[Agentphish]

Hey Guys,

In the future (hopefully within a year's time), I plan to get 18" wheels, tires, and suspension upgrades.

I have an 08 328i, no sport package. I don't care about speed, I know that performance mods don't do too much for the N52, I care more about properly improving handling.

My question is, bang for the buck, what would you go with for non-staggered wheels/tires (read a lot about the Ventus tires and General tires), followed up by suspension improvements?

Lastly, I fully realize handling feel is subjective, hence why I am asking for your opinions.

Thanks!

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Agentphish

Hey Guys,

In the future (hopefully within a year's time), I plan to get 18" wheels, tires, and suspension upgrades.

I have an 08 328i, no sport package. I don't care about speed, I know that performance mods don't do too much for the N52, I care more about properly improving handling.

My question is, bang for the buck, what would you go with for non-staggered wheels/tires (read a lot about the Ventus tires and General tires), followed up by suspension improvements?

Lastly, I fully realize handling feel is subjective, hence why I am asking for your opinions.

Thanks!

Wheels are not the expensive part of the equation, it's actually the tires. Michelin is probably one of the better all around street tires but they are $$$. You can get lesser performance tires for a better price.

In terms of suspension you really can't go wrong with Koni/Swift. There is a thread in this section with a couple really good reviews. It is cost efficient and it totally transforms the car to ride even better than stock. Let me know if you have any pricing questions.

-Mike

[lorpatho]

Correct, tires are the expensive part! 18s shouldn’t be too bad and I’m not sure if you peek around, but during the holiday season there are many wheel/tire combo deals. Might still hv some going on now/January. I have good experience and pricing on Continential DWS. Suspension wise for street and comfort I will go with Koni Yellows + performance sport springs. Running Koni Yellows/Eibach and firm up quite a bit and a lot more comfortable (have bone stock car also)

[mlifxs]

Not an expert, but having read the suspension threads for a couple years now, most folks say dampers and springs are where to focus first.
I don't know if it's "best" but whiteline subframe inserts at ~$45 plus 1-2 hours labor is a cost effective way to enhance what ever shock / spring upgrade you choose. This will help firm up the rear end after upgrading.
I did the M3 front control arms. They do enhance steering feel and add some negative camber in the front.

[solishe]

Bilstein B12 Pro Kit is another option (dampers/springs). Part Number 46-180551for 328i Sedan and 46-180643 for 328i coupe.

[Agentphish]

Thanks for the replies and suspension suggestions.

I'd definitely like specific wheel suggestions in the 18" size.

Thanks!

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by Agentphish

Thanks for the replies and suspension suggestions.

I'd definitely like specific wheel suggestions in the 18" size.

Thanks!

Apex EC-7. Light, durable, decent looking. I have them, check My Garage for a pic, plenty more pics and info at apexraceparts.com

[e92josh]

Originally Posted by Agentphish

Hey Guys,

In the future (hopefully within a year's time), I plan to get 18" wheels, tires, and suspension upgrades.

I have an 08 328i, no sport package. I don't care about speed, I know that performance mods don't do too much for the N52, I care more about properly improving handling.

My question is, bang for the buck, what would you go with for non-staggered wheels/tires (read a lot about the Ventus tires and General tires), followed up by suspension improvements?

Lastly, I fully realize handling feel is subjective, hence why I am asking for your opinions.

Thanks!

Hello, I too have a 328i and asked this same question about a year ago. I'll tell you what I've discovered. However, before I proceed, please note I'm by no means a professional or have any real education beyond trial and error, youtube and forums.



IMHO, the first thing you should do is consider your tires. Are you on runflats? If so, dump them and get something that matches your driving habits and area. I, presonally love my Pilot Super Sports. They are worth every penny. But either way, your first step should be away from runflats.



I personally prefer a staggered setup. I'm running 19x8.5/19x9.5 on my car. I have OEM sport package 18" wheels, but I wanted to get rid of that fender gab just a little more. It sits great and only rubs when I go over a speed bump straight up.

There are two good wheel company's I know. BBS being one and Brada Wheels. They both make some great quality wheels. Ill be honest, I dont know much about wheels. I have BBS CH-R's and I love them. To me, I just felt BBS felt so proper on the car. They looked perfect and I fell in love. But then again, I just was looking around on TireRack.

In addition, I suggest spacers in the front and rear to give the car a flusher look. You can probably get away with 5-10MM in the front and 8-12MM in the rear without needing to roll the fenders.

Second, I decided to go with front and rear antisway bars. Note; I have the sport package, so I have a decent package available. I went with Eibach's from Mod Bargains. In addition, I went with H&R Sport lowering springs. I figured if I was going to do work to the rear end, which is labor intense to me, being a noobie, I'd rather get it all done at once.



The antisway bars will help cornering and body roll. The H&R sport springs offered a 1.5~ - 2.0~ drop, which did not compromise my camber in a way that would kill my tires. Everything lined up back within spec with a few tenths to spare.



Now, some people will suggest upgrading your struts now as well. I did not do this. I have not felt any negativity in my shocks. The ride is stiffer, but that's my objective. I want to advance to coilovers in the near future. I'll maybe do a little DIY. Shrugs.

It's a bummer in a way to have a 328i. We missed out on a lot of performance options. However, like all other cars in our class, the handling is fantastic and the torque band is beautiful.

A good intake and exhaust system will also help.

If you want to really add some power, there is a setup at Turner Motorsports that's a intake manifold off of a 335. It allows for more airlow, etc, blah blah. It's a pretty penny though. A couple mortgage payments. Not only that, but you need to take your ECU/computer out, mail it to turner for them to program with the manifold and various other performance modifications you may have. It's a PITA, but from what I've read, with that, intake/exhaust and header you can add some good numbers. I don't know how to claims numbers, but if advertising is right, and my math is still spot, that's 60-85HP to the fly. Considering, that's not too shabby.

That's pretty much everything I've learned in the past few months by lurking. I hope this helps you in your path with your car and suspension. YouTube and the Search (yeah I'm the noob too and not to sound like a jerk) really can teach you more than ready a book or going to class. I'll try to help with other questions, but I'm sure there much more experienced members on here who can chime in and add on or correct any mistakes I've made..

Edit: I really rambled and went off topic... My bad.

[Agentphish]

Originally Posted by e92josh

Hello, I too have a 328i and asked this same question about a year ago. I'll tell you what I've discovered. However, before I proceed, please note I'm by no means a professional or have any real education beyond trial and error, youtube and forums.

Thanks Josh. I've read a bunch on here about the performance mods in terms of tune, intake, exhaust and that.

I haven't gotten much into the wheels/suspension stuff so any info from people who've done it on the same car is always helpful. I do know for SURE I want to get rid of these g**damned run flats. HATE THEM.

I just know I don't want to dump a lot into speed, frankly I don't care. I care more about handling because there's a ton of awesome roads to drive up here in the bay area in the surrounding mountains and wine country, etc. So again, my ultimate goal is bang for the buck handling.

Having been to a couple driving schools, including BMW Performance in SC, I really learned to care more about control and handling.

[e92josh]

Originally Posted by Agentphish

Thanks Josh. I've read a bunch on here about the performance mods in terms of tune, intake, exhaust and that.

I haven't gotten much into the wheels/suspension stuff so any info from people who've done it on the same car is always helpful. I do know for SURE I want to get rid of these g**damned run flats. HATE THEM.

I just know I don't want to dump a lot into speed, frankly I don't care. I care more about handling because there's a ton of awesome roads to drive up here in the bay area in the surrounding mountains and wine country, etc. So again, my ultimate goal is bang for the buck handling.

Having been to a couple driving schools, including BMW Performance in SC, I really learned to care more about control and handling.

I relate 100%.

I'm in the process of sourcing M3 front/rear control arms, too. A lot of members have done this mod, which seems fairly simple and allows much more manipulation of the camber/toe per my research. I see one member who responded has them in his signature - perhaps he could expand more.

They're ~300 for the front ~400 rear and seem like a hell of a deal. There are 2 version though. BMW and TRW. From my reading, TRW manufacturers for BMW. So you're paying more for an M logo. Speaking of that, the TRW's DO have an M logo that they scratch off.

There's a great thread on here about it. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll look through my history to try to source. I just may get distracted with the porn sites.