[captainslow]

alright so about 2 months ago I got kw v1's installed on my 335xi. I got an alignment about a week after the car got the coilovers installed to make sure it was fully settled. The car feels fine around town and going straight at highway speeds, but cornering at high speeds is very unpredicable. It is hard to describe what I am feeling, but while cornering at high speeds it is difficult to keep the car in the proper lane and feels like its darting all over the place almost like it has no grip. any insight?

[Cloud9blue]

your alignment was probably an "unalignment".

did you get a print out from your shop that listed out the before and after specs for your camber, toe, and etcs.

[Tom Droze]

As you upgrade your suspension you will start to expose other weeknesses, just out of curiosity, in what condition are your subframe bushings and other bushings?

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

your alignment was probably an "unalignment".

did you get a print out from your shop that listed out the before and after specs for your camber, toe, and etcs.

This...too many unknowns here.

[infidel335]

What tires are you running and in what condition are they? I have a 335xi on KW V1s and the car handles awesomely.

[Fundguy1]

I just had a KWV2 installed. I have M3 strut brace but rest is stock so far with 220,000 miles. The car now handles like it's on rails compared to before. I do have good tires, I am replacing subframe bushings, adding M3 front control arms, and Manzo rear toe control arms as well as replacing any worn bushings, but the swap to the KWs was nothing but positive. You have something wrong. Either improper install or alignment more likely. Sure the rest of the suspension components will show their weaknesses more now but you shouldn't have worse handling than before.

[justpete]

It sounds like the camber is transitioning to positive due to improper damper setting. About the only thing that would totally screw up cornering but not straight line handling. Or not, just best guess here...

[captainslow]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

your alignment was probably an "unalignment".

did you get a print out from your shop that listed out the before and after specs for your camber, toe, and etcs.

I did get a print out. I think the alignment was fine. this is the readout



I have no idea why the image is sideways.

[captainslow]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

As you upgrade your suspension you will start to expose other weeknesses, just out of curiosity, in what condition are your subframe bushings and other bushings?

I upgraded to m3 swaybars and m3 subframe bushings like 40,000 miles ago.

[captainslow]

Originally Posted by infidel335

What tires are you running and in what condition are they? I have a 335xi on KW V1s and the car handles awesomely.

I have Continental extreme contact DWS tires without about 25,000 miles on them.

[captainslow]

Originally Posted by justpete

It sounds like the camber is transitioning to positive due to improper damper setting. About the only thing that would totally screw up cornering but not straight line handling. Or not, just best guess here...

the v1's dont have the ability to change damper settings so I dont think thats the issue.

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by captainslow

the v1's dont have the ability to change damper settings so I dont think thats the issue.

how much did you low your car, and are the ride height on each corner consistent?

alignment looks ok, if their printout is to be trusted. if your car was driving fine before, the only two things I can think of is either uneven ride height (skewed weight distribution) and some install errors (torn bushings on the control arms due to excessive lowering, improperly torqued strut nuts, etc.)

sorry, can't help more unless you get your car checked by a professional in person.

[captainslow]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

how much did you low your car, and are the ride height on each corner consistent?

alignment looks ok, if their printout is to be trusted. if your car was driving fine before, the only two things I can think of is either uneven ride height (skewed weight distribution) and some install errors (torn bushings on the control arms due to excessive lowering, improperly torqued strut nuts, etc.)

sorry, can't help more unless you get your car checked by a professional in person.

The car isnt sitting any lower than it was before as I had koni yellow shocks and Eibach sport springs. the ride height is even is was measured and adjusted 1 week after install before doing the alignment. Thinking about it, I think the car was a bit skethy before the install, I think maybe I just wasnt pushing the car as hard. based on that analysis, do you think it is the tires or something else?

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by captainslow

The car isnt sitting any lower than it was before as I had koni yellow shocks and Eibach sport springs. the ride height is even is was measured and adjusted 1 week after install before doing the alignment. Thinking about it, I think the car was a bit skethy before the install, I think maybe I just wasnt pushing the car as hard. based on that analysis, do you think it is the tires or something else?

there isn't much we can do over the internet without any solid information

get it checked out by a professional

[feuer]

Look like the alignment shop only worked on the rear.
The front camber is 0.4 (almost 1/2 degree) from side to side which is not good.
There is more to how the car handles tan just alignment.
Different dampers and spring operate at different range although you car is at identical height as before.
So their effect on body roll and weight transfers would be different to.
Tire pressure as well.
So first, take the car to a shop that can do proper alignment.
Camber and toe settings will alter the handling.

[captainslow]

all the tires had about 35psi in them. I filled them all up to 40psi and it feels a lot better. When I pushed it really hard the car still felt like I was driving on ice, but when that happened was at a much higher speed than it was before..

[Camman]

40psi?? That's awfully high. I would have someone check the tires out. 25k is a lot on those tires if I remember correctly.

At 220k miles, there could be other suspension components that are worn out and need to be replaced.

[captainslow]

i checked the tires today and they still appear to have plenty of tread. what do you mean 220k miles? the car has like 70k on it.


I brought it to a mechanic and he said everything visually looked fine. Upon driving it he said it seemed fine as well. The problem is driving the car at even 7/10 or 8/10 it feels really planted, but once you get closer to the limit it is really unpredictable in a way that it didn't use to do.

[ajsalida]

DWS are not exactly a performance tire, esp with 25k on them. Rears on mine were toast by then. Were the V1's new or used?

It is possible the suspension was the weak link prior, and now lowered + at higher speeds/side-loads it is the tires. DWS have soft side walls and hard tread compound, not ideal for pulling g's but they are very good all season tires.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by captainslow

i checked the tires today and they still appear to have plenty of tread. what do you mean 220k miles? the car has like 70k on it.


I brought it to a mechanic and he said everything visually looked fine. Upon driving it he said it seemed fine as well. The problem is driving the car at even 7/10 or 8/10 it feels really planted, but once you get closer to the limit it is really unpredictable in a way that it didn't use to do.

What makes you think your mechanic know how e90 should handle especially on aftermarket suspension. Another thing! you don't limit suspension inspection only to visual. Additionally, when upgrading one part you expose the weakness of another part. I will tell you to reach out to fellow owner of built e9x local to you and have them drive you car and give you their opinion. Preferably someone like cluod9blue and justpete because they built their cars and spent singnificant amount of time driving them hard.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by captainslow

all the tires had about 35psi in them. I filled them all up to 40psi and it feels a lot better. When I pushed it really hard the car still felt like I was driving on ice, but when that happened was at a much higher speed than it was before..

Yeah. OK, quickie: How were your new shocks matched to your springs?

And why didn't you stick with Yellows? They're rebuildable which might be done every 40k mi.

All suspension parts and toe good, stability and dreamy handling may be had at -2.5°+ camber all 'round.

[Camman]

Originally Posted by captainslow

i checked the tires today and they still appear to have plenty of tread. what do you mean 220k miles? the car has like 70k on it.

Whoops, my bad. I read a different member's comment where he stated he had 220k miles.

Anyways, like others have said, the fresh coilovers might be exposing other weaknesses.

My guess is probably the tires are one factor(either worn or soft sidewalls) and the alignment might not be dialed in fully. I would take it to a reputable shop that does alignments and is experienced with BMW's. BMW's are very touchy when it comes to a proper alignment.

Edit: To add to my sidewall comment. I had continental DWS's on my last car with aftermarket suspension and when I was on the highway and I would do a little flick in the steering, you could feel the whole car have a delayed sway because the sidewalls were just sooo soft but man those tires were definitely comfortable lol. Now DWS's are less performance oriented than DW's but I wouldn't be surprised if what your feeling is the soft sidewalls flexing and the stiffer suspension is just exposing it more. But I would still get the alignment double checked.