128i Front Swaybar upgrade - E92 or E93 M3?

[kaputt]

I realize that both of these are a popular upgrade on these cars. I currently have the Performance Suspension swaybar and just want something that controls body roll a little bit better and improves steering response.

Would the E93 one be overkill and the E92 be a better fit for the 128i?

[John_01]

I started with Performance suspension and Upgraded to the E93 M3 front sway bar. For me the E93 one was the right choice because I used the car for track days. If you only use the 128i as a road car, the E92 M3 front sway would be well suited. You will probably get all the same benefits with a bit less vibration over bad roads.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by John_01

I started with Performance suspension and Upgraded to the E93 M3 front sway bar. For me the E93 one was the right choice because I used the car for track days. If you only use the 128i as a road car, the E92 M3 front sway would be well suited. You will probably get all the same benefits with a bit less vibration over bad roads.

What rear ARB do you have? Wondering if I ever upgrade the front will things get unbalanced considering my slightly upgraded rear bar. (13mm vs stock for the US E82 is 12mm) Front ARB is from a 135i.

[John_01]

At the same time I put in a 13mm rear bar from a 3 series, because the rear subframe was out for bushings. Balance is a really subjective word, because the stock suspension setup with standard camber already has a lot of understeer bias. Adding negative front camber in combination with an upgraded sway front bar is what I would recommend.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by John_01

At the same time I put in a 13mm rear bar from a 3 series, because the rear subframe was out for bushings. Balance is a really subjective word, because the stock suspension setup with standard camber already has a lot of understeer bias. Adding negative front camber in combination with an upgraded sway front bar is what I would recommend.

Same rear arb I have. Also have a slight bit of neg camber from M front arms. Based on your comments and this article, I think I'll do a stiffer front bar if and when I find one at a good deal.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/why-y...bar-1733925447

thanks

[kaputt]

Originally Posted by John_01

I started with Performance suspension and Upgraded to the E93 M3 front sway bar. For me the E93 one was the right choice because I used the car for track days. If you only use the 128i as a road car, the E92 M3 front sway would be well suited. You will probably get all the same benefits with a bit less vibration over bad roads.

Appreciate the response. Definitely looking for more of a street setup, mostly to make the steering response feel better on the back roads.

Currently on the Performance Suspension but looking to swap into Bilstein B8s soon to pair with the yellow performance Springs.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Appreciate the response. Definitely looking for more of a street setup, mostly to make the steering response feel better on the back roads.

Currently on the Performance Suspension but looking to swap into Bilstein B8s soon to pair with the yellow performance Springs.

FWIW, i am as pleased as punch with my setup. Perf springs and Koni Yellows.

[kaputt]

Originally Posted by gjm120

FWIW, i am as pleased as punch with my setup. Perf springs and Koni Yellows.

What do you have the Koni’s set at? How does the car drive and handle? Is the floaty and vague feeling gone?

Also did you gave the full PS on the car before switching to Koni’s?

[Suprgnat]

I installed the E93 M3 FSB very early in the car's life and think it was a worthwhile upgrade on my M-Sport equipped 128i and has complemented the other suspension upgrades I have done well. I installed the Hotchkis 16mm RSB @~30k miles and love it, but had earlier installed an LSD so it's not an apples-to-apples comparison.

The V3 suspension in the works will have stiffer springs for increased roll stiffness, so I'm planning to put on an E92 M3 FSB in place of the E93 and let the springs and dampers do more of their own thing.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by kaputt

What do you have the Koni’s set at? How does the car drive and handle? Is the floaty and vague feeling gone?

Also did you gave the full PS on the car before switching to Koni’s?

They are set at about 2/3 to full stiff. Drives and handles great. Not floaty and vague feeling at all. I have M arms up front and M rear guide rods and it all works together very well.

Never had the full PS - I went to the BMWP springs and Koni's after riding on a Sport suspension for awhile. From research it seemed like the Perf Suspension dampers were overpriced and not great. Sounds inconsistent, but, comfort level and handling are so much better than the Sport suspension.

I advise getting adjustable endlinks for a dropped car for whatever you settle on for a front ARB. I'm trying to decide on if and what adjustable endlink to get for the rear ARB.

[kaputt]

Originally Posted by gjm120

They are set at about 2/3 to full stiff. Drives and handles great. Not floaty and vague feeling at all. I have M arms up front and M rear guide rods and it all works together very well.

Never had the full PS - I went to the BMWP springs and Koni's after riding on a Sport suspension for awhile. From research it seemed like the Perf Suspension dampers were overpriced and not great. Sounds inconsistent, but, comfort level and handling are so much better than the Sport suspension.

Appreciate the info. Any reason you went with Koni’s vs Bilstein?

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Appreciate the info. Any reason you went with Koni’s vs Bilstein?

One - I couldn't get a clear read on whether I should use the B6 or B8. A couple of years ago there was so much conflicting information and opinions - some of it from people asking Bilstein reps and getting different answers! The BMWP springs are kind of in between M Sport and Eibach as far as drop. Koni's work with most any springs as long as you get the right bumpstops.

Another reason - like the adjustability (although the rears are quite difficult & I've only tweaked them twice since install.)

I wasn't at all driven by the supposed harshness of Bilstein vs Koni. Also the opinions on longevity between the 2 didn't make me lean either way. Lots of good and some bad experience with both.

[kaputt]

Good stuff. I guess for me I actually like the set it and forget it of the Bilstein. Seems like you really can’t go wrong though.

All I know is that the performance suspension was ultimately a mistake. I was new at this and thought it might be a nice middle ground but it really isn’t all the much better than the stock suspension.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Good stuff. I guess for me I actually like the set it and forget it of the Bilstein. Seems like you really can’t go wrong though.

All I know is that the performance suspension was ultimately a mistake. I was new at this and thought it might be a nice middle ground but it really isn’t all the much better than the stock suspension.

Right - both are going to be very good.

You're not changing out your Perf Springs? I went with them b/c they are a good choice for a subtle drop and about 30% more rate than Sport. Plus if you ordered them from somewhere that had the BMW spring selector, they are spec'd for the weight of you car.

[kaputt]

Originally Posted by gjm120

Right - both are going to be very good.

You're not changing out your Perf Springs? I went with them b/c they are a good choice for a subtle drop and about 30% more rate than Sport. Plus if you ordered them from somewhere that had the BMW spring selector, they are spec'd for the weight of you car.

Yeah I plan to stick with the Performance Springs. I do have the ones that are spec’d to my VIN as well, which is nice. Like you, I really like the subtle drop.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Yeah I plan to stick with the Performance Springs. I do have the ones that are spec’d to my VIN as well, which is nice. Like you, I really like the subtle drop.

$64,000 question: you getting the B6 or B8's?

[John_01]

Since its lowered I think the Edit: B8 are the right ones. The confusion is about stock M-sport suspension. No one seems to know which of B6 or B8 is correct for M-Sport suspension that is factory fitted for a car such as 135i.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by John_01

Since its lowered I think the B6 are the right ones. The confusion is about stock M-sport suspension. No one seems to know which of B6 or B8 is correct for M-Sport suspension that is factory fitted for a car such as 135i.

You meant B8, I think.

If so, I agree and would have gotten those.

[kaputt]

Originally Posted by gjm120

You meant B8, I think.

If so, I agree and would have gotten those.

Yep looking to get the B8s. From my research it seems that is the best match for the Performance Springs. I left a message for Bilstein as well to get their current opinion but I don’t think their customer service is at full strength right now with the Covid stuff.