[Kris53]

Hey so I know there are many post on this but even after reading a bunch I still feel unclear. So I apologize in advance for the repeat here.

I just got a 2011 335i coupe manual with sport package and 54,000 miles.

Going to add Afe dry air filter, charge pipe, replace spark plugs/ignition coils and add JB4 with BEF. Just to give idea of intended power.

Wanted to modify suspension, as occasionally rear end doesn’t seem planted when going over small bumps at higher speeds, and in general rear just doesn’t seem settled. Basically goal is to fix the rear ends tendecy to come up and to in general make the car better handle basic maneuvers during canyon driving type situations and the extra power that is to come.

Ideally trying to spend under $3500 on suspension upgrades including labor. Local shop quoted $700 for coil over install. Honestly unsure what is best path.

First was going to add coil overs. I don’t plan on tracking so was trying to go Bilstein B14’s instead of PSS 10’s because I don’t think I need adjustable dampening.

Next I was going to do sway bars front and back, but due to no LSD I am unsure if a thicker rear sway bar could negatively effect traction? I see some people use H and R, others use M3 sway bars.

Was also thinking of doing control arms, again there are it seems a few pieces you can modify here, unsure which ones are best bang for buck? Do you want to do front and rear? Given I feel rear is unplanted seems like I do?

Car has 3 fingers gap on front and 2 on back between tire and fender, don’t really want it much lower.

Unsure if this is a good plan? Or if spending more for PSS10’s and skipping rest would be better? Seems like it should be pretty clear cut for an aggressive street set up with extra 60-100hp over stock what the best set up is, but I still haven’t found a post that to me clearly answers this.

Thank you

[Phil325i]

Rear end can be improved by rear sub-frame inserts - see here:

Also worth considering is a diff brace. And the Ohlins Road and Track range of coilovers should be within your budget...

https://www.ohlins.com/product/road-...5-2012-e90e92/

[edycol]

Since you are taking down rear subframe go Powerflex race polyurethane bushings or solid bushings.
TRW wishbone from M3 back and forward.
Rest of suspension, put polyurethane bushings where possible.
Afe? What kid of dry filter. Mushroom? You will lose power.

[charlie_m]

It sounds like your rear shocks may be blown. If the rear gets unsettled on bumps even in a straight line, then it's probably bad rear shocks and worn bushings.

IMHO there's little reason to go to coilovers if you don't want to go lower, and you don't want adjustable dampers for the track. Save the money on coilovers; use it to upgrade the shocks & struts, install M3 control arms and PU or aluminum rear subframe bushings.

[Kris53]

Thank you for the responses I will look into all these options

Here is the AFe dry filter, it’s flat and just goes where OEM does but allows more air (https://afepower.com/afe-power-31-10...y-s-air-filter)

For the ohlins those are $2500ish which would prevent me from changing out anything else due to current budget ….seems like going with some Bilstein B8s or B14s plus front sway bar, control arms and new bushings would be better use of funds

[edycol]

Originally Posted by KrisR53

Thank you for the responses I will look into all these options

Here is the AFe dry filter, it's flat and just goes where OEM does but allows more air (https://afepower.com/afe-power-31-10...y-s-air-filter)

For the ohlins those are $2500ish which would prevent me from changing out anything else due to current budget ….seems like going with some Bilstein B8s or B14s plus front sway bar, control arms and new bushings would be better use of funds

Does yours have charcoal filter like N52's? Removing that would do more for your power.

[Kris53]

So I am thinking about getting this

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1102283576ukt/

Or these

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...SABEgJjPPD_BwE

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-lemforde...sportmountkit/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...3326763092kt1/

First kit is $1400 vs about $1200 for the other three

I do now realize I probably don’t need coil overs. So thinking Bilstein B8 plus with a sport spring (unsure if I want linear or progressive rate), with one of the above refresh kits and then either M3 or other front sway bar

I think I could get all this and install for around $3500

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by KrisR53

So I am thinking about getting this

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1102283576ukt/

Or these

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...SABEgJjPPD_BwE

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-lemforde...sportmountkit/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...3326763092kt1/

First kit is $1400 vs about $1200 for the other three

I do now realize I probably don’t need coil overs. So thinking Bilstein B8 plus with a sport spring (unsure if I want linear or progressive rate), with one of the above refresh kits and then either M3 or other front sway bar

I think I could get all this and install for around $3500

Hey, I'll give you my .02 here just to share with the rest of the forum also..

I personally and many others I'm sure have the TRW 11 piece m3 control arm kit from FCP, your second link. It's 750 not 1200, also gives you only what you need.

The first kit is overpriced from ECS and also gives you a bunch more that you wouldn't need/want when upgrading the rest of the suspension. Those things like the stock bump stops aren't needing if getting Bilsteins b/c of their built in design. And also just getting the m3 bushings are like bare min. not worth it, you're already there with the labor put some better parts than that on.

TRW from FCP: $750. Then I'd just get the B12 kit if I were you, $890 and source the extra hardware you want to replace:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...RoCc1IQAvD_BwE

Or get this and just source the Eibach springs for about $300. Could get Dinan springs for the same price too if you wanted.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...us-35120407kt1

Then get a front sway bar, another 300-500 depending plus adjustable end links. RSB maybe another 125 or so, search for hardness and what you prefer. 750+900+300+400+125=$2475 in parts plus labor for all that you're at about $3500. Now I'd just diy and save that extra change cuz it's not too bad a job really.

[Kris53]

Okay that sounds good

So just to be clear which bushings should I be replacing and with what level or type of aftermarket park?

Thank you

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by KrisR53

Okay that sounds good

So just to be clear which bushings should I be replacing and with what level or type of aftermarket park?

Thank you

Rear Subframe Bushings. There are solid and polyurethane, or can get just inserts.. kinda depends what you want from them. Don't get 034 motorsports though that company is trash imo. Whiteline makes inserts, but if you're paying for install then get polyurethane I guess

[Kris53]

So should I get polyurethane or solid RSB?

It sounds like solid makes car handle much better, some say solid makes more noise but I read many reviews where people said they polyurethane began to squeak with time?

[streetpro]

Solid sub-frame bushings and Diff-brace/lock, don't waste your time with other mods such as M3 rear arms (perhaps 5-10% better feeling if the most)...

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Rear Subframe Bushings. Don't get 034 motorsports though that company is trash imo.

Sorry to disagree, but my 034 inserts have been fine. They're milled from solid alloy, are an easy fit and do exact what they claim. Just saying,...

[Papa Popov]

Running B8s ($540) + BMWP springs ($400) + new hardware (~$200), M3 front arms ($350), and Whiteline RSFB Inserts ($50) and its dramatically sharpened the handling of my car without being overly harsh, and only lowered it by maybe a quarter of an inch. That'd bring you in well under budget with money left over for other mods. Only other suspension mod I'm really considering is a front sway bar, but the reviews on those as well as the M3 rear arms seems to be mixed.

[Kris53]

So I got quoted 8 hours of labor ($1,040) to Install rear subframe bushings plus parts ($300) total cost about $1,400 which is a bit more than I was expecting. Was thinking I’d change the shocks springs and 11 piece control arms first and see how it drives.

Was curious how hard the RSB inserts are to DIY? My freind has a professional car lift so I have access to that.

At $1400 are upgrading RSB to solid worth it?