[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by Chowbow

I'm still kind of lost on the differences between the old and new kit, and the $300 price difference. Seems like the old kit had a rear sway bar, new has the front sway bar and springs which let the car sit a bit lower... That seems like a big price hike for slight changes... Good to hear that you like it though!

Old Tischer kit: BMW Perf dampers (shocks & struts + all hardware), Perf springs, 14 mm M-sport rear sway bar. $980

New BMW Perf kit: BMW Perf dampers (shocks & struts + all hardware), Perf springs, 26.5 mm front sway bar. $1275

Bottom line is BMW Performance raised the price -- could be that the dampers are upgraded (part #s NA so we can't check this). The springs are the same, so the ride height is probably the same. I would be surprised if BMW would make ride height any lower than what I have. Part of the confusion comes from the fact that the 'old' BMW Performance kit was just dampers ($655) but Tischer had the good sense to package them with the Perf springs & optional 14mm rear sway for a total package price of $980.

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by LaYzEe

i got one more question doc...

this car is my daily driver. i work in san francisco so i got the crappy ass streets to deal with. i do canyon runs once in awhile, depending on weather, ive never done auto x or gone on the track (although i would like to! )

so my question is, do i need the rear subframe bushings? i mean if its really a PITA to get it installed and i wont push my car to the limit, no need right? all i really want is a tighter, firmer suspension, more planted on turnings, less body roll, and a mild drop.

I think that the prudent choice is to get either the BMW Perf kit ($1275) or Bilstein PSS10 / kw V2 coilovers ($1450) or Koni fsd + springs ($850). Koni fsd will provide a cushier ride. At the same time I would install the M3 front control arms & wishbones to provide more negative camber. If you have good mechanical skills (and/or a good friend that does) this is a long hard DIY if you want to save $. But there are pitfalls. You must get the car aligned after. A shop could do the work for $500-750. Also get light forged rims and extreme performance non-rfts.

That is an excellent start on a quality suspension. That is about 90% of what you can get without a LSD. If you get a LSD I think it's worth tightening up the rear and investing in the rear sway bar change, subframe bushings, guide rods & wishbones.

And then, now that the whole suspension is much firmer, beefing up the chassis is the next step.

Orb has some suggested stages that are useful too.

[vgame64]

Amazing work and thanks for the writeup; it is already helping me in what I need to buy.
Sounds like a V3 coupled with your suspension/wheel/lsd setup would hurt an M3's ego.

[stressdoc]

Not concerned about M3 egos. I am just happy driving my car, plain and simple.

[stressdoc]

A lot of stuff! A key advantage of the BMW Performance kit is that everything is there, it is a complete system. For example, all the little mounts and bases for the dampers and springs are included, and engineered as a system. Soft rubber parts like shock mounts are replaced with firm rubber parts.

The stiffness of the BMW Perf kit synchs well with the M3 parts and the stiff bushings on them. The 335 bushings have webbed soft rubber, whereas the M3 bushings are solid firm rubber -- see pic of 335 subframe mounts.

With the combination of the BMW Perf kit and the M3 parts, there are no weak links. All the connections are stiff and all are more or less equal.

[stressdoc]

Above are pics to show ride height. Note that this is with near empty gas and windshield fluid. Not much settling yet, just a day after. I expect it will end up a few mm lower. The springs w/mounts were about 40mm shorter, but because they are stiffer the drop is much less. Hard to figure a good way to measure fender gap. I described it as a finger; but you can see from the pics that you can squeeze a paint stirrer in, although it does angle down off the tire. As best as I could measure, it is 22mm in the rear and 23mm in front. About 13.3" from center of hub. I didn't take the time to try and level everything.

The alignment ended up at - 0.8 camber in the front.

[Chowbow]

Stressdoc,

Maybe provide a measurement from center of wheel to top of fender? This would be a pretty good measurement of how much lower the springs are vs. stock. I believe stock is 14.0"F and 13.8"R. The bushings and everything should settle in within a couple days and ride height would remain pretty constant from there on out.

[Mr. 5]

I hate to be anal but could you make the pictures bigger?
They're so small!!

[Houman21]

Wow - more stuff I can't buy right now
Thanks for the very informative write-up!

[laxwmatt]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

A lot of stuff! A key advantage of the BMW Performance kit is that everything is there, it is a complete system. For example, all the little mounts and bases for the dampers and springs are included, and engineered as a system. Soft rubber parts like shock mounts are replaced with firm rubber parts.

The stiffness of the BMW Perf kit synchs well with the M3 parts and the stiff bushings on them. The 335 bushings have webbed soft rubber, whereas the M3 bushings are solid firm rubber -- see pic of 335 subframe mounts.

With the combination of the BMW Perf kit and the M3 parts, there are no weak links. All the connections are stiff and all are more or less equal.

what wheels are those? they look fantastic.

[Fraggy]

Doc,
Glad you are so happy with your setup. Good job showing patience and waiting to do it all at once, I dont have that patience.

So for now, I have the performance springs and dampers. M3 front and rear sways are on the way, with front tension rods after that. And if I really want to try it out, maybe rear subframe bushings, but Im worried it will be too harsh based on one guys experience.

Sadly, I cant have (and probably dont want) and full on sports car. But if I can improve the 335 that will be great.

Please keep us posted as you get more and more miles on it The suspension does change. You remember how much I hated the performance at the beginning, but it has improved and now I love it.

[fast_lap28]

just one question, and sorry if this was covered in another thread...but these upgrades are they available for the E92 as well as E90? reason cause I have the ZSP E92

[scottp999]

Originally Posted by fast_lap28

just one question, and sorry if this was covered in another thread...but these upgrades are they available for the E92 as well as E90? reason cause I have the ZSP E92

Performance Suspension defintley available for E92 through tischer:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230208

M3 suspension parts, look like for all e9x: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230234

[mikeokimster]

Damn, this is perfect, but looks like with all the goodies the overall cost would equate to: ~$2800 + labor

[stressdoc]

Not quite that bad. The new BMW Perf kit = $1275 (I used old kit $980). M3 parts = $1220. Labor < 1k.

The way the car handles now? Priceless.

This is a most reasonable option when car is brand new and you can sell parts, or when you have enough miles that a suspension replacement is needed.

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

The new BMW Perf kit = $1275 (I used old kit $980). M3 parts = $1220. Labor < 1k.

The way the car handles now? Priceless.

This is a most reasonable option when car is brand new and you can sell parts, or when you have enough miles that a suspension replacement is needed.

I was a bit saddened when I drove my buddies EVOX around the block. The stock ZSP E92 handles great, but I may have to look into this route.

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by Amir87

I have a question regarding warranty,

Does a BMW dealer have to install it for the BMW Performance Suspension warranty to be intact? Or can you get a third party (or yourself) to install it, and if there's any problems( shocks blow out, etc) would BMWNA cover it?

I believe the parts would be covered, but the labor would not.

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I believe the parts would be covered, but the labor would not.

I am not sure how BMW is about performance suspension parts. For the other performance parts, it maintains the full factory warranty if these components are installed at the time of signing. Otherwise, they will retain a 2 yr/unlimited mile warranty for the parts.

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by mikeokimster

I am not sure how BMW is about performance suspension parts. For the other performance parts, it maintains the full factory warranty if these components are installed at the time of signing. Otherwise, they will retain a 2 yr/unlimited mile warranty for the parts.

I believe that is correct.

[LaYzEe]

damn, im still deciding...should i just install everything at once? or leave the rear bushings out of it?

i did more reading and it does look like the bushings really help alot! what to do what to do

[Chowbow]

Originally Posted by LaYzEe

damn, im still deciding...should i just install everything at once? or leave the rear bushings out of it?

i did more reading and it does look like the bushings really help alot! what to do what to do

IMO, be patient and do it all at once. You save in the long run.

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by Chowbow

IMO, be patient and do it all at once. You save in the long run.

Oh yea, I cant tell you how many alignments Ive had to do LOL