[OC40]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

Perfectly fine, I'm running 400Ms with summer S001's and no drama.
All seasons were of course quieter...
Winters, louder.

Thanks! I think I'm going to pull it on this. Plus, my wife turned into a monster with her new MINI. She said to me yesterday, my car doesn't wobble like this on turns...

[rallybull]

Originally Posted by ronin951

Went from stock m-sport w/rft to apex arc-8 18x8.5. Michelin SS's 235/40 front and 245/40 rear.

Road noise seemed to increase. I think that's just a function of the lighter wheels :shrug:

Hmmm, so the noise went up but the ride quality still increased ?

Do you feel less bumps now with the lighter wheels and non RFT tires? I'm seriously debating replacing my OEM 396 wheels with EC-7, but I'm on the verge of finding the ride uncomfortable with the M Perf suspension. I don't want to add lighter wheels and make the ride more bumpy. (I'll be replacing the OEM A/S pirelli RFTs with Michellin Pilot A/S 3 when they are out next month)

[OC40]

Originally Posted by rallybull

Hmmm, so the noise went up but the ride quality still increased ?

Do you feel less bumps now with the lighter wheels and non RFT tires? I'm seriously debating replacing my OEM 396 wheels with EC-7, but I'm on the verge of finding the ride uncomfortable with the M Perf suspension. I don't want to add lighter wheels and make the ride more bumpy. (I'll be replacing the OEM A/S pirelli RFTs with Michellin Pilot A/S 3 when they are out next month)

I'm considering the MPS. You find it uncomfortable? My dealer doesn't have an F30 with MPS but said I could come test an M3. Shiv mentioned the ride is about 20% less than the M3. Maybe I will so that before ordering.

[rallybull]

Originally Posted by OC40

I'm considering the MPS. You find it uncomfortable? My dealer doesn't have an F30 with MPS but said I could come test an M3. Shiv mentioned the ride is about 20% less than the M3. Maybe I will so that before ordering.

I would not call it uncomfortable if the roads are not bad. At the same time I guess most people would agree that it would be nice to have a bit more comfort. Then again everyone has their own thresholds. Of course there is no doubt about the dramatically improved handling. I would say it is a fair trade off -- much better handling/fun for a bit a comfort. You should go drive an M3 and decide.

After this MPS install, the last thing I want to do is to furthur increase the amount of bumps and road harshness. That's the reason I'm wondering if going with a EC-7 is going to increase the harshness more than a non-RFT will be able to decrease the harshness... if you get what I mean

EDIT: Most likely I was wrong in assuming that adding a lighter wheel is going to increase the bumps so the above point is really a non-issue.

[ronin951]

Originally Posted by rallybull

Hmmm, so the noise went up but the ride quality still increased ?

Do you feel less bumps now with the lighter wheels and non RFT tires? I'm seriously debating replacing my OEM 396 wheels with EC-7, but I'm on the verge of finding the ride uncomfortable with the M Perf suspension. I don't want to add lighter wheels and make the ride more bumpy. (I'll be replacing the OEM A/S pirelli RFTs with Michellin Pilot A/S 3 when they are out next month)

Yes, road noise up but ride quality increased. I'm mainly talking about road noise when hard braking. That's kinda my gauge. I don't think there's a direct relationship between ride quality and road noise. That's why when tires are evaluated by press they are separate.

I can't speak to OE wheels w/o RFT's. I can say for sure that when I went from OE to light wheels w/non-RFT the cringe factor definitely went down. There's a small bridge on a highway that I kinda use as my gauge. When I first got the suspension I'd cringe because I knew it was going to be harsh. After the wheel/tire change it's definitely not as jarring. I'm not sure if it's the wheels or tires or both that caused the change.

As for stock suspension/wheel setup vs. my current setup. It's really only marginally rougher. I wouldn't think twice about it. Had the wheels/tires not made my ride better I might consider rolling back the suspension and look for alternatives. Mainly because I have a 1 & 2 y/o that ride in the back.

Aside from the ride quality, there is also merit to going to lightweight wheels. It made a huge difference I wasn't expecting. Way more nimble and responsive to inputs. I was happily surprised.

[rallybull]

Originally Posted by ronin951

Yes, road noise up but ride quality increased. I'm mainly talking about road noise when hard braking. That's kinda my gauge. I don't think there's a direct relationship between ride quality and road noise. That's why when tires are evaluated by press they are separate.

I can't speak to OE wheels w/o RFT's. I can say for sure that when I went from OE to light wheels w/non-RFT the cringe factor definitely went down. There's a small bridge on a highway that I kinda use as my gauge. When I first got the suspension I'd cringe because I knew it was going to be harsh. After the wheel/tire change it's definitely not as jarring. I'm not sure if it's the wheels or tires or both that caused the change.

As for stock suspension/wheel setup vs. my current setup. It's really only marginally rougher. I wouldn't think twice about it. Had the wheels/tires not made my ride better I might consider rolling back the suspension and look for alternatives. Mainly because I have a 1 & 2 y/o that ride in the back.

Aside from the ride quality, there is also merit to going to lightweight wheels. It made a huge difference I wasn't expecting. Way more nimble and responsive to inputs. I was happily surprised.

Your observations seem in line with what I have been researching lately. In fact I did not want to hijack this thread with this topic so I started a separate thread to address this question: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=886760

I'm now looking forward to my EC-7 and Michelin Pilot A/S 3 combo next month

[OC40]

Originally Posted by rallybull

I would not call it uncomfortable if the roads are not bad. At the same time I guess most people would agree that it would be nice to have a bit more comfort. Then again everyone has their own thresholds. Of course there is no doubt about the dramatically improved handling. I would say it is a fair trade off -- much better handling/fun for a bit a comfort. You should go drive an M3 and decide.

After this MPS install, the last thing I want to do is to furthur increase the amount of bumps and road harshness. That's the reason I'm wondering if going with a EC-7 is going to increase the harshness more than a non-RFT will be able to decrease the harshness... if you get what I mean

EDIT: Most likely I was wrong in assuming that adding a lighter wheel is going to increase the bumps so the above point is really a non-issue.

Thanks! My wife and I tested an M3 today as it's been noted that the MPS is slightly less harsh than the M3. We loved the ride...it did not feel too harsh for either of us. I think I'm going to pull it assuming my dealer gives me a fair price on the install.

[OC40]

My SA is ordering this for me on Tuesday! I informed him of my decision after the parts guy left. My gift to myself for the ticket that I received on the way out to the desert to meet friends...

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by OC40

My SA is ordering this for me on Tuesday! I informed him of my decision after the parts guy left. My gift to myself for the ticket that I received on the way out to the desert to meet friends...

Get an escort max too while you're at it :-)

[OC40]

Edit: Ordered! Install begins Monday. I hope to have the car back on Wednesday.

[jamesems]

Originally Posted by OC40

Ordered! Install begins Friday. I hope to have the car back on Monday.

congrats...lets us have a pic or two when its in

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by OC40

Ordered! Install begins Friday. I hope to have the car back on Monday.

Nice

[newoldbeemer]

Aargh! My dealer seems least interested in doing this. I had to coax and convince the parts guy that such an upgrade exists, and looks like my SA is hearing about this for the first time, wouldn't return my calls

[OC40]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

Aargh! My dealer seems least interested in doing this. I had to coax and convince the parts guy that such an upgrade exists, and looks like my SA is hearing about this for the first time, wouldn't return my calls

I believe my dealer is charging about $150 too much for the install, but they completely understand the upgrade.

I called another local dealer for a price quote and they gave me the same run around. I asked for a quote on the install only. The SA forwarded my email to parts who said they couldn't find the MPS in their system. I explained the MPS in more detail and said that I have the MPS - I just need it installed. SA said I still need to speak to his parts department. It was ridiculous.

I suggest calling another local dealer. I'm happy that my dealer understands all upgrades.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by jamesems

congrats...lets us have a pic or two when its in

Will do. It's not going in until next week now. Ill post shortly after.

[newoldbeemer]

Thanks, and congrats on getting yours done! Will wait for pics.

[OC40]

Aye. Dealer said red springs came with their kit. Kit arrived today, they opened it and no springs. Thought this would have been sorted out by now.

Edit: springs come on Saturday. Install on Monday!!

[jamesems]

Originally Posted by OC40

Aye. Dealer said red springs came with their kit. Kit arrived today, they opened it and no springs. Thought this would have been sorted out by now.

Edit: springs come on Saturday. Install on Monday!!

Who's doing your install?

[OC40]

Originally Posted by jamesems

Who's doing your install?

Dealer - Crevier in OC. They have installed four already. Just a little mix up with the springs, which they corrected in about 30 minutes.

[bmrm396]

Originally Posted by OC40

Dealer - Crevier in OC. They have installed four already. Just a little mix up with the springs, which they corrected in about 30 minutes.

whatd they charge (if you don't mind my asking)?

interested myself and don't live to far away. PM me

[OC40]

Dropped off my car this am. Should be available for pick up tomorrow!!

Off topic - I was given a 528 loaner. How the hell does a 5 series have less leg room than a 3? My knees are in my chest. Unbelievable. I thought the 3/5 had the same interior specs.

[OC40]

Installed! Thank you to everyone for their feedback during my contemplation.

I'll report back tomorrow with my thoughts and pics. It looks amazing!