Suspension Help

[Eddie135]

Hi guys

Need help & advice from all gurus here , I am getting this M3 bits on my car:

*Front M3 lower control arms &castor arms
*M3 rear subframe bushes
*Front M3 sway bar
*Rear M3 sway bar
*M3 rear guide rods & upper link arms
*M3 strut tower brace

Should I use E92 or E93 front/rear sway bars?

I will be getting Bilstein B12 pro kit but thinking about Bilstein B14 PSS as I do not want a massive drop in my car.

Still debating between B12 or B14 (Opinions & advice are welcome)

Thanks

[135iam]

What sized wheels/tires?

subscribing to here what is recommended.

[Eddie135]

Originally Posted by 135iam

What sized wheels/tires?

subscribing to here what is recommended.

I am still running BMWP 18" - 313 Wheels (7.5" F/8.5"R) tires: 225/255.

[Pig Farmer]

Unless you plan on running a clutch-type LSD, I wouldn't add the M3 rear sway bar. The stiffer sway bar will lift the inside rear wheel which is not ideal with an open differential or torsen LSD. For this reason, it not uncommon for race teams to remove the rear sway bar all together.

['fatboy']

Is this for a street or track purpose?

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

E92 M3 swaybars. Works nice on the 1-Series. E93 will be too thick and stiff.

B12 kit is a Bilstein shock and Eibach spring - pretty useless.

B14 kit at least gives you a matched spring and shock, plus ride height adjustability.

Prices for B14 (and B16) can be seen here, http://www.bmraw.com/suspension/

Bilstein coilovers will be 10% off shortly with a sale I am running.

[ItsHectic]

Dont you need to get M3 suspension if you get M3 links?

[Eddie135]

Originally Posted by Stuart@BMRAutowerkes

E92 M3 swaybars. Works nice on the 1-Series. E93 will be too thick and stiff.

B12 kit is a Bilstein shock and Eibach spring - pretty useless.

B14 kit at least gives you a matched spring and shock, plus ride height adjustability.

Prices for B14 (and B16) can be seen here, http://www.bmraw.com/suspension/

Bilstein coilovers will be 10% off shortly with a sale I am running.

Thanks Stu, sound like B14 is better than B12 then.

Originally Posted by ItsHectic

Dont you need to get M3 suspension if you get M3 links?

That is for the lower camber links, I am not getting that.

Originally Posted by 'fatboy'

Is this for a street or track purpose?

Just for street, don't like the rubber-band rear end, not settled.

[Nugget]

Only if you get the M3 camber link.
In reference to It's Hectic, Eddie answered while I had the tab open.

[PeteA]

I have E92 front and rear + Quaife. Love the setup. To me if feels very neutral with a bit more camber up the front over the rear.

You could go E93 front but definitely not an E93 rear. Oversteer city.

Just go what the 1M has as its a factory combo that you know works. Minus the clutch type locking LSD you will have a less tail happy car. If you're dropping a subframe etc, save up a bit more and get yourself a LSD to save on some labor.

P

[John_01]

If you just use the car for street driving (not tracking) and still use staggered tyre sizes, then the E92 M3 26.5mm bar is probably the right one and it should be a decent match with the stock 12mm rear bar. My car has the E93 M3 front bar, non-M E92 13mm rear bar and "BMW performance" suspension. Together with the various M bits, shocks and pro-kit, your car will be a completely different driving experience.

[135iam]

Originally Posted by PeteA

I have E92 front and rear + Quaife. Love the setup. To me if feels very neutral with a bit more camber up the front over the rear.

You could go E93 front but definitely not an E93 rear. Oversteer city.

Just go what the 1M has as its a factory combo that you know works. Minus the clutch type locking LSD you will have a less tail happy car. If you're dropping a subframe etc, save up a bit more and get yourself a LSD to save on some labor.

P

very nice build thread, I am going to have to get one of those Alcantara cluster covers, I love the look!

[Eddie135]

What is the difference between Bilstein B12 Pro Kit and Bilstein PSS?
Aside from one is height adjustable, which is better for daily street driving?

Thanks.

[Eddie135]

Originally Posted by John_01

If you just use the car for street driving (not tracking) and still use staggered tyre sizes, then the E92 M3 26.5mm bar is probably the right one and it should be a decent match with the stock 12mm rear bar. My car has the E93 M3 front bar, non-M E92 13mm rear bar and "BMW performance" suspension. Together with the various M bits, shocks and pro-kit, your car will be a completely different driving experience.

Thanks John, I will proceed ahead to get my M3 bits as mentioned above less the rear sway bar as recommended.

[minijet]

Originally Posted by Eddie135

What is the difference between Bilstein B12 Pro Kit and Bilstein PSS?
Aside from one is height adjustable, which is better for daily street driving?

Thanks.

The B12 kit is basically an upgraded kit consisting of shocks and springs.
I believe that its basically the same as buying bilstein b8 shocks with eibach springs.

http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/product...n-b12-pro-kit/

The PSS kits are proper coil over with height and dampening control which the b12 kit can't do.

http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/product.../bilstein-b16/

Some may say that the b12 kits are better for daily driving but its really subjective. For me personally I've had both and i prefer the pss kits as i can dial the level of comfort i want and it can get more comfortable than the b12.

Bilstein also do komfort versions of the pss which i also had and it was better riding that oem with the benefit of better handling.

[minijet]

Originally Posted by minijet

The B12 kit is basically an upgraded kit consisting of shocks and springs.
I believe that its basically the same as buying bilstein b8 shocks with eibach springs.

http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/product...n-b12-pro-kit/

The PSS kits are proper coil over with height and dampening control which the b12 kit can't do.

http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/product.../bilstein-b16/

Some may say that the b12 kits are better for daily driving but its really subjective. For me personally I've had both and i prefer the pss kits as i can dial the level of comfort i want and it can get more comfortable than the b12.

Bilstein also do komfort versions of the pss which i also had and it was better riding that oem with the benefit of better handling.

Oops just noticed you were taking about the b14 not b16.

If you don't want massive drop you can consider koni fsd with eibach springs.
good combo and was one of the set ups i had on the 135

[drjekl]

Originally Posted by minijet

If you don't want massive drop you can consider koni fsd with eibach springs.
good combo and was one of the set ups i had on the 135

FSD's are for oem height springs only, if you want eibachs you have to go with the koni yellows.

[koastal]

Originally Posted by John_01

If you just use the car for street driving (not tracking) and still use staggered tyre sizes, then the E92 M3 26.5mm bar is probably the right one and it should be a decent match with the stock 12mm rear bar. My car has the E93 M3 front bar, non-M E92 13mm rear bar and "BMW performance" suspension. Together with the various M bits, shocks and pro-kit, your car will be a completely different driving experience.

Sounds like good advice.
What would you recommend for DD but 10 trackdays p.a ?

[John_01]

Originally Posted by koastal

Sounds like good advice.
What would you recommend for DD but 10 trackdays p.a ?

To put it plainly I have yet to do 10 track days myself!

Obviously you will need suitable brake pads, brake fluid and some tyres that are up to the job. In regard to suspension, you will want it a bit firmer to make the car more settled and also reduce the body roll.

The suspension firmness in a dual duty car will be a bit of a compromise since most people want to retain ride quality for the street. Adjustable damping and firmer sways bars will help. The thicker E93 M3 front sway bar would be a help in that case at least as a starting point. Some people like to upgrade the rear sway bar, but its not always recommended because it can make the car oversteer more easily and can reduce rear traction if you are not using a LSD. It will depend on several factors, such as: Presence of an LSD, staggered tyre sizes or not, use of front camber plates, suitability of the tyres you are using, driving skills and experience.

Maybe you know already, but front camber plates are very important if you want to get decent life out of the front tyres on the track. A benefit of camber plates is greatly reduced understeer. So this is one of the things to look at before making any conclusion about the rear sway bar. If you aren't sure about any of those factors, I think the safest course of action is to leave the stock 12mm bar in there. I have 13mm rear bar in my car, but I can't say for sure how much difference it made because I had other mods done at the same time. I hope it helps answer part of your question.