[fazman]

hi all,

so i have an FBO 335xi daily driver street car. the suspension is the stock sport suspension which recently had my driver front shock blow out and start leaking fluid. My approach to repairs are, they are an opportunity to improve by upgrading. the car just clicked over 100k miles and i plan to keep it. I don't plan on tracking the car, just want a nice street car. I'm not looking to lower the car either, more like i want a nice suspension which has MORE travel because this car has always felt like i was driving on the bump stops and it would be teeth jaring on even the slightest uneven roads. I have already switch out the stock 17" RFT's --> style 162 18" staggard go flat tires.

my question is, if you had a huge budget and wanted to upgrade the suspension on this XI, what would be the best selection in your opinions. So far i have been thinking about going with KW v3's (highest ride hight which would still be a little lower than my stock sport suspension ride height) and m3 control arms. But what other choices are out there and while the car is apart... what else is worth while doing assuming u have a large budget for the project?

thanks in advance for the input. for what its worth, i'll also be flushing all the driveline fluids at this same time as well (front/rear diff's, transfer case, 6AT fluid/pan/filter/mechatronic sleeve).

[gtaccord]

V3s are a good choice. M3 control arms are only available/will only fit in the rear but at 100k miles they are probably due. Maybe look at replacing the front arms/bushings as well with stock replacement items. Maybe think about upgraded subframe bushings (m3 or powerflex). Once again, at 100k yours are probably shot and they weren't that good to begin with. That's about it unless you start looking at upgraded sways.

[cdgatti]

at 100K I wouldn't put too much money into it. I would recommend keeping your stock springs and adding Bilstein B6 (the yellow HD units) struts and shocks. Will improve ride and handling while making you not fear potholes any more.

[fazman]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

at 100K I wouldn't put too much money into it. I would recommend keeping your stock springs and adding Bilstein B6 (the yellow HD units) struts and shocks. Will improve ride and handling while making you not fear potholes any more.

let me put it this way, i've never sold a vehicle in my life... i hang on to my rides.

'92 eclipse gsx 250k miles (nothing is stock)
'04 frontier xe v6 long bed crew cab 5-speed with 105k miles
'08 335xi 103k miles
soon to add 2015 sienna limited premium awd
a year or two i plan to get a cpo tesla

but i will research the bilstein's to see how others feel about them. I'm more of a go all out kinda guy. when i first modded the 335xi, i did a Jb4 first and 5k miles after that i did a one shot to FBO, spark plugs, OCC, and Carbon blasting

[fazman]

so here are some other manufacturers i noticed in the higher end:
1) Ohlins
2) JRZ
3) TCK
4) KW

I'm okay with spending about $2k for refreshing worn out stuff and another $2k for the coilovers and buffer of about $2k for misc. but in the end i don't want to have to think about suspension for another 100k miles and i want to get rid of that stupid lack of travel in the front suspension. I care about performance but i don't ever intend to track the car... but i still want an awesome setup so should i ever sell the car and the next guy would like to do that... the option is available. i personally never part out my cars.

[335xs2dinan]

You may also want to consider Koni Yellow shocks/struts. Durable, street comfortable and will be a nice performance upgrade that you can pair with your spring of choice like ZSP (i springs), Eibach, Dinan, etc. They are also single adjustable and currently on sale through multiple vendors on here.

[fazman]

Originally Posted by 335xs2dinan

You may also want to consider Koni Yellow shocks/struts. Durable, street comfortable and will be a nice performance upgrade that you can pair with your spring of choice like ZSP (i springs), Eibach, Dinan, etc. They are also single adjustable and currently on sale through multiple vendors on here.

thats another good choice, thank you. My understanding has always been that coilovers are better than a shock/spring combo because they usually offer more choices/adjustments on compression/rebound/ride height plus they are easier to repair? this is not me making a statement, its a question...

[335xs2dinan]

Coilovers are great but those types of setups were created for those who want to track and/or get a nice drop. You may want to ride in someone s car nearby you to get an idea as everyone perceives/describes things differently. I thought some of the same things as you wrote when I planned my suspension upgrades and went with KWV3 but now have koni/springs/sway bars and am happier. I wouldn't discount the setup just bc of the idea that c/o are automatically better. I found them not to be better for my needs as a spirited daily driver.

[stashtrey]

I've got KW v3 and some vorshlag plates up front. Totally beyond happy with this setup. Previous was koni with H&R sport springs and hated the rake and dump look in the back... grabbed some swift rear springs and HPA ride height adjusters with spring bearings and thrust sheets. That allowed me to level out the rear to proper height. That was a solid setup to be honest.

V3 = dialed with great adjustability. I cut holes in the rear inner fender/carpet using the rubber grommets and can adjust rebound in a matter of 5 minutes.

Tip for any KW owners... If you have trouble adjusting the rear height due to the spring and perch spinning... grab a channel lock style oil filter wrench.. It fits the base perche perfectly allowing you to use the spanner to turn the collar. Easy as pie.

Good luck OP!

[335xs2dinan]

Agree w stashtrey, the koni + springs combo will leave you with a bigger fender/wheel gap up front than in the rear. One of the few things I don't like about the setup.

[snaimpally]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=suspension
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=suspension
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=suspension
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=suspension
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=suspension



The major upgrades are usually (i) KW V1, V2, or V3 or (ii) Bilstein B12 Pro kit along with M3 suspension bits - one or more of control arms, bushings, sway bars, etc.

[fazman]

thanks all for this information... I have some research to do so I can come back and ask more intelligent questions on this before I start spending money.

[JC335xi]

Originally Posted by fazman

thanks all for this information... I have some research to do so I can come back and ask more intelligent questions on this before I start spending money.

I don't think some of the folks posting noticed you have an xi. Many of the recommendations above will not work for you. Head over to the Xi/xDrive section for some more targeted advice.

Check here for some details on compatibility
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251639

[fazman]

Originally Posted by JC335xi

I don't think some of the folks posting noticed you have an xi. Many of the recommendations above will not work for you. Head over to the Xi/xDrive section for some more targeted advice.

Check here for some details on compatibility
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251639

Awesome... thanks