[Eric_M328i]

Hey everyone,

I changed the wheels on my 2008 328 (102,000) a few months back. Someone I knew was parting out an E90 335d with some nice OEM wheels and I couldnt pass up. No regrets there at alll. Anyway after I put the new wheels on I noticed a bumpier ride so I figured I need my wheels balanced. So I got that done and it felt better for a while. Recently I have noticed the ride is very bumpy on most roads and its terrible on the shitty highway. At first I suspected shocks cause of mileage but I'm thinking its the tires cause the shocks perform as expected over bumps and dips. There is just a lot of vibration overall in the ride. What do you guys think? Current tires are Pirelli P Zeros RF. Anyone also have experience with these? Tire recommendations and Any help or advice is appreciated.

[desertman123]

I have P Zero non runflats and theyre on the noisier and harsher side, so I can't imagine how the RFTs are.

Also at 10 yr/102k mi you could make the argument shocks are tired, bushings are toast and bearings are worn. Might be time.

[grovedale]

You did not mention if you changed wheel size, going from 18" to 19" could give you a noticeable change in ride quality.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by grovedale

You did not mention if you changed wheel size, going from 18" to 19" could give you a noticeable change in ride quality.

+1

Did you increase the size of the wheels? That combined with run flats could make for a harsher ride.

[NiNeTyOne]

The stock dampers were likely shagged 50,000 miles ago. I haven't seen an OE damper that lasted much beyond 35k with anywhere near the original damping performance. Even quality dampers are usually due for a rebuild every 30-40k.

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by desertman123

I have P Zero non runflats and theyre on the noisier and harsher side, so I can't imagine how the RFTs are.

Also at 10 yr/102k mi you could make the argument shocks are tired, bushings are toast and bearings are worn. Might be time.

Hmm I see that does sound about right. The only suspension related component iv replaced are the front control arms. I know theres a million posts but what shocks do you recommend?

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by grovedale

You did not mention if you changed wheel size, going from 18" to 19" could give you a noticeable change in ride quality.

Oh my bad Iforgot to mention I went from 16's to 17's. Could that really make the ride this much harsher?

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

The stock dampers were likely shagged 50,000 miles ago. I haven't seen an OE damper that lasted much beyond 35k with anywhere near the original damping performance. Even quality dampers are usually due for a rebuild every 30-40k.

Yep Im beginning to think that too. What do you recommend for a replacement?

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

+1

Did you increase the size of the wheels? That combined with run flats could make for a harsher ride.

Yep Forgot to mention Increased it from 16 to 17

[itsmagic]

FWIW I removed my runflats, put four conventional tires on and placed a doughnut and jack kit in the trunk (Yes, it does take up a lot of space in the trunk, but worth it). I have never looked back... much much smoother ride and not nearly as expensive when I need a new tire.

[Alloyed]

Originally Posted by Eric_M328i

Yep Forgot to mention Increased it from 16 to 17

This. If you have the same roll-out as before, a larger wheel means less rubber surrounding it, which means less cushion. Your car will feel "sharper" handling wise, but you will also feel more of whatever bumps are in the road.

I have RFTs (Yokohama) on 17" wheels on my 335i xDrive and the ride is definitely on the stiffer (and louder) side compared to cars I have driven with non RFTs.

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by Alloyed

This. If you have the same roll-out as before, a larger wheel means less rubber surrounding it, which means less cushion. Your car will feel "sharper" handling wise, but you will also feel more of whatever bumps are in the road.

I have RFTs (Yokohama) on 17" wheels on my 335i xDrive and the ride is definitely on the stiffer (and louder) side compared to cars I have driven with non RFTs.

I see. So just going from 16s to 17s could make the huge difference in the ride? Also My old Tires that were runflats were not that bad compared to these

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Eric_M328i

Yep Im beginning to think that too. What do you recommend for a replacement?

I like my FSD's a lot. If you have RWD, Ohlins DFV's are the best you can get for under $4500. PSI has them for <$1800 with Eibach ERS springs.

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

I like my FSD's a lot. If you have RWD, Ohlins DFV's are the best you can get for under $4500. PSI has them for <$1800 with Eibach ERS springs.

Thanks man I looked it up and the build quality of that ohlins kit looks amazing. Im not looking for anything crazy tho. Im considering the the Bilstein B6 performance ones or the FSDs you have

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Eric_M328i

Thanks man I looked it up and the build quality of that kit looks amazing. Im not looking for anything crazy tho. Im considering the the Bilstein B6 performance ones

The B6 is a 40 year old damper design and I'd just do FSD's if you want good daily dampers. The FSD's were designed in cooperation with MacLaren's F1 program in the UK, and it's a very good design. They do better with a spring like the Eibach Pro kit, but honestly, they are good with the OE springs as well.

With 20 years in motorsports I can tell you that there's very little coming out of Bilstein I've been impressed with. Sure, they are firm, but that has nothing to do with actually improving handling performance.

As far as I'm concerned, there are only 3-4 players who make a product worth paying for. Ohlins, Penske, Moton and Koni in that order.

There are some others that are small time players, but why bother when you can get an Ohlins kit for $1600-1800 for the RWD cars.

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

The B6 is a 40 year old damper design and I'd just do FSD's if you want good daily dampers. The FSD's were designed in cooperation with MacLaren's F1 program in the UK, and it's a very good design. They do better with a spring like the Eibach Pro kit, but honestly, they are good with the OE springs as well.

With 20 years in motorsports I can tell you that there's very little coming out of Bilstein I've been impressed with. Sure, they are firm, but that has nothing to do with actually improving handling performance.

As far as I'm concerned, there are only 3-4 players who make a product worth paying for. Ohlins, Penske, Moton and Koni in that order.

There are some others that are small time players, but why bother when you can get an Ohlins kit for $1600-1800 for the RWD cars.

Thanks for the background. The FSD kit you have is more in my price range right now. And they look pretty impressive! Now im leaning towards them. And since they work with OE springs thats even better

[dannyhavok]

I went from 16s to 19s with the same star spec Pirelli PZeros. they're pretty noisy and ride stiff for sure. Only 45,000KM on my '11 so not suspension related.

Nice tire though, makes the car much more agile.

[NiNeTyOne]

We're putting a set with Eibach Pro's on Dan Bilzerian's car on Tuesday, he can tell how he likes 'em.

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by dannyhavok

I went from 16s to 19s with the same star spec Pirelli PZeros. they're pretty noisy and ride stiff for sure. Only 45,000KM on my '11 so not suspension related.

Nice tire though, makes the car much more agile.

I bet the 19s look good. Ya I see now that these tires on the harsher side but I wouldn't be surprised If I needed new shocks also at 102,000miles.

[Eric_M328i]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

We're putting a set with Eibach Pro's on Dan Bilzerian's car on Tuesday, he can tell how he likes 'em.

Oh shit thats cool. Let me know how that goes and what he thinks

[robygomez]

Originally Posted by Eric_M328i

Oh my bad Iforgot to mention I went from 16's to 17's. Could that really make the ride this much harsher?

Check your shocks to see if they are leaking, I had to replace shocks at 24 k miles because the previous owner was a tough driver. I switch from RF to regular tires and the driving experience changed a lot now is much more smoother and switching the size of the wheels is anoter big thing to consider.

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by robygomez

Check your shocks to see if they are leaking, I had to replace shocks at 24 k miles because the previous owner was a tough driver. I switch from RF to regular tires and the driving experience changed a lot now is much more smoother and switching the size of the wheels is anoter big thing to consider.

At 102k they could have blown their fluid 70,000 miles back and there'sd be no evidence it ever happening after a couple years of normal use with rain, etc.

At that mileage those shocks are totally shagged. No question, I don't even have to look at the car.

If I get 35k out of good shocks (koni or similar quality) I'm happy. Put a set of dampers on a dyno some time after 20k miles and you'll be stunned at how fast they go off.