Eibach Pro-kit + Koni FSD Combo update

YvesD · 02-03-2010, 05:04 PM

Well, got my FSD's fitted today in conjunction with the Pro-kit ( still on OE 18's & RFT's though....)

First impressions are good. Its still no flying carpet but the FSD's have taken the edge off the sharp 'thwack' that can make it into the cabin on the worst bumps, the compression and rebound are definately stronger than stock M Sport dampers and do a good job of calming the plot down.

The previous heavy pondererous feeling of the wheels as they rebounded off certain bumps is much improved too.

The biggest improvement, which was a bit of a surprise, is the fantastic lateral control of the body when tipping into a corner. The car settles much more quickly and sniffs out the apex much more precisely. I like this.

Almost there now, I'm shortly upgrading to set of 19 inch SF 71 Alufelgens with 'normal' tyres so hopefully that last modicum of ride comfort that I'm looking for will appear with the dissapearance of the RFT's.

Happy so far.

Yves

willhollin · 02-03-2010, 05:51 PM

Great, where are you getting the alloys from?

What tyres will you be getting?

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

Great, where are you getting the alloys from?

What tyres will you be getting?

I'm getting the wheels direct from Alufelgen in the USA, they should be in transit now.

Have decided on Vred Ultrac Sessanta's for the tyres, they will suit my needs well I think.

Cheers

Yves

willhollin · 02-04-2010, 06:12 AM

I will be interested to know what pressures you settle on as I still suffer what I think is tyre roll on my 19" Ultrac Sessantas fronts. Currently at 40psi.

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

I will be interested to know what pressures you settle on as I still suffer what I think is tyre roll on my 19" Ultrac Sessantas fronts. Currently at 40psi.

Is your suspension modified too?

RFT's do have great turn in to be sure.

willhollin · 02-04-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YvesD

Is your suspension modified too?

RFT's do have great turn in to be sure.

No it's standard sports suspension.

I await to see your results.

willhollin · 02-04-2010, 06:22 AM

Incidentally, how do you rate the Bilstein B6 shocks?

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

Incidentally, how do you rate the Bilstein B6 shocks?

No idea, I'm on Koni FSD's, they do control the Eibachs much better than OEM Sports shock though...

Overall, its still a tad too stiff for the RFT's though....

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YvesD

No idea, I'm on Koni FSD's, they do control the Eibachs much better than OEM Sports shock though...

Overall, its still a tad too stiff for the RFT's though....

By the way Will, how do you find the overall 'comfort' of the Vreds compared to the RFT's?

Yves

doughboy · 02-04-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YvesD

By the way Will, how do you find the overall 'comfort' of the Vreds compared to the RFT's?

Yves

No disrespect to Vreds or Falkens, but they are a budget / mid range tyre. If you are going from top-of-the-range spec PS2 RFTs or similar then perhaps if you compared with NON RFT tyres of a similar bracket you might get different results?

i.e. conti sport 3s, or PS2 NON RFT or regular RE050A etc.... they are more exepensive for a good reason IMO.

When I went to FK452 from RFT they were soft and I mean soft squidy in all directions needing high PSI to try and compensate.

However, the Contis 3's have very stiff lateral control in the sidewalls, but not nearly so stiff in vertical direction as RFTs, and they weight about 1/2 as much. I noticed almost no change in turn in or any 'tyre roll' when going to conti 3s from PS2 RFT, but the ride was transformed in smoothness and the 'double bump' effect over sharp ridges was gone.

Conti 3 the more gradual transition to sliding, and outright grip in all but the warmest, dryest conditions is better than PS2 also.

Only £550 to 600 instead of £900+ for RFTs too. Conti 3's are go!

Go bargain basement if you want though....

willhollin · 02-04-2010, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YvesD

By the way Will, how do you find the overall 'comfort' of the Vreds compared to the RFT's?

Yves

I never had RFTs on the 19", only briefly had them on my 18".

They are very comfortable and good in the wet, only complaint is the tyre roll.

I have heard good things about Kumho KU31s.

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

Only £550 to 600 instead of £900+ for RFTs too. Conti 3's are go!

Go bargain basement if you want though....

Spent too much already !

I dont think Contis come in the sizes I want either

235/35 & 265/30?

Yves

doughboy · 02-04-2010, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YvesD

Spent too much already !

I dont think Contis come in the sizes I want either

235/35 & 265/30?

Yves

They do, but they're £250 each rear and £200 ea front!

http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/quotation/

forgot you were on 19s....

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

They do, but they're £250 each rear and £200 ea front!

http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/quotation/

forgot you were on 19s....

Vreds are a nice price/performance compromise I think.

I dont need the 'ultimate' tyre at the end of the day, they would be wasted on me.

Cheers

doughboy · 02-04-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YvesD

Vreds are a nice price/performance compromise I think.

I dont need the 'ultimate' tyre at the end of the day, they would be wasted on me.

Cheers

Me too - that's why I prefer the conti3 as I'm not bothered about ultimate grip..

But the technology i.e. lateral stiffness, tread block flex etc, is better with the higher spec tyres IMO.

You are spending a lot on suspension etc so wouldn't it be better to use a high tyre spec that the suspension now deserves??

Suspension is near the top of my list too, so I'm keen to see how you get on....

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

Suspension is near the top of my list too, so I'm keen to see how you get on....

Keen to spend my money it seems !

zltm089 · 02-04-2010, 09:34 AM

good stuff!....any problems with the fitment itself?

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zltm089

good stuff!....any problems with the fitment itself?

None whatsoever.

Dont forget this set up is marketed as a boxed kit in the US.

Yves

HighlandPete · 02-04-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YvesD

Well, got my FSD's fitted today in conjunction with the Pro-kit ( still on OE 18's & RFT's though....)

First impressions are good. Its still no flying carpet but the FSD's have taken the edge off the sharp 'thwack' that can make it into the cabin on the worst bumps,....

Happy so far.

Did you change dampers and springs together? Just interested if you have a 'before and after', for the dampers alone.

I'm running FSDs on my E91 SE, (standard suspension and 17" wheels) was the first in the UK to do so. They improved my ride on the RFTs, even better on normal rubber, but have kept to the same rim diameter on my second wheel set. I've ended up with very mature and compliant ride. Near to E39 M-tech feel, I came from, to the 3-series.

HighlandPete

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 10:47 AM

Springs first and then dampers so cant comment on how they work with the OE springs.

The FSD's are designed first and foremost for stock springs so I would imagine thats where they do their best work.

I knew the path I have taken was going to be tricky/expensive as although the stock M Sport suspension has its limitations and sits 'too high' visually, it does work as a whole and specifically with the RFT's.

Change one thing in the equation and invariably it upsets something else...

One thing I can confirm for sure is that RFT's DO NOT LIKE EVEN STIFFER SUSPENSION !!

Yves

PhilL · 02-04-2010, 02:05 PM

Would be interested in details on the SF-71s (where from, cost, shipping etc) as I was looking at these myself - why did you choose these over the VMRs?

YvesD · 02-04-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilL

Would be interested in details on the SF-71s (where from, cost, shipping etc) as I was looking at these myself - why did you choose these over the VMRs?

Buy them direct from Alufelgen.

I managed to bag a set on the introductory group buy so they are incredible value at approx £910 a set all UK taxes paid.

VMR's are a great wheel but these seemed just too good an opportunity to miss.

I think you would be looking at approx £1200 for a set now all taxes paid. Unless you could do a deal with them that is....

Yves

02-03-2010, 05:04 PM	#1
YvesD Lamininist 82 Rep 1,030 Posts Drives: Carbon Black X5M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (3)	Eibach Pro-kit + Koni FSD Combo update Well, got my FSD's fitted today in conjunction with the Pro-kit ( still on OE 18's & RFT's though....) First impressions are good. Its still no flying carpet but the FSD's have taken the edge off the sharp 'thwack' that can make it into the cabin on the worst bumps, the compression and rebound are definately stronger than stock M Sport dampers and do a good job of calming the plot down. The previous heavy pondererous feeling of the wheels as they rebounded off certain bumps is much improved too. The biggest improvement, which was a bit of a surprise, is the fantastic lateral control of the body when tipping into a corner. The car settles much more quickly and sniffs out the apex much more precisely. I like this. Almost there now, I'm shortly upgrading to set of 19 inch SF 71 Alufelgens with 'normal' tyres so hopefully that last modicum of ride comfort that I'm looking for will appear with the dissapearance of the RFT's. Happy so far. Yves
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02-03-2010, 05:51 PM	#2
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Great, where are you getting the alloys from? What tyres will you be getting? __________________
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02-04-2010, 06:12 AM	#4
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	I will be interested to know what pressures you settle on as I still suffer what I think is tyre roll on my 19" Ultrac Sessantas fronts. Currently at 40psi. __________________
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02-04-2010, 06:22 AM	#7
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Incidentally, how do you rate the Bilstein B6 shocks? __________________
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02-04-2010, 09:34 AM	#17
zltm089 Banned 244 Rep 7,690 Posts Drives: 335i SE Coupe Space Grey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LONDON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335i [10.00]	good stuff!....any problems with the fitment itself?
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02-04-2010, 10:47 AM	#20
YvesD Lamininist 82 Rep 1,030 Posts Drives: Carbon Black X5M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (3)	Springs first and then dampers so cant comment on how they work with the OE springs. The FSD's are designed first and foremost for stock springs so I would imagine thats where they do their best work. I knew the path I have taken was going to be tricky/expensive as although the stock M Sport suspension has its limitations and sits 'too high' visually, it does work as a whole and specifically with the RFT's. Change one thing in the equation and invariably it upsets something else... One thing I can confirm for sure is that RFT's DO NOT LIKE EVEN STIFFER SUSPENSION !! Yves
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02-04-2010, 02:05 PM	#21
PhilL Captain 62 Rep 629 Posts Drives: M2, F15 X5 4.0d Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Middle Lands iTrader: (0)	Would be interested in details on the SF-71s (where from, cost, shipping etc) as I was looking at these myself - why did you choose these over the VMRs?
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