Road rally suspension setup

loesch · 06-30-2016, 03:36 PM

Have you seen or participated in things like Gumball 3000? This is where there is a meeting spot somewhere, usually inside a large city, then a race to different checkpoints. Usually the roads are terrible in the city and the highways, then you have serious twistys to contend with. I just participated in something like this and it was an incredible experience, even though my ride ended way short of the finish (water pump). This exposed a huge shortcoming in my setup, the suspension. I cheaped out big time in this department. I'm just running Eiback Sport Springs with OEM struts + Whiteline subframe bushing inserts. I know, stupid decision not to replace the struts. I guess my biggest complaints are the harshness when hitting large road imperfections, and the inability to get power to the ground on rough sections. On smooth back roads it actually feels pretty good. The sticky tires I have really grip well. What would you guys suggest I do to nail down a good suspension combo with rally's in mind that won't completely break the bank, or my spine?

lowbudgethero · 06-30-2016, 04:40 PM

I like the e92 bmw performance shocks + e92 dinan springs. Needed the ride height so I wanted as little drop as possible. I did the shocks first, but it just didn't feel as hunkered down as I wanted it to be. My goal was something that would be good on back roads of NJ and PA. Anything is an improvement over the stock shocks though.

Maybe konis would be right for you to have the dampening adjustment.

loesch · 06-30-2016, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

I like the e92 bmw performance shocks + e92 dinan springs. Needed the ride height so I wanted as little drop as possible. I did the shocks first, but it just didn't feel as hunkered down as I wanted it to be. My goal was something that would be good on back roads of NJ and PA. Anything is an improvement over the stock shocks though.

Maybe konis would be right for you to have the dampening adjustment.

That was my first thought as well. The Koni's. Im wondering though if a mid range set of coil overs would be a better way to go? I haven't any first hand experience with them so I don't know the benefits, if any in this situation.

lowbudgethero · 06-30-2016, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loesch

That was my first thought as well. The Koni's. Im wondering though if a mid range set of coil overs would be a better way to go? I haven't any first hand experience with them so I don't know the benefits, if any in this situation.

I've always avoid coil overs because i cant be trusted to adjust anything

All the mid range ones lower the car a 1"+ iirc, which wouldn't be good on the rough stuff, but you may be able to swap in different springs to change ride height.

asbrr · 06-30-2016, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loesch

That was my first thought as well. The Koni's. Im wondering though if a mid range set of coil overs would be a better way to go? I haven't any first hand experience with them so I don't know the benefits, if any in this situation.

Coils will give you the addition of height adjustment. Look at TCK SA kit as a good setup with dampening adjustability.

A cheap out of the box kit would be something like a B12 kit (you would just need bilstein B8s since you already have the eibachs) or an equivalent koni based kit.

All depends on how much cash you got to spend...

ShocknAwe · 06-30-2016, 06:04 PM

Absolutely love my TCK SA setup. If you want to have the option of keeping the ride height near stock levels, use the OEM top hat.

loesch · 06-30-2016, 08:34 PM

I see the name TC Kline come up a lot when looking at reviews and recommendations. $2,200 is a bit more than I'd like to spend though. I might just go with the Koni's struts for now and pine over the TCs for another year or so before I give in and get them.

loesch · 06-30-2016, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Absolutely love my TCK SA setup. If you want to have the option of keeping the ride height near stock levels, use the OEM top hat.

How is it compared to the Bilstein HD Dampers, Swift Spec-R Springs that you had? That's what's listed in your build thread.

mike082802 · 06-30-2016, 08:52 PM

mfactory coilovers, $1000

mike082802 · 06-30-2016, 08:54 PM

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1249785

ShocknAwe · 06-30-2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loesch

How is it compared to the Bilstein HD Dampers, Swift Spec-R Springs that you had? That's what's listed in your build thread.

Better valving, rebound adjustment is nice too. Though the Billy/Swift setup was great as well. Still need to take pictures of those parts and put them up for sale. Update my build thread too. Been super lazy lately.

loesch · 06-30-2016, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike082802

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1249785

Oh man now that is tempting. MFactory seems to really have their shit together too.

loesch · 07-01-2016, 08:25 AM

I can't remember, can you change just the struts without an alignment?

ShocknAwe · 07-01-2016, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loesch

I can't remember, can you change just the struts without an alignment?

If you change the front you'll need an alignment. In general you'll need one if you touch any of the adjustment points or change the ride height at all.

HP Autosport · 07-01-2016, 11:59 AM

TCKR is a very good choice as both the struts and shocks have additional compression travel. Spring rates also have several options to suit your needs. Ride height can be nearly stock or lower depending on spring selection. Camber plates are purely optional with the TCKR.

PM or call us if you have any specific questions.

06-30-2016, 03:36 PM	#1
loesch Captain 129 Rep 917 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: State College, PA iTrader: (4)	Road rally suspension setup Have you seen or participated in things like Gumball 3000? This is where there is a meeting spot somewhere, usually inside a large city, then a race to different checkpoints. Usually the roads are terrible in the city and the highways, then you have serious twistys to contend with. I just participated in something like this and it was an incredible experience, even though my ride ended way short of the finish (water pump). This exposed a huge shortcoming in my setup, the suspension. I cheaped out big time in this department. I'm just running Eiback Sport Springs with OEM struts + Whiteline subframe bushing inserts. I know, stupid decision not to replace the struts. I guess my biggest complaints are the harshness when hitting large road imperfections, and the inability to get power to the ground on rough sections. On smooth back roads it actually feels pretty good. The sticky tires I have really grip well. What would you guys suggest I do to nail down a good suspension combo with rally's in mind that won't completely break the bank, or my spine? __________________ 2011 135i M Sport 6MT LeMans Blue \| Active Autowerke Gen II axle back \| Berk d******* \| N54 gutted mids \| FuelIt Walbro 450 fuel pump \| Pure Turbos Stage 2 \| 3.5bar TMAP \| Pure Turbos inlet pipe \| BMS intake \| BMS oil catch can \| ETS intercooler \| ETS charge pipe \| BMS JB4 w/ ISO firmware \| BMS backend flash stacked on PPK \| Eibach springs \| Whiteline rear subframe bushing inserts \| cosmetic tidbits
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06-30-2016, 04:40 PM	#2
lowbudgethero Captain 125 Rep 750 Posts Drives: '98 Z3M (gone), '09 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: 908 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [8.50]	I like the e92 bmw performance shocks + e92 dinan springs. Needed the ride height so I wanted as little drop as possible. I did the shocks first, but it just didn't feel as hunkered down as I wanted it to be. My goal was something that would be good on back roads of NJ and PA. Anything is an improvement over the stock shocks though. Maybe konis would be right for you to have the dampening adjustment.
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06-30-2016, 06:04 PM	#6
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3236 Rep 7,897 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Absolutely love my TCK SA setup. If you want to have the option of keeping the ride height near stock levels, use the OEM top hat. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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06-30-2016, 08:34 PM	#7
loesch Captain 129 Rep 917 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: State College, PA iTrader: (4)	I see the name TC Kline come up a lot when looking at reviews and recommendations. $2,200 is a bit more than I'd like to spend though. I might just go with the Koni's struts for now and pine over the TCs for another year or so before I give in and get them. __________________ 2011 135i M Sport 6MT LeMans Blue \| Active Autowerke Gen II axle back \| Berk d******* \| N54 gutted mids \| FuelIt Walbro 450 fuel pump \| Pure Turbos Stage 2 \| 3.5bar TMAP \| Pure Turbos inlet pipe \| BMS intake \| BMS oil catch can \| ETS intercooler \| ETS charge pipe \| BMS JB4 w/ ISO firmware \| BMS backend flash stacked on PPK \| Eibach springs \| Whiteline rear subframe bushing inserts \| cosmetic tidbits
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06-30-2016, 08:52 PM	#9
mike082802 Major 115 Rep 1,004 Posts Drives: 2010 135 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: ny iTrader: (2)	mfactory coilovers, $1000
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06-30-2016, 08:54 PM	#10
mike082802 Major 115 Rep 1,004 Posts Drives: 2010 135 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: ny iTrader: (2)	http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1249785
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07-01-2016, 08:25 AM	#13
loesch Captain 129 Rep 917 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: State College, PA iTrader: (4)	I can't remember, can you change just the struts without an alignment? __________________ 2011 135i M Sport 6MT LeMans Blue \| Active Autowerke Gen II axle back \| Berk d******* \| N54 gutted mids \| FuelIt Walbro 450 fuel pump \| Pure Turbos Stage 2 \| 3.5bar TMAP \| Pure Turbos inlet pipe \| BMS intake \| BMS oil catch can \| ETS intercooler \| ETS charge pipe \| BMS JB4 w/ ISO firmware \| BMS backend flash stacked on PPK \| Eibach springs \| Whiteline rear subframe bushing inserts \| cosmetic tidbits
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07-01-2016, 11:59 AM	#15
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 3858 Rep 54,419 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	TCKR is a very good choice as both the struts and shocks have additional compression travel. Spring rates also have several options to suit your needs. Ride height can be nearly stock or lower depending on spring selection. Camber plates are purely optional with the TCKR. PM or call us if you have any specific questions.
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