[rpiopio]

tldr: BMW performance suspension or aftermarket suspension?

Full post:
I've got a 2006 330i. Non-sport package. I'm considering upgrading to the sport suspension since there's a sale and I've got over 100K miles so it might be a good time to replace/upgrade. I like the more aggressive stance but I still like a reasonably comfortable ride which is why I was leaning towards BMW parts, but I'm not 100%.

Is upgrading to BMW sport suspension worth it or should I go aftermarket? Open to suggestion and an good discussion.

Other stats: Ideally, I'd like to
1) reduce the GAP between my tires and wheel well
2) maintain a reasonably comfortable ride. (I'm well aware that upgrading will make it more stiff, but I don't want it REALLY stiff).
3) Try to spend under $2500 including installation.

Possible?

[cvc 22349a]

Forget the bmw sport suspension and get the bmw performance suspension.

[eloo]

Sports suspension is OK. It's definitely of good quality and handling is very good for spirited driving. Mine is at 56,000 miles and I'm replacing in a few weeks for coil overs since there's too much body roll and not as comfortable over uneven roads anymore. When I bought my car at 42,000 I was very pleased with sports suspension. So, basically it comes down to if you want to be able to adjust your setup or if you're just looking for set it and forget it.

[Richwm]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Forget the bmw sport suspension and get the bmw performance suspension.

What he said.

[techwhiz]

KW Suspension????

[rpiopio]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Forget the bmw sport suspension and get the bmw performance suspension.

I should be more careful with my wording. I meant the Performance Suspension throughout my post. What's a comparable setup with non-bmw aftermarket parts and what's the price point/difference?

[rpiopio]

Originally Posted by Richwm

What he said.

I see in your garage that you have the Performance Suspension. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for parts and installation? Did you let BMW do the install or have another shop do it?

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by rpiopio

tldr: BMW performance suspension or aftermarket suspension?

Full post:
I've got a 2006 330i. Non-sport package. I'm considering upgrading to the sport suspension since there's a sale and I've got over 100K miles so it might be a good time to replace/upgrade. I like the more aggressive stance but I still like a reasonably comfortable ride which is why I was leaning towards BMW parts, but I'm not 100%.

Is upgrading to BMW sport suspension worth it or should I go aftermarket? Open to suggestion and an good discussion.

Other stats: Ideally, I'd like to
1) reduce the GAP between my tires and wheel well
2) maintain a reasonably comfortable ride. (I'm well aware that upgrading will make it more stiff, but I don't want it REALLY stiff).
3) Try to spend under $2500 including installation.

Possible?

Absolutely!

BMW Performance is the way to go. The damping is significantly better than ZSP while roll is reduced. If you are going OEM this is the only way to go and well within your budget. Trust me - it is absolutely amazing what BMW engineers did.

However, there is a side-effect. You will notice immediately how soft the rear subframe bushings are when you go over bumps but this will be the case even if you go with the aftermarket suspensions. This proves that the original suspension design had flaws. If you upgrade your suspension and SF bushings you will have a different machine with two personalities. One that doesn't mind being pushed hard and the other one that can chill out and just cruise.

Also, you will get a nice drop while not being slammed, perfect in my opinion.

GL

[nikitino25]

Who has the performance suspension on sale?

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by rpiopio

I should be more careful with my wording. I meant the Performance Suspension throughout my post. What's a comparable setup with non-bmw aftermarket parts and what's the price point/difference?

Comparable would be Dinan S2 susp kit. BMW performance suspension will have better ride quality and comparable handling. You should be able to find it on sale during the holidays and shouldn't pay more than $1300. If you're in the South Bay have Sonic MS in Mtn View do the install and alignment. They've done most of my susp work. Good rates and excellent service.

[jwong77]

+1 on the BMW performance suspension. I have only the Performance springs that I have matched with Koni FSD's and it provides a very smooth ride.

I took this picture of the car not long ago with my setup.

[Richwm]

Originally Posted by rpiopio

I see in your garage that you have the Performance Suspension. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for parts and installation? Did you let BMW do the install or have another shop do it?

I have the old one that was on clearance and the new yellow springs and I paid under $500 for all the parts and did it myself. I love the setup it handels great and way more comfortable than the Bilstien HD's that I had on before. because of production date of my car I also had to replace the strut mounts. Oh and all the parts came from GetBMWParts.com.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by NokTurNaL 330i

However, there is a side-effect. You will notice immediately how soft the rear subframe bushings are when you go over bumps but this will be the case even if you go with the aftermarket suspensions. This proves that the original suspension design had flaws. If you upgrade your suspension and SF bushings you will have a different machine with two personalities. One that doesn't mind being pushed hard and the other one that can chill out and just cruise.

Assume you're aware o'Koni FSD's, designed for your stock springs and at much lower cost. If you go that route, you'll have cash for subframe bushings + M arms, maybe front M sway, greatly improving performance and ride. Prob won't eliminate GAP, but that might be vanity. You'll appreciate disappearance o'pothole explosions.

DIY install saves, big time, well worth the trip. You're already on runflats, yes?

.

[Richwm]

$1,260.00 at getBMWparts.com

https://www.trademotion.com/partloca...gid=4462&tab=1.

[nitehawk]

If you are going aftermarket, I'd suggest the KW Street Comforts. They're not as common as the V series because they only allow for a modest drop of 35mm or less. The V series are not really performance oriented, but rather allow you to slam your car. It won't handle as well on spirited drives. The S/Cs have linear springs, just like OEM, that will be more comfortable and responsive than stock. Being height and damper adjustable, you get more than the BMW performance suspension for nearly the same price. Also, as mentioned above, I would change out the soft subframe bushings since they take away from any suspension tuning you attempt on this platform.

[solishe]

+1 for BMWPS (very well engineered) Should be able to find a reputable Indy shop to do 4 corners, front sway, and alignment for $500-$600 (if alignment shop has a one year or multi year alignment option for a lil more you may want to get it as like others said your mod itch might lead you down the rear subframe bushing and/or M3 bits road).

[nikitino25]

For those of you with the current performance suspension, have you switched to non run-flat tires? I'm thinking about getting the suspension but I want to go with non run flats; would the suspension be too soft since it was probably designed with run flat tires in mind? Or should I not worry about that?

[Jurmz]

I'm not sure how much BMW performance suspension is, but you can get BC Coilovers for $925 shipped, which is easily under your $2500 limit installed.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

For those of you with the current performance suspension, have you switched to non run-flat tires? I'm thinking about getting the suspension but I want to go with non run flats; would the suspension be too soft since it was probably designed with run flat tires in mind? Or should I not worry about that?

I can tell you this... the PS is not designed for runflats based on my butt sensors and track. I am using PS2 RFT to wear out and will replace them next spring with non-rft. You will feel almost every bump with RFTs. Think of the combo as RFT^2.

Assume that you will need to replace subframe bushings at the same time otherwise the rear will not feel connected to the chasis the way it should be. This is how e90 sport should have come from the factory and now we are paying extra to fix it. BMW engineers must have been so annoyed with bean counters and finally they were allowed to deliver.

I am getting Apex ARC-8 9.5 17in square and will run 255/40 tires. Currently PSS does not have this tire but PS2 is available and Porsche use it also. It is non-RFT of course and I think this will complete the setup with M3 subframe bushings, M3 bits, LSD and camber plates. For track this suspesion will shine with the R compund rubber in square set-up. Also, do not use M3 sway bars no matter what most folks on this forum say (personal engineering feedback). If you do all this the transient responses will be completely changed, meaning better control and stability, chasis and steering feeback, etc. - completely different animal.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Assume you're aware o'Koni FSD's, designed for your stock springs and at much lower cost. If you go that route, you'll have cash for subframe bushings + M arms, maybe front M sway, greatly improving performance and ride. Prob won't eliminate GAP, but that might be vanity. You'll appreciate disappearance o'pothole explosions.

DIY install saves, big time, well worth the trip. You're already on runflats, yes?

.

What in the heck are you talking about? I ran FSD's for almost three years and I guarantee you will feel pothole explosions with FSD's.
The BMWPS is a far better handling/damping choice than FSD's with stock springs.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

For those of you with the current performance suspension, have you switched to non run-flat tires? I'm thinking about getting the suspension but I want to go with non run flats; would the suspension be too soft since it was probably designed with run flat tires in mind? Or should I not worry about that?

The BMWPS was engineered by BMW to work with rft's, but it won't be too soft with traditional tires. Your control arm and subframe bushings will be too soft for traditional tires.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

If you are going aftermarket, I'd suggest the KW Street Comforts. They're not as common as the V series because they only allow for a modest drop of 35mm or less. The V series are not really performance oriented, but rather allow you to slam your car. It won't handle as well on spirited drives. The S/Cs have linear springs, just like OEM, that will be more comfortable and responsive than stock. Being height and damper adjustable, you get more than the BMW performance suspension for nearly the same price. Also, as mentioned above, I would change out the soft subframe bushings since they take away from any suspension tuning you attempt on this platform.

+1 Where's that review and pics?