Best suspension mod?

[My135]

What is the best bang for the bucks? Just spring first then sway bars later, or sway first then spring, or both at the same time? Will most of the sport spring lower the 135's M suspension by another 1 inch drop? Thanks for the help.

[S54dan]

It all depends on your taste. There is no "best." Best is determined by the driver. I prefer a 1.4 drop in the front and .75 in the rear

[ModBargains.com]

Originally Posted by My135

What is the best bang for the bucks? Just spring first then sway bars later, or sway first then spring, or both at the same time? Will most of the sport spring lower the 135's M suspension by another 1 inch drop? Thanks for the help.

Question is what are you trying to pull off? Performance? Looks? Both? Biggest bang for your buck...You go with KW coilovers. I know they're not just springs, but I guarantee KWs will be way better than any set of springs.

How great is the KW Coilover? Well like I'm sure you've read around, the M3 CSL that had the Nürburgring time record has been using the Bilstein coilovers for 2 years...Last year, they switched over to the KW coilovers, and they finished "The Ring" ~30 seconds faster than with the Bilsteins...what does that mean? The Bilstein Coilover that they had record time on was beaten by a whopping 30 seconds just by switching over to the KWs.

Sure, KWs aren't as expensive as other coilovers, but who says that more expensive means better performing?? :biggrin: Plus, with coilovers you get all sort of adjustabilities, including height, so you can your own individual look that you're going for.

As for sway bars, I would probably get that second after the Coilovers, unless you have the ability to get both at the same time--then you can expect an ultimate setup in suspension!

[adc]

Originally Posted by James************

How great is the KW Coilover? Well like I'm sure you've read around, the M3 CSL that had the Nürburgring time record has been using the Bilstein coilovers for 2 years...Last year, they switched over to the KW coilovers, and they finished "The Ring" ~30 seconds faster than with the Bilsteins...what does that mean? The Bilstein Coilover that they had record time on was beaten by a whopping 30 seconds just by switching over to the KWs.

I have a really hard time believing that was the only change. It sounds more like KW advertising than anything else.

But I'm open-minded enough to get educated about it - and if true, a set of KW would be my first mod. So where did you get this info?

[My135]

I am more performance orienated. How much is the KW coilover? So, you don't think sway bar is important and you think the stock sway bar is good enough?

[BerkTechnology]

Originally Posted by My135

What is the best bang for the bucks? Just spring first then sway bars later, or sway first then spring, or both at the same time? Will most of the sport spring lower the 135's M suspension by another 1 inch drop? Thanks for the help.

Using a bang for the buck method:

1. tires
2. rear sway
3. front camber plates
4. KW Coilovers (I highly reccommend the V3's)

[Evolution Racewerks]

Word, I agree. Stock tires are junk. About the worst tires I've driven on (el cheapo tires not included).

Originally Posted by BerkTechnology

Using a bang for the buck method:

1. tires
2. rear sway
3. front camber plates
4. KW Coilovers (I highly reccommend the V3's)

[My135]

You mean just thicker rear sway and leave the front sway remains stock? So, you think spring will do nothing other enhance the look? I heard the rear sway is pain in the butt to install. Can I just do the KW coil over and how difficult to install? Would it be the same effort as replacing the springs? Thanks in advance for your help.

[WAY]

Originally Posted by BerkTechnology

Using a bang for the buck method:

1. tires
2. rear sway
3. front camber plates
4. KW Coilovers (I highly reccommend the V3's)

What rear sway should I be getting? I am going to get KW Clubsports so I don't need additional camber plates.

[TazioNYC]

Start with replacing the tires and see how that feels. It makes a *big* difference.

[Steve135i]

Originally Posted by BerkTechnology

Using a bang for the buck method:

1. tires
2. rear sway
3. front camber plates
4. KW Coilovers (I highly reccommend the V3's)

^^^^^EXACTLY^^^^^

[Heinzftw]

Love the mind of professionals!! When will the seminar of "Cars 101" start? Very interested! :biggrin:

[coco_m3]

why not just some H&R Sport springs?

[tjockey]

Got the H&R coilovers, stay tuned....Got to get them on first:biggrin:

[WhiteOne]

How about adding some negative camber for 0 dollars.
Adding spacers to the front wheels for under $100.
Might be best bang for the buck.

[SlickShift]

If you're looking for the most noticeable difference in handling I'd go with a set a swaybars. I just got some for my 325Ci and the handling is greatly improved.

[BerkTechnology]

Originally Posted by My135

You mean just thicker rear sway and leave the front sway remains stock? So, you think spring will do nothing other enhance the look? I heard the rear sway is pain in the butt to install. Can I just do the KW coil over and how difficult to install? Would it be the same effort as replacing the springs? Thanks in advance for your help.

Yes, rear bar only. Stiffening the rear bar will reduce understeer. It's actually a royal pain to install. It's not something that I would recommend you do at home.

Stiffer springs (lowering springs) will also improve handling as well (lower CG, less body roll, etc) but most of you guys will do it for the looks, the improved handling is a bonus.

Yes, you can install just the KW coilovers only. It's a virtually identical install for springs only vs. coilvers (V1, V2, or V3).

[My135]

Thanks for the answers and this is exactly what I was looking for.

[Upgrade+]

I did a bigger rear sway and stiffer endlinks on my old Subaru STI and the handling was night and day. Since this is a rear wheel drive car, would going with too thick of a bar bring the tail end out more since you making it stiffer? What size bar would be perfect for the rear? And would you also recommend endlinks? Just seems like it would help even more.

Originally Posted by BerkTechnology

Yes, rear bar only. Stiffening the rear bar will reduce understeer. It's actually a royal pain to install. It's not something that I would recommend you do at home.

Stiffer springs (lowering springs) will also improve handling as well (lower CG, less body roll, etc) but most of you guys will do it for the looks, the improved handling is a bonus.

Yes, you can install just the KW coilovers only. It's a virtually identical install for springs only vs. coilvers (V1, V2, or V3).