Best suspension for Daily Driver / Backroads Dancer 135i

[tjswarbrick]

I haven't tried anything else yet, but to me stock shocks with aftermarket Springs would be "why bother" - particularly since the shocks are universally regarded as the weak link.
Once bushings are done it should be OK - but the RFT's need to go. Once replaced with quality rubber it becomes too soft.
But if I just needed new shocks Konis would be at the top of my list.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Just reading published reviews of Dinan 1's and 3's, with their springs and special Koni's, and most say the ride has become somewhat "harsh" or "brittle."

For today, it's got me leaning toward a set of CoilOvers.

Same here.
Or Koni....
Or BMWPS

Aarrgg!! So many decisions & factors.

[CRYA]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

I haven't tried anything else yet, but to me stock shocks with aftermarket Springs would be "why bother" - particularly since the shocks are universally regarded as the weak link.
Once bushings are done it should be OK - but the RFT's need to go. Once replaced with quality rubber it becomes too soft.
But if I just needed new shocks Konis would be at the top of my list.

Did I miss it? Weren't you going to hear back from Dinan on springs? If they've not gotten back to you, then that's not great customer service. I hate that. I tried contacting BRR several times through email as well and never heard a word back about my questions. Oh well.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by CRYA

Did I miss it? Weren't you going to hear back from Dinan on springs? If they've not gotten back to you, then that's not great customer service. I hate that. I tried contacting BRR several times through email as well and never heard a word back about my questions. Oh well.

Haven't heard a thing from them, or the folks I ordered their camber plates from 3 days ago (who were only too happy to take my money.)
Luckily I've got time but, no, it really doesn't speak well of them to me.

I think I'll stick with Harold at HPA for my future inquiries and orders. Good service and reasonable response time is worth a couple extra bucks...

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Haven't heard a thing from them, or the folks I ordered their camber plates from 3 days ago (who were only too happy to take my money.)
Luckily I've got time but, no, it really doesn't speak well of them to me.

I think I'll stick with Harold at HPA for my future inquiries and orders. Good service and reasonable response time is worth a couple extra bucks...

This. ^^. Plus I'm happy to pay for knowledge vs. getting some line of bs from someone hired to man the phone and sell product.

[houtan]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

I think I'll stick with Harold at HPA for my future inquiries and orders. Good service and reasonable response time is worth a couple extra bucks...

+2

Harold's level of service is excellent, I am talking Costco good, which is unfortunately a rarity in the aftermarket business. I am scared to go back and look at the number of emails I sent with questions regarding my suspension purchase, but there were a lot, and he answered all of them. More importantly, even post purchase, he still responds to questions I have.

I am not saying he is the only one, as I have confidence purchasing from a few other vendors as well (TC Kline and Mike at X-PH come to mind), but I haven't had as much interaction as with Harold. He is seriously top notch.

[Gangplank]

So...

Recap:
1) Looking to upgrade compliance for daily driving
2) Upgraded handling in spirited driving back roads
3) Workable for occasional track days
4) Won't break the bank (meaning I can charge it on my card and not have the wife tell me to move out. :LOL
5) Not looking for much drop


How about Koni FSD + Swift Spec-R?

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Recap:
1) Looking to upgrade compliance for daily driving
2) Upgraded handling in spirited driving back roads
3) Workable for occasional track days
4) Won't break the bank (meaning I can charge it on my card and not have the wife tell me to move out. :LOL
5) Not looking for much drop


How about Koni FSD + Swift Spec-R?

NO

Yellow or B8.

The least expensive real upgrade you can do is the Bilstein B12.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

So...

Recap:
1) Looking to upgrade compliance for daily driving
2) Upgraded handling in spirited driving back roads
3) Workable for occasional track days
4) Won't break the bank (meaning I can charge it on my card and not have the wife tell me to move out. :LOL
5) Not looking for much drop


How about Koni FSD + Swift Spec-R?

Pretty close to what I'm looking for (in terms of your requirements).

I have eliminated FSDs given there are many diverse reviews saying they do provide decent comfort, but are not quite an improvement on even say MSport when it comes to aggressive/more track oriented work. I'm willing to sacrifice some overall harshness to get better body control etc. I believe the kits we've been talking about generally do a better job with the small bumps but make no mistake will be firmer on larger bumps etc.

Still leaning towards B12 myself....

[swagon]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Pretty close to what I'm looking for (in terms of your requirements).

I have eliminated FSDs given there are many diverse reviews saying they do provide decent comfort, but are not quite an improvement on even say MSport when it comes to aggressive/more track oriented work. I'm willing to sacrifice some overall harshness to get better body control etc. I believe the kits we've been talking about generally do a better job with the small bumps but make no mistake will be firmer on larger bumps etc.

Still leaning towards B12 myself....

True. FSDs do not work for a spirited driver, and even some guys have said that they are just not predictable on the street.

They are also too expensive.

[Gangplank]

What's the drop on the swift spec-r?

I'm trying to avoid lowering too much. Here in Vegas my old e60 would dock it's nose on everything. I don't have that issue w/ the 135i but I'm also not looking have it start happening.

Are B6 and B8 the same ride height but designed for different spring ride heights (i.e. B8s are for lowering springs but the same perch height)??

Could one pair the B6 w/ The BMW perf. springs as option?

Some spring rates from here
BMW M sport = 120/350 lbs/in.
Eibach/Cobb = 148/457.
BMW performance = 160/420.
Swift Spec-R springs = 201/ 503.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

What's the drop on the swift spec-r?

I'm trying to avoid lowering too much. Here in Vegas my old e60 would dock it's nose on everything. I don't have that issue w/ the 135i but I'm also not looking have it start happening.

B6 w/ The BMW perf. springs or Spec-R an option?

One inch all around.

There's a guy with B6 and Swifts on this forum.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by swagon

One inch all around.

There's a guy with B6 and Swifts on this forum.

Found it... ShocknAwe seems to have run B6 and Swift Spec-R. Sounds like you could run either with the Spec. R

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1116635

[houtan]

I run the b8s with the spec rs. The drop is perfect height wise, I have never scraped on anything. Obviously you need to slow down for excessively steep entrance/ exits, but that is no different at stock height. I am also running dinan plates up front so that raises the front a tiny bit, but even without them the height wasn't too low. I should have a couple pictures in my profile garage if you want to see what it looks like.

[k04]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Found it... ShocknAwe seems to have run B6 and Swift Spec-R. Sounds like you could run either with the Spec. R

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1116635

Since we have similar goals and live in vegas, garage day?

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Found it... ShocknAwe seems to have run B6 and Swift Spec-R. Sounds like you could run either with the Spec. R

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1116635

Yup. Billy B6 have been great with the SpecR springs.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by k04

Since we have similar goals and live in vegas, garage day?

Sure. Let's meet up sometime!

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

What's the drop on the swift spec-r?

I'm trying to avoid lowering too much. Here in Vegas my old e60 would dock it's nose on everything. I don't have that issue w/ the 135i but I'm also not looking have it start happening.

Are B6 and B8 the same ride height but designed for different spring ride heights (i.e. B8s are for lowering springs but the same perch height)??

Could one pair the B6 w/ The BMW perf. springs as option?

Some spring rates from here
BMW M sport = 120/350 lbs/in.
Eibach/Cobb = 148/457.
BMW performance = 160/420.
Swift Spec-R springs = 201/ 503.

Thanks for digging those up....it re-affirms my choice in that I will go with B12s. They are a reasonable enough upgrade on the M sport, not quite as strong as Swift spec R. I'm following this line from the same link you posted the rates from:

"I read this article before. Soft springs and strong dampers is what TCK recommends."

I think the BMW PS spring will be a bit "higher" than the B12 Eibachs, and if you added Dinan camber plates that would give you another .25" height lift at the front....paired with B6s or B8s that could be the ticket for you. I was strongly considering one of those combos also, but given I have a 128 and the front end is a bit lighter, the Eibachs in the B12 kit should be just fine for me and I get some comfort from the thought of a "matched" set (even if they are the same as off the shelf b8s and eibachs, I feel like someone smarter than me "tested" them together lol).

[asbrr]

GODAMMIT! They (ajusa.com) won't sell to us Canadians....bloody hell. Will have to pay more elsewhere now for the B12...argh

[CRYA]

Originally Posted by asbrr

GODAMMIT! They (ajusa.com) won't sell to us Canadians....bloody hell. Will have to pay more elsewhere now for the B12...argh

Huh? Why not? They are a Cali company. Shipping I guess?

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by CRYA

Huh? Why not? They are a Cali company. Shipping I guess?

Lol well I tried paying direct with credit card, and had no option to put in a Canadian address for the billing address.

Anyway, PROBLEM SOLVED! Ordered using Paypal....so it's done, now need to get Dinan camber plates along with the RSMs, and RSFB.

Then I will count the days till spring to get these bad boys installed

Can't wait!!!

[JDamian]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Lol well I tried paying direct with credit card, and had no option to put in a Canadian address for the billing address.

Anyway, PROBLEM SOLVED! Ordered using Paypal....so it's done, now need to get Dinan camber plates along with the RSMs, and RSFB.

Then I will count the days till spring to get these bad boys installed

Can't wait!!!

Sweet! That's the exact setup I'm going with. I installed Whiteline KDT918 bushing inserts last week and ordered a set of B-12s, Dinan camber plates, RSM's, and front upper strut mounts and lower rear mounts. I'll be doing the install as soon as I get all my parts. After an alignment I'll be switching from Conti DW's to PSS's.