[ZneeK]

Got my car back, the BMW Performance suspension is great, i'm a happy camper. The car feels better, sportier, but is not less comfortable. I can feel the road better, but the steeringwheel doesn't shake constantly. It's great. The ride drop is about .75 inch (2cm) in front, nothing in the rear (as far as i can see). Can you spot the difference? (oud = old, nieuw = new)



and some more pics:







All i need now are spacers for the rear. About 5mm i think? Or can i and should i do more?

[Blue Liquid]

I do notice a subtle difference. It's slight, but it's there. I'm having mine installed on Monday. I'll post some pics to get a different aspect on this suspension. What about your driving impressions? How is the 'float' when going over dips in the road, etc? Body roll?

[preDoc 328]

perfect ride height IMO. How is the ride quality over rough roads?

[ZneeK]

The ride quality is great. Even on rough roads. A rough road in The Netherlands means frost-damaged-tarmac. No noticeable shaking of the steering wheel. What i do feel is excellent communication with the road. Cornering at above average speed feels well-balanced and controlled (a decrease in body roll, but i have no means of measuring this, so it's based on a feeling). Highway cruising is still smooth. It's all i expected and more. Now to get the rear wheels a bit better positioned, i'm thinkg 5mm spacers. Any thoughts?

[rbaldwin28]

Originally Posted by ZneeK

The ride quality is great. Even on rough roads. A rough road in The Netherlands means frost-damaged-tarmac. No noticeable shaking of the steering wheel. What i do feel is excellent communication with the road. Cornering at above average speed feels well-balanced and controlled (a decrease in body roll, but i have no means of measuring this, so it's based on a feeling). Highway cruising is still smooth. It's all i expected and more. Now to get the rear wheels a bit better positioned, i'm thinkg 5mm spacers. Any thoughts?

I too have been considering suspension to help controll these beasts. This kit is $1,260 from tischer right. How much did you pay dealer for install?

[nicks3]

When lowering an E90 does the front swaybar need changing and if so why?

[ZneeK]

Originally Posted by rbaldwin28

I too have been considering suspension to help controll these beasts. This kit is $1,260 from tischer right. How much did you pay dealer for install?

Parts + installation is 2000+ euro in The Netherlands normally. I paid less, but not by much

[preDoc 328]

Thanks for your review Zneek. Those roads sound a lot like Michigan's I am always glad to hear how much people love their suspensions. It pushes me one step closer to the buy button. BTW I absolutely love your car! I am going to get a set of 313s later on as well!

[ZneeK]

Originally Posted by preDoc 328

Thanks for your review Zneek. Those roads sound a lot like Michigan's I am always glad to hear how much people love their suspensions. It pushes me one step closer to the buy button. BTW I absolutely love your car! I am going to get a set of 313s later on as well!

To be honest, i would rather have the 269s..... And if you can afford is, get the BMW Performance suspension, it's great!

[preDoc 328]

I understand, a lot of ppl prefer the 269s. I just like how the 313s make the car look lighter, plus I've always been a 5 spoke guy (my favorite wheels are the stock ones on the Lambo LP640). Sell me your 313s?

[ZneeK]

Originally Posted by preDoc 328

I understand, a lot of ppl prefer the 269s. I just like how the 313s make the car look lighter, plus I've always been a 5 spoke guy (my favorite wheels are the stock ones on the Lambo LP640). Sell me your 313s?

sure. But i'm not paying for shipping... And my gf sometimes drives the car, so i have 2 counts of curbrash gggrrrmmmmbbbbllll women.....

And i actually prefer the 313s, but since BMW made them standard on the 335is (the 18" version) i'm starting to appreciate the 269s more...

[preDoc 328]

Originally Posted by ZneeK

sure. But i'm not paying for shipping... And my gf sometimes drives the car, so i have 2 counts of curbrash gggrrrmmmmbbbbllll women.....

And i actually prefer the 313s, but since BMW made them standard on the 335is (the 18" version) i'm starting to appreciate the 269s more...

Lol sry to hear about your rims, I chose manual (other than the fun factor) so that no one else can drive the car . Of course in Europe, it's a very common skill to have.

I understand your thinking, 269s will be something different and more exclusive. I hope I don't feel that way after getting 313's, my summer job at college doesn't pay nearly enough for me to continue switching things out.

[Ghost151]

Here are some shots of mine after about 8 months and 7000 miles of break-in on the performance suspension. I have been happy with it ever since.

[preDoc 328]

Looks awesome! Have you notice any changes, ie increase or decrease in ride comfort or handling? Also are those 19in 313s or 18s? Great looking ride!

[ZneeK]

Those are 19s right? Seems to have approx the same ride heigt as mine has now. So my suspension is settled i guess. Well, it looks great, just drove into town and checked myself out in the store reflection (oh, how vein... ) and concluded i'm satisfied...

Btw, i noticed some dark stains on my driveway where my car was parked. Situated right beneath the iDrive button (middle of the car). Could it be the installation of the suspension and the showroomshine-treatment causes some soft of fluid leakage? Or should i worry about some other problem?

[Ghost151]

From a handling point of view the change with the performance suspension is huge. The feel of the car at high speeds is significantly more stable and solid.

I personally think the overall ride comfort is a little more bumpy unless the road is in excellent condition but the only comparison I have is to the original suspension and wheels/tires. The 313's are 19's with Bridgestone Potenza runflats that came with the set when I bought them. The original 189's with Michelin Sports seemed to have a more comfortable ride and less road noise. I think the combination of the stiffer suspension and the Bridgestone tires made the overall ride more bumpy.

Regardless of the slightly decreased ride comfort I still love the handling improvements to the car.

[scottp999]

The performance suspension went on my car 5 days ago and I am a very happy camper. It's a great street setup and I concur with all of the positive points made about it.

[preDoc 328]

Originally Posted by Ghost151

From a handling point of view the change with the performance suspension is huge. The feel of the car at high speeds is significantly more stable and solid.

I personally think the overall ride comfort is a little more bumpy unless the road is in excellent condition but the only comparison I have is to the original suspension and wheels/tires. The 313's are 19's with Bridgestone Potenza runflats that came with the set when I bought them. The original 189's with Michelin Sports seemed to have a more comfortable ride and less road noise. I think the combination of the stiffer suspension and the Bridgestone tires made the overall ride more bumpy.

Regardless of the slightly decreased ride comfort I still love the handling improvements to the car.

I have stock suspension, and while it's good, it does lean and roll quite a bit more than I would like. Also, it really isn't that soft either, I still need to slow down a lot when going over bumps and it slams over large ones (due to run flats?). Thanks for responding, good to hear about your positive experience!

Scott: Sweet looking car, love those wheels! Glad you are enjoying the suspension.

[preDoc 328]

Originally Posted by ZneeK

Those are 19s right? Seems to have approx the same ride heigt as mine has now. So my suspension is settled i guess. Well, it looks great, just drove into town and checked myself out in the store reflection (oh, how vein... ) and concluded i'm satisfied...

Btw, i noticed some dark stains on my driveway where my car was parked. Situated right beneath the iDrive button (middle of the car). Could it be the installation of the suspension and the showroomshine-treatment causes some soft of fluid leakage? Or should i worry about some other problem?

Sounds like it would be from around your transmission if it came from beneath the idrive button. If you're still within warranty, I would definitely schedule an appointment. Better safe than sorry later right?

[ZneeK]

Originally Posted by Ghost151

From a handling point of view the change with the performance suspension is huge. The feel of the car at high speeds is significantly more stable and solid.

I personally think the overall ride comfort is a little more bumpy unless the road is in excellent condition but the only comparison I have is to the original suspension and wheels/tires. The 313's are 19's with Bridgestone Potenza runflats that came with the set when I bought them. The original 189's with Michelin Sports seemed to have a more comfortable ride and less road noise. I think the combination of the stiffer suspension and the Bridgestone tires made the overall ride more bumpy.

Regardless of the slightly decreased ride comfort I still love the handling improvements to the car.

I started out with the stock (sports) suspension and 313s (icw Potenza RE050a RFT) and i have to say, comfort isn't noticeably less... Overall it feels just as comfortable. The rest is better, way better. Flooring the accelerator is much more controlled, cornering is excellent, it just feels more controleable.

[ZneeK]

Originally Posted by preDoc 328

Sounds like it would be from around your transmission if it came from beneath the idrive button. If you're still within warranty, I would definitely schedule an appointment. Better safe than sorry later right?

I made a quick stop at the local dealer en took a look underneath. Seems to be transmission, it was "sweety". I put a piece of cardboard underneath the car, i'll check it in the morning... damnit...

[rbaldwin28]

Originally Posted by ZneeK

I made a quick stop at the local dealer en took a look underneath. Seems to be transmission, it was "sweety". I put a piece of cardboard underneath the car, i'll check it in the morning... damnit...

The transmission pan is plastic and yours is warped. I had mine replaced as well as the mechatronic sleeve (whatever that is). After they were done they had saved the transmission fluid and poured it back in because BMW tells them not to replace it. Always tryin to save a buck. Good Luck.