Body roll for dayyyyyyyys

[godevilsgo17]

Hey there,

So I just got my 2008 128i (vert, non sport, 6MT), and the first thing I noticed about it was the unsettling amount of body roll around the corners at even moderate speeds. This may be because I tracked my 1er with my buddy's M4 side by side, but after feeling how a well-grounded car should corner, I want to do whatever I can to improve the handling on my 128. What modifications would y'all recommend to stiffen up the suspension and decrease the body roll? I don't have a warranty, so aftermarket is fine in the interest of cost. Let me know what y'all think (and apologies in advance if there is already a thread about this exact topic)!

[850tgul]

Many threads on this but run flats, dampers and rear subframe bushings are the biggest drawbacks of the stock setup. E93 m3 front sway bar will help with body roll. Add some stiffer springs and M3 control arms with a little more neg camber and you've got a winner. Modern day e36 m3.

[bNks334]

I have been tracking and with my mods, as listed in my signature, I still think I have some excessive body roll I need to deal with.

My next mods will be a front sway and RSFB. In retrospect, I would've done those first. Even with smooth steering the car felt like it was throwing too much weight from side to side leading to some plowing mid turn. I doubt a strut brace would do much of anything at all. I've read this chassis is pretty rigid as is.

[850tgul]

The chassis is very rigid, it's the bushings & dampers that are all overly soft to compensate for the harsh run flats. If you ditch the run flats, the squishiness becomes much more apparent.

[Ginger_Extract]

Stiffer springs, better susp bushings, and better tires.

[zapatista]

Originally Posted by godevilsgo17

Hey there,

So I just got my 2008 128i (vert, non sport, 6MT), and the first thing I noticed about it was the unsettling amount of body roll around the corners at even moderate speeds. This may be because I tracked my 1er with my buddy's M4 side by side, but after feeling how a well-grounded car should corner, I want to do whatever I can to improve the handling on my 128. What modifications would y'all recommend to stiffen up the suspension and decrease the body roll? I don't have a warranty, so aftermarket is fine in the interest of cost. Let me know what y'all think (and apologies in advance if there is already a thread about this exact topic)!

I just got done with several suspension mods to my 2011 128i (vert, non sport, 6MT) and ran my 1st post-mod autocross. Holyshit what a difference.

Mods: (in my sig. as well)
- M-3 (e9x) subframe bushings ($250-BMW/Mini parts store.com)

- Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Spring Kit (1140-1873) Fronts 1 full turn in-Rears 3/4 turn in. ($850 including new shock/strut mounting hardware-IRP)

-M-3 (e46) Tranny Mounts (cheap & easy-$35-BMW/Mini parts store.com)

-M-3 (e9x) front control arms (tension struts/wishbones) but no headlight adjustment needed as my 128 does not have angel eyes. ($300 fcpeuro.com)

Might want change out the stabilizer bars---verts have one each stock though the non-sport coupes do not have a rear one--will definitely help with body roll.

Let me know if you have any other questions about setup before and after....i did several auto crosses this season on the stock setup before switching out the parts....the m3 subframe bushings were a pain in the ass to install---the rest were pretty easy thanks to some excellent DIY instructions elsewhere in the forums.

-Mike-

[chris82]

A stiffer front anti-roll bar will dramatically improve how the car feels and handles, I'd start there.

[KellyK]

I also felt the same about my 128i..like previously said above me... ditch the run flats! I recently got KW V1s and have noticed a significant improvement in body roll/ handling. My car feels much more planted.