Refreshing the Suspension! 100k

[gjm120]

It's recommended (Bentley) to use new nuts & bolts. For the roughly $45 do it.

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by 1mang

It's the same kit (look at the part numbers) with the 5th piece being that Headlight Leveling Sensor Rod. We already have one on our cars which you can remove and not use the bracket since the TRW/M arms has hole for it. I find this better because the bracket is a pain to take off and on.

This is not shown to be compatible with 135i because it is a 1M/M3 part. 135i has its own set but most people upgrade 1M/M3 anyways since they fit the same but more "performance oriented"

Remember the 1M is a frankenstein of M3 parts......

So do I just need the four piece?

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut135i

So do I just need the four piece?

It's a kit. 1m control arms are different so needs a different sensor if you have self leveling lights (xenon). I ordered mine from ECS.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-trw-part...1102283577mkt/

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

It's a kit. 1m control arms are different so needs a different sensor if you have self leveling lights (xenon). I ordered mine from ECS.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-trw-part...1102283577mkt/

Interesting. I put my car in a land says in doesn't fit. I believe you that it does regardless. And yes I have a 135 with the Xenon lights. So need the piece kit then

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut135i

Interesting. I put my car in a land says in doesn't fit. I believe you that it does regardless. And yes I have a 135 with the Xenon lights. So need the piece kit then

What car do you have?

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

What car do you have?

Bmw 135i 2008

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut135i

Bmw 135i 2008

Odd... I'd call them to discuss. Cause you know advice on a forum is worth what you pay for it.

Or here: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...rade-bmwmcakit

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Odd... I'd call them to discuss. Cause you know advice on a forum is worth what you pay for it.

Or here: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...rade-bmwmcakit

Isn't that the truth. Trust me. Rebuilt my first e30. I learn them as the come to me. Not the opposite

[1mang]

My mistake! The leveling sensor are different and cannot be re-used as I thought.

If you go M3/1M/TRW arms, then you need to buy this sensor....

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...d/37142283867/

and two of these nuts

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ut-07129905817

This is the sensor that comes on our cars 2008 BMW 135i

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/37146763733/

As you can see, its a bracket instead of a hex nut...its a pain to take on and off.

Lastly, when messing with these sensors...these will reset your adaptive headlights so the leveling will be at the lowest (you will need to adjust the headlights and raise it up...forget the allen wrench size)

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by 1mang

My mistake! The leveling sensor are different and cannot be re-used as I thought.

If you go M3/1M/TRW arms, then you need to buy this sensor....

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...d/37142283867/

and two of these nuts

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ut-07129905817

This is the sensor that comes on our cars 2008 BMW 135i

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/37146763733/

As you can see, its a bracket instead of a hex nut...its a pain to take on and off.

Lastly, when messing with these sensors...these will reset your adaptive headlights so the leveling will be at the lowest (you will need to adjust the headlights and raise it up...forget the allen wrench size)

Yea so FCP Euro sell the kit. I may just stick to stock at this point lol. Just do coilovers. Call it a day

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by 1mang

My mistake! The leveling sensor are different and cannot be re-used as I thought.

If you go M3/1M/TRW arms, then you need to buy this sensor....

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...d/37142283867/

and two of these nuts

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ut-07129905817

This is the sensor that comes on our cars 2008 BMW 135i

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/37146763733/

As you can see, its a bracket instead of a hex nut...its a pain to take on and off.

Lastly, when messing with these sensors...these will reset your adaptive headlights so the leveling will be at the lowest (you will need to adjust the headlights and raise it up...forget the allen wrench size)

The TRW kit I bought had the nuts that attach the arms to the knuckle and the leveling rod with the nuts for it. For what it's worth, the pics from both ECS and FCP show the nuts on the arms and both shown the leveling rod. Only one shows the nuts for the leveling rod.

The installation kit I suggested above is the bolts and nuts for where the arms connect to the subframe.

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Vorsprung_CJB

Add me to the list as well...

95k miles and need a refresh for my daily driver. Thrusts definitely shot and feels loose all around. Looking to do F+R and need advice on the "do this while you're in there!" type of stuff. Bushings, rubber, etc. Will probably do shocks as well.

There is a lot of info on here from years ago, but I feel like new products and vendors are available now, like the kits from FCP and ECS.

Yeah, me too. 80k miles, but my winter tires are scalloping. It may just be alignment (there are wicked winter potholes in New England), or I wonder if my suspension is to blame.
Also a shimmy at about 40-60 mph, which I hear may be related to bushing/bearings on the front control arms?

[Gangplank]

Yup. The expected cost of increased tire wear is the one of the reasons I changed/upgraded suspension at 55K. Honestly people who think shocks last forever with no maintenance... not possible. Most OEM are done by 50-60k. They still feel ok but don't do their real job well past that point.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Yup. The expected cost of increased tire wear is the one of the reasons I changed/upgraded suspension at 55K. Honestly people who think shocks last forever with no maintenance... not possible. Most OEM are done by 50-60k. They still feel ok but don't do their real job well past that point.

Just bought 09' with 50k and first thing I did was do the brakes, drivers side rear tire had a little uneven wear on the inside with no driving feed back. looked up at the shock and sure enough a small crack at the bottom seal. Koni STR.T f&r all ready here but have yet to order the M3/1M Control arms and in research BMW/TRW your postings have been a great source of info so thank you.

[Gangplank]

Just paying it forward...

[Juggernaut135i]

Officially ordered the 1M/M3 control arm upgrade kit. Will receive them by 4/12 and doing BC coilovers.

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Yup. The expected cost of increased tire wear is the one of the reasons I changed/upgraded suspension at 55K. Honestly people who think shocks last forever with no maintenance... not possible. Most OEM are done by 50-60k. They still feel ok but don't do their real job well past that point.

Funny I'm at 100700 miles and the suspension is all from factory still. Definitely know what you mean

[Juggernaut135i]

Officially ordered BC Racing Coilovers. will let everyone know in 2-3 weeks how my car rides once's everything is installed

[Cavpilot2k]

Interested to hear your experience.
I think coilovers are too aggressive for my daily driving needs.

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

Interested to hear your experience.
I think coilovers are too aggressive for my daily driving needs.

That's why I went with BC coilovers. Can't adjust dampening. I know it'll be stiffer but I live in Florida. Pretty flat. I'll update you. I have another thread with my build. I'll update that too.

Everything will be here in 2 weeks. I'm more curious how different the control arms will feel since everyone raves about upgrading to the M3 ones.

Does anyone recommend the spacers needed? I'm only dropping an inch because it's my DD. I currently have 10s in the front and 15s in the back

[Gangplank]

Didn't realize you are not too far from me. Do you ever go to cars & coffee in West Palm?

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Didn't realize you are not too far from me. Do you ever go to cars & coffee in West Palm?

I've been before. Is that on saturdays or Sundays. You up in West Palm?