Best bang for buck coilovers?

unrulyteach · 03-12-2019, 08:33 PM

I too am interested

Zareh_E90 · 03-13-2019, 11:38 AM

I would look into getting BC racing(1,000), CA tuned(1,200), or fortune auto(1,400).
Im in the same dilemma, and from all the research ive done these are the 3 ive narrowed it down too. BC is the best bang for your buck if you are just looking to lower for aesthetics,. CA tuned ive heard is very similar to BC with just stronger internals. And Fortune auto are the best all around for performance and aesthetics as they are all custom made to order and prob the best (and most expensive) of the 3. All depends what you are using the car for.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-13-2019, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zareh_E90

I would look into getting BC racing(1,000), CA tuned(1,200), or fortune auto(1,400).
Im in the same dilemma, and from all the research ive done these are the 3 ive narrowed it down too. BC is the best bang for your buck if you are just looking to lower for aesthetics,. CA tuned ive heard is very similar to BC with just stronger internals. And Fortune auto are the best all around for performance and aesthetics as they are all custom made to order and prob the best (and most expensive) of the 3. All depends what you are using the car for.

My top choices are BC racing or KW V1. KW V1 are a lot more expensive and frankly out of my budget tbh when converted to my currency though but I gotta search more if I really need stainless or not for winter season.

Once my ride height is set don't think I'll change it so if the adjustments get seized meh and if I can get 2 to 3 years out of BC I would be happy.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-13-2019, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

BC racing BR are decent. I would recommend getting custom spring rates a bit lower than what they come with (no charge) but they have nice adjustability and ride decent for what they are.

May I inquire what do you mean for the spring rate and why would you recommend that?

Antetokounmpo · 03-13-2019, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

May I inquire what do you mean for the spring rate and why would you recommend that?

IMO their stock spring rates for E9x are too stiff. You can specify custom ones for no charge and they will valve the shocks to match. I would buy them again but get softer springs.

For reference:

BC BR:
Front: 448lb/in
Rear: 672lb/in

KW V1:
Front: 190-256 lb/in (progressive average)
Rear: 545-570 lb/in (progressive average)

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-13-2019, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

IMO their stock spring rates for E9x are too stiff. You can specify custom ones for no charge and they will valve the shocks to match. I would buy them again but get softer springs.

For reference:

BC BR:
Front: 448lb/in
Rear: 672lb/in

KW V1:
Front: 190-256 lb/in (progressive average)
Rear: 545-570 lb/in (progressive average)

Ah ok so basically just makes the car stiffer or less stiff? I haven't tested so don't know a baseline but I wouldn't really mind a stiffer overall ride. Although no way to test myself before buying.

Antetokounmpo · 03-13-2019, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Ah ok so basically just makes the car stiffer or less stiff? I haven't tested so don't know a baseline but I wouldn't really mind a stiffer overall ride. Although no way to test myself before buying.

Yes, spring rate directly affects how still the car rides over bumps.

You will always have to go stiffer on coilovers simply because you are reducing the travel and without it being stiff it will bottom out a ton. The stock spring rates in front are around 100lb/in so the BCs are about 4x stiffer than stock.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-15-2019, 09:18 AM

I ordered Bilstein B14 PSS coil kit. They had lifetime warranty over BC's 1 year so was more comfortable with that.

Antetokounmpo · 03-15-2019, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I ordered Bilstein B14 PSS coil kit. They had lifetime warranty over BC's 1 year so was more comfortable with that.

I highly recommend new front top hats and new rear shock mounts. The front will tend to squeak/make funny noises if you don't replace them

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-15-2019, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

I highly recommend new front top hats and new rear shock mounts. The front will tend to squeak/make funny noises if you don't replace them

Ok I'll keep that in note my milleage is not crazy so I think I'll still give a go with what's still on there.

Do you know if I need the special socket to open the strut once it's compressed?

Antetokounmpo · 03-15-2019, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

I highly recommend new front top hats and new rear shock mounts. The front will tend to squeak/make funny noises if you don't replace them

Ok I'll keep that in note my milleage is not crazy so I think I'll still give a go with what's still on there.

Do you know if I need the special socket to open the strut once it's compressed?

It's kind of one of those things where you might as well do it while you're in there. But no I've always used a regular socket in the past

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-15-2019, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

It's kind of one of those things where you might as well do it while you're in there. But no I've always used a regular socket in the past

Yeah I get what you mean... I might do it then if I can easily coordinate parts. Because I'm going to pick them up in the states.

As for the socket thing, here is a picture from the bmw procedure and what I mean.

Basically the socket is half walled to allow you to hold the piston and not move while you tighten or untighten the socket. I heard if you use impact no need but then again I heardif you use an impact you can make the piston blow up or something.

Antetokounmpo · 03-15-2019, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Yeah I get what you mean... I might do it then if I can easily coordinate parts. Because I'm going to pick them up in the states.

As for the socket thing, here is a picture from the bmw procedure and what I mean.

Basically the socket is half walled to allow you to hold the piston and not move while you tighten or untighten the socket. I heard if you use impact no need but then again I heardif you use an impact you can make the piston blow up or something.

yeah i used an impact and the rod didn't spin

Wolf 335 · 03-15-2019, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

I highly recommend new front top hats and new rear shock mounts. The front will tend to squeak/make funny noises if you don't replace them

I would recommend doing this as well.

unrulyteach · 03-15-2019, 11:19 PM

What did u pay for the Billy's?

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-15-2019, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

What did u pay for the Billy's?

About 950$ plus I splurged 60$ for some special socket tools to help.

unrulyteach · 03-15-2019, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

What did u pay for the Billy's?

About 950$ plus I splurged 60$ for some special socket tools to help.

Not bad

teggei2 · 03-18-2019, 08:39 PM

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1594051

I have KWV1s for sale. $899

6ixSpd · 03-18-2019, 10:07 PM

100% replace the top mounts. They're cheap enough to warrant not doing this job twice.

No special socket is needed. Impact that top not off, easy peasy.

dublin14 · 04-02-2019, 10:20 AM

Bought ST X last year and they are good on big bumps but shit over small cracks. I feel everything.

Antetokounmpo · 04-02-2019, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dublin14

Bought ST X last year and they are good on big bumps but shit over small cracks. I feel everything.

Similar I would say to my BC racing BR coils.

320IN54 · 04-04-2019, 12:47 AM

Does anybody have experience with Silvers Neomax? They run for slightly more than 1k and have adjustable dampening as well as camber plates.

03-12-2019, 08:33 PM	#23
unrulyteach Colonel 392 Rep 2,367 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: May 2016 Location: myrtle beach sc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	I too am interested
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03-13-2019, 11:38 AM	#24
Zareh_E90 Save the Manuals 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335i 6mt Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I would look into getting BC racing(1,000), CA tuned(1,200), or fortune auto(1,400). Im in the same dilemma, and from all the research ive done these are the 3 ive narrowed it down too. BC is the best bang for your buck if you are just looking to lower for aesthetics,. CA tuned ive heard is very similar to BC with just stronger internals. And Fortune auto are the best all around for performance and aesthetics as they are all custom made to order and prob the best (and most expensive) of the 3. All depends what you are using the car for.
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03-15-2019, 09:18 AM	#30
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2656 Rep 6,288 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	I ordered Bilstein B14 PSS coil kit. They had lifetime warranty over BC's 1 year so was more comfortable with that.
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03-15-2019, 11:19 PM	#37
unrulyteach Colonel 392 Rep 2,367 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: May 2016 Location: myrtle beach sc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	What did u pay for the Billy's?
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03-18-2019, 08:39 PM	#40
teggei2 Private First Class 16 Rep 183 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1594051 I have KWV1s for sale. $899
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03-18-2019, 10:07 PM	#41
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6015 Rep 6,745 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	100% replace the top mounts. They're cheap enough to warrant not doing this job twice. No special socket is needed. Impact that top not off, easy peasy. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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04-02-2019, 10:20 AM	#42
dublin14 Banned 148 Rep 388 Posts Drives: Bmw 335i- F150 FX4- Audi A4 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto-Canada iTrader: (0)	Bought ST X last year and they are good on big bumps but shit over small cracks. I feel everything.
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04-04-2019, 12:47 AM	#44
320IN54 First Lieutenant 123 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i, 2021 BMW M2C Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	Does anybody have experience with Silvers Neomax? They run for slightly more than 1k and have adjustable dampening as well as camber plates.
	Appreciate 0 Quote