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      08-20-2011, 04:18 PM   #1
Dackelone
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Arrow ***The ultimate handing machine: 128i ?

Have you guys seen the latest copy of Bimmer Magazine (October issue) page 56, TC Kline's 128i :

and I quote the mag...

"The Ultimate handing machine: TC Kline's suspension tuning transforms the entry level 128i Coupe into a car that can rival the 1 series M Coupe for pure driving fun!"

It's a really good read! I have scanned the article bellow...

Dackel




Bimmer Magazine's original article...
http://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/101...e#.VbK7bfmqqko




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Last edited by Dackelone; 08-20-2011 at 05:04 PM..
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      08-20-2011, 06:05 PM   #2
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Thanks Dackelone for sharing. Excellent read.

Last edited by Killswitch; 08-20-2011 at 06:40 PM..
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      08-20-2011, 11:38 PM   #3
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really enjoyed reading this, thanks! There wasn't anything said about the runflats, i'm wondering if the undesirable aspects of the suspension are due to accommodating runflats?
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      08-21-2011, 06:35 AM   #4
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Yes, I've seen this before.
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      08-21-2011, 07:49 AM   #5
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Looks like they have a pic of the rear of a 135. Does 128 with sport pack looks like that? Have not seen too many of those.

Last edited by dtwyim; 08-21-2011 at 08:04 AM..
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      08-21-2011, 09:58 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dtwyim View Post
Looks like they have a pic of the rear of a 135. Does 128 with sport pack looks like that? Have not seen too many of those.
Yes, it's offered as an option.
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      08-21-2011, 10:19 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by [B
dtwyim[/B]]
Quote:
Originally Posted by dtwyim
Looks like they have a pic of the rear of a 135. Does 128 with sport pack looks like that? Have not seen too many of those.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Riley1524 View Post
Yes, it's offered as an option.
Yea.. it is a rare option for the 128i to have the 135i front and rear bumpers. With the front you can tell it is a 128i bc it will also have fog lights in the M bumpers. The 135i's do not have fogs.

Unless said 128i does a fog lght delete and adds black tails - you have the complete 135i look.

What I think is great about this article is that it shows how great the 128i really is. A lot of people over look this car in the BMW lineup. I think a 128i setup with the M3 suspension would be a giant killer on an autocross track.

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      08-23-2011, 04:05 PM   #8
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Any idea about the cost?
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      08-23-2011, 04:29 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cvandenhaute View Post
Any idea about the cost?
You probably should ask TC Kline.


But... most sport suspensions run about $1,200 and up (shocks, springs, sways) like BMW Performance Suspension. I am sure TC Klines is slightly more.

Those rear subframe bushings (you need four) are $240 for the set. Plus install (5+ hours of labor most ppl say).

The 1M/M3 front control arm kit runs about $450 for the front. Most ppl think the rear does do much. But thats another $800 I think.


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      08-23-2011, 05:11 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hops128i View Post
really enjoyed reading this, thanks! There wasn't anything said about the runflats, i'm wondering if the undesirable aspects of the suspension are due to accommodating runflats?
I know no mentioning of the runflats, I'm assuming the ditched them?
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      08-24-2011, 10:01 AM   #11
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It would be great if we knew exactly what he did to make the 128i come even more alive

Certain that he got rid of the runflats when he changed the rim setup.

Last edited by Garduna; 08-25-2011 at 10:03 AM..
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      08-24-2011, 03:05 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garduna View Post
Certain that he got ride of the runflats when he changed the rim setup.
Definitely agreed.

So if I have reading comprehension he likes 350F / 350R springs for street? Interesting. Wonder what is out there that is drop-in at a similar rate? I haven't searched a lot, but so far have come up empty handed when searching for spring rates for the 1 series drop-in options.

Looking at the TC Kline site I see anywhere from 330 - 650F and only 600 or 700R. As for kits they are "In Progress".
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      08-24-2011, 04:23 PM   #13
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I'm baffled.
First Kline talks about the relation between suspension and tires and says things like, "Optimum spring rate is determined by the tire".
Ok, tire + wheel + suspension = handling.

Then he says for "purely aesthetic" reasons he went from the 17" OEM wheels to a square set of 19x8" M3 wheels. Say what? Hello??
So how much of the improvements were due to new wheels and tires as opposed to just the suspension tune? How can you say it's purely aesthetic? You can't tell us how well you engineered the suspension and then just say you threw on some M3 wheels for the looks.
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Last edited by ptack; 08-25-2011 at 04:35 PM..
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      08-24-2011, 09:13 PM   #14
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Only a guess here, but if he's talking about tires specifically for their grip level, then changing the wheels might not matter much.

Obviously it's still a variable, sidewall heights do come into play, etc. And he does seem to disregard something he already said was important, I agree. But maybe he didn't care about the wheels themselves as long as he kept the same tire (brand / model and perhaps width as well)?
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      08-25-2011, 02:41 AM   #15
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Great article! Thanks for sharing this with us.
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      10-14-2011, 07:52 PM   #16
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How much better is the handling of the 128i M sport vs regular suspension 128i? I am looking to pick up a CPO with 6 speed. I am planning on keeping car stock for now.
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      10-14-2011, 09:15 PM   #17
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I have a 128 M-Sport, and I have been happy with it. It is a great car to drive everyday. I don't miss the power of a 135 in everyday driving.

I think the difference between non-sport and sport suspensions is more than enough to warrant buying sport (or M-sport) for everyday fun.

That said, I may ditch the runflat Pirellis in the spring when they need replaced.

I had already read the above article, and I agree with it. A 128 MT with the above suspension mods would be a really fun track car.

Unless you are looking at track/autocross, then I don't know if I see the need for it.

It all depends on what you want to do with the car.
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      10-14-2011, 09:44 PM   #18
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does anybody knows the specific wheels specs/part numbers they are using?
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      10-15-2011, 02:14 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Have you guys seen the latest copy of Excellence (October issue) page 56, TC Kline's 128i :

and I quote the mag...

"The Ultimate handing machine: TC Kline's suspension tuning transforms the entry level 128i Coupe into a car that can rival the 1 series M Coupe for pure driving fun!"

Its a really good read! I have scanned the article bellow...

Dackel


Attachment 568814

Attachment 568815Attachment 568816

Attachment 568817
What suspension did the 128i start with, standard or sport?

In the end, he says that if setting up for the street, use a 350lb spring in the rear.
The 128i in question already has a 350lb rear spring stock.

The 128is has a 350lb spring rate in the rear. 500lb is what worked best.
A 43% increase. Using that same percentage increase, the optimal front rate would be around 180lb for the 128i, maybe 200lb for the 135i.

So basically, to get the handling he has for the street, replace the bushings, stay with the stock rear springs, possible increase the front spring rate, maybe taller bump stops, and get better dampers, which I think is very important as the stockers don't do a great job. Then dial in -2 (negative) degree camber in front and -1 degree in back. This alone will give improvements, but would probably give greater tire wear.

I too don't get the 19" wheel/tire package, as more un-sprung weight is a negative for handling.
I can understand his comment about looks on this one. He said to use spring matched to grip. Going to larger diameter reduces sidewall height, but that doesn't necessarily mean that overall grip has increased.

I'm sure this setup goes for the 135i as well, except a bit higher rate spring in front for the added weight.
It would be cool if he did a 135i setup.

Last edited by RPM90; 10-15-2011 at 02:30 AM..
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      10-15-2011, 08:38 AM   #20
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The more I push my car's chassis... the more I can feel the rear move around in teh turns. Or even just going down the road when you encounter a bump - the rear woggles as it goes over said bump.

The other day I asked my local German BMW dealer how much those 1M/M3 bushing would cost and the install price. I was surprised: The 1M/M3 bushings are only 39 euros per - there are four (two different ones for front and rear parts of the subframe). And that was BEFORE my typical 10% discount I get there. The labor was 1.70AW (German labor rate) it came out to 340 euros for the install labor. So about 500 euros, whick I am sure would really be closer to 430 euros by the time I get my discounts and take off the 19% German sales tax - I am exempt from.

I am thinking about doing this for my Christmas present for myself! What would you guys do first? Suspension wise?
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      10-15-2011, 08:39 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tracer bullet View Post
Only a guess here, but if he's talking about tires specifically for their grip level, then changing the wheels might not matter much.

Obviously it's still a variable, sidewall heights do come into play, etc. And he does seem to disregard something he already said was important, I agree. But maybe he didn't care about the wheels themselves as long as he kept the same tire (brand / model and perhaps width as well)?
And the other big issue here is the total weight of the tire/wheel combo. That can make a huge difference in the perceived handling.
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      01-21-2012, 04:21 AM   #22
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sahweeet!
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