[Fraggy]

Hi Guys,
Well yesterday was the day. I had the suspension kit installed which included the yellow springs and performance dampers. No sway bar at this time.

Initial impression is that it is STIFF. I mean REALLY REALLY STIFF! At times, its bordering on abusive There is no real BMW feel left, no real refinement, no balance of ride/comfort. I cant even imagine an M3 being so stiff.

In comparison to the PSS9s, the fronts are soft, much softer than even the softest setting on C/O. But the rears are stiff. By manually compressing the rear suspension, there is virtually no travel, that would be similar to the PSS9s being set on 1-2.

This setup is NOT for the faint at heart or someone who respects a civilized ride.

As far as ride height, that is the best part. It must be lower than stock zsp. I measured from the ground, through the middle of the wheel to the fender and here is what I got.

Drivers Side: Front 26", Rear 25 1/4"
Passenger: Front 25 7/8", Rear 25 1/8"

I on 235/40/18s and 265/35/18s.

I have lowered the air pressure to 30.5 PSI but that has not really helped any. I have no real idea how low PSI can be set at and still be safe.

I expected a lot different... I hope in time it gets better.... but...

Oh, the handling is fine. It corners pretty flat and all that. No real disappointment there, but as a daily driver, I dunno...

[Jake C]

Yikes! Hope it gets better for you Fraggy. Are you running Run Flats or non Run Flats?

- J

[Gen_E92]

so you're saying the dampers are really stiff from what I'm ready...but do you know how much stiffer the springs are?

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by Jake C

Yikes! Hope it gets better for you Fraggy. Are you running Run Flats or non Run Flats?

- J

Non RFTs, PS2s even

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by Gen_E92

so you're saying the dampers are really stiff from what I'm ready...but do you know how much stiffer the springs are?

No, I have no idea really.

[stressdoc]

It should soften up a bit -- I would not lower tire pressure below 34.

Sounds like ZSP springs with Koni FSDs might suit your needs the best.

Man I wish I was in SoCal so I could try yours out.

[Gen_E92]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

It should soften up a bit -- I would not lower tire pressure below 34.

Sounds like ZSP springs with Koni FSDs might suit your needs the best.

Man I wish I was in SoCal so I could try yours out.

I have FSD now and thinking about trying the performance springs...I know the springs are supposed to be for E90 but I sold my stock springs to my frd's E90 323 and he has no problem with them. Eibach prokit sucks!

OP please post some pics of the ride height! no rush tho since the height might settle abit.

[mike-y]

So right now, they ride more harsh than the PSS9's?

[stressdoc]

It will be extremely useful to get a few more reviews of the Perf springs, especially direct comparisons with ZSP.

It is important to know what your priorities are -- nothing wrong with liking the comfortable smooth ride of the ZSP tuning.

Tradeoffs are unavoidable.

I am really curious about the front/rear balance. It sounds like you feel that the front is soft but the rear is stiff.

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by mike-y

So right now, they ride more harsh than the PSS9's?

They feel like the PSS9s set to a pretty stiff setting. Ive had a similar feel from the C/Os during some of my adjustments.

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I am really curious about the front/rear balance. It sounds like you feel that the front is soft but the rear is stiff.

I feel the balance is GREAT! The stiffer rear while creating a harsher ride, does wonders for the handling. Turn in is great and the car really pulls in the direction you are pointing it in. I think they went a long way to overcome the understeer and I feel this is one of the best parts of the suspension.

My biggest mistake might have been running too soft a rear with the PSS9s for so long I have forgotten how important it is to have a stiff rear. I think I will get used to it in time as I play with tire pressure and stuff.

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by Gen_E92

I have FSD now and thinking about trying the performance springs...I know the springs are supposed to be for E90 but I sold my stock springs to my frd's E90 323 and he has no problem with them. Eibach prokit sucks!

OP please post some pics of the ride height! no rush tho since the height might settle abit.

I had prokit and FSD on my first E90 with an H&R sway. It was nice, but certainly could have been better. This combination is way better for handling, NO doubt.

I will try and get some pics for sure.

[Mr. 5]

Wow man!
I can't wait to hook up with you now so we can ride in each other's cars.
Mine isnt' that bad at all!

I think I'm glad that I didn't get the springs now.

I'm surprised too because my wife (very conservative) rides around with me all the time and she never complains on the bumpiness.
I really hope the springs settle and soften up...

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

Wow man!
I can't wait to hook up with you now so we can ride in each other's cars.
Mine isnt' that bad at all!

I think I'm glad that I didn't get the springs now.

I'm surprised too because my wife (very conservative) rides around with me all the time and she never complains on the bumpiness.
I really hope the springs settle and soften up...

I remember you saying that about your wife and your trip to vegas and how comfortable she said the ride was. That could be part of my disappointment, or maybe we have different tolerances.

I just wish I had a bit more free time to work with this to see how best I could get it set up.

[Gesler]

I think the front will become stiff once the springs settle. my headlight range gradually decreased over a 1000 mile span. Compared to ZSP, my impression is that the front is pretty stiff too; if I have to guesstimate, proportionate to the change in the rear. I still have the original bridgestone RFTs on. As I mentioned in the other thread, the ride is stiffer than ZSP, but I cannot quantify this as I don't know enough to compare with other springs or cars.

The ride height is definitely lower. I kept hitting my foot against the door sill while getting out initially.

Fraggy, perhaps you should switch back to the ZSP springs (with these new dampers) if you the stiffness/ride quality remain disagreeable after a few days trial.

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by Gesler

I think the front will become stiff once the springs settle. my headlight range gradually decreased over a 1000 mile span. Compared to ZSP, my impression is that the front is pretty stiff too; if I have to guesstimate, proportionate to the change in the rear. I still have the original bridgestone RFTs on. As I mentioned in the other thread, the ride is stiffer than ZSP, but I cannot quantify this as I don't know enough to compare with other springs or cars.

The ride height is definitely lower. I kept hitting my foot against the door sill while getting out initially.

Fraggy, perhaps you should switch back to the ZSP springs (with these new dampers) if you the stiffness/ride quality remain disagreeable after a few days trial.

I completely agree with this.
Of course the perf susp is going to be stiffer than the sport, but by this review it sounds like you went to H&R race or something.

I can't wait to hook up with you to see if it's that different than mine.

Remember too, I even have the M wishbone and tension links which makes the front linkage even stiffer and my car is smoothe--not bumpy.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

I remember you saying that about your wife and your trip to vegas and how comfortable she said the ride was. That could be part of my disappointment, or maybe we have different tolerances.

I just wish I had a bit more free time to work with this to see how best I could get it set up.

Fraggy,

I helped my buddy install the BMW kit. After install the ride was very harsh, nearly unbearable on some of our less-than-stellar local roads.

It took about a month for the suspension to settle after which the ride improved tremendously. The car corners like it is one rails. I don't know if I'd put this suspension on a daily driver though. Good luck.

[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Fraggy,

I helped my buddy install the BMW kit. After install the ride was very harsh, nearly unbearable on some of our less-than-stellar local roads.

It took about a month for the suspension to settle after which the ride improved tremendously. The car corners like it is one rails. I don't know if I'd put this suspension on a daily driver though. Good luck.

Well, this is good news! I guess I will drive the hell out of it and watch it get better. This sort of matches what Gesler said too as he watched his front settle over the first few hundred miles.

[w00kiec00kie]

wow and here I was only thinking about the ride height as a motivation to upgrade to perf suspension...

do the dealers tend to have some "sample" cars for you to test drive with perf parts on?
just curious...

[stressdoc]

It would really be great to get Mr.5 together with either Fraggy or Gesler to compare. I want to tighten my 335 up, but I stay away from rallying now because it can be hard on my lower back, so I am a bit uncertain whether the Perf springs are the right way to go. I'm about 90% in favor of getting them; if Craig says they are tolerable that is the green light.

Thanks to all you guys that are exploring the options for our suspension tuning, this is really helpful for the whole Bimmer community.

[Ron@Modbargains]

Interesting review, I am quite surprised by this. Maybe they are compensating for the sways with this setup?

[Chowbow]

I may try just the BMW springs... Often times the harsh ride comes from the shocks (although Mr. 5's findings wouldn't make that true), and I'm on Bilstein HDs. I'd be willing to do just a spring swap and see how that changes things.