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      12-20-2014, 02:08 PM   #1
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Lots of aftermarket suspension options available now!

I was nosying around the websites for Bilstein and KW and it looks like they've now got a pretty full range of suspension packages now available. For ages there seemed to be hardly anyone offering anything.

Bilstein have upgraded dampers, as well as a number of different coilover kits available.

KW have street comfort coilovers, as well as the full range v1,v2,v3 options.

This was based on looking for my 335d tourer, so guessing that if they're doing for mine then doing across the range.

KW seem to have specific options for those with adaptive, though I think that is just some electronics to stop a fault code appearing.

Decisions decisions....
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      12-20-2014, 02:14 PM   #2
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      12-20-2014, 03:22 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Tengocity View Post
KW seem to have specific options for those with adaptive, though I think that is just some electronics to stop a fault code appearing.

I thought that their DDC system actuly plugs into the OEM adaptive system
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      12-20-2014, 04:10 PM   #4
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This is something i'm very much in two minds about. On the one hand my car is to soft and wallowy for my taste, but on the other hand i've scraped the underside of my car a few times as it is!
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      12-20-2014, 04:34 PM   #5
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I thought that their DDC system actuly plugs into the OEM adaptive system
I hadn't read all the detail in all the options but looks like you are correct. That's quite tempting, though I guess as long as the settings for the sport and comfort settings are able to chosen by the user rather than pre-set.
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      12-20-2014, 04:36 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by teaston View Post
This is something i'm very much in two minds about. On the one hand my car is to soft and wallowy for my taste, but on the other hand i've scraped the underside of my car a few times as it is!
Always the issue with aftermarket suspension. I used Eiback Pro-kit springs on my E46 and after 6 months of scraping I took them back off. Before i do anything I will really need to understand how much lower it would be than what I have currently. At least with the xdrive I've got a few cm to play with!
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      12-20-2014, 04:37 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Tengocity View Post
I hadn't read all the detail in all the options but looks like you are correct. That's quite tempting, though I guess as long as the settings for the sport and comfort settings are able to chosen by the user rather than pre-set.
Looks like you're able to make changes to the settings through the app. Then use the cars driving modes to select comfort etc, seems a pretty good system TBH, and KW has a pretty good reputation.
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      12-20-2014, 04:41 PM   #8
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Always the issue with aftermarket suspension. I used Eiback Pro-kit springs on my E46 and after 6 months of scraping I took them back off. Before i do anything I will really need to understand how much lower it would be than what I have currently. At least with the xdrive I've got a few cm to play with!
I know the ACS springs only lower an sdrive by 15mm, which shouldn't make a huge difference to scrapage, but then will 15mm really change the handling much? Or are the springs stiffer than their 15mm lowering would suggest?

Maybe i should be asking @Lorcan this.
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      12-20-2014, 04:46 PM   #9
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I know the ACS springs only lower an sdrive by 15mm, which shouldn't make a huge difference to scrapage, but then will 15mm really change the handling much? Or are the springs stiffer than their 15mm lowering would suggest?

Maybe i should be asking @Lorcan this.
Well I guess the stiffness of a spring is not only related to it's height, and then there is the level of progression designed in to it. So the handling improvements will be in part to the change in ride height, but more in the stiffness of the springs.

To be honest, whilst the ACS springs are a big improvement on standard for my car, it still feels softer than ever my E90's did.
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      12-20-2014, 04:46 PM   #10
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Have a look at the BC Racing option. Fantastic setups and great price.
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      12-20-2014, 04:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tengocity View Post
Well I guess the stiffness of a spring is not only related to it's height, and then there is the level of progression designed in to it. So the handling improvements will be in part to the change in ride height, but more in the stiffness of the springs.

To be honest, whilst the ACS springs are a big improvement on standard for my car, it still feels softer than ever my E90's did.
Feels softer even with adaptive in sport?
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      12-20-2014, 05:02 PM   #12
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Feels softer even with adaptive in sport?
The damper feels stiffer (in rebound I'm guessing) but the spring doesn't, so I still think there is more roll. It's hard to tell what is the tyres and steering on the F30 that is contributing to the sense of "softness" as it rides better and the steering doesn't have the same life about it as before. So the 335d doesn't have the same sharpness/agility on turn in that my old 330d had, which makes it feel softer, though could possibly be as much to do with the increased weight at the front.
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      12-20-2014, 05:17 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tengocity
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Originally Posted by teaston View Post
Feels softer even with adaptive in sport?
The damper feels stiffer (in rebound I'm guessing) but the spring doesn't, so I still think there is more roll. It's hard to tell what is the tyres and steering on the F30 that is contributing to the sense of "softness" as it rides better and the steering doesn't have the same life about it as before. So the 335d doesn't have the same sharpness/agility on turn in that my old 330d had, which makes it feel softer, though could possibly be as much to do with the increased weight at the front.
Was your 330d an LCI?
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      12-20-2014, 05:20 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teaston
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Originally Posted by Tengocity
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Originally Posted by teaston View Post
Feels softer even with adaptive in sport?
The damper feels stiffer (in rebound I'm guessing) but the spring doesn't, so I still think there is more roll. It's hard to tell what is the tyres and steering on the F30 that is contributing to the sense of "softness" as it rides better and the steering doesn't have the same life about it as before. So the 335d doesn't have the same sharpness/agility on turn in that my old 330d had, which makes it feel softer, though could possibly be as much to do with the increased weight at the front.
Was your 330d an LCI?
Yes all 3 of my e90s were facelift ones. I preferred the e46 till the e90 was face lifted!
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      12-20-2014, 05:34 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tengocity
Quote:
Originally Posted by teaston
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Originally Posted by Tengocity
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Originally Posted by teaston View Post
Feels softer even with adaptive in sport?
The damper feels stiffer (in rebound I'm guessing) but the spring doesn't, so I still think there is more roll. It's hard to tell what is the tyres and steering on the F30 that is contributing to the sense of "softness" as it rides better and the steering doesn't have the same life about it as before. So the 335d doesn't have the same sharpness/agility on turn in that my old 330d had, which makes it feel softer, though could possibly be as much to do with the increased weight at the front.
Was your 330d an LCI?
Yes all 3 of my e90s were facelift ones. I preferred the e46 till the e90 was face lifted!
So they had the electric power steering like the F30 so that's not a factor.

Still there's the combination of more weight over front axle & the power going to front wheels that will reduce front end feel and dynamics.
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      12-20-2014, 05:43 PM   #16
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The E90 330d LCI had hydraulic power steering I'm pretty sure, same as the Z4. They both felt similar and totally different to the F31.
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      12-20-2014, 05:58 PM   #17
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Quote:
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The E90 330d LCI had hydraulic power steering I'm pretty sure, same as the Z4. They both felt similar and totally different to the F31.
I thought the LCI had electric steering as part of the 'efficient dynamics' improvements. I had a 320d se LCI for a day while my pre LCI was in for warranty work (on the power steering) and the steering was much lighter. When I questioned the service staff about it they said it was because it has electric steering! :
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      12-20-2014, 06:00 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teaston
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tengocity
The E90 330d LCI had hydraulic power steering I'm pretty sure, same as the Z4. They both felt similar and totally different to the F31.
I thought the LCI had electric steering as part of the 'efficient dynamics' improvements. I had a 320d se LCI for a day while my pre LCI was in for warranty work (in the power steering) and the steering was much lighter. When I questioned the service staff about it they said it was because it has electric steering! :
I think they were talking out their asses!
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      12-20-2014, 06:09 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tengocity
Quote:
Originally Posted by teaston
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tengocity
The E90 330d LCI had hydraulic power steering I'm pretty sure, same as the Z4. They both felt similar and totally different to the F31.
I thought the LCI had electric steering as part of the 'efficient dynamics' improvements. I had a 320d se LCI for a day while my pre LCI was in for warranty work (in the power steering) and the steering was much lighter. When I questioned the service staff about it they said it was because it has electric steering! :
I think they were talking out their asses!
Maybe my E90's steering was broken the whole time I had it then! It was like steering a tank!!
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      12-20-2014, 07:38 PM   #20
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Interesting your guys mention the E90 330d. Well firstly I had both pre-LCI and LCI 330d's and the LCI definitely did have electric power steering.
This is the only reference I can find to it:
"The 320d and 330d will also score Electric Power Steering, which further contributes to the efficiency gains."
http://www.caradvice.com.au/49554/bm...-fuel-savings/

I did not like either E90's steering in term of the lock to lock compared to the F30. It had a slow rack IMO compared to most other cars I've driven. I know my F30 has VSS but even standard F30's need a lot less arm twirling than an E90.

As as for the E90 suspension, it was harder, but I would say by no a means a better handling car, even though. My pre-LCI was stupidly rock hard and the LCI was a lot better on comfort. But because of the nose heavy weight of the 30d engine, neither of them drove like a go-cart. In fact they handled no better than my F30 IMO (well compared to my ACS set up 335d).

Definitely a "worse" car to drive, compared to my F30 and I wouldnt want to go back to the E90.
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      12-21-2014, 03:39 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teaston View Post
This is something i'm very much in two minds about. On the one hand my car is to soft and wallowy for my taste, but on the other hand i've scraped the underside of my car a few times as it is!
There is a perfect solution for you.....Bilstein PSS10 KOMFORT. It is what I have, and I can set ride height to stock sDrive if I so wish. I am running -15mm and it will munch kerbs now.

Regarding the handling.....night and day....feels like a totally different car.
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      12-21-2014, 03:47 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dopper99 View Post
Interesting your guys mention the E90 330d. Well firstly I had both pre-LCI and LCI 330d's and the LCI definitely did have electric power steering.
This is the only reference I can find to it:
"The 320d and 330d will also score Electric Power Steering, which further contributes to the efficiency gains."
http://www.caradvice.com.au/49554/bm...-fuel-savings/

I did not like either E90's steering in term of the lock to lock compared to the F30. It had a slow rack IMO compared to most other cars I've driven. I know my F30 has VSS but even standard F30's need a lot less arm twirling than an E90.

As as for the E90 suspension, it was harder, but I would say by no a means a better handling car, even though. My pre-LCI was stupidly rock hard and the LCI was a lot better on comfort. But because of the nose heavy weight of the 30d engine, neither of them drove like a go-cart. In fact they handled no better than my F30 IMO (well compared to my ACS set up 335d).

Definitely a "worse" car to drive, compared to my F30 and I wouldnt want to go back to the E90.
I completely agree that the F30 is a more accomplished handling car than the E90. All I said was that even on the ACS springs it still feels softer and seems to roll more.
The steering just seemed a little more alive and fun to me, and a little more agile on turn in. All are rubbish compared to what the Z4 was like though!

Anyways, I too would rather keep the F30, and I believe that the basic fundamentals of the car make for a superb balance of ride and handling. I'm just trying to suss out exactly which aftermarket suspension will give the optimum increase in handling, whilst maintaining the ride comfort.
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