|
|
|
09-28-2008, 11:54 AM | #1 |
Lieutenant
38
Rep 466
Posts |
Coilovers + sway bars?
I thinking about getting a set of KW V2 coilovers for my 1. Originally, I was going to get upgraded sway bars only to help cure some body roll, but all of the glowing reviews of the KWs on the forum caused me to reconsider. Here's my question: if I get the KWs, is there a real need for me to get the upgraded sways on top of that? Or should the coilovers be pretty much all I need?
|
09-29-2008, 03:42 PM | #3 |
Lieutenant Colonel
85
Rep 1,609
Posts |
BMW's performance package only replace the front sway bar for the 135. So, it does raise a good question, do we need to upgrade both or none if we are going to get the KW V2?
__________________
7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2008, 05:40 PM | #5 |
La Flama Blanca
27
Rep 1,545
Posts |
This may not be what any one else had in mind, but what if you wanted to maximize on-street handling (the body roll and floating) and adjust for the additional softness from replacing the RFT's?
__________________
AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2008, 06:19 PM | #6 | |
Private First Class
1
Rep 122
Posts |
Quote:
If you are only going to drive on the street and the only think you want to get is mitigate bodyroll then just go with the swaybars. If you plan to occasionally autocross/track or HPDE your car then you would find value in utilizing the coilovers and sway bars. Dave Mac |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2008, 06:28 PM | #7 |
Brigadier General
171
Rep 3,160
Posts |
I've always been a suspesion guy myself, power is nothing without control is what I always say. As to your question about maximizing street handling, sway bars will be fine. For me personally I would go with an entry level coilover such as the KW Variant 1, nothing like having a shock valved to match the springs. On top of that I like the option of being able to adjust the height of my car to however high, or low Id like.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2008, 07:20 PM | #9 |
Call
21
Rep 683
Posts |
After installing the Cross coilovers I'm very impressed with the adjustability and control they add. I lowered the car 1", adjusted the fronts to three clicks and zero for the back for stiffness, and set the front camber at 1, rear at 0 for street. The roll is all but gone even in very aggressive driving. The rear setting needs some adjustment to say two clicks and I'll be very happy without the use of sway bar change outs.
Needless to say come track days you will need to dial in differently but then that depends on the track you will be on or the autox setups. Having said all of this...in the back of my mind I'll still go for front and rear sways with adjustable rear camber links as soon as I can push the button on the brand...just to take care of the added aggressiveness inherent for the track. I'm not totally sold on just the sways for street unless little to no aggressive driving is planned...but then that's a moot point isn't it:biggrin: Call
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2008, 10:31 PM | #10 |
Lieutenant General
375
Rep 17,017
Posts |
I recommend doing the suspension one step at a time. Start with a coilover setup and see what you can get out of the car with that. You may find that after playing with the settings, the car still understeers in corners so you will want to upgrade the sways. But you want to learn the car and each modification in stages, not all at once so you make sure to take full advantage of each improvement.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 02:51 AM | #11 | |
Major
91
Rep 1,168
Posts |
Quote:
By the way, how easy is it to adjust the coilovers at home? My knowledge of adjusting coilovers is next to nil. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 04:52 AM | #12 |
St8rin' Thru My Rear View
42
Rep 444
Posts |
For best results u have to change everything from coilovers to sway bars to give u the maximum street grip, if u wanna go more extreme then u gotta modify cambers/toe's. Personally i'd go with KW V2 with Sways to minimize roll body and have a great handling daily driver plus it will give it a meaner appearance and will it make the 1'er sit nicely on the road. And dont forget the road legal slicks
__________________
1M - FG E92 M3 - Spec Mi GTR - Q5
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 09:07 AM | #13 |
La Flama Blanca
27
Rep 1,545
Posts |
I was leaning toward the BMW Performance suspension, but since they tune it for the RFT's, I am afraid that when I get rid of the RFT's I will, essentially, be back where I started.
__________________
AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 09:28 AM | #14 |
Captain
46
Rep 987
Posts |
Hmm, I was looking into the same... That may be an ibterestin issue since I have aftermarket wheels now
__________________
2013 BMW 335i M-Sport
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 10:43 AM | #15 | |
Major General
2759
Rep 6,760
Posts |
Quote:
All I can say that in my SP 335i, switching from RFT to non-RFT hi perf all seasons (not even aggressive summers) has improved things across the board: - More settled ride, less prone to skittering and juddering - Better turn in (went one size plus width) - Same grip in the dry, better grip in the wet, gets me home in light snow Truly, I think getting rid of the runflats and installing the Perf suspension (including springs) should greatly improve handling and responsiveness. I'd still do adjustable sways with that though.
__________________
2018 F80 Santorini 2019 Z4 3.0i 2022 X2 M35i |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 10:59 AM | #16 |
La Flama Blanca
27
Rep 1,545
Posts |
I had previously read that BMW tuned their suspensions with regard to the high rigidity of the RFT's sidewall. As a result people that went with a standard (non-RFT) tire believed the stock suspension felt softer. You didn't notice the same thing?
__________________
AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 11:07 AM | #17 | |
Major General
2759
Rep 6,760
Posts |
Quote:
As I said, I personally found absolutely no ill effects from swapping out the runflats. And the situation could only be improved if I installed the Perf catalog suspension. (I'm not doing it in the 335i because I plan to get rid of it next year).
__________________
2018 F80 Santorini 2019 Z4 3.0i 2022 X2 M35i |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 11:25 AM | #18 |
La Flama Blanca
27
Rep 1,545
Posts |
That is helpful info. Thanks!
__________________
AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2008, 12:12 PM | #19 |
Lieutenant Colonel
85
Rep 1,609
Posts |
I am leaning toward replace the spring/shock with coil over first and then later decide to replace front/rear sway bars or not since I can install the coil over myself but I can't do the rear sway (which means I have to spend more money). Do you think that it is a good idea?
__________________
7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-07-2008, 07:16 PM | #20 | |
Banned
475
Rep 13,583
Posts
Drives: JB E92 335i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|