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      06-25-2013, 09:24 PM   #1
roo97ss
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Dampeners for smoothest ride. Koni yellow, FSD, or Bilstein

I've decided to keep my car, and i'm ready to give it suspension befitting a daily driver.

I bought it with 6k miles, changed run flats at 8k, went to coils at about 9-15k (was too jittery no matter how i seemed to adjust...they were 3 series spec, so i'm thinkng a little bit higher rate rears...) and from 15k-48k bmw perf dampeners and eibach pro kit. Stance is nice, a little choppy, and lowered lacks the suspension travel to be really smooth, occasionally hard on bump stops, etc. Also running 225/255 upsized tires already-non runflat.

I was planning everything for this car to make it my track car/driver; but ended up with a vette for the toy duty so this car is simply for me and my wife to drive and i'm looking for best dampening for a driver.

I'm going to use the linear springs from a 12 along with new dampeners. So recommendations on..

koni yellow

koni fsd

bilstein touring class (from what i've read on 3 series board they are 15% stifffer than stock; what the suspension would have been tuned for without run flats). The only reason i include these is they are 200 under the yellows and 250 less than the fsds. since bilstein hd are 200 more than the yellows i'm not going there...

Let me know experiences. Smooth, single bounce, no wallowing, and with the e93 bar able to corner at moderately aggressive speed.

thanks

joe
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      06-26-2013, 12:30 AM   #2
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I thought Bilstein B6 (HD) are 20% stiffer than normal shocks, but I'm unsure if they take into account BMW soft dampers for RFT's... or do they just make their shocks 20% stiffer in general.
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      06-26-2013, 02:12 AM   #3
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My vote for Bilstein B12 Eibach Pro Kit I have them on my car and it feels not to say good but really BEST that I had on all of my cars It is very quiet smooth but at the same a little stiffer. If you dont mind 10-15mm drop it is the best suspension option.
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      06-26-2013, 02:55 AM   #4
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IF you are looking for a smooth ride as opposed to a bump/hard ride... I would go with Koni Yellows with Performance springs. Do not use '12 rear springs(they are tuned for very stiff RFT's)... you will still have way too soft springs for the shocks you will be using with your non RFT's.

I really love Bilstein shocks... but they are(very) stiff/harder ride than Koni Yellow(sports). The nice thing about Bilstein is that they seem to last forever, while Koni's(and every other shock for that matter) will wear out over a few years.

I would really urge you to go with the Koni's and a mild springs like the Performance ones from BMW.

I had Bilstein tourings(black shocks) on a VW Bora TDi and they were too soft. Not really worth the Bilstein name IF you ask me. Don't buy those.

Have you thought about BMW's Performance Suspension kit? It comes with shocks, springs, mounts and everything you need. Its been rumoured that KW made the kit for BMW.

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      06-26-2013, 05:58 AM   #5
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Why not keep the performance dampers and go back to stock (linear) springs? It will give you enough ride height so you are not constantly on the bump stops. I haven't tried it, but its just something to try before getting new dampers.
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      06-26-2013, 07:15 AM   #6
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I just installed Koni Yellows with my Eibach springs a few weeks ago. The ride is way better than my previous stock damper/Eibach spring set up (obviously). I would still consider the ride firm, but now it's well dampened. No more of the annoying rebound. And no more front end nervousness around corners.

With the shocks/springs figured out, it really shows the other flaws in the suspension though. More suspension parts on the way!
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      06-26-2013, 09:02 AM   #7
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Simply put, the Koni FSD will be the most compliant ride of the 3 dampers you listed. The Bilstein dampers are the most durable/hardest riding, Koni Yellow is a bit more compliant and softer than the Bilstein while still being comparable for performance/balance and the FSD will be more focused on comfort with performance taking a back seat. Although I believe the FSD is the most expensive option of the three.

For perspective, I talked to some Grand-AM GT crew teams who told me they use Ohlins dampers for when they're really trying to shave milliseconds from their times and Bilstein dampers for the Daytona 24hrs because they're the toughest and less likely to blow out. I went with Bilstein...
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      06-26-2013, 09:06 AM   #8
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Just noticed that Koni has the yellows and FSD deeply discounted right now. May sway your decision.

http://www.koni-na.com/cat_search.cf...&submit=Search
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      06-26-2013, 10:03 AM   #9
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just cause Perf Dampers were mentioned.
The Swift sport springs for 135i were designed on those. Perhaps they are worth it, and may solve your concern over suspension travel.

I have been casually pricing out the swifts and various struts hoping not to spend over 1k.
Kinda thinking about Eibach pro dampers( made by bilstein and cost less than bilstien b6/hd etc) and swifts
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      06-26-2013, 10:31 AM   #10
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KW Street Comfort - linear rear springs AND its comfy while improving driving dynamics

Last edited by ASPEC135i; 06-26-2013 at 11:26 AM..
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      06-26-2013, 12:46 PM   #11
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I vote Koni yellow's.

I hear good things mixed with the Eibach springs.
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      06-26-2013, 06:15 PM   #12
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after looking in my garage i found a set of e92 zsp sport springs i have laying around.

these are a bit stiffer than the 135, so i might try these. the rates are closer to bmw performance than stock 135. hopefully not too much spring.

135i
120/350

135i performance
160/420

335i zsp
145/460

i had koni yellows with my coils and hated adjusting the rears, so i like the idea of the fsd. However, i've had probably 10 sets of bilsteins over the years and do like them.

Leaning towards bilsteins....go cheap and touring 330 vs sport at 620.... hmm decisions....
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      06-26-2013, 06:54 PM   #13
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Will bilsteins b6's on stock springs improve the ride without RFT's, will it be harsh given I'm keeping the soft stock springs?
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      06-26-2013, 07:30 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roo97ss View Post
after looking in my garage i found a set of e92 zsp sport springs i have laying around.

these are a bit stiffer than the 135, so i might try these. the rates are closer to bmw performance than stock 135. hopefully not too much spring.
The Rear may rake. Look up H&R OE springs on 135i/128i here, by error they packaged e90 springs for the rear.

Is Bilstein Touring called B4 shocks?
Seems that there are 2 versions of B4
Bil_009663
BILSTEIN - B4 Gas (Ersatzteil)
Gas Pressure, for vehicles with standard chassis;

Bil_009664
BILSTEIN - B4 Gas (Ersatzteil)
Gas Pressure, for vehicles with sports suspension;
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Last edited by andrey_gta; 06-26-2013 at 07:42 PM..
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      06-27-2013, 12:35 PM   #15
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Does anyone actually have first hand experience with the HD and STOCk springs?

Half the people on the 3 series forum say they ride firmer than the yellows, half say they are softer.

I'm looking to retain the stock springs, and just fix the ridiculous dampening for now.
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      06-27-2013, 12:36 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roo97ss View Post
after looking in my garage i found a set of e92 zsp sport springs i have laying around.

these are a bit stiffer than the 135, so i might try these. the rates are closer to bmw performance than stock 135. hopefully not too much spring.
Do the definitely fit?
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      07-10-2013, 03:57 PM   #17
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Koni Yellows would be my choice.
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      07-11-2013, 07:46 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrematureApex View Post
Does anyone actually have first hand experience with the HD and STOCk springs?

Half the people on the 3 series forum say they ride firmer than the yellows, half say they are softer.

I'm looking to retain the stock springs, and just fix the ridiculous dampening for now.
I have Koni Sports (Yellows) and stock springs on my car, although my springs are 2011 M Sport springs rather than the 2009 M Sport springs that came on my car because the newer springs are linear in the rear rather than progressive. I also am running non runflat tires and my car has numerous M3 suspension parts. The ride is as good or better than with the stock suspension with non runflat tires and the damping is so much better.

In my opinion the stock dampers are the weakest link in the 1s suspension. Replacing the stock dampers with Koni Sports vastly improves the car's damping. Add in some M3 suspension bits and the car's handling is transformed without having to lower the car and without sacrificing ride quality. Plus because the Koni's are adjustable you can fine tune the damping to get the ride/handling you want (especially if you also get the adjustable rear dampers).
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      07-11-2013, 03:34 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
I really love Bilstein shocks... but they are(very) stiff/harder ride than Koni Yellow(sports). The nice thing about Bilstein is that they seem to last forever, while Koni's(and every other shock for that matter) will wear out over a few years.
This.

Never been a fan of Koni's from days involved in motorsport, Bilstein's though are superb.
My re-valved Bilsteins with the matched softer springs of my Birds B1 suspension is brilliant, so much more comfortable and composed on rutted, bumpy & cambered UK roads.

Expensive, but worth every penny
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      07-14-2013, 10:21 AM   #20
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I love my KW Street Comfort coil overs. Linear springs, compliant and I have been very happy with the ride comfort. Adjustability is there too. I have my setting at max and the ride hasn't been compromised. Plus you get height adjustment, a lifetime warranty and a great daily driver setup.

Just my .02
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      07-14-2013, 11:26 AM   #21
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If you want comfort over everything else, FSD. They just go to crap when at the limit, but from your post, that won't be a problem.
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