[mob17]

Originally Posted by M535i

I stand corrected but you've done the right thing there as you have a very nice set-up. 320d FSDs, 16 inch alloys and normal tyres my needs are different, daily drive workhorse ease, practicality, comfort and handling. 120d hatch I prefer more for fun because the smaller size just lends better to country lanes. If money was no object I'd get the Ohlins on both. A very nice suspension system they are...

Thanks man. I reckon your set up (suspension/tyres) should be very comfortable indeed

My aim was, and still is, to get the best handling whilst retaining a comfort level that could be associated with quality german cars. The stock doesn't do either!

[jjellyneck]

Originally Posted by M535i

Powerflex inserts are another, as well the powerflex bushes...

How effective are the Powerflex or Whiteline inserts vs. M3 bushings? Maybe 50-70% of the effectiveness?

[mob17]

Been driving another car recently, a Vauxhall Corsa. Wow you really feel how much of a difference there is in the suspension. Its soo unstable its ridiculous.

Dont worry still have my 335

Can't wait for M Factory to release a 2.81 LSD for our UK 335Ds.

hey mob, can you tell your decision for ohlins and not koni fsd? i am looking for more comfort,,,i don't need any more harshness or stiffness....bad roads where I live...

[Phil325i]

I'll just chip in here (as an Ohlins user). If all you're looking for is a softer ride, then FSDs should do it for you. If you want improved ride AND: better handling; less roll; less dive under braking etc...then Ohlins is for you (assuming you can cope with the asking price!).

how much did u pay?

[mob17]

Originally Posted by Martin80k

hey mob, can you tell your decision for ohlins and not koni fsd? i am looking for more comfort,,,i don't need any more harshness or stiffness....bad roads where I live...

As Phil says Ohlins are much more performance orientated. Its a bit unfair to compare Koni FSDs (shocks) to Ohlins (fully adjustable coilovers). Obviously Ohlins are better but it may be a waste of money for your needs.

I got the Ohlins for 1700 GBP, so certainly not a fair comparison to Konis! A fairer comparison would be coilovers like Bilstein, KW etc.

If all you're looking for is comfort i would tend to agree with Phil.

[kimoboy]

Where did you buy the Ohlins.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by kimoboy

Where did you buy the Ohlins.

I bought them from a UK vendor.

I will be upgrading the rear springs to swifts 672 lb/in in the next couple of weeks. If you are planning on serious power and stiffening the car, then the standard ohlins are too soft!

HP Autowerks sell the kit with swifts custom springs so it could be a good saving.

[anielsen71]

Hmmm I got a friend with a E92 335i with Öhlins road and track, who pushes over 550hp.
He's got no trouble with the std springs from Öhlins....took out a 600hp RS4, 680hp RS6 and went equal with an R8 V10....so no problem with those....

[mob17]

Originally Posted by anielsen71

Hmmm I got a friend with a E92 335i with hlins road and track, who pushes over 550hp.
He's got no trouble with the std springs from hlins....took out a 600hp RS4, 680hp RS6 and went equal with an R8 V10....so no problem with those....

I guess its more of a personal preference. There's a member called Alpina_b3_lux who basically lives on the Nurburgring and he also says rear stock ohlins are fine.

But for me i would like a bit more of a spring rate. I'm planning to do subframe bushings and most people say its best to up the spring rate when doing the bushings.

Also currently if get two adults in the back with a bootfull of luggage, then the rear drops nearly 30mm! When this happens i get very slight rubbing on the rear tires (275/30/19 on 10j et35) on big dips on the highway. Don't really want to raise the rear as with no weight it's pretty much where i want it height wise.

If i had the 672lb/in swifts, the same weight would give an approx drop of 17mm.

[Phil325i]

mob - a minor wheelarch roll of the last 2-3" at the rear of the arch will solve your rear rubbing issues (did for me anyway).

[mob17]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

mob - a minor wheelarch roll of the last 2-3" at the rear of the arch will solve your rear rubbing issues (did for me anyway).

Thanks Phil, i'll try and remember that if i still have rubbing issues after the new rear springs go in. To be honest i only get slight rubbing when the car has some weight in the back.

[nikitino25]

Originally Posted by mob17

I bought them from a UK vendor.

I will be upgrading the rear springs to swifts 672 lb/in in the next couple of weeks. If you are planning on serious power and stiffening the car, then the standard ohlins are too soft!

HP Autowerks sell the kit with swifts custom springs so it could be a good saving.

Hey did you upgrade to the stiffer rears springs yet? If so, how do you like them. I'm considering some stiffer springs myself with the Ohlins

[mob17]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

Hey did you upgrade to the stiffer rears springs yet? If so, how do you like them. I'm considering some stiffer springs myself with the Ohlins

I literally just ordered the 9" 65mm ID 672lb/in swifts from HP Autowerks for the rear 5 minutes ago i've left the front stock Ohlins - 343lb/in. Read somewhere that on Ohlins its good to have rear spring rate twice as high as the front.

I'm sure it will improve the rear rigidity as well as rubbing issues.

[nikitino25]

Originally Posted by mob17

I literally just ordered the 9" 65mm ID 672lb/in swifts from HP Autowerks for the rear 5 minutes ago i've left the front stock Ohlins - 343lb/in. Read somewhere that on Ohlins its good to have rear spring rate twice as high as the front.

I'm sure it will improve the rear rigidity as well as rubbing issues.

I may end up going this route also. By the way Harold at HP auto said he could get me some plastic spring pads and thrust bearings for the rear so the spring doesn't have to just sit in the control arm with no buffer and metal to metal; you might consider those, I think he said would be just like $25 per side or something.....

[mob17]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

I may end up going this route also. By the way Harold at HP auto said he could get me some plastic spring pads and thrust bearings for the rear so the spring doesn't have to just sit in the control arm with no buffer and metal to metal; you might consider those, I think he said would be just like $25 per side or something.....

Yeah i fitted those when first installed. Can't say if its worth it as i can't tell the difference but for $25 per axle its a good bet

[nikitino25]

Be sure and let us know how you like the new springs. I'm hoping that they will cut down on some rear squat I'm getting on acceleration and tighten things up overall...

[mob17]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

Be sure and let us know how you like the new springs. I'm hoping that they will cut down on some rear squat I'm getting on acceleration and tighten things up overall...

Will do. Hoping to get them fitted in a few weeks.

I didn't really get rear squat at stock power, but now at 420bhp i can feel the rear squatting. At WOT even in a straight line i can feel the rear moving towards the side.

So i'm also planning to get solid aluminium subframe bushes in a month or so. Just going to see how the springs do first. If the symptoms still continue then its onto diff bushes.

your car would really benefit from front aero spoiler lip....now looks kind of vague...
rear spoiler is good. where did you buy? how much? the same for m3 sides...how much where?

[mob17]

Originally Posted by Martin80k

your car would really benefit from front aero spoiler lip....now looks kind of vague...
rear spoiler is good. where did you buy? how much? the same for m3 sides...how much where?

100% agree really didn't like the front end. The pics on this thread are old. I now have an m sport bumper with fog delete and new wheels, pics on the other ecotune thread.

I bought the M3 style lip off eBay. Suprisingly good colour match and quality. M3 style side skirts were from M Style.

Do you have any stiffer bushings on the rear?

[fazman]

So I contacted Ohlins about this R&T suspension... they don't make anything for the XI (because nothing is available for the front's on the XI's).