Upgrade advice for stock 128i

inline-6 · 03-25-2013, 04:22 PM

I'd like to gradually improve the handling on my completely base 128i. Have some questions:

1. M3 Rear sub-frame bushings - I want to do this first as it seems like a great bang for buck upgrade.

2. M3 control arm & sway bar - Eventually I want to put these on, how difficult is this to do on your own? My understanding is that alignment after is also required.

3. Will these upgrades work well with the stock, non-sport suspension? Or do I need to be looking at springs/dampers too?

4. I am currently running RFTs, but planning to replace with PSS after they are worn. What kind of impact will this have on the suspension setup?

RimasRS · 03-25-2013, 04:29 PM

I would suggest do full BMW Performance suspension. If you will be still not happy subframe bushings and front M3 bits.

andrey_gta · 03-25-2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inline-6

I'd like to gradually improve the handling on my completely base 128i. Have some questions:

1. M3 Rear sub-frame bushings - I want to do this first as it seems like a great bang for buck upgrade.

2. M3 control arm & sway bar - Eventually I want to put these on, how difficult is this to do on your own? My understanding is that alignment after is also required.

3. Will these upgrades work well with the stock, non-sport suspension? Or do I need to be looking at springs/dampers too?

4. I am currently running RFTs, but planning to replace with PSS after they are worn. What kind of impact will this have on the suspension setup?

1. many people do this in combination with other mods
2. yes you need alignment. No idea if you can DIY. The bolts i think have torque specs
3. dont think so. We need better shocks/ coilovers to solve the RFT tuned dampers
4. see 3. PSS will magnify issues because they are soft. I am on winters and soon on PSS. And its too bouncy sometimes

inline-6 · 03-26-2013, 08:06 AM

ok thanks for the info, that's really helpful - I am looking into PF susp prices

RimasRS · 03-26-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inline-6

ok thanks for the info, that's really helpful - I am looking into PF susp prices

Try forum sponsors Tischer, Dan United etc... They can offer good price for you

andrey_gta · 03-26-2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inline-6

ok thanks for the info, that's really helpful - I am looking into PF susp prices

What is your 128i on currently?
Sport suspension or non sport? If you are on Sport, & after 2011 you just may need shocks

RimasRS · 03-27-2013, 03:24 AM

Or you can look in Bilstein B12 Pro kit from Tire Rack

inline-6 · 03-27-2013, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

What is your 128i on currently?
Sport suspension or non sport? If you are on Sport, & after 2011 you just may need shocks

It's a 2012 non-sport. So its looking like a full kit will be the way to go.

Also I am in Canada, so the I'm still looking for the best source that will ship here. One of the dealers here quoted $1,400 which I think is fairly reasonable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimasRS

Or you can look in Bilstein B12 Pro kit from Tire Racs

Is this height adjustable? I don't want to lower too much so I can still have snow clearance in the winter

Has anyone put done this work on their own? Thinking of doing this without any fancy tools. Labor rates here are pretty crazy. One dealer quoted me $4,890 before tax LOL!

RimasRS · 03-27-2013, 10:09 AM

Clearance should be fine for winter. They are not adjustable B12s is something like BMW Performance suspension just google for it Bilstein B12 Pro Kit. You can look on youtube ECS tuning DYI video replacing springs shocks on 335i it is same like our cars.

Disco Stu · 03-27-2013, 04:19 PM

Get some lighter wheels, and square up your tires. I went with Apex Arc 8s in 18x8.5 front and rear with 235 40 18 tires. This helps massively with the understeer problem and gives you a nice look. Wheel weight loss was VERY noticeable in acceleration, turn-in, and braking. No fitment issues.

Because I'm lazy and didn't want to do suspension adjustments each time I went to the track, I went with Dinan camber plates (probably the cheapest thing you can buy from them) which give you 2 degrees camber up front and I leave them there year round.

I have the M Sport suspension which is between the stock and the Perf and I am very happy with it. Yes, I would like something tighter on the track, and yes, something softer on the highway would be better, but it is an excellent compromise.

Street/track compromise alignment at a good speed shop. My car has no bad habits in either environment.

You can spend money on other stuff, but this will get you going in the right direction and you can use your leftover money to go to track days!

03-25-2013, 04:22 PM	#1
inline-6 New Member 2 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 128i [0.00]	Upgrade advice for stock 128i I'd like to gradually improve the handling on my completely base 128i. Have some questions: 1. M3 Rear sub-frame bushings - I want to do this first as it seems like a great bang for buck upgrade. 2. M3 control arm & sway bar - Eventually I want to put these on, how difficult is this to do on your own? My understanding is that alignment after is also required. 3. Will these upgrades work well with the stock, non-sport suspension? Or do I need to be looking at springs/dampers too? 4. I am currently running RFTs, but planning to replace with PSS after they are worn. What kind of impact will this have on the suspension setup?
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03-25-2013, 04:29 PM	#2
RimasRS Colonel 85 Rep 2,438 Posts Drives: BMW X3 SD Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	I would suggest do full BMW Performance suspension. If you will be still not happy subframe bushings and front M3 bits.
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03-26-2013, 08:06 AM	#4
inline-6 New Member 2 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 128i [0.00]	ok thanks for the info, that's really helpful - I am looking into PF susp prices
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03-27-2013, 03:24 AM	#7
RimasRS Colonel 85 Rep 2,438 Posts Drives: BMW X3 SD Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Or you can look in Bilstein B12 Pro kit from Tire Rack
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03-27-2013, 10:09 AM	#9
RimasRS Colonel 85 Rep 2,438 Posts Drives: BMW X3 SD Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Clearance should be fine for winter. They are not adjustable B12s is something like BMW Performance suspension just google for it Bilstein B12 Pro Kit. You can look on youtube ECS tuning DYI video replacing springs shocks on 335i it is same like our cars.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2013, 04:19 PM	#10
Disco Stu Private 6 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2012 128i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Waterdown, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Get some lighter wheels, and square up your tires. I went with Apex Arc 8s in 18x8.5 front and rear with 235 40 18 tires. This helps massively with the understeer problem and gives you a nice look. Wheel weight loss was VERY noticeable in acceleration, turn-in, and braking. No fitment issues. Because I'm lazy and didn't want to do suspension adjustments each time I went to the track, I went with Dinan camber plates (probably the cheapest thing you can buy from them) which give you 2 degrees camber up front and I leave them there year round. I have the M Sport suspension which is between the stock and the Perf and I am very happy with it. Yes, I would like something tighter on the track, and yes, something softer on the highway would be better, but it is an excellent compromise. Street/track compromise alignment at a good speed shop. My car has no bad habits in either environment. You can spend money on other stuff, but this will get you going in the right direction and you can use your leftover money to go to track days!
	Appreciate 0 Quote