What did you do to/for your 1er today?

[xQx]

You'd think (given my mod list) RSFB would've been one of the first things I'd do on my car... but being a vert, I didn't find it's handling to be holding me back. When it was FBO (especially running Ethanol mix) I was very limited by my skills - any slight input of the throttle would result in wheelspin... Prior to installing the LSD, one wheel would spin and it was useless. After installing the LSD, both wheels would spin with the same torque, thus keeping the back end roughly in line.

But, I made a couple of changes recently which made the whole car more manageable and have finally learnt how to drive it near the limit - with a little wheel spin, not a light-switch like transition from full traction to no traction.

Putting much bigger turbos in it (TD04/16T's - somewhere between RB NextGen and NextGen Plus) has made it much more manageable. I've got far less instant power while the turbos spool up, then far more at the top of the range. Because it's a lot slower, through practice I've now actually been able to _drive_ it around corners and modulate my input to drift it in a controlled way.

But after doing the 1M DSC settings, I've been back on struggle street ... basically I found the back end to be too loose, and I'd lose confidence before DTC intervened. In a straight line in the wet, the car was 'squirrilly' - a lot like how it was before the LSD - it was a real challenge to keep it straight and just felt unstable. Also, I'd struggle to get the power down even at 1/4 throttle.

Through corners, I never really noticed it being particularly vague or unsettled... but I did find it very hard to know when the back tires were going to let go - it was kind of an act of pushing it beyond the limit then managing it when it started to let go.

The tl;dr version was that I refrained from fixing the rear subframe bushes in my car until I was at a level of confidence and competence that I could say 'the rear end of this car is really loose, and not in a good way'.

So, I did the inserts yesterday, and took it out for a spirited drive around roundabouts today.

... and the difference is night and day.

NVH is increased. It feels like the back tires were running at 28psi yesterday and 42psi today. It's not bad NVH, it's not crashy or noisy or constant vibration, but you do feel noticeably closer to the road.

Everybody explains the RSFB bushing as "being more planted" - which I'd agree with, but I struggled to visualize that prior to doing the change. What I'd add to everyone else's description is something really obvious: The back of the car now reliably follows the front.

Again, it's a bit hard to put your finger on unless it's really bad, or unless you just fixed it; but with soft RSF Bushes, you're making a lot of minor steering inputs in corners or under acceleration at the limit of traction to account for the fact that the back wheels are steering the car. That's now gone.

Finally, One of the really big reasons I finally did the RSFB inserts was because I thought the subframe movement was allowing the tires to lift or slip under acceleration without carrying the full weight of the car (the amount of friction you get on a tire depends a lot on the downward force acting on it)... I was hoping RSFB inserts would hold the tires on the road and give me more boost/hp in second gear before they start spinning.

... and I was right. In a straight line, I've got a lot more pedal travel (and a lot more power/forward momentum) available before those tires loose grip.

The only downside is I'm beginning to drive at the power limit of these turbos (due to the 3 second spool-up time) on the street... I'm not there yet, but another six months of practice and I might be.

So, if you're looking at aftermarket turbos, I probably wouldn't recommend anything bigger than Pure Stage 2 for street use... these turbos really only come into their own in 3rd gear... which is 'loss of license' territory for most of us.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by xQx

So, I did the inserts yesterday, and took it out for a spirited drive around roundabouts today.

... and the difference is night and day.

Just wait until you switch from Inserts to actual RSFB replacements, even the two piece Whiteline like I have made a huge difference compared to stock-Vs-inserts

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Just wait until you switch from Inserts to actual RSFB replacements, even the two piece Whiteline like I have made a huge difference compared to stock-Vs-inserts

Not very happy with the Whiteline inserts myself but maybe I was expecting too much. Looking forward to doing something more, like maybe the Whiteline 2-piece or M3 bushings.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Not very happy with the Whiteline inserts myself but maybe I was expecting too much. Looking forward to doing something more, like maybe the Whiteline 2-piece or M3 bushings.

I'll tell you right now, my vote is always on the white line two piece for a DD/ fun weekend car.

[HyeWarrior]

I did the full M3 rear subframe bushings (a pretty penny), and I honestly barely could tell the difference. It definitely helped, but it wasn't as dramatic as I was expecting



Also, decided to make the drive out to Malibu to go through Mulholland Canyon road this morning (about 80 miles one way). Unfortunately, all the best roads were closed down for construction, boooooooo. Oh well. Did get a little bit of canyon carving in and was happy with how my refreshed suspension did

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by HyeWarrior

Also, decided to make the drive out to Malibu to go through Mulholland Canyon road this morning (about 80 miles one way). Unfortunately, all the best roads were closed down for construction, boooooooo. Oh well. Did get a little bit of canyon carving in and was happy with how my refreshed suspension did

You may not know all the best roads out there, or maybe they truly are all closed now (I moved away about 2 months ago).

Best Roads in my opinion are Piuma, Stunt, Latigo, the west wide of Mulholland (from the campgrounds at PCH up to the fork with Decker),Decker and Schueren, not in that particular order.

Saddle Peak and the downhill on Tuna could be entertaining (mind the brakes).

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by HyeWarrior

I did the full M3 rear subframe bushings (a pretty penny), and I honestly barely could tell the difference. It definitely helped, but it wasn't as dramatic as I was expecting

Kind of happy to hear that as I keep thinking about doing the full bushings but am being cheap. Like xQx noted above, I felt an improvement from the inserts. I think some people notice certain things more and maybe for some their stock bushings are very wore.

I'm always a little surprised that some advise people just getting into suspension mods to do RSFB's before anything else. With the not so good ride and handling with even sport dampers, I'd always start there - especially since it is a relatively cheap and easy diy.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by gjm120

Kind of happy to hear that as I keep thinking about doing the full bushings but am being cheap. Like xQx noted above, I felt an improvement from the inserts. I think some people notice certain things more and maybe for some their stock bushings are very wore.

I'm always a little surprised that some advise people just getting into suspension mods to do RSFB's before anything else. With the not so good ride and handling with even sport dampers, I'd always start there - especially since it is a relatively cheap and easy diy.

You may agree with this, and maybe you were thinking strictly suspensions components, but first mod for handling and suspension should be better tires than OE.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by dtla1

You may agree with this, and maybe you were thinking strictly suspensions components, but first mod for handling and suspension should be better tires than OE.

Agree. I was thinking suspension mods.

[low135]

Got the fronts on. Car doesn't sit as low when airred out but that's okay. It'll work out perfectly with the front lip

[Gray_Panther]

Paint it!

[xQx]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Just wait until you switch from Inserts to actual RSFB replacements, even the two piece Whiteline like I have made a huge difference compared to stock-Vs-inserts

I've got some OEM M3 RSFB's in the shed that I got from someone long ago, but I've shied away from doing the job properly because of the cost or labour in doing them. One day I might end up biting the bullet and either selling them then buying whiteline 2-piece inserts that I can DIY, or paying the ludicrous install fee. That said, M3 control arms, rear tie rods and new shocks are higher on the list.

Originally Posted by Esteban

Not very happy with the Whiteline inserts myself but maybe I was expecting too much. Looking forward to doing something more, like maybe the Whiteline 2-piece or M3 bushings.

I've heard the inserts degrade over time, and was initially fearful they'd be a lot of work for no real benefit - which is why I waited so long to do them. I think my experience was actually accentuated because I'd waited and done everything else, so they were a significant weak link in the whole system. If I'd done them before the turbos and LSD, I doubt I would've noticed much of the difference.

Originally Posted by gjm120

I'm always a little surprised that some advise people just getting into suspension mods to do RSFB's before anything else. With the not so good ride and handling with even sport dampers, I'd always start there - especially since it is a relatively cheap and easy diy.

Guilty as charged I did the LSD before anything else (even before good tires), because I always took the approach 'if I run out of money tomorrow, what's the single most important discretionary upgrade I'd like to have installed.' Tires, Brakes and Shocks can all be done when OEM wears out. RSFB were important, but nowhere near the difference a LSD makes (yes, they're the fraction of the price of a LSD... but M3 RSFB+Install is $1k+ which is a non-trivial cost).

[HyeWarrior]

Originally Posted by xQx

I've got some OEM M3 RSFB's in the shed that I got from someone long ago, but I've shied away from doing the job properly because of the cost or labour in doing them. One day I might end up biting the bullet and either selling them then buying whiteline 2-piece inserts that I can DIY, or paying the ludicrous install fee. That said, M3 control arms, rear tie rods and new shocks are higher on the list.

I've heard the inserts degrade over time, and was initially fearful they'd be a lot of work for no real benefit - which is why I waited so long to do them. I think my experience was actually accentuated because I'd waited and done everything else, so they were a significant weak link in the whole system. If I'd done them before the turbos and LSD, I doubt I would've noticed much of the difference.

Guilty as charged I did the LSD before anything else (even before good tires), because I always took the approach 'if I run out of money tomorrow, what's the single most important discretionary upgrade I'd like to have installed.' Tires, Brakes and Shocks can all be done when OEM wears out. RSFB were important, but nowhere near the difference a LSD makes (yes, they're the fraction of the price of a LSD... but M3 RSFB+Install is $1k+ which is a non-trivial cost).

Makes me feel a tiny bit better for getting charged $600 for install lol. Are M3 rear control arms really that big of an improvement?

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by HyeWarrior

Makes me feel a tiny bit better for getting charged $600 for install lol. Are M3 rear control arms really that big of an improvement?

Have a read at the thread by fe1rx in the suspension stickies. It is the ultimate reference for the subject. I did the guide rods and think I felt an improvement. I say think b/c did it at the same time as the Whiteline inserts so hard to tell which of the 2 did the most. You can find the guide rods at a decent price and it's a not too difficult diy.

[xQx]

Originally Posted by HyeWarrior

Makes me feel a tiny bit better for getting charged $600 for install lol. Are M3 rear control arms really that big of an improvement?

I was talking about Front M3 control arms, not rear.

Rear guide rods... I'm actually not sure what's reality and what's just marketing, but they're supposed to improve traction and handling by keeping the wheels on the ground and straight under heavy loads.

HP Autosport commercial advertisement on this forum

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by xQx

I've heard the inserts degrade over time, and was initially fearful they'd be a lot of work for no real benefit - which is why I waited so long to do them. I think my experience was actually accentuated because I'd waited and done everything else, so they were a significant weak link in the whole system. If I'd done them before the turbos and LSD, I doubt I would've noticed much of the difference.

With the most recent changes I made, I did the inserts by themselves, and really didn't notice much. Soon after, I changed tires from Michelin PSS to the PS4S. Then after that I added Bilstein B8 struts and shocks.

I purposely did the inserts without any other suspension changes so I could determine what kind of a difference they would make. As I said, not much for me but I believe it's subjective, plus probably depends on the condition of your bushings. I had approx 40K miles on mine at the time.

[hunginator]

Originally Posted by Esteban

With the most recent changes I made, I did the inserts by themselves, and really didn't notice much. Soon after, I changed tires from Michelin PSS to the PS4S. Then after that I added Bilstein B6 struts and shocks.

I purposely did the inserts without any other suspension changes so I could determine what kind of a difference they would make. As I said, not much for me but I believe it's subjective, plus probably depends on the condition of your bushings. I had approx 40K miles on mine at the time.

What are your thoughts on the Bilstein’s?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by hunginator

What are your thoughts on the Bilstein's?

Very happy with them. Firm handling but very comfortable compression and rebound dampening. The ride is actually better when going fast over rough roads than when going slow. I recommend the B8s and would probably get them again.

[hunginator]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Very happy with them. Firm handling but very comfortable compression and rebound dampening. The ride is actually better when going fast over rough roads than when going slow. I recommend the B6s and would probably get them again.

That’s good to hear. And what kind of springs did you pair the Bilsteins with?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by hunginator

That’s good to hear. And what kind of springs did you pair the Bilsteins with?

BMW Performance springs.

[low135]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Paint it!

I may paint it next year. This year it will be wrapped as I can't 100% commit to painting it Signal Green. Right now, the two colors I'd consider painting next year are Daytona Violet and San Marino Blue. We'll see

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by low135

I may paint it next year. This year it will be wrapped as I can't 100% commit to painting it Signal Green. Right now, the two colors I'd consider painting next year are Daytona Violet and San Marino Blue. We'll see

My vote between those two would be the San Marino Blue, but check out Santorini Blue as well.