Soft Handling

[Alext]

I have just returned from a 650km round trip to Bundaberg (half of which was through a massive rainstorm). I have decided that the 135i was competent, smooth and very comfortable throughout the trip.

However the handling is a bit soft and doughy. Lacks precision. In my opinion it has no where near the control of a proper sports car (which of course it is not, but some reviews appear to be over-praising the handling). I am sure some simple suspension mods would solve this but I wont be modifying this car.

Also travelling at 100km/h I noticed that the car gets distracted worringly by puddles. Steering really gets affected and tugs out of control for a second. Was fairly dangerous at one incident. Would active steering have helped this? Different tires perhaps?

[Noize]

The terrifying feeling for a second over bumps and some puddles are due to the runflats.

I agree with you on the handling. Its alright, but it could be a whole lot better. This is the only case where I miss my Evo.

[WAY]

The handling is actually very soft indeed. I put this down to the fact that the suspension is tuned with RFT and anything harder would mean bouncy rides. Everyone who wants a tighter handling should definitely put in a set of nice coilovers!

[Jase]

I also agree that the handling is very soft but I am not going to get a set of coilovers ( the setup for daily driving is okay for me).

What I wanted to know is will the BMW front sway bar help eliminate some of the body roll? I think I remember seeing talk about this in another thread and a few ( WAY etc.) saying that it wouldn't be noticed on the street ( only for track driving).

I can deal with the soft suspension but the body roll is annoying. I understand that stiffer suspension would help the body roll considerable but I was wondering if the sway bar would be of any benefit?

[modbargains]

That is what the SALES MANAGER at McKenna BMW told us when we bought our Project ONE, "the FIRST thing I would change on the 1 is the suspension."

Just because BMW has a practically bullet proof engine, doesn't mean that the suspension is, its nothing that a nice set of coilovers can't fix right off the bat. We are going to put KW V.2s on our Project ONE.

[professor]

sway bar or strut bar? BMW Performance makes a front strut and its effects would not be noticeable on the road. those of a good set of sway bars would. i'd suggest you ask aussieracer about suspension geometry questions.

[Jase]

Sorry Prof I mean't Sway Bars ( Not strut).

[Breville]

Has anyone in Oz got the H&R springs only? I'd be interested to know what effect that has on everyday driving? I usually put up with a bit of roll for my daily driver even if it compromises track time slightly. I'd choose sticky boots, strut(s) and maybe springs.

[lannypoffo]

I went on my first mountain ride in my 1 since i got it 4-5 months ago. The handling was downright scary and dangerous. Now I know what people mean by the run flats. There was no sense of control, and it was bouncing dangerously on bigger bumps.

[professor]

the 1er is underdamped as stock partly to compensate for the RFTs. even generally, this issue is empirically verifiable by having a browse through the numerous posts on the wider forum.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by lannypoffo

I went on my first mountain ride in my 1 since i got it 4-5 months ago. The handling was downright scary and dangerous. Now I know what people mean by the run flats. There was no sense of control, and it was bouncing dangerously on bigger bumps.

And if you think that was scary, try driving under the same conditions in the vert, with the verts even tighter chasis and bracing...:eyebulge:

[professor]

joe, some struts and springs to go with the new tyres??

[Zuzu]

I agree...but the problem is convincing the finance minister..:wub:

[professor]

true. time to pull out the old charm. if that fails, bribe the minister.

[Zuzu]

Prada gift voucher should do it...

[professor]

there you go joe. problem solved. but seriously, you must have tried kris's car. do you find the vert is better damped or worse?

[Zuzu]

Worse..by far..
It just feels like its bouncing sideways when you hit a bump at mid to moderate speed..( Sorry doesnt feel like it is boucing sideways..IT IS BOUNCING SIDEWAYS...:biggrin

Once you are used to it, you learn to control the sideway momentum, but still it is a pain..

Kris's car feels far better, but then again he is running the Conti's..:thumbup:

[professor]

sideways? hmmm....chassis rigidity is not the problem at all then is it? i guess sideways is still better than a vert i drove a short while back. that one used to creak worryingly from the front part of the dash whenever it hit any sort of bump, as if the whole chassis was bending and the dash was struggling to cope!!

[Zuzu]

Didnt realise the amount of chasis strengthening there was until we had Kris's car and mine both up on the hoists alongside each other whilst having the exhaust fitted..

The vert has braces connected from the rear axle housing right through the mid section of the car..

[professor]

that's a very good sign i'd say, and would arguably help the chassis in making the most out of a suspension upgrade.

[Zuzu]

True..that and tyres are a must.

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by Jase

What I wanted to know is will the BMW front sway bar help eliminate some of the body roll? I think I remember seeing talk about this in another thread and a few ( WAY etc.) saying that it wouldn't be noticed on the street ( only for track driving).

I can deal with the soft suspension but the body roll is annoying. I understand that stiffer suspension would help the body roll considerable but I was wondering if the sway bar would be of any benefit?

Hi Jase. I'd be careful in just upgrading a sway bar at one end only. Yes it will reduce body roll but it will also introduce understeer or oversteer. Racers tweek their bars to dial out or introduce under/oversteer. I think a heavier front bar adds understeer (or have I got that back to front), which is something the 135 has been accused of having too much of anyway.
Cheers.