|
|
|
|
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
03-15-2019, 09:36 PM | #1 |
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Shopping for Mid-Range Coil-Overs: Ohlins vs. YCW Reference vs. FA500
I've finally found my way into the market for a mid-range suspension setup. My Koni Sport shocks and Eibach springs have lost their luster on me. My 128i is my daily driver (with 185k miles on it). I drive an easy 12k miles a year now, and will track the thing once or twice a month (March through November). Long highway stints will be a thing (going to college soon), so a wide range of adjustment is great. I want a controlled, but not stiff ride. Good body control, well-damped, and forgiving over craggy, pot-holed surfaces. I also want good, neutral balance F/R for easy, selective sliding (heh).
I'm looking to stay below the $2500 mark. So far, I've come up with 3 options that would seem to fit the bill for me (in order). 1. Ohlins Road and Track $2225 PROS: -Best-engineered damper on the list -3DM Motorsport sells with 1M valving and 1M spring rates -Wide range of adjustment CONS: -Possibly short service intervals (up for grabs) -Possible fitment issues (on the standard kit) 3. YCW Reference Series $2299.95 (35% off for limited times) PROS: -Most affordable (with this 24-hour discount) -Good reputation -Include Swift springs (YCW Engineering owns Swift and MFactory) -Lifetime warranty on non-wear parts CONS: -Not Ohlins -Generic parts -Absurd price point without discount 3. Fortune Auto 500 Series $1474 PROS: -Local facility (VA) for spare parts/rebuilds -Well-rated and well-used by other car makes/models -Long-ish warranty (5 years) CONS: -Little to no info specific to E8x/E9x -Generic parts Edit 03/20/19: Removed KW's from consideration, shuffled YCW's to second place, switched FA 510's for 500's because of ride quality issues with the 510's. It's a possibility that going with one of the less costly products would allow me to do other things to the car (full 1M front end? exhaust?). I appreciate any input you can offer. Please no needless bashing of other brands or other people's setups, as everyone wants something different from their cars.
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread Last edited by chris_flies; 03-20-2019 at 08:03 PM.. |
03-16-2019, 10:18 PM | #2 |
Professional Hack
96
Rep 379
Posts |
I had KW V3's double adjustables, they felt unsettled to me, hard to describe. I prefer my MCS singles, much more predictable.
I've also heard the Ohlins fitment can be tricky due to the size of the tube, but I have no firsthand experience. Go for the Fortune Autos. I wouldn't worry too much about caster adjustability. |
Appreciate
1
chris_flies3027.00 |
03-17-2019, 08:10 PM | #3 |
Second Lieutenant
122
Rep 293
Posts |
All 3 are solid options you may want to also consider TCKline they make pretty good stuff as well.
I have the Ohlins using higher rates and narrower Swift springs with Vorschlag camber plates (commonly used allowing you to run a wide tire up front due to a shorter length spring). Setup is great, comfortable ride on the street and allowed me to drop 3s off my lap time on track. Have no complaints with ~2k miles on them. If you do go with the Ohlins PM me I'll give you the spring rates I run, just need to look it up. |
Appreciate
2
chris_flies3027.00 dtla1826.00 |
03-17-2019, 10:43 PM | #4 |
Colonel
232
Rep 2,643
Posts |
Are you sure that Fortune auto ones are locally built? I thought the design looks very similar to a well known brand from Taiwan.
Personally I'd go with TCK single adjustable, or otherwise KW's if the price is more attractive. |
Appreciate
1
chris_flies3027.00 |
03-17-2019, 11:47 PM | #5 |
Boost
1349
Rep 3,689
Posts
Drives: 135i M-Sport
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Valley of Silicon, CA - United States
|
I've run on KWV3, PSS9, MCS 1WNR, ST XTA & finally Fortune Auto 510.
The top 3 IMO we're the MCS, KWV3 & FA510 I started with the KWs and moved to the MCS shocks and immediately gained 1.5 seconds at Buttonwillow CW13 (this is a 1:50-2min a lap) - I then moved to FA510 purely for cost reasons as I can only justify so much from the CFO/wife but was shocked at their performance! The FA510s performed 100% equally to the MCS 1WNR shocks in terms of lap times and generally seat-of-my-pants adjustment and ability to handle the aggressive curb hopping required at BWRP and T-Hill 2mi. I'd go FA510 with linear swift spring options, they're the hands down best shocks I've driven for the cost on any car + they come with camber plates. For reference, these shocks are VERY popular in time attack. Will Au-Yeung just set the FWD lap record at the Japanese Tsukuba Circuit on a set of 2-way adjustable Fortune Auto coilovers.
__________________
F80 M3 TrackBoi, Z4MC GarageBoi, 1M Clone StreetBoi
|
Appreciate
2
chris_flies3027.00 chris82825.00 |
03-18-2019, 06:44 AM | #6 | ||||
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Quote:
EDIT/UPDATE: I've been looking back at fe1rx's awesome Ohlins installation/set-up thread. He didn't look to have clearance issues with 225/40-18 tires on Style 261 wheels (18x7.5 ET49), which have far less (almost a centimeter less) strut clearance than my 17x7.5 ET40 wheels, which makes up for the extra width of my 245/45-17 tires. If I need anything to make the clearance work, it'll be a tiny spacer up front. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread Last edited by chris_flies; 03-18-2019 at 08:56 AM.. |
||||
Appreciate
0
|
03-18-2019, 12:07 PM | #7 |
1Addict
3200
Rep 7,859
Posts |
I'd check out YCW as well. Been pretty happy with their dampers paired with swift springs. Skip TCK. Unless youre gonna go for clubsport, do ST XTA instead of KW. Ohlins are great if you want to fiddle with their setup which isn't as straight forward as install and go. Don't know anything about FA coils so won't comment.
__________________
|
Appreciate
1
chris_flies3027.00 |
03-18-2019, 02:11 PM | #8 |
Professional Hack
96
Rep 379
Posts |
one other consideration: upgrading to m3 style rear spring arms. they use a clevis style bottom shock mount as opposed to the lower rubber shock perch on the non m cars. it's hard to say how much of the improvement comes from this component but combined with the mcs shocks, I like it a lot more.
__________________
MCS 1WNR Dampers | Ground Control Camber Plates | E90 M3 front control arms| E90 M3 front tension arm w/ Turner monoball bearings | E90 M3 Steering rack conversion | SPL Adjustable Outer Tie Rod Ends | M3 Rear Camber Arms | SPL Adjustable Rear Toe Arms | M3 Front Caliper Conversion | 275/35/18 Toyo RA1s | 18x9.5ET22 Apex EC-7’s | mFactory LSD | AIM EVO4S with GS Dash | New for 2020: LS1 Swap!
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-18-2019, 06:27 PM | #9 | ||
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Quote:
Thanks for that. Now I have another option... Quote:
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread |
||
Appreciate
0
|
03-19-2019, 04:09 PM | #10 |
Supreme Allied Commander
3776
Rep 54,154
Posts
Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com
|
Not sure where the short service interval on the Ohlins R&T came from but we have been selling Ohlins since 2009 and only had a couple of requests for service work. A bunch of regulars at our shop have Ohlins on their autocross and track 135 and 335 for years and none of them needed service yet. Not to knock on KW, but we have seen more KW V-series dampers blown out or simply lost damping than Ohlins, TCKR(Koni), MCS and JRZ combined. That said, all dampers will eventually need servicing and to keep the dampers within the performance window intended from the factory you would likely want to service them every 2-3 years, but who does that on a street car?
Not including camber plates could be a con only if you track the car. There is really no need for camber plates on a street car. On a lowered car with 1M/M3 front lower arms and strut mount alignment pin removed you will get around -1.5 of camber which is plenty for street duty. What TC Kline Racing SA or DA has that few others can offer is you can have a few spring rate options to choose from. You can also run a none M front with the M rear if you have the M rear lower camber links. For the none M SA, at $2324 with camber plates or $1885 without it's the best value out there. |
Appreciate
1
chris_flies3027.00 |
03-20-2019, 12:44 AM | #11 | |||
Boost
1349
Rep 3,689
Posts
Drives: 135i M-Sport
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Valley of Silicon, CA - United States
|
Quote:
__________________
F80 M3 TrackBoi, Z4MC GarageBoi, 1M Clone StreetBoi
|
|||
Appreciate
1
chris_flies3027.00 |
03-20-2019, 08:49 AM | #12 | |
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Quote:
Anywho, I'm still leaning towards the Ohlins...
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-20-2019, 12:54 PM | #13 | |
Слава Украине!
2281
Rep 2,425
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-20-2019, 12:59 PM | #14 | ||
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Quote:
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread |
||
Appreciate
1
Suprgnat2281.00 |
03-20-2019, 02:55 PM | #15 | |
Supreme Allied Commander
3776
Rep 54,154
Posts
Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com
|
Quote:
Anytime you have painted damper bodies you will run into corrosion issues if the paint wears away or chips off. You want something like Ohlins or KW for corrosion protection. You Dinan plates will transfer right over to the Ohlins so there is no additional cost for you having to buy camber plates. |
|
Appreciate
1
chris_flies3027.00 |
03-20-2019, 05:31 PM | #16 |
Captain
1390
Rep 776
Posts |
I am an Ohlins user, and like them, but you should note that the front springs that come with the kit (60 N/mm x 200 mm long) will likely force you to run wheel spacers. They are not really appropriate for the 1-series as the kit is actually intended for the 3-series. You should budget for a set of Swift (60 N/mm x 178 mm long - AKA 342 lb/in x 7") front springs. Also a caution that you will have very little range of usable height adjustment up front and the front may end up too low for your liking. This is because simply adding spring preload to raise the front quickly gets you into coil bind territory. These springs need to be installed with minimal preload on this strut.
While you are at it, the rear springs that come with the kit are really too soft too. They are 70 N/mm in the kit but really should be 120 - 140 N/mm (686 - 800 lb/in) assuming you have upgraded your RSFBs. I suggest a thorough discussion with someone like HP Autosport to make sure you get all the right pieces to suit your needs. Make sure you have a clear idea of what wheels/tires/camber/ride height you want to run so that they can advise you if the stuff you are buying can actually give you this. |
Appreciate
3
|
03-20-2019, 07:40 PM | #17 | |
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Quote:
3DM Motorsport actually has me hooked-up very nicely right now. They'd ship pre-assembled with new OEM top mounts, along with 1M valving (tighter low-speed damping) and 110N/mm 1M-spec rear springs. All for the not-exactly-small sum of $2395. Considering what I'm getting, that ain't bad. You do bring up an excellent (?) concern regarding front end clearance. I imagine it'd be a bit tight with my 245/45-17 tires on 17x7.5 ET40 wheels. Ohlins do make 7" (180mm) 60N/mm springs that would work perfectly. I'll reach out to them and see about using those instead. Height-wise, BMW Performance spring-like height would be ideal for me. Anything more usable than my Eibach Pro-Kits is a step in the right direction! I do have solid subframe bushings (they are absolutely amazing). Nothing against HPA, by the way; their bushing tool was a fantastic help. 3DMM just got back to me first when I initially started shopping around, and is offering the most for the money. Thanks!
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-21-2019, 01:55 AM | #18 |
Boost
1349
Rep 3,689
Posts
Drives: 135i M-Sport
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Valley of Silicon, CA - United States
|
Gotta notch those front upper shock mounts to get over -3* in most cases... Hope my upper shock mounts don't blow through like the new P-cars haha
The ohlins are a great option for dual duty but you'll probably want linear springs and camber plates on track so you're getting close to $3k in which case I'd 100% go MCS... Or save $1k and just go FA510.
__________________
F80 M3 TrackBoi, Z4MC GarageBoi, 1M Clone StreetBoi
|
Appreciate
1
chris_flies3027.00 |
03-21-2019, 06:21 AM | #19 | |
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Quote:
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-21-2019, 10:47 AM | #20 |
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Update: 3DMM said I can do the shorter front springs and Swift rear springs for no extra charge, on top of the 1M valving and complete assembly with OEM top mounts for $2395. Barry is the man! I'm almost decided at this point.
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread |
Appreciate
0
|
03-21-2019, 11:18 AM | #21 |
Supreme Allied Commander
3776
Rep 54,154
Posts
Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com
|
If the dampers are really re-valved to 1M specs, you have yourself a really good kit. However, re-valving isn't cheap and to do it all with different springs front and rear along with top mounts for $2395 seems too good to be true.
|
Appreciate
1
chris_flies3027.00 |
03-21-2019, 11:27 AM | #22 | |
Sideways and Smiling
3027
Rep 2,860
Posts
Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA
|
Quote:
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|