Smoothing Ride?

woodman650 · 01-19-2009, 02:05 AM

Being relatively clueless when it comes to springs and suspension set ups, please go easy on me.

I get a lot of vibration in the cabin when driving and a lot of bumpiness. I'm pretty desperate to smooth out the ride if at all possible. I'm off the run flats but it's a subtle difference. Any suggestions?

Also, this is sort of a different topic completey... but at high speeds the car seems to drift a lot and in corners the car seems to roll a bit. Anything I can do about that?

The 1er is great but usually when I get going over 60 I just feel like I'm not in as much control as I could/should be.

Thanks

135iUSN · 01-19-2009, 03:51 AM

I'm a bit clueless too - so let me know what you think..

I was thinking of 17 all round - non run flat with a wider tire to fill up the wheel vs the 18s .. more rubber between the rim = better ride?

I feel like on the stock rim pkg, I'm going to pop a tire right out given they have so little sidewall and then damn there goes a rim.

the down side is I can't find a 17 that I really like - love the perf rims...

atr_hugo · 01-19-2009, 07:16 AM

A monotube shock may provide some help there or Koni's FSD shock. We've got a couple of real suspension experts floating around here hopefully one of them will chime in.

wa128 · 01-19-2009, 08:14 AM

I am considering Koni FSDs as well but without lowering springs. I've read some favorable things from the 5 series guys for use on daily driven cars. However, the FSDs are not as effective if you're thinking of tracking the car.

My non-sport suspension is more softly sprung which give a more comfortable ride than the sport suspension guys. However, that means less body motion control than most others.

Does anyone know if upgrading just dampers alone will lessen squat and dive when accelerating and braking?

woodman650 · 01-19-2009, 01:41 PM

I don't think I'm going to be tracking... it's primarily my daily driver. My two biggest concerns are smoothing the ride and feeling like I've got better control of the car at higher speeds.

ulrichd · 01-19-2009, 02:02 PM

I had an 03 Mini Cooper S with 17" wheels and runflats (stock suspension) that was almost painful over bad pavement. I dumped the runflats and installed Koni FSD shocks and was very happy with the results. My 128 with sport suspension has 18" wheels with non runflats Yokohama S-Drives and the ride is VERY compliant.

01-19-2009, 02:05 AM	#1
woodman650 Super Couper 67 Rep 577 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mountain View, CA iTrader: (2)	Smoothing Ride? Being relatively clueless when it comes to springs and suspension set ups, please go easy on me. I get a lot of vibration in the cabin when driving and a lot of bumpiness. I'm pretty desperate to smooth out the ride if at all possible. I'm off the run flats but it's a subtle difference. Any suggestions? Also, this is sort of a different topic completey... but at high speeds the car seems to drift a lot and in corners the car seems to roll a bit. Anything I can do about that? The 1er is great but usually when I get going over 60 I just feel like I'm not in as much control as I could/should be. Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-19-2009, 03:51 AM	#2
135iUSN 19 X5 1998 M Roadster 64 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: 135i Alpine White / Terra Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 1998 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2009 135i [0.00]	I'm a bit clueless too - so let me know what you think.. I was thinking of 17 all round - non run flat with a wider tire to fill up the wheel vs the 18s .. more rubber between the rim = better ride? I feel like on the stock rim pkg, I'm going to pop a tire right out given they have so little sidewall and then damn there goes a rim. the down side is I can't find a 17 that I really like - love the perf rims... __________________ '09 135i Dinan In BMW heaven 09.28.2022 - Stage 2/Alpine White w/Terracotta /High Gloss Black Trim/ZCW/ZPP/ZSP w/313's /CA/PDC/Steptronic/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2009, 07:16 AM	#3
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	A monotube shock may provide some help there or Koni's FSD shock. We've got a couple of real suspension experts floating around here hopefully one of them will chime in.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2009, 08:14 AM	#4
wa128 Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2012 AW 135i DCT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: wa state iTrader: (0)	I am considering Koni FSDs as well but without lowering springs. I've read some favorable things from the 5 series guys for use on daily driven cars. However, the FSDs are not as effective if you're thinking of tracking the car. My non-sport suspension is more softly sprung which give a more comfortable ride than the sport suspension guys. However, that means less body motion control than most others. Does anyone know if upgrading just dampers alone will lessen squat and dive when accelerating and braking? __________________ 2012 135i \| AW on Blk \| 7DCT \| M-Sport + Premium \| Nav \| Harmon Kardon \| BMW Performance Exhaust & Kidney Grilles
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2009, 01:41 PM	#5
woodman650 Super Couper 67 Rep 577 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mountain View, CA iTrader: (2)	I don't think I'm going to be tracking... it's primarily my daily driver. My two biggest concerns are smoothing the ride and feeling like I've got better control of the car at higher speeds.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2009, 02:02 PM	#6
ulrichd Colonel 210 Rep 2,233 Posts Drives: 128i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (6)	I had an 03 Mini Cooper S with 17" wheels and runflats (stock suspension) that was almost painful over bad pavement. I dumped the runflats and installed Koni FSD shocks and was very happy with the results. My 128 with sport suspension has 18" wheels with non runflats Yokohama S-Drives and the ride is VERY compliant.
	Appreciate 0 Quote