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      08-22-2016, 11:25 AM   #1
mitchellbrown98
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Solo Werks S1 Coilovers

Hi all,

After deciding to lower my car to eliminate most of the wheel gap and improve handling a little bit, I did some research on lowering springs and coilovers. I decided to go with coils as I had heard lowering springs weren’t the most comfortable ride with oem suspension. I wasn’t looking to spend $1100 + on a coilover kit as I’m a student, and as a result I found the Solo Werks S1 Coilover Kit for $700 which included everything I needed. The fronts use helper springs, and come with new sway bar end links that are shorter than oem, and both sides use a double lock ring design to adjust ride height. I found Solo Werks had good customer service and were able to answer all my questions about the kit.

I was able to install the kit myself in my garage using the supplied step by step instructions, which also included very helpful diagrams, and listed the correct sized sockets and tools for each step. I also used Akopp’s DIY coilover install for some tips. The Solo Werk kit installed virtually the same way as the ST kit that he did his DIY on (using oem lower damper mounts, top strut mounts). The S1 kit seems to be excellent quality (zinc coated housings and painted springs). I did use anti corrosion coating on all the threads and bolts as well. (sorry for not great iphone picture quality).

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I prefer the ride quality of the S1 coilover kit over the oem suspension. I find it less “bouncy” feeling, it is not too stiff or rough by any means, and I’ve hit some decent sized bumps and potholes while driving. The coils provide a fairly smooth ride. The car seems much more planted in the corners and I haven’t run into any rubbing or scraping issues (running 215/40/18 tires and 18x8 wheels). The handling feels much better than the oem suspension.

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In my opinion, the S1 kit is a great entry level coilover that performs exceptionally well for the price. The drop is exactly what I was looking for (not too low but removes most of the wheel gap), and I haven’t noticed any noise coming from them when going over speed bumps or curbs. I have put about 500km on them to date and have no complaints.
Overall I think that the S1 kit is an awesome deal for the quality of the suspension. It is an ideal option for someone looking to lower their car and improve it’s handling, without spending too much money and keeping excellent ride quality.

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      08-22-2016, 12:29 PM   #2
asbrr
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Nice car, nice write-up. What's the warranty on the suspension?

Also, what side skirts and front lower lip do you have? Don't recognize them.
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      08-23-2016, 02:37 PM   #3
mitchellbrown98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asbrr View Post
Nice car, nice write-up. What's the warranty on the suspension?

Also, what side skirts and front lower lip do you have? Don't recognize them.
Thanks, and they come with a 3 year warranty.

I'm fairly certain they are just the stock side skirts that came from BMW. As for the lip, its an EZ lip, one of the flexible ones that just sticks to the bottom of the bumper.
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      08-23-2016, 03:06 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mitchellbrown98 View Post
Thanks, and they come with a 3 year warranty.

I'm fairly certain they are just the stock side skirts that came from BMW. As for the lip, its an EZ lip, one of the flexible ones that just sticks to the bottom of the bumper.
Lol you're right, something about your car's colour and the reflection that made it look different.
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      08-25-2016, 07:29 PM   #5
deesea
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Interesting wheels. Where'd you get them?
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      08-30-2016, 11:15 AM   #6
mitchellbrown98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deesea View Post
Interesting wheels. Where'd you get them?
They are Bremmer Kraft wheels from tirerack
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      09-08-2016, 12:55 PM   #7
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Thanks for the review. I am interested in these due to the helper spring setup. Called the company and it seems the springs/rates used are linear 400lb in the front and progressive 280-300lb in the rear.

Rear seems a little less stiff than other kits. How is the rear traction with these? Does it tend to skitter over bumps?
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      09-08-2016, 09:56 PM   #8
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Found some other users on the modb@argains blog

There is an e82 and an e90 with feedback

I would post the links here but it gets redacted.
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      09-09-2016, 08:10 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seagrasser
Found some other users on the modb@argains blog

There is an e82 and an e90 with feedback

I would post the links here but it gets redacted.
Good or bad feedback?
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      09-10-2016, 06:59 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangplank View Post
Good or bad feedback?
Generally good feedback. Most reviews indicate that they dampen better than stock and are comfortable. Good for street and occasional track use.
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      09-21-2016, 05:16 PM   #11
mitchellbrown98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seagrasser View Post
Thanks for the review. I am interested in these due to the helper spring setup. Called the company and it seems the springs/rates used are linear 400lb in the front and progressive 280-300lb in the rear.

Rear seems a little less stiff than other kits. How is the rear traction with these? Does it tend to skitter over bumps?
I haven't had any issues with skittering over bumps or anything like that. I definitely prefer the ride quality of these over the oem suspension for bumps and cornering.
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      09-22-2016, 01:24 PM   #12
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Great feedback. Really appreciate the update
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      04-24-2017, 05:51 PM   #13
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Was looking at kw street coils but after reading this I may just get these and put the rest of the money to swaybars and bushings.
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      01-26-2018, 09:20 PM   #14
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According to ECS tuning's website, these will not fit a 2008 E88. Does anyone know how accurate that is.....ie.....does anyone with a 2008 E88 have these and do you have any other mods that may have made them fit ?
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      07-11-2018, 02:46 PM   #15
JesusHinojosa1
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Gonna revive this thread lol. Any updated opinion on these? Looking to refresh suspension on my 128i, Currently at a lil under 65K miles.
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      08-04-2018, 10:17 PM   #16
mitchellbrown98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JesusHinojosa1 View Post
Gonna revive this thread lol. Any updated opinion on these? Looking to refresh suspension on my 128i, Currently at a lil under 65K miles.
They are great, I think I have put about 15k km on them and have driven through 2 winters. The only issue I have had so far was a leaky rear strut. Solo Werks sent me a new one on warranty though and it was a super easy swap. They have totally been worth it in my opinion.
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      08-05-2018, 09:58 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandinca View Post
According to ECS tuning's website, these will not fit a 2008 E88. Does anyone know how accurate that is.....ie.....does anyone with a 2008 E88 have these and do you have any other mods that may have made them fit ?
It will fit.

They say this because the E88's suspension kits generally comes with heavier springs to compensate for the extra weight.
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      08-05-2018, 07:18 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by desertman123 View Post
It will fit.

They say this because the E88's suspension kits generally comes with heavier springs to compensate for the extra weight.
Yeah, I went with BMW PS and I'm rubbing fenders and it rides lower than I thought it would. I'm thinking of some sort of suspension spacers when I next do an alignment. I've seen some that go on the top mounts but they're 20mm which is more than I was looking for.
I tried the rubber inserts that go between coils and that helped with the rubbing but the ride is too stiff now.
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