New shocks....or more?

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

I'd keep your stock springs and go with Koni Special Active shocks, especially since you're happy with your ride height. Definitely do a refresh of the mounting components; front strut mounts, rear upper and lower shock mounts, bump stops, and shock boots.

The BMW Performance springs are great, but I think they're NLA now, so sourcing them will be exceedingly difficult.

If you do a spring/shock combo, I liked my Koni Sport shocks with Eibach Pro Kit springs.

I think the springs can be found. GetBMWParts probably still has them. Finding the complete BMWP suspension is a different matter. Like I mentioned earlier, they are a bit pricey. Nearly $400 for all four.

[blue135]

I just recently went with Koni Special Actives (and the ECS kit) with stock springs at 71k. Ride is smoother (as to be expected with new). Ride Height is obviously the same, and handling is slightly better but the leap in handling is not what one should expect with Koni yellows (had them on E28).
One weird thing, though. I have an 2" x 3" area on oil cooler cover where right front wheel rubs (225s on 313s) when turned hard to left. Enough rub to keep plastic clean, but at this point does not seem to be wearing.

[6ixSpd]

I'm roughly at the same mileage as OP and considering an overhaul of my suspension as it feels the ride quality has degraded over the last 10k.

I have a set of eibach pro kit springs, and a pair of both Bilstein B8 fronts and Koni yello fronts from a previous car. Seeing as my car is strictly street driven, ride quality and comfort are my priority. Debating selling the shocks and going with Koni FSD if they're even smoother than OE.

asbrr Do you have a photo of your car showing the ride height? I have Dinan camber plates sitting around as well, curious how they pair with the Eibachs. I hate the rake all spring set ups give the E82, so if I could raise the front to match the rear gap better, that'd be great.

[blue135]

6ix
Hard question to answer. Ride with Koni Special Active is definitely better than the day before they went on. That was at 72k. Hard to remember/compare ride when I got car at 50k. Think most people would have tough time objectively answering question from when new to when replaced - too long a time gap.
I am happy with Special Active.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

I'm roughly at the same mileage as OP and considering an overhaul of my suspension as it feels the ride quality has degraded over the last 10k.

I have a set of eibach pro kit springs, and a pair of both Bilstein B8 fronts and Koni yello fronts from a previous car. Seeing as my car is strictly street driven, ride quality and comfort are my priority. Debating selling the shocks and going with Koni FSD if they're even smoother than OE.

asbrr Do you have a photo of your car showing the ride height? I have Dinan camber plates sitting around as well, curious how they pair with the Eibachs. I hate the rake all spring set ups give the E82, so if I could raise the front to match the rear gap better, that'd be great.

The Dinan plates have given the car a perfect/flat stance in my setup - I too hate the rake. Here's a couple of pics taken in October, the car has stock wheels/tire sizes with 10mm spacers rear and 12.5mm front, with -2 degrees camber both front and rear.

Note that the 135i is a tad heavier in the front so rake is probably more of a concern for you than a 128i. I think fresh strut mounts at the front with Dinan plates will make it perfectly level for you.

EDIT: Sorry forgot to mention the driveway is not perfectly flat, the rear may look like it has more wheel gap but on a fully flat surface it's very even front to back.

[6ixSpd]

Interesting! Thanks for posting the pic. That ride height is virtually identical to mine as it sits right now on stock M-Sport suspension. Wondering if I should even bother with the Eibach springs then. I really only want the rear to come down a smidge.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

Interesting! Thanks for posting the pic. That ride height is virtually identical to mine as it sits right now on stock M-Sport suspension. Wondering if I should even bother with the Eibach springs then. I really only want the rear to come down a smidge.

Np. Had a friend with the B12 kit on a 135i but without the Dinan plates, he did have a slight rake with the front being lower. I'm not sure how old your springs/suspension are (strut mounts compress over time at the front), the B12 kit dropped my car approximately 10-15mm from stock M-Sport. That was at 88K Kms mileage for the stock M-sport. I'd say it's 5mm lower than the yellow BMW performance springs on average....

It's definitely a drop from M-sport, not the biggest compared to other springs like Swift Spec R or H&R Race (horrible rake with those).