[DefBringer]

Hello all,

After 8 months of ownership I've decided that my '07 E92 335i Sport pkg is a little too soft and "luxo-barge" for my tastes.

Here are my goals:
-noticeably improve steering response
-reduce body roll and squatting/diving upon acceleration and braking
-make the car feel more planted at 70+mph
-a noticeable drop, reducing fender gap
-maintain BMW warranty and not hurting resale of my car

After lurking in this forum for months I've decided it is time to act. It seems that the BMW Performance Suspension Kit ($1175) and the "M3 Front Control Arm/Tension Strut Retrofit Set" ($405) from Tischer might suit my needs. Stressdoc's dealership, which is less than 2 hours from me, supposedly did this work and more for less than $1000.

My question to you folks is this: for the goals that I have in mind, is this a good solution? Are there any additional parts from the Tischer M3 kit (see here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230234) that are necessary for me to reach these goals?

If it matters, I am completely stock at this point with the 18" stockers and summer tires.

Thank you kindly for any advice!

[DefBringer]

OH, and I do want to add:

If there is a better setup for me, please suggest...I'm all ears.

[Javi335]

I can tell that mods are enough but (from what i read a lot) the rear subframe bushes improves and helps a lot to complement each other pieces for your whole final goals.

By the way, if you gonna replace stocks suspensions is a good chance to doing the sways , the price on time labour will be almost the same since tough.

pd: im not any guru, just tryng to help

[Blue Liquid]

Great thread. Is it the case that the BMW Performance Suspension Kit and the M3 Front Control Arm/Tension Strut Retrofit Set work well enough together without any odd issues, i.e. we're not missing some key component or other M3 part that makes it all 'work'? This sounds like an awesome setup and one I'd love to emulate myself. I really like the idea of a suspension setup designed and tested by BMW. They've done their homework and I feel good about that, as opposed to some of the aftermarket options.

[stressdoc]

Ideally you want a complete system, including all bushings, so that there are no 'weak links' that are exacerbated by stiffening up some components but not others.

Unfortunately BMW performance does not offer a 'serious' suspension package. The springs and dampers in the kit are definitely a big improvement over stock ZSP. That said, it is still a long way from matching complete packages such as those offered by HP Autowerks, GSC, and other aftermarket specialists.

Remember that a priority for BMWs in europe is autobahn cruising. And all the hassles of TUV certification. So BMW Perf really has its hands tied. Hence it is up to the entrepreneur to put together a system. This is no simple task. Suspensions are incredibly complex systems. Muck with one variable and it affects everything else. I cringe reading posts about installing lowering spring kits.

So it takes a long bit of tinkering and experimenting to get systems that work. Mind you, suspensions are not a 'one-size-fits-all' deal either. My priorities (and driving style) are unique, as are yours.

That said, there are some basics that most of us can start with. First are the excellent M3 pieces (control arms, sub-frame bushings, etc.). Second are damper & spring kits, some with thrust sheets and adjustable camber plates. Third are wheel and tire sets. Fourth is weight loss. And fifth (last but not least) is a LSD.

IMO if you want to do it right you need to plan all five of these basics. It can be a bit daunting financially. And you are unlikely to recover any mod costs at resale unless you swap back to stock and sell the used mod parts. BMW perf and M3 parts are a safer bet in this regard.

[DefBringer]

Thank you for the input.

I should probably say that my car *will not* see a track or any kind of competitive driving. I am simply looking for a way to make my car more enjoyable to drive...BUT...I am not interested in spending ~$3000 for modifications that are not completely noticeable and can be felt each and every day.

Is the BMW Performance Kit + M3 Control Arms such a mild change from the normal E92 ZSP experience that I should not even bother?

Thanks!!

[Blk07335i]

I would skip the BMW performance kit since I don't think it's that much of an improvement from the sport suspension. I would go for the M3 pieces which you can get all at once for $1700 from Tischer or HP autowerks, light weight wheels (<19 lbs) and either the Koni yellow+H&R sport combo or try to find a used set of KW coilovers or similar that somebody is selling on the board. If you go that route I guarantee you'll notice the difference and you'll have some adjustability.

[Lobaeux]

Hmm, this is different than I thought. I have the 09 E92 M Sport, is the suggestion NOT to get the BMW Performance Suspension and just go with the M3 kit from Tisher?
I don't have a track nearby, so track days probably won't be an issue, but I'd love to start some mild autocrossing. Plus, there's a wee bit too much body roll for me.
I'm not a big fan of putting some KWs or FKs on, I'd like to stay OEM as much as possible.

[Blue Liquid]

Originally Posted by Blk07335i

I would skip the BMW performance kit since I don't think it's that much of an improvement from the sport suspension.

I'm curious as to whether this is a subjective observation or if you actually run the BMW Performance Suspension and feel as though it wasn't worth doing? Please clarify if this is simply opinion without real-world experience with the suspension or if you've actually driven it.

[stressdoc]

The BMW Perf springs are about 25% stiffer, dampers/shocks more than that. Ride height lowered about 10-15mm. The difference from ZSP to Perf is roughly equivalent to that between standard and ZSP (sports).

I bought the old Perf kit, and got a 14mm rear sway. The parts cost was under 1k. At that price it was an excellent improvement for the $. Ideal for a daily driver. No hassles, keep warranty. Rear sway is a PITA to install, so not recommended unless you are doing subframe mounts and/or LSD.

I think you could do as well with some Koni yellows or Bilsteins etc. with Swift springs.

In order of bang for buck:
1. M3 front control arms, springs & dampers (BMW perf is easier for resale), alignment = about $1.5k
2. More M3 parts
3. subframe mounts & M3 sway bars
4. Better springs and dampers than #2, e.g., HPA AST system.

[stressdoc]

For me it (BMW perf suspension kit) was a big difference that I feel and appreciate every day. I'll send an email next time I'm in KC and you can take my car for a ride to see how it handles. That said a high end AST system is much better still, but IMO needs the full boat of other mods too.

Originally Posted by DefBringer

Thank you for the input.

I should probably say that my car *will not* see a track or any kind of competitive driving. I am simply looking for a way to make my car more enjoyable to drive...BUT...I am not interested in spending ~$3000 for modifications that are not completely noticeable and can be felt each and every day.

Is the BMW Performance Kit + M3 Control Arms such a mild change from the normal E92 ZSP experience that I should not even bother?

Thanks!!