Installed BMW Performance Suspension

[jlee]

What exactly are the right M3 suspension parts ?

this ?

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=6218


Jeff

[clar]

Originally Posted by jlee

What exactly are the right M3 suspension parts ?

this ?

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=6218


Jeff

It consists of both front and rear.

Front (4pcs + 1 little pc of headlamp guide rod):
http://www.hpashop.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=119

Rear (4pcs):
http://www.hpashop.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=120
http://www.hpashop.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=120

This has been done by many in this forum and the feedback is unanimously positive! The harder bushings on the joints do make the ride stiffer though. I won't drive a 1er without those parts. Gonna put them on for my wife's 130i 5 door when it arrives

[cpt97m3]

Does anyone know what the torque specs are for the front control arms for those using the M3 arms?

[crex]

Originally Posted by clar

It consists of both front and rear.

Front (4pcs + 1 little pc of headlamp guide rod):
http://www.hpashop.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=119

Rear (4pcs):
http://www.hpashop.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=120
http://www.hpashop.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=120

This has been done by many in this forum and the feedback is unanimously positive! The harder bushings on the joints do make the ride stiffer though. I won't drive a 1er without those parts. Gonna put them on for my wife's 130i 5 door when it arrives

Can you descibe the feeling a little more with these m3 parts? I am debating whether to add these.

[jlee]

Originally Posted by crex

Can you descibe the feeling a little more with these m3 parts? I am debating whether to add these.

I really have the same question. What i've figured out is that the Performance suspension will run $1300 + $900 for install and based on all the reading it would seem its worth $2200.

What I can't tell is that for the $1100 the M3 front and rear parts cost, plus the install there since besides an alignment there isn't much overlap with the suspension, the extra $400 or so, is it worth $1500 ?

We're talking almost $3500 to $3700 on a suspension ?

Jeff

[stevenc]

Jeff, its a really good question. Im very happy with just the BMW performance suspension and will not be doing the M3 parts. I agree, the prices add up QUICKLY.

Hopefully you can do some of the work yourself and save on the labor.

[Muffnbluff]

Steve, glad to hear you're liking the new suspension. I'm going to need to take a ride in your car soon...JB3 and bmw perf suspension, car is going to eat my stock 135 alive at the track.

[clar]

Originally Posted by crex

Can you descibe the feeling a little more with these m3 parts? I am debating whether to add these.

For me, i had the M3 parts done first before the suspension. The improvement was very significant. The stock car with M sports suspension used to feel disconnected at the steering esp the initial turn-in and adjustment mid-corner. Somehow, the steering was slack and not very responsive. After i had the M3 parts, it's so responsive and you feel that every inch of input translates to a change in the car's movement. The stiffer bushings also improved steering feedback at the expense of some ride comfort, but bearable.

The improvement in steering response really brought out the weakness of the M sports suspension. There was too much body roll in rapid or high speed direction changes. After i fitted the Performance Suspension, it did not give me any improvement in feel. In fact, it seemed to take away a little bit of feel from the gains i got from the M3 parts. Steering weight seemed a tad lighter for some strange reason. However, the Perf suspension certainly brought its share of benefits to the table like reduced body roll, improved grip, and all without sacrificing too much comfort.

Between the 2, i value the M3 parts higher over the perf suspension. That's because between good steering feel and responsiveness vs improved grip, i would choose the former if i can't have both. In my wife's upcoming 130i, i will only be slapping on the M3 parts as her car will mostly be used for more mundane tasks like shopping runs and ferrying kids.

[vitig]

what improvement make the rears parts of m3?

[arrutled]

I think we need a sticky in the suspension section for the M3 parts.

[Macca916]

Stevenc I just wondered if you had any tips regarding pulling the front struts out of the Stub axle ? Do these "slide" out once the bolts are release (assuming they arent corroded in) or is there more to it? .
My kits arrived and plan on twirling some spanners this weekend. I've had macpherson struts off and springs off on older cars but not ones where the strut came out of the stub (all previous were welded units). I had hoped to leave the bottom stub axle ball joint connected to but suspect I need to split this to get the strut assembly out?
Cheers Macca

[trfortin69]

will bmw service install these parts on the one series? I saw some where that these parts we're not recomended for the E82, also what about the e88? Anyone know?

[stevenc]

Originally Posted by Macca916

Stevenc I just wondered if you had any tips regarding pulling the front struts out of the Stub axle ? Do these "slide" out once the bolts are release (assuming they arent corroded in) or is there more to it? .
My kits arrived and plan on twirling some spanners this weekend. I've had macpherson struts off and springs off on older cars but not ones where the strut came out of the stub (all previous were welded units). I had hoped to leave the bottom stub axle ball joint connected to but suspect I need to split this to get the strut assembly out?
Cheers Macca

THEY DO NOT SLIDE OUT.

Its a cast metal sleeve which really grips the bottom of the shock even when the bolt is released. I took some metal punch pins and hammered them into the split to widen the sleeve. It took a alot of work but eventually you can spread the sleeve wide enough to pull out the strut.

[Macca916]

Lol I sure know that now... ... I didnt get enough compression out of my spring compressor to get clearance to get the strut clear of the stubaxle The compressor bottomed out before the springs coil bound.

[stevenc]

Compress the spring, pull/roll the strut out from under the fender, then try and pull the strut out of the stubaxle.

[Macca916]

Originally Posted by stevenc

Compress the spring, pull/roll the strut out from under the fender, then try and pull the strut out of the stubaxle.

cheers , I figured my compressor hasnt got the correct range. Will get a one that can pull the spring down more, good to know it can come out that way once its clamped down.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by stevenc

Crex, im on general tire exclaim UHP. Suspension is NOT too soft for regular street tires. Im quite surprised by its stiffness.

Steven, thanks for your input. I have the same set of General UHP tires (really surprised how good they are) and very close to pulling the trigger on the BMW Performance Suspension, glad to hear those work well together. I have acumulated enough points on my BMW credit card that can get it for 'free' by cashing in the dividends accumulated to date. I figure better spend the money there than the exhaust, especially since reviews seem to be positive!

BTW, any idea who makes the springs/shocks? Is it Koni? It was revealed that John Cooper Works makes the BMW Performance Exhaust, wonder who BMW subcontracted for the suspension bits. Was there a marking/stamp/label/box insignia showing a clue?

[stevenc]

Quite honestly I wasn't looking for any company logos ect. 1 month later I am stiff happy with the suspension.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by arrutled

I think we need a sticky in the suspension section for the M3 parts.

+ 1 Please someone do this!!

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by stevenc

Quite honestly I wasn't looking for any company logos ect. 1 month later I am stiff happy with the suspension.

I rode in his car...i must say it was a big improvement

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by ///M1

Steven, thanks for your input. I have the same set of General UHP tires (really surprised how good they are) and very close to pulling the trigger on the BMW Performance Suspension, glad to hear those work well together. I have acumulated enough points on my BMW credit card that can get it for 'free' by cashing in the dividends accumulated to date. I figure better spend the money there than the exhaust, especially since reviews seem to be positive!

BTW, any idea who makes the springs/shocks? Is it Koni? It was revealed that John Cooper Works makes the BMW Performance Exhaust, wonder who BMW subcontracted for the suspension bits. Was there a marking/stamp/label/box insignia showing a clue?

Someone on here said KW....not positive tho

[Yearofthe1]

Originally Posted by crex

Are you still on the stock runflats? I am wondering if this suspension will be too soft with the PS2's ?

Actually Crex, this is the exact set-up I am running. I've got the BMW PS on PS2's (225's up front, 255's in rear) on OZ Alegerittas. I will testify - not too soft, not too hard, just right!