[Twinning_N54]

I have been running BC coilovers for over a year, was definitely an improvement, both in handling and appearance (lowerd the car 2inches)

handling wasn't improved as much as I thought it would (comfort wise), I really wanted a planted feel and the BCs just didnt do it for me in my daily driving. while going fast the BCs do the job but its the everyday that was lacking...

So I decided to just sell my BC coilovers and redo my suspension setup. Its kind of a refresh/upgrade all-in one.

here is my parts list....

OEM replacement parts;
INSTALLED Front Upper Strut Mount - Lemforder
INSTALLED Front Upper Spring Plate - Hamburg Tech
INSTALLED Front Strut Carrier Gasket - Genuine BMW
INSTALLED Front Strut Mount Plate - Hamburg Tech
INSTALLED Front Ball Joint - Lemforder
INSTALLED Front and Rear endlinks -Meyle HD
INSTALLED Front Tie Rod End - Febi
INSTALLED Rear Lower Shock Mount - Lemforder

Aftermarket replacements
INSTALLED Bilstein B14 Coilover kit
INSTALLED M3/1M Rear Upper Control Arm Upgrade Kit
INSTALLED Front Sway Bar - 25.5mm Heavy Duty - UUC
Rear Sway Bar 19.5mm Heavy Duty - UUC

INSTALLED Front lower control polyurethane bushings - Strongflex RED 80ShA
INSTALLED Rear Upper Shock polyurethane mount - Strongflex RED 80ShA


8/18/2020 Front lower control arm bushing upgrade
Front lower control polyurethane bushings - Strongflex RED 80ShA
install and removal was fairly simple, two 18mm socket and wrench for counter hold. Torque to 100Nm +90degree turn

ball joint was a 24mm w/ T30 counter hold Torque to 60Nm

The hard part was getting the old bushings pressed out and having the new bushings pressed in.

8/30/2020
Got a megan strut bar, removed the logo and painted everything oem black to give it the stealth look

4/5/2021
Got the all the front end bits on! B14! all I can say is the car feels so much tighter and responsive. I still need an alinment but will do that after I get my ride height dialed in

[carypearson]

Let me know how this goes.

I have an 08 335xi with the stock suspension (no sport even though came with the sport package, still upset about that)

I have not yet touched the suspension and the car has 170K miles, so I need to pretty much replace everything at this time.

[Buug959]

I'm also interested to know how this turns out. Do you ever track the car?
I'm looking for a light duty track-capable car that is still comfortable for road trips.

[Raptor04]

Does whiteline make a front sway bar for the xi?

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Might just do M3 rear subframe bushings and PU Sway bar bushing

[Twinning_N54]

Originally Posted by Raptor04

Does whiteline make a front sway bar for the xi?

yes they do, I saw them on ECS tuning

[335xs2dinan]

Originally Posted by carypearson

Let me know how this goes.

I have an 08 335xi with the stock suspension (no sport even though came with the sport package, still upset about that)

I have not yet touched the suspension and the car has 170K miles, so I need to pretty much replace everything at this time.

Originally Posted by carypearson

Let me know how this goes.

I have an 08 335xi with the stock suspension (no sport even though came with the sport package, still upset about that)

I have not yet touched the suspension and the car has 170K miles, so I need to pretty much replace everything at this time.

All xi or x drive models have their own stock suspension. There was no separate sport suspension for xi from the factory.

[networker67]

Well I am running B8's all around with an H&R Racing Sport Spring Lowering Kit. So far so good and my challenge is Chicago's Notorious Pot Holes. I did have to LINE my ENGINE shield with the same stuff under the hood there is some buffer between the plastic and the actual bottom of the car so things under there don't get pressed too hard when going over speed humps. Which are also all over my area.

[MikeP335i]

You might want to consider the AKG rear shock mounts. Have the poly version on both my cars, great upgrade in my opinion. I went the turner monoball route on the FCAB, I'd be curious to hear how you like the poly bushings.

[Liam1106]

Any review on the upgrades so far?

[skaper]

Interested in an update as well

[Twinning_N54]

Got the B14s and front-end refresh done, I am somewhat impressed. The steering feels tight and responsive while the ride is stiffer but still comfortable. Car drives and handles great I haven't drove much, I plan on putting some miles on the new set up this weekend and I'll report back. I did get some clucking noises from the rear, turned out I added an extra washer that was causing the noise (pic) once I removed it, noise was gone.

[nicked8]

Looking forward to hearing more about the B14 coilovers. Been saving up for V1s but the price point of the B14s is pretty attractive.

Nice work so far!

[Twinning_N54]

Originally Posted by nicked8

Looking forward to hearing more about the B14 coilovers. Been saving up for V1s but the price point of the B14s is pretty attractive.

Nice work so far!

Thanks, as long as one person finds this helpful I will be happy.

I was originally going to get the V1, then switched to CT because of the price. I eventually just settled with the Bilstein B14, it wasn't cheaper since all the other parts added to the bottom line. I choose not to reuse any original bits except for the top cap for the bolt holding the shock together.

[nicked8]

Originally Posted by Twinning_N54

Thanks, as long as one person finds this helpful I will be happy.

I was originally going to get the V1, then switched to CT because of the price. I eventually just settled with the Bilstein B14, it wasn't cheaper since all the other parts added to the bottom line. I choose not to reuse any original bits except for the top cap for the bolt holding the shock together.

I'm thinking along the same lines - would love to replace / upgrade a number of the extras you did and the B14s make that much more doable financially. If I go for the V1s that other stuff might not be addressed for a while (not that it's in bad shape but would love to upgrade).

Thanks again and keep us posted!

[Twinning_N54]

Originally Posted by MikeP335i

You might want to consider the AKG rear shock mounts. Have the poly version on both my cars, great upgrade in my opinion. I went the turner monoball route on the FCAB, I'd be curious to hear how you like the poly bushings.

I've only seen the Aluminum Rear Lower Shock Mounts, they make them in a poly version?

https://www.akgmotorsport.com/produc...-m-e9x-non-m3/

I'll look into it for sure!

they are $140 compared to OEM $10, I was trying to keep the cost down... plus I wanted to keep the vibrations down. I do plan on getting differ bushings in the rear and add a diff brace down the road

[psubmw]

Originally Posted by Twinning_N54

I have been running BC coilovers for over a year, was definitely an improvement, both in handling and appearance (lowerd the car 2inches)

handling wasn't improved as much as I thought it would (comfort wise), I really wanted a planted feel and the BCs just didnt do it for me in my daily driving. while going fast the BCs do the job but its the everyday that was lacking...

So I decided to just sell my BC coilovers and redo my suspension setup. Its kind of a refresh/upgrade all-in one.

here is my parts list....

OEM replacement parts;
INSTALLED Front Upper Strut Mount - Lemforder
INSTALLED Front Upper Spring Plate - Hamburg Tech
INSTALLED Front Strut Carrier Gasket - Genuine BMW
INSTALLED Front Strut Mount Plate - Hamburg Tech
INSTALLED Front Ball Joint - Lemforder
INSTALLED Front and Rear endlinks -Meyle HD
INSTALLED Front Tie Rod End - Febi
INSTALLED Rear Lower Shock Mount - Lemforder

Aftermarket replacements
INSTALLED Bilstein B14 Coilover kit
INSTALLED M3/1M Rear Upper Control Arm Upgrade Kit
INSTALLED Front Sway Bar - 25.5mm Heavy Duty - UUC
Rear Sway Bar 19.5mm Heavy Duty - UUC

INSTALLED Front lower control polyurethane bushings - Strongflex RED 80ShA
INSTALLED Rear Upper Shock polyurethane mount - Strongflex RED 80ShA


8/18/2020 Front lower control arm bushing upgrade
Front lower control polyurethane bushings - Strongflex RED 80ShA
install and removal was fairly simple, two 18mm socket and wrench for counter hold. Torque to 100Nm +90degree turn

ball joint was a 24mm w/ T30 counter hold Torque to 60Nm

The hard part was getting the old bushings pressed out and having the new bushings pressed in.

8/30/2020
Got a megan strut bar, removed the logo and painted everything oem black to give it the stealth look

4/5/2021
Got the all the front end bits on! B14! all I can say is the car feels so much tighter and responsive. I still need an alinment but will do that after I get my ride height dialed in

Do you happen to have a picture of the rear ball joint installed in the knuckle?

[chris55552]

Ive been thinking of upgrading my suspension, 328i xdrive here, but I guess I could copy your formula right? Anyone know if Koni actives would be better or not as good as the bilstein. I was under the impression that we couldnt upgrade squat in the suspension having the xdrive awd versions.