
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Drives: 130i coupé ;)
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Quote:
I used the SP Lowering perches. LSD doesn't change the gearing unless you replace the entire pumpkin. I think he is 3.23 - manual non turbo standard. ( auto is 3.73)
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128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE
In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is |
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03-23-2015, 10:10 AM | #4 |
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Diff is next on the list for me!
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03-23-2015, 11:24 AM | #5 |
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klick: Glad to hear you are enjoying your new LSD
We've got plenty of LSD's in stock, so when you're ready to order, feel free to send me a PM and I can see what deals we have going on at the time!
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- Specialists in Automotive Carbon Composite Technologies. Website: www.ctecarbon.com Official Partners: MFactory Competition Products, Porsche Cup Experience, Ferrari S.p.A, BYD Auto, Honda Racing Corporation, Three Five (555) Motorsport |
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03-23-2015, 12:35 PM | #6 |
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Interesting, I did not even notice this. It looks like it added a quarter of an inch or so to the original height. Those lowering perches seem like a good option, but I don't really mind the gap to much right now since the car itself drives really good. How did the rear look after installing the springs? I feel the rears will show the most change in feel since they are linear and all.
Last edited by klick; 03-23-2015 at 12:47 PM.. |
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03-23-2015, 12:36 PM | #7 |
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My car is currently in the shop getting a MFactory LSD installed. I can't wait to get her back. A few months ago I wasn't even considering getting a LSD until I started to research and understand the benefits of having one from reviews like these.
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03-23-2015, 07:15 PM | #8 |
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You're gonna love it.
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13 X1 35iX, 98 Z3 2.8, 01 M Coupe, 96 Z3 1.9 DASC, 95 318ti, 13 smart fortwo
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03-24-2015, 08:57 AM | #9 | |
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The rear will look fine, no change. Yes it feels much better
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128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE
In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is |
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03-28-2015, 01:15 PM | #10 |
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Got my car back recently (as it took a few extra days to machine my factory shims since there was some binding) and my initial impressions is that I *think* that the car is tracking a bit better. I haven't had a chance to really push the car as I'm breaking it in slowly. I'll try to update once I do.
Oh, and if anyone was wondering which redline product to use with the MFactory helical diff, Stephen@MFactory told me it's 75w90NS. |
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03-31-2015, 04:42 PM | #11 | |
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How has the diff been working for you though? Have you heard any noise from it? I hear some vibration at the rear sometimes at lower rpms/speeds, but nothing major. Wondering if you hear anything from the rear as well. |
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03-31-2015, 04:44 PM | #12 | |
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I have a question about the perches though, do you notice any reduced suspension travel? Any risk of bottoming out? That is my biggest concern with these. |
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03-31-2015, 07:14 PM | #13 | |
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The only noise I've heard so far is when I put it in reverse and maybe first gear. While driving around I haven't heard any noises. |
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09-16-2015, 01:47 AM | #14 |
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what fluid did you use for your lsd?
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09-16-2015, 07:03 AM | #15 |
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09-17-2015, 02:57 AM | #16 | |
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I also have a slight clunk in first and reverse shifts but nothing that is bothering me to this point. I did sub frame bushings last year but coil overs are next for me. |
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09-17-2015, 04:23 PM | #17 |
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Skidpad/Autocross update
Almost forgot to update...
I was recently on the skidpad/autocross at Lime Rock and the changes are pretty huge. You can definitely tell that the e-diff is not kicking in as much and that the mechanical diff is doing most of the work. On the skid pad, I was able to get the rear end to always step out whereas before I had to trouble doing so and had to really stab on the throttle to get it sideways. I believe it was because the e-diff preventing from doing so. I was able to get it to slide smoothly and gradually increase my angle. The instructor drove my car around the skid pad and unfortunately, he did say there was still some interference from the e-diff, but it wasn't as detrimental. On the autocross, I felt a lot more planted and I experienced a lot less understeer. All in all, a great performance mod |
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