BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-29-2018, 07:43 PM   #1
MAMSport
Second Lieutenant
MAMSport's Avatar
85
Rep
259
Posts

Drives: '13 128i M-Sport coupe
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: North Shore of MA

iTrader: (1)

Koni Special Active

Are these really the best of both worlds? I'm looking for a DD combination on my 128i M Sport. Koni Sports seem like a waste of time. Have to remove the rears to adjust (or pay double for the externally adjustable version). Fronts would be difficult to adjust under the end caps for the OE aluminum strut tower bar.

With Bilstein B6 and B8 front left struts being largely unavailable, there aren't a lot of options without adding springs that drop the ride height. That really isn't an option for a DD in Massachusetts - can you say snow plow?

I know these Special Actives are very new, so I'm kind of waiting for some reviews. At the same time, I'd like to get the suspension sorted out and aligned prior to swapping to my winter set up.

Last edited by MAMSport; 09-29-2018 at 07:51 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2018, 09:36 PM   #2
MightyMouseTech
Major General
MightyMouseTech's Avatar
4335
Rep
6,196
Posts

Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Did they just give a new name to the FSD?
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2018, 07:40 AM   #3
ShocknAwe
1Addict
ShocknAwe's Avatar
3200
Rep
7,860
Posts

Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charleston

iTrader: (22)

Why not just get koni yellows.
__________________
2010 135i 6MT Jet Black
N54/3 FE82 Mutt | BUILD THREAD | GARAGE SALE
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2018, 07:48 AM   #4
MightyMouseTech
Major General
MightyMouseTech's Avatar
4335
Rep
6,196
Posts

Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada

iTrader: (0)

For the fronts, get the 1M strut brace. Allows adjustment of adjustable fronts easily.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2018, 06:49 PM   #5
iminhell1
C2H5OH
iminhell1's Avatar
United_States
3907
Rep
2,141
Posts

Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Darwin, MN

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Did they just give a new name to the FSD?
Yes.
Appreciate 2
      10-10-2018, 06:18 AM   #6
mermade
New Member
6
Rep
27
Posts

Drives: m5
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: uk

iTrader: (0)

The changes from FSD to Special active are as follows from what I could get out of Koni

New special damper with Gen 2 frequency selective damping (FSD) tech
Dampers available seperately where as FSDs were sold as a kit
Cheaper retail price
Colour change
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2018, 12:38 PM   #7
Cavpilot2k
Chief Warrant Officer
1022
Rep
1,638
Posts

Drives: like a damn lunatic
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Boston

iTrader: (0)

I have Koni Yellows and have no problem adjusting fronts (have tightened them up twice since installation) with stock bracing.

As for rears: I just did plenty of research on the most popular setting and set them before installation. Haven't found any reason to want to adjust them now.
__________________
"Prius" is Latin for Eunuch.
"Hrothgar": 2012 135i: 6MT M-Sport, BSM/Blk; Nav, Premium, Convenience, HK
Dinan Stage 2 +PPK /// BMW PE /// VRSF CP /// K&N /// Koni Sports /// RSFB Inserts /// MPS4S 225/255 /// Other Stuff
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2018, 02:24 PM   #8
gjm120
Colonel
2182
Rep
2,805
Posts

Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: East Texas

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k View Post
I have Koni Yellows and have no problem adjusting fronts (have tightened them up twice since installation) with stock bracing.

As for rears: I just did plenty of research on the most popular setting and set them before installation. Haven't found any reason to want to adjust them now.
Yea if you have a short adjusting knob it will slip under the strut brace.

Can I ask where did you set the rears?
My apologies if I've asked you before
__________________
E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2018, 02:38 PM   #9
Cavpilot2k
Chief Warrant Officer
1022
Rep
1,638
Posts

Drives: like a damn lunatic
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Boston

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gjm120 View Post
Yea if you have a short adjusting knob it will slip under the strut brace.

Can I ask where did you set the rears?
My apologies if I've asked you before
I got all 4 from a place called AutoAnything.
They come with the short adjustment knob.
__________________
"Prius" is Latin for Eunuch.
"Hrothgar": 2012 135i: 6MT M-Sport, BSM/Blk; Nav, Premium, Convenience, HK
Dinan Stage 2 +PPK /// BMW PE /// VRSF CP /// K&N /// Koni Sports /// RSFB Inserts /// MPS4S 225/255 /// Other Stuff
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2018, 03:06 PM   #10
gjm120
Colonel
2182
Rep
2,805
Posts

Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: East Texas

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k View Post
I got all 4 from a place called AutoAnything.
They come with the short adjustment knob.
Question was Set not Get the rears.
__________________
E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2018, 03:11 PM   #11
Cavpilot2k
Chief Warrant Officer
1022
Rep
1,638
Posts

Drives: like a damn lunatic
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Boston

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gjm120 View Post
Question was Set not Get the rears.
Ah, I see.

The general consensus was either 2/3 of a turn or 3/4 of a turn, depending how stiff you wanted. My car is a DD on Boston-area crappy streets, not a track machine, so I think I went with 2/3 (I don't recall at the moment, but I'll look in my notes and try to find out what I did.
__________________
"Prius" is Latin for Eunuch.
"Hrothgar": 2012 135i: 6MT M-Sport, BSM/Blk; Nav, Premium, Convenience, HK
Dinan Stage 2 +PPK /// BMW PE /// VRSF CP /// K&N /// Koni Sports /// RSFB Inserts /// MPS4S 225/255 /// Other Stuff
Appreciate 0
      10-10-2018, 03:29 PM   #12
gjm120
Colonel
2182
Rep
2,805
Posts

Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: East Texas

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k View Post
Ah, I see.

The general consensus was either 2/3 of a turn or 3/4 of a turn, depending how stiff you wanted. My car is a DD on Boston-area crappy streets, not a track machine, so I think I went with 2/3 (I don't recall at the moment, but I'll look in my notes and try to find out what I did.
thanks. I'm going to be replacing my lower mounts sometime soon which will be an ideal time to re-adjust. Currently set at somewhere at just softer than the mid point between firm and soft.
__________________
E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2018, 05:08 PM   #13
MAMSport
Second Lieutenant
MAMSport's Avatar
85
Rep
259
Posts

Drives: '13 128i M-Sport coupe
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: North Shore of MA

iTrader: (1)

This got thread jacked quickly. I have Special Actives ready for installation and will update once completed.
__________________
E9x M3 front & rear suspension arms; BMW Performance brakes upgraded to drilled rotors in rear; BMW performance shifter; BMW Performance Exhaust; Wave Trac LSD with modified 'nannies'; BMW Euro Intake box; BMW Aluminum Strut Tower bar; ECS front and rear sway bars; 3 stage intake with BPC software; BMW style 78, 17 x 8" wheels with Bridgestone RE 980AS 225/45-17 tires; Koni Special Active struts/shocks, E9x M3 RTABs.
Appreciate 2
      10-19-2018, 09:12 AM   #14
blue135
Captain
327
Rep
628
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i Convertible
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (1)

Anxious to hear your reactions. Looking to put them on my E88.
Appreciate 0
      10-19-2018, 08:57 PM   #15
andrey_gta
Brigadier General
andrey_gta's Avatar
Canada
298
Rep
4,040
Posts

Drives: 130i coupé ;)
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bimmerpost

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 BMW 128i  [10.00]
Are you taking any anti rust precautions?
__________________
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
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2018, 12:35 PM   #16
fast1eddy
First Lieutenant
fast1eddy's Avatar
Canada
270
Rep
364
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Edmonton

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 135i  [0.00]
  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by MAMSport View Post
This got thread jacked quickly. I have Special Actives ready for installation and will update once completed.
Got them in yet ? Very anxious to hear the results.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2018, 08:13 PM   #17
FLATBMW
Private
FLATBMW's Avatar
34
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: E82
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Orange County, California

iTrader: (0)

Lightbulb

FYI Koni forgot to include hardware for the rear and the OE BMW bottom rear strut nut doesn't fit Koni. I did some research and the rear bottom nut size is an awkward 10M-1.0 known as ultra fine! My local auto parts stores didn't have the 1.0 only 1.25 and 1.50 but my local Ace hardware had everything, told the dude with a huge beard I was looking for a 10M-1.0 for a strut and boom that was that, cost a couple bucks for several of them. I would pick up a few of these nuts before starting the install.
Appreciate 0
      10-23-2018, 11:56 AM   #18
TURBO8
Second Lieutenant
United_States
2264
Rep
203
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: May 2018
Location: LV NV

iTrader: (0)

I installed Koni Special active shocks and struts on my E83 X3. All I can say is Meh
Appreciate 2
      10-24-2018, 02:38 PM   #19
fast1eddy
First Lieutenant
fast1eddy's Avatar
Canada
270
Rep
364
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Edmonton

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 135i  [0.00]
  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBO8 View Post
I installed Koni Special active shocks and struts on my E83 X3. All I can say is Meh
That's disappointing to hear. I also have an X3 I thought might benefit from this technology
Appreciate 0
      10-24-2018, 09:49 PM   #20
MAMSport
Second Lieutenant
MAMSport's Avatar
85
Rep
259
Posts

Drives: '13 128i M-Sport coupe
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: North Shore of MA

iTrader: (1)

Going in tomorrow! Give me a couple days to evaluate before I report back!
__________________
E9x M3 front & rear suspension arms; BMW Performance brakes upgraded to drilled rotors in rear; BMW performance shifter; BMW Performance Exhaust; Wave Trac LSD with modified 'nannies'; BMW Euro Intake box; BMW Aluminum Strut Tower bar; ECS front and rear sway bars; 3 stage intake with BPC software; BMW style 78, 17 x 8" wheels with Bridgestone RE 980AS 225/45-17 tires; Koni Special Active struts/shocks, E9x M3 RTABs.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2018, 07:14 PM   #21
MAMSport
Second Lieutenant
MAMSport's Avatar
85
Rep
259
Posts

Drives: '13 128i M-Sport coupe
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: North Shore of MA

iTrader: (1)

So, the new Special Active struts and shocks have been installed, and the car received an alignment to 135 is specs. I don't know if there is a difference between those and 128i sport suspension settings?

My initial impression is that they are a bit stiffer than the OE sport suspension shocks and struts. Over simple stuff like tar strips, I can hear the tire impact but barely feel anything. This is a bit of an improvement over the factory pieces.

More complex bumps/irregularities are more firmly damped with only one oscillation per impact, not the feeling of 'bounciness'. The term 'buttoned down' would be a good explanation of how I think the suspension now feels. Very happy so far, might be a touch firm overall (and might soften slightly after break in?). One thing I can't explain is that the car feels flatter in corners. I wouldn't think the shocks would contribute to this, but maybe stiffer prevents some weight shift?
__________________
E9x M3 front & rear suspension arms; BMW Performance brakes upgraded to drilled rotors in rear; BMW performance shifter; BMW Performance Exhaust; Wave Trac LSD with modified 'nannies'; BMW Euro Intake box; BMW Aluminum Strut Tower bar; ECS front and rear sway bars; 3 stage intake with BPC software; BMW style 78, 17 x 8" wheels with Bridgestone RE 980AS 225/45-17 tires; Koni Special Active struts/shocks, E9x M3 RTABs.
Appreciate 1
      10-27-2018, 03:53 PM   #22
andrey_gta
Brigadier General
andrey_gta's Avatar
Canada
298
Rep
4,040
Posts

Drives: 130i coupé ;)
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bimmerpost

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 BMW 128i  [10.00]
Which springs did you use? Stock 128i Msport/Sport? Are they the 2011+ springs?
__________________
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
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:17 PM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST