suspension All in (BMW P Springs, Bilstein dampers, 1m/m3 arms, RSFB)

One28i · 05-18-2019, 05:21 PM

Hello,

I just wanted to share my experience and some images of the work done. I wanted to remove all the soft rubber joints in the suspension that were put in place accommodate RF tires. the car is mainly a street setup with a few runs to the track.

RSFB were whiteline 2 pc installed, and that took that flex extra bounce away from the rear and also brought in more road impacts to the chassis, which I am okay with, worth the trade off.

than I hit the rear with 1M/M3 lower control arm and B6 1M Bilstein damper with BMW performance springs. The factory had M sport suspension, with L2 rear springs. I was given T1 as BMW PS. I found a hack for the level sensor as shown.

The front had the dinan fix camper plates, 1M/M3 lower control arms and thrust arms, plus b8 1 series dampers with BMW PS can't recall the #(it is in another post) I don't have power seats, no sunroof, no nav trim.

so the car had just under 100K kms, the dampers on all 4 corners were done. all compressed by finger, rusty and leaked.

I have also attached the final alignment setting. I got a max of 2.1-2.2 degree front negative camber, and adjusted to 1 degree negative in the rear with minimal toe all around. I may add more camber it the rear, if the back is too unstable for my liking, we will see.

before the car would just push very easily, worse in rain., don't know what the alignment setting was prior to suspension install.

Plus my stability system disabled as the car wouldn't go straight for the days I was between the installation of the system. It was interesting the car is very sensitive to alignment, or at least going straight. But eventually reset itself once the proper alignment was done.

Now the front end is tight and full of grip, and the rear, seems a lot more play, which I am still getting used to, as I notice the stability kicking in as the rear is sliding under braking a bit.

My tire setup is square 225 45 R17 MPSS

the suspension is a lot more firmer than before, body control is finally here. there is no way this would fly as stock suspension from the factory, but perfect for a street 95% and 5% track setup which is what I had in mind. just having it for a week now, I am giddy, all the stuff I have been gathering for just under a year, is finally installed.

enjoy!

fast1eddy · 06-05-2019, 01:32 PM

That's a really nice set up and very similar to mine. How do you like it now that you've had it for a while ? I recently went back to stock from the M3 front tension arms as the ride was too harsh.

One28i · 06-06-2019, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast1eddy

That's a really nice set up and very similar to mine. How do you like it now that you've had it for a while ? I recently went back to stock from the M3 front tension arms as the ride was too harsh.

the good of the install, is the front end grip on street both wet and dry is up big time. with increased camber plus the plates. the steering feel is improved. since I did springs, dampers, front and rear arms at the same time, I don't know what change is contributing to the firmness and direct feel. with that said, I have developed a rattle in my dash somewhere which is getting annoying when I drive with the windows closed no tunes. with window open, I hear more of the BMW perf Exht, and can no longer here the rattle in the dash. I knew going in that it was going to firm things up, but the rattle I didn't account for. also my little people both complained on the first day their backs hurt after going over bumps, they are still in car seats. the car springs and dampers have settled, and can feel the dampers doing their bit. initially it felt like the bilsteins had no give in them, even though I compressed them and let them extended when I took them out of the box.

so to get this straight, you swap back the tension arm, but were able to keep the long 1M/M3 lca arm?

fast1eddy · 06-07-2019, 08:48 AM

.[/QUOTE]
so to get this straight, you swap back the tension arm, but were able to keep the long 1M/M3 lca arm?[/QUOTE]

Yes. I left the longer front control arms but switched back to the stock tension arms. It made a big difference in ride comfort. It did reduce some of the precise steering feel that I love but my wife hated the way the car rode. That was the only change I had to do to fix the ride. I kept the M3 tension arms and I'd swap them in if I ever did a track day. No alignment needed after.

One28i · 06-07-2019, 09:08 AM

hmm, that is interesting/good to know. I am going to live with it for it now, as I plan to hit a few casual track session, not timed, for personal car control growth/exposer. I saw that the M cars have a reinforcement lower cover/plate, will see if I can install that to help with the nvh. did you consider that before swapping back on the tension arms?

fast1eddy · 06-08-2019, 12:37 AM

I did research the M reinforcement but couldn't find out for sure if it fits our cars. It did feel like reinforcement of the front end would help. maybe even a better strut bar but not sure which ones fit with my Dinan CAI.

Thunderguts · 06-10-2019, 11:06 AM

Hmm, this is very similar to the mods I plan to make. Good to hear that you're enjoying the results.

05-18-2019, 05:21 PM	#1
One28i Private 14 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	suspension All in (BMW P Springs, Bilstein dampers, 1m/m3 arms, RSFB) Hello, I just wanted to share my experience and some images of the work done. I wanted to remove all the soft rubber joints in the suspension that were put in place accommodate RF tires. the car is mainly a street setup with a few runs to the track. RSFB were whiteline 2 pc installed, and that took that flex extra bounce away from the rear and also brought in more road impacts to the chassis, which I am okay with, worth the trade off. than I hit the rear with 1M/M3 lower control arm and B6 1M Bilstein damper with BMW performance springs. The factory had M sport suspension, with L2 rear springs. I was given T1 as BMW PS. I found a hack for the level sensor as shown. The front had the dinan fix camper plates, 1M/M3 lower control arms and thrust arms, plus b8 1 series dampers with BMW PS can't recall the #(it is in another post) I don't have power seats, no sunroof, no nav trim. so the car had just under 100K kms, the dampers on all 4 corners were done. all compressed by finger, rusty and leaked. I have also attached the final alignment setting. I got a max of 2.1-2.2 degree front negative camber, and adjusted to 1 degree negative in the rear with minimal toe all around. I may add more camber it the rear, if the back is too unstable for my liking, we will see. before the car would just push very easily, worse in rain., don't know what the alignment setting was prior to suspension install. Plus my stability system disabled as the car wouldn't go straight for the days I was between the installation of the system. It was interesting the car is very sensitive to alignment, or at least going straight. But eventually reset itself once the proper alignment was done. Now the front end is tight and full of grip, and the rear, seems a lot more play, which I am still getting used to, as I notice the stability kicking in as the rear is sliding under braking a bit. My tire setup is square 225 45 R17 MPSS the suspension is a lot more firmer than before, body control is finally here. there is no way this would fly as stock suspension from the factory, but perfect for a street 95% and 5% track setup which is what I had in mind. just having it for a week now, I am giddy, all the stuff I have been gathering for just under a year, is finally installed. enjoy! Attached Images __________________ One
	Appreciate 1 CH400EM117.50 Tweet Quote

06-05-2019, 01:32 PM	#2
fast1eddy First Lieutenant 270 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00] [0.00]	That's a really nice set up and very similar to mine. How do you like it now that you've had it for a while ? I recently went back to stock from the M3 front tension arms as the ride was too harsh.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-07-2019, 08:48 AM	#4
fast1eddy First Lieutenant 270 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00] [0.00]	.[/QUOTE] so to get this straight, you swap back the tension arm, but were able to keep the long 1M/M3 lca arm?[/QUOTE] Yes. I left the longer front control arms but switched back to the stock tension arms. It made a big difference in ride comfort. It did reduce some of the precise steering feel that I love but my wife hated the way the car rode. That was the only change I had to do to fix the ride. I kept the M3 tension arms and I'd swap them in if I ever did a track day. No alignment needed after.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-07-2019, 09:08 AM	#5
One28i Private 14 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	hmm, that is interesting/good to know. I am going to live with it for it now, as I plan to hit a few casual track session, not timed, for personal car control growth/exposer. I saw that the M cars have a reinforcement lower cover/plate, will see if I can install that to help with the nvh. did you consider that before swapping back on the tension arms? __________________ One
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-08-2019, 12:37 AM	#6
fast1eddy First Lieutenant 270 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00] [0.00]	I did research the M reinforcement but couldn't find out for sure if it fits our cars. It did feel like reinforcement of the front end would help. maybe even a better strut bar but not sure which ones fit with my Dinan CAI.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-10-2019, 11:06 AM	#7
Thunderguts Captain 776 Rep 992 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Sport MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	Hmm, this is very similar to the mods I plan to make. Good to hear that you're enjoying the results.
	Appreciate 0 Quote