e90 Suspension Upgrades

[Kookk]

Went for a road trip in Malaysia last weekend and was rather disappointed with the high speed ride characteristics of the e90 and would like to tighten the handling. My e90 is currently on the M-sport suspension with 19" rims on 235/265 profile CSC3. However, I must add that this is the most comfortable car I have driven on NSH, maybe a tad to comfy.

The M-Sport suspensions were pretty decent for city driving other than the slight body roll during the occassional hard corners, the twitchy rear on uneven road surfaces and the irritating squats on WOT. The short comings crusing at high speeds on NSH were apparent. The car felt like a boat and did not instill confidence when pushing those left/right sweepers, urgent lane switches and braking at high speed.

I have no intentions to track this car but do enjoy the occassional NSH or B-road runs. Some factors I would like to improve includes minimising squats at WOT, more accurate and precise steering, minimise rear twitching and increased stability at high speeds. For those that have upgraded their suspension, it would be great to hear your views.

2 questions on my mind,
- Would a set of coilover like the KW V2 achieve what I want?
- Would M3 suspension components with the M-Sport suspension tighten up the front steering and get the rear planted down?

 

[Deadkookaburra]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

b16 BILSTEIN electronic adjustable suspension

 

[C3P0]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

Hi Kookk,
Do you mind advising me what is "irritating squats on WOT"?

Btw, I have same size rims and almost same profile tyres as you, and I have similar sentiments as you regarding the suspension.

 

[Kookk]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

Hi Kookk,
Do you mind advising me what is "irritating squats on WOT"?

Btw, I have same size rims and almost same profile tyres as you, and I have similar sentiments as you regarding the suspension.

When I full throttle on DS mode, the rear sinks and the front lifts a little more then I would like it to. Exactly like how a boat accelerates just not so "kua zhang".

Time to upgrade! Mai Tu Liao!

 

[Kookk]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

b16 BILSTEIN electronic adjustable suspension

Nice. Convenience on the fly.

 

[C3P0]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

When I full throttle on DS mode, the rear sinks and the front lifts a little more then I would like it to. Exactly like how a boat accelerates just not so "kua zhang".

Time to upgrade! Mai Tu Liao!

I see, thanks for clarifying. Never really notice that. Next time when I drive on DS mode, will try to see if it's the case.
My next mod will definitely be the suspension. The stock one sucks....

 

[chongster]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

i just replaced my M-sport suspension with a set of Moton Street Sportline coilover. So far so good. Give street comfort when you want it. Can easily tweak it to give you the stability that you want on B-roads and track. This set is similar to the Sportline series that Moton has.

 

[como]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

there is no best of both worlds......u want decent handling, u need to give up a bit of comfort for city driving if u change to coilovers.

it will ride a bit harsher in low speed n start stop traffic.

 

[chongster]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

there is no best of both worlds......u want decent handling, u need to give up a bit of comfort for city driving if u change to coilovers.

it will ride a bit harsher in low speed n start stop traffic.

i agree. You can get as close to the stock suspension comfort only..its never the same. I think to way to say it is comfortable enough for daily driving.

 

[Kookk]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

i just replaced my M-sport suspension with a set of Moton Street Sportline coilover. So far so good. Give street comfort when you want it. Can easily tweak it to give you the stability that you want on B-roads and track. This set is similar to the Sportline series that Moton has.

Ooh! Anything Moton is $$$$$.

Looks like coilovers are the way to go first.

 

[Kookk]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

there is no best of both worlds......u want decent handling, u need to give up a bit of comfort for city driving if u change to coilovers.

it will ride a bit harsher in low speed n start stop traffic.

Understand that and have no qualms sacrificing some comfort. Like I mentioned in my first post, I find the car a tad too comfy, in fact, too quiet too which will probably lead to my next change for some Oomph.

 

[chongster]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

Ooh! Anything Moton is $$$$$.

Looks like coilovers are the way to go first.

I agree. Not exactly cheap but it is close to the AST ones.

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

2 questions on my mind,
- Would a set of coilover like the KW V2 achieve what I want?
- Would M3 suspension components with the M-Sport suspension tighten up the front steering and get the rear planted down?

Wow your driving habit just like me. I can share with you based on my e90 n e92 drive up in NSH.

KW2 = No. at certain speed it is still bouncy and floaty. The spring is progressive instead of linear.

M3 suspension with M sport suspension = I have the M3 suspension links on my e92. It creates less body roll but doesnt help in the squating bouncy feel. What u need is a much stiffer suspension set up, like my AST suspension which I am gonna give up soon since I returning back to stock form. Err hmm, ai AST mai ?

 

[Kookk]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

Wow your driving habit just like me. I can share with you based on my e90 n e92 drive up in NSH.

KW2 = No. at certain speed it is still bouncy and floaty. The spring is progressive instead of linear.

M3 suspension with M sport suspension = I have the M3 suspension links on my e92. It creates less body roll but doesnt help in the squating bouncy feel. What u need is a much stiffer suspension set up, like my AST suspension which I am gonna give up soon since I returning back to stock form. Err hmm, ai AST mai ?

Er... No same la. I never track with Evo on Malaysia highway leh.

Hmm... what is the certain speed where bounce occurs for KWV2? Convenient to say? Wahahahahah!

AST chor leh. I poor man. :errr: You got many Ah Lians making money for you? Hoping to keep to a budget of around 3k for new coils if I intent to get one. Can I even get anything decent?

Ai donate mai?

 

[Kookk]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

Anyone tried the Tein Euro Damper or HKS Hypermax III on their cars?

 

[ac323]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

Er... No same la. I never track with Evo on Malaysia highway leh.

Hmm... what is the certain speed where bounce occurs for KWV2? Convenient to say? Wahahahahah!

AST chor leh. I poor man. :errr: You got many Ah Lians making money for you? Hoping to keep to a budget of around 3k for new coils if I intent to get one. Can I even get anything decent?

Ai donate mai?

i am on KW v3.......very good (maybe you can look into v3)
i travel on NSHW as well, solid



cheers

 

[opvaulet]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

Before you spend big bucks try wheel alignment first. A few minutes of toe makes a big difference in handling and stability on our cars.

 

[Kookk]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

i am on KW v3.......very good (maybe you can look into v3)
i travel on NSHW as well, solid



cheers

I am inclined to go KW v2 and a set of adjustable arb and maybe the M3 rear subframe bushings.

The plus point for the Tein and HKS suspension is that they can be serviced locally.

Before you spend big bucks try wheel alignment first. A few minutes of toe makes a big difference in handling and stability on our cars.

Alignment was done (Can't remember the toe setting though). Drive and handling was much better on SG roads but on NSH, the M-sport suspension couldn't cope.

 

[C3P0]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

The plus point for the Tein and HKS suspension is that they can be serviced locally.

Hi Kookk, can these be bought locally? Do you know roughly how much they cost?

I can now lower my car because the super-high hump to my apt's underground carpark has been removed....

 

[Kookk]

Re: e90 Suspension Upgrades

Hi Kookk, can these be bought locally? Do you know roughly how much they cost?

I can now lower my car because the super-high hump to my apt's underground carpark has been removed....

Yes. Tein from ST Powered and HKS from Garage R. They are also the service centres for their respective brands.

I think HKS Hypermax might be approx 3.5k including installation. Not too sure for Tein yet.

The only problem is that japanese coilovers are usually short stroked and might be a little bumpy on not so smooth surfaces. However, the reviews from e90 seems to be that they are ok when on the softer settings.