[coolephelps]

Hey all. So now that I have the 18" wheels in the mail, stepped from the stock 16" wheels, it's finally time for coilovers. What's the best pair for my 06 325xi? Anyone, seen the green fortune auto coilovers going for $13xx? Highly affordable right? Also, there's the bilstein pss10, the h&r coilovers, the st suspension coilovers, the bc coilovers, etc... man I'm at my wits end trying to decide. But those fortunes are looking good right now. What are you guys with e9x vehicles running? Should I worry about a dampening system or not with my purchase?

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by coolephelps

Hey all. So now that I have the 18" wheels in the mail, stepped from the stock 16" wheels, it's finally time for coilovers. What's the best pair for my 06 325xi? Anyone, seen the green fortune auto coilovers going for $13xx? Highly affordable right? Also, there's the bilstein pss10, the h&r coilovers, the st suspension coilovers, the bc coilovers, etc... man I'm at my wits end trying to decide. But those fortunes are looking good right now. What are you guys with e9x vehicles running? Should I worry about a dampening system or not with my purchase?

I think I would go with bilstein or KW.

I would also look into bilstein b8 sport struts. slap some ACS/Eibach springs on there and call it a day. this is not a coilover setup but just as effective if not better. rides and handles excellent for similar money.

[Yngvejos]

I have been running H&R coilovers on my e91 for 5 years (50 000km) and I'm very happy with them. Coming from (well used) m-sport suspension the ride was actually more comfortable with the H&Rs they were less bumpy and feel more balanced.
the quality seems fine, I don't notice any degrading after 50k km.

[coolephelps]

Originally Posted by STR8-6IX

I think I would go with bilstein or KW.

I would also look into bilstein b8 sport struts. slap some ACS/Eibach springs on there and call it a day. this is not a coilover setup but just as effective if not better. rides and handles excellent for similar money.

Ok but I don't think the strut and spring setup would give me the drop like a coilover set up. Not sure how far I can lower the vehicle with 18" wheels but h&r states that with their coilover system the car can be lowered to a max 2" front and rear. Not sure if lowering springs can compete with that. However, it is worth considering.

[coolephelps]

Originally Posted by Yngvejos

I have been running H&R coilovers on my e91 for 5 years (50 000km) and I'm very happy with them. Coming from (well used) m-sport suspension the ride was actually more comfortable with the H&Rs they were less bumpy and feel more balanced.
the quality seems fine, I don't notice any degrading after 50k km.

Seeing as you have an 325i and I have the AWD version, ride quality shouldn't make a difference. So my question to you is how harsh is the h&r coilover setup without a damper system? It's good to hear you prefer the coils over the factory M setup. I just don't want the ride to be to harsh over bumps.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Best would be KW

[coolephelps]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Best would be KW

Think your right. I see some for about $1019 on ebay. May grab them. Would I need camber plates with these though? If I do might as well grab them as well as stronger sway bars with adjustable links.

[Matt335is]

Hey guys, I'm kind of in the same boat. I ahve a 2011 335is and need a new strut guess my cap is cracked or something so was just going to upgrade. I honestly have no clue what a good upgrade is I have been looking at the Blisten Coilover System - PSS
B14, Non-damping adjustable suspension system. Its somewhat in my price range just not sure of the quality. I also thought this was one super sick from blisten but def a lot pricier B16 Electronic Ride Control Coilover System - Electronic Adjustable Damping. My car sits pretty low so not real sure how all this works lol

[NiNeTyOne]

For the non-X drive cars the Ohlins R&T setup is the best suspension you can get without paying north of $4000. You can get the complete setup with matched Eibach springs for less than $1800 from Performance Shock at Sonoma Raceway (or whatever Sears Point is called this week).

The Koni and Bilstein offerings aren't even in the same zip code, let alone the same league.

[Yngvejos]

Originally Posted by coolephelps

Seeing as you have an 325i and I have the AWD version, ride quality shouldn't make a difference. So my question to you is how harsh is the h&r coilover setup without a damper system? It's good to hear you prefer the coils over the factory M setup. I just don't want the ride to be to harsh over bumps.

What do you mean without a damper system? The coilover kit comes complete with dampeners.

[coolephelps]

Originally Posted by Yngvejos

What do you mean without a damper system? The coilover kit comes complete with dampeners.

Should've said adjustable damper system. The kw v1 and h&r streets don't have adj. dampers.

[CantCatchMe]

I had KW's and I will never go that route again when I get coilovers in the Fall.

Check out Fortune Auto 500. They are really amazing for the price and the quality is top notch. See if anyone has it on their car to get a ride. I fell in love a few years ago when I sat in a R58 JCW.

[NiNeTyOne]

I'll repeat, for ~1700-1800 this kit from PSI is the best kit you can buy under ~4000.00.



Ohlins Road & Track coilover suspension BMW 3-series

KW, Koni, Bilstein aren't even close to the same league. For the price PSI sells these things for, they are a screaming bargain.

[Bfifty8]

I have the h&r coilovers for my 335xi and its great. The rears are super easy to adjust. Just a 10 mm or 8mm can't remember but using the Allen you can adjust it easily.

[AZBimmer]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

I'll repeat, for ~1700-1800 this kit from PSI is the best kit you can buy under ~4000.00.



Ohlins Road & Track coilover suspension BMW 3-series

KW, Koni, Bilstein aren't even close to the same league. For the price PSI sells these things for, they are a screaming bargain.

Thx for the link. I have an e90 with sport package. Do you know how it will sit with this package compared to the OEM sport height? Thanks.

[AlpineBoost]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

I'll repeat, for ~1700-1800 this kit from PSI is the best kit you can buy under ~4000.00.



Ohlins Road & Track coilover suspension BMW 3-series

KW, Koni, Bilstein aren't even close to the same league. For the price PSI sells these things for, they are a screaming bargain.

+1

Worth every cent

[Matt335is]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

I'll repeat, for ~1700-1800 this kit from PSI is the best kit you can buy under ~4000.00.



Ohlins Road & Track coilover suspension BMW 3-series

KW, Koni, Bilstein aren't even close to the same league. For the price PSI sells these things for, they are a screaming bargain.

Would this go well with a 335is M suspension?

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Matt335is

Would this go well with a 335is M suspension?

Would it go well with your 335is M suspension?

No.. it wouldn't. It replaces the suspension in your 335is.

Ohlins is very good highly recommend

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Matt335is

Would this go well with a 335is M suspension?

It's a complete replacement, and honestly, the M suspension is total crap compared to this setup. This is as good as it gets before you get into VERY serious money.

This, along with all new bushings (Strongflex) and a better rear bar would totally transform an 335is. Don't even worry about the soft rear shock bushings, go with the "race" ones. The dampers will work even better.

The next step up from here is going to be something like these:

http://performanceshock.com/index.ph...roducts_id=234

I've been on track with that exact setup, and you just can't begin to imagine how good these are.

[Go Horns!]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

I'll repeat, for ~1700-1800 this kit from PSI is the best kit you can buy under ~4000.00.

Ohlins Road & Track coilover suspension BMW 3-series

KW, Koni, Bilstein aren't even close to the same league. For the price PSI sells these things for, they are a screaming bargain.

The spring rates they chose seem odd. Front: 60 N/mm(343 lbs/in.) Rear: 70 N/mm(400 Lbs/in.), may be fine on the track, but it is going to be a rough ride on a regular road.

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Go Horns!

The spring rates they chose seem odd. Front: 60 N/mm(343 lbs/in.) Rear: 70 N/mm(400 Lbs/in.), may be fine on the track, but it is going to be a rough ride on a regular road.

Absolutely not. First, these are linear springs, not progressive rate, so you're not comparing apples to apples as you might think. Second, once you've set up race cars a few times you learn that as the level of damping improves, particularly when going from monotube to something like a 4-way TTX damper, that your spring rates have to climb, and they climb quite a bit. The dampers are just that good. My last Ohlins setup car had 750 rear, 650 front linear rates on an AWD car that weighed 3130 lbs wet and put down 440AWHP.

So I actually find the base R&T rates a bit soft. They will be generally no stiffer than Eibach Pro progressives. If they made an X drive setup (dampers need to be shorter in the front to clear the draiveshaft) I would have them and add 50lbs to the rates.

[Yngvejos]

Originally Posted by coolephelps

Should've said adjustable damper system. The kw v1 and h&r streets don't have adj. dampers.

The ride is very nice. I think the m-sport suspension felt harsh/underdamped compared to h&r. I have had some different setups with adjustable dampers from koni and spax on other beemers I had earlier and never found the optimal settings.