Which springs w/ Koni Yellows

[320Devil]

Originally Posted by ajshanny

I would not recommend the Eibach pro kit springs. I installed them with Koni Yellows and the the ride quality was very poor. In the end, I went back to the stock springs with the Konis. The ride is still quite stiff, but the body roll is greatly reduced from stock and the ride is much better than with the Eibachs. I'm still thinking about going back to the stock shocks and struts because I liked the plush ride, but I think you would be better off to with the stock springs on the Konis or perhaps the BMW performance springs. I honestly think the car has better grip with the stock springs because it skips less over mid corner bumps compared to the Eibachs. For what it's worth, the tech guys at Koni told me that the yellows are designed to work best with the stock springs, and I tend to agree based on my experience with three different set-ups on the car.

I've posted something similar before, but you said it a lot better. I have the Koni FSDs with the Eibach springs and I'm not pleased. I'm very happy with the shocks, but like you, I think it's the springs that are causing the problem. I love the lowered look that aftermarket springs provide, so hopefully someone will have a review of the OE H&Rs soon. If they are good I'd give them a shot or try out the BMW performance springs.

[MastaMind]

It's strange you guys find the Eibach's so harsh, since I believe they're typically pretty compliant. I remember when the 135 first came out, Advevo had the pro kit on his 135, and he really liked them for street use.

So, the main complaint is that the car is unsettled over bumps?

[Gogud]

"...so hopefully someone will have a review of the OE H&Rs soon."

Don't hold you breath for a review of the H&R OEs. They don't even import them into the country yet although they have been advertised for quite a while. I was told 'probably in January' by the importer last month.

[320Devil]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

It's strange you guys find the Eibach's so harsh, since I believe they're typically pretty compliant. I remember when the 135 first came out, Advevo had the pro kit on his 135, and he really liked them for street use.

So, the main complaint is that the car is unsettled over bumps?

Correct. My Eibach and Koni FSD combo only suck over bumps and large dips. It's so unsettling over large dips at high speeds that my head almost hits the roof. With that exception, it's a pretty smooth ride and not harsh at all.

[HighQ]

Intresting that the FSD/Eibach combo performs so poor. I would have thought they would be a lot better. Looks like the masters of suspension in the 90s (Eibach/Bilstein) have dropped the ball. H&R and KW seem to be the better option these days.

I added the previously posted reviews to the E82 dampers guide

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by ajshanny

For what it's worth, the tech guys at Koni told me that the yellows are designed to work best with the stock springs, and I tend to agree based on my experience with three different set-ups on the car.

Really? It says on the koni site about the yellows: "Best KONl shock for all lowering springs".

http://www.koni-na.com/sport.cfm :iono:

[ajshanny]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Really? It says on the koni site about the yellows: "Best KONl shock for all lowering springs".

http://www.koni-na.com/sport.cfm :iono:

I think that means if you are going to use lowering springs with one or the other of the Koni choices (i.e., Yellows or FSDs), then it's better to go with Yellows than FSDs. In any case, I can tell you from direct experience that the Eibachs were too harsh in all conditions except over a completely smooth road surface. Going back to the stock springs brought significant improvement in compliance, but still not as much compliance as the stock springs with the stock shocks/struts. I haven't yet decided whether to go back to the stock shocks/struts, as the body roll and general wallowing of the stock set-up much better than with the Yellows/stock springs. It seems to be sort of a trade-off. I would be very interested in hearing, however, how FSDs work with stock springs. My understanding is that the FSDs are more compliant and are not designed to be used with lowering springs.

[l2iceman]

Bringing this one back from the dead...I have a 2011 135i w/ M Sport.
I plan on doing 4-5 lapping days this season, and plan to get either RS3/BFG Rivals/Direza Z2 tires, square set up, will need to adjust camber.

I'm looking into the following set up:

- Koni Yellows/OEM springs - didn't really want to lower the car, would it be a decent setup to stick with OEM springs? If I go with this, I'd get adjustable camber plates

- Koni Yellows - Swift Spec R springs - I think this is ideal for performance, if set up with Dinan camber plates, will I be able to get more than -2.0 camber since the height is being lowered?

- BC Racing BR type Coilovers - this option would come with the camber adjustability up front, but I'm not a big fan of coilovers for the street, I plan to set it and forget it. Also, hoping with this setup, I can keep the drop at a minimal compared to stock.

Just a background, I'm not a pro-driver, I enjoy going to the track for open lapping days and just have fun, so i don't need the most hardcore set up, just something that won't break the bank, budget would be roughly around $1000-1200 USD - all three options above are within that range.

Thanks in advance!

[MightyMouseTech]

Lowering will not affect camber on a strut suspension.

Get the M3 front arms and Dinan plates. That is what I have and have -1.9 in the front.

Will be going with Koni/Swift myself.

I will not go lower myself, my car is 99% daily street driving with the odd track outing. Street comfort is paramount.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Lowering will not affect camber on a strut suspension.

Get the M3 front arms and Dinan plates. That is what I have and have -1.9 in the front.

Will be going with Koni/Swift myself.

I will not go lower myself, my car is 99% daily street driving with the odd track outing. Street comfort is paramount.

Lowering will affect camber, just not as much as the control arm swap or camber plates.

[l2iceman]

Ah ok...hmm, I plan to get 245/40/17 square.

I'm trying to see if I can get decent camber with Koni Yellow/Swift Springs plus Dinan plates, stock everything else. If I can get this to -2.0, I think it'd be ok, meaning tires should last for a bit before needing to rotate. if not, then I'll just go with the BC coils I think...

[MightyMouseTech]

You will need the M3 front arms as well. They add -0.75 camber.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by l2iceman

Ah ok...hmm, I plan to get 245/40/17 square.

I'm trying to see if I can get decent camber with Koni Yellow/Swift Springs plus Dinan plates, stock everything else. If I can get this to -2.0, I think it'd be ok, meaning tires should last for a bit before needing to rotate. if not, then I'll just go with the BC coils I think...

I have Koni yellows, Swift Spec-Rs, Dinan plates, M3 control arms and 2.3° camber.

[chewren]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

I have Koni yellows, Swift Spec-Rs, Dinan plates, M3 control arms and 2.3° camber.

I'm running the same setup, without the camber plates. 225/35/19 tyres on 37 offset rims. Rubbing in the front. Any solutions for me?

[l2iceman]

Damn, 225 rubs? I was thinking today of just going with 225fronts and 245 rears, Koni Yellows, Swift springs and Dinan camber plates. Tires would be likely rs3 or BFG Rivals.

Agh, at this rate, and my budget, maybe I'll just go with the bc coilovers and go with the 245 square set up.

[chewren]

Originally Posted by l2iceman

Damn, 225 rubs? I was thinking today of just going with 225fronts and 245 rears, Koni Yellows, Swift springs and Dinan camber plates. Tires would be likely rs3 or BFG Rivals.

Agh, at this rate, and my budget, maybe I'll just go with the bc coilovers and go with the 245 square set up.

I'm running PSS tyres, and my front are close to slammed on 19s. Even with -1.2 Camber up front i rub. Let me get a picture

[chewren]

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by chewren

I'm running the same setup, without the camber plates. 225/35/19 tyres on 37 offset rims. Rubbing in the front. Any solutions for me?

Try a different set of rims, with more 1er friendly offsets (ET45)? Or try to get more camber, with camber plates?

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by l2iceman

Damn, 225 rubs? I was thinking today of just going with 225fronts and 245 rears, Koni Yellows, Swift springs and Dinan camber plates. Tires would be likely rs3 or BFG Rivals.

Agh, at this rate, and my budget, maybe I'll just go with the bc coilovers and go with the 245 square set up.

I have swift on stock wheels with 225/40 Dulop zll's and no rubbing, I've even had 1/2" spacers and they didn't rub in the front but I did get rubbing in the rear with235/40 so I removed the spacers.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by l2iceman

Damn, 225 rubs? I was thinking today of just going with 225fronts and 245 rears, Koni Yellows, Swift springs and Dinan camber plates. Tires would be likely rs3 or BFG Rivals.

Agh, at this rate, and my budget, maybe I'll just go with the bc coilovers and go with the 245 square set up.

Get a proper offset rim and you will be fine.

Originally Posted by chewren

I'm running the same setup, without the camber plates. 225/35/19 tyres on 37 offset rims. Rubbing in the front. Any solutions for me?

Get rims with a proper offset?

[SalemChiro]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Lowering will not affect camber on a strut suspension.

Get the M3 front arms and Dinan plates. That is what I have and have -1.9 in the front.

Will be going with Koni/Swift myself.

I will not go lower myself, my car is 99% daily street driving with the odd track outing. Street comfort is paramount.

@MightyMouseTech

I have a set of Swift Spec-R springs I'm selling. PM me if you are interested.