E92 SE handling upgrades - where to start on a budget
Discussion
Wowsers grinding out rust sounds like a mammoth task! Reminds me of my brother doing similar with his Golf Mk2!
Well went to work today and those roads are very familiar to me. My initial impressions are that the springs give a firmer ride than standard m-sport, but more controlled and I'd say taught handling feel. They might but not sure, transmit ever so slightly more road noise. The FSD Shocks do indeed remove most of the crashy ride, but not as much as I thought they might. I think my F11 comment was a bit premature. The F11 is more refined ride and more insulated and comfortable, but I think the Runflats give it the unforgiving ride when hitting potholes. The FSDs may need bedding in, but TBH this isn't a bad thing. It maybe the stiffer Eibachs that give this feeling. I did intentionally drive over potholes and road imperfections that I normally avoid and I'd say I didn't get that wincing feeling that I did with the old suspension. The combined result is a much tighter and more taught feeling with more predictable handling. This may be due to newer parts rather than specifically the FSD and Eibach, probably both but whatever I'm very happy with the result.
One thing that I've found out today is that I've potentially put the rear springs in the wrong way up! Hence the high ride height. Now that the front is lower I can really feel the rear sitting high when in the driving position. Looking up Eibach instructions for other cars (I can't find any online for my set) it says to always have the logo the right way up when fitting (http://www.catalograck.com/imgvd/eib/d2292.pdf) and this thread seems to suggest the same (http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=55734). I just fitted the rear springs regardless of the writing but more on the best fitment of the rubber mounts. If you look at the photos I posted previously the Eibach logo for the rears is indeed upside down! I'll try and change over on Friday. If that doesn't do it I'll be moving back to standard springs on he rear.
Well went to work today and those roads are very familiar to me. My initial impressions are that the springs give a firmer ride than standard m-sport, but more controlled and I'd say taught handling feel. They might but not sure, transmit ever so slightly more road noise. The FSD Shocks do indeed remove most of the crashy ride, but not as much as I thought they might. I think my F11 comment was a bit premature. The F11 is more refined ride and more insulated and comfortable, but I think the Runflats give it the unforgiving ride when hitting potholes. The FSDs may need bedding in, but TBH this isn't a bad thing. It maybe the stiffer Eibachs that give this feeling. I did intentionally drive over potholes and road imperfections that I normally avoid and I'd say I didn't get that wincing feeling that I did with the old suspension. The combined result is a much tighter and more taught feeling with more predictable handling. This may be due to newer parts rather than specifically the FSD and Eibach, probably both but whatever I'm very happy with the result.
One thing that I've found out today is that I've potentially put the rear springs in the wrong way up! Hence the high ride height. Now that the front is lower I can really feel the rear sitting high when in the driving position. Looking up Eibach instructions for other cars (I can't find any online for my set) it says to always have the logo the right way up when fitting (http://www.catalograck.com/imgvd/eib/d2292.pdf) and this thread seems to suggest the same (http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=55734). I just fitted the rear springs regardless of the writing but more on the best fitment of the rubber mounts. If you look at the photos I posted previously the Eibach logo for the rears is indeed upside down! I'll try and change over on Friday. If that doesn't do it I'll be moving back to standard springs on he rear.
The rust has been hiding behind the boot seal, I spotted a patch further up which was isolated and as I pulled the seal away I found this -
More controlled handling sounds good, my E30 is on an SE setup but I notice how much more poised it feels than my rolling E92 SE! I don't think I'll be able to stretch to Koni FSDs but I will be going down the Bilstein / Eibach route. Do you have run flats on your E92 or just the F11? I ditched mine pretty prompt, the tyres were worn when I got the car but I really did not like the ride or the shimmy over white lines with RFTs!
Good work on the setup and for doing it yourself, I think I'll enlist the help of a friend for the fronts and have a go when I've recovered from paying the wedding deposit! One issue more pressing than the shocks / springs is checking the ARB drop links as I've noticed my car is bottoming out at the rear when going over undulations at anything above a crawl.
Give the new setup a little while to bed in, all of the posts I've seen include comments along the lines of, "
why is my car sitting higher than M Sport" and after a few weeks all is well with the world. Either way blame it on this and not putting things in upside down - easy to do and reminds me of somebody who installed two left hand headlight cases to an E30 
More controlled handling sounds good, my E30 is on an SE setup but I notice how much more poised it feels than my rolling E92 SE! I don't think I'll be able to stretch to Koni FSDs but I will be going down the Bilstein / Eibach route. Do you have run flats on your E92 or just the F11? I ditched mine pretty prompt, the tyres were worn when I got the car but I really did not like the ride or the shimmy over white lines with RFTs!
Good work on the setup and for doing it yourself, I think I'll enlist the help of a friend for the fronts and have a go when I've recovered from paying the wedding deposit! One issue more pressing than the shocks / springs is checking the ARB drop links as I've noticed my car is bottoming out at the rear when going over undulations at anything above a crawl.
Give the new setup a little while to bed in, all of the posts I've seen include comments along the lines of, "
why is my car sitting higher than M Sport" and after a few weeks all is well with the world. Either way blame it on this and not putting things in upside down - easy to do and reminds me of somebody who installed two left hand headlight cases to an E30 Finally got the car Aligned! Feels good to get it sorted!
Turns out I had a couple of arms the wrong way round on the rear :s very embarrassing.. they are very subtle. All sorted now.
Oh also on the issue of the rear ride height, I swapped out the new spring rubber mounts for the originals and this has sorted the issue. It turns out that even though they are the same part number the newer ones were slightly different with a -05 designation rather than the original -03. now I'm wondering if different cars within the M sport range have different spring mounts.
Anyway here's a better pic of the stance. The front has actually settled lower now. This probably due the new spring cup mounts settling as there are two raised notches that I guess compress over a bit of time.
So this was the front before with M Sport suspension:
And after with the Eibach and FSD:
So a subtle change.. I think the shaddow and light in the first pic makes it look lower than it is. The rear pretty much same height as before, But IMO it's perfect for both front and rear.
Overall very pleased with the result!
Perhaps in a few months I may get these fitted, we'll see if funds allow:
..Oh also got the CDV removed ...finally!! what a difference! very much recommended!!
Turns out I had a couple of arms the wrong way round on the rear :s very embarrassing.. they are very subtle. All sorted now.
Oh also on the issue of the rear ride height, I swapped out the new spring rubber mounts for the originals and this has sorted the issue. It turns out that even though they are the same part number the newer ones were slightly different with a -05 designation rather than the original -03. now I'm wondering if different cars within the M sport range have different spring mounts.
Anyway here's a better pic of the stance. The front has actually settled lower now. This probably due the new spring cup mounts settling as there are two raised notches that I guess compress over a bit of time.
So this was the front before with M Sport suspension:
And after with the Eibach and FSD:
So a subtle change.. I think the shaddow and light in the first pic makes it look lower than it is. The rear pretty much same height as before, But IMO it's perfect for both front and rear.
Overall very pleased with the result!
Perhaps in a few months I may get these fitted, we'll see if funds allow:
..Oh also got the CDV removed ...finally!! what a difference! very much recommended!!
Looking good! The ride height drop looks subtle like you said, no need to be a speed bump worrier.
I've polybushed my E30 and it's made a huge difference so I'm going to start there on the E92 whilst I'm saving up for the springs.
The CDV is the easiest modification in the world and it's something which should never have been bundled with the car.
I've polybushed my E30 and it's made a huge difference so I'm going to start there on the E92 whilst I'm saving up for the springs.
The CDV is the easiest modification in the world and it's something which should never have been bundled with the car.
Please disregard my earlier gripes - the suggestions by folk in the early posts were spot on. Knackered front bushes with plenty of play in them, replaced the front lower arms and the car drives a lot better. Tight and controlled rather than a wallowing boat! Amazing how much difference it makes. Springs and shocks are on the wishlist but nowhere near as important!
Couldn't resist the temptation anymore - I've just ordered B8 Sprint shocks and the Eibach Pro-Kit for fitting next week! Will let you know how it goes. Realised that with new front arms the road feel was better but still had way too much roll and movement (squatting under acceleration etc). Managed to find the parts cheaper by ordering from Germany, £540 all in for the shocks and springs which I'm happy with compared to £750ish retail over here!
Just picked it up. In the space of a week it's had the alloys powder coated, suspension fitted and full four wheel alignment with camber, caster and toe and detailed to tidy up the swirl marks. All I can say is... wow! Turns in sharp, no understeer, much less body roll, can feel the shocks doing their job and dampening so the control is there. My old front nearside shock had leaked and was seized which explains some of the problems. With the new setup there's no loss of comfort, driven on motorways, pothole happy roads, speed bumps at mixed speeds. Feels tight and precise and for the first time since buying it it's FUN to drive. The drop will settle more from what I'm told but it looks spot on, not excessive and I'm really happy. Finally it has the cornering ability to match its pace!
Before (flipped for comparison) -
After -
Before (flipped for comparison) -
After -
Nice one! looks good! The coating of the wheels looks great and I can see the lowering of the front arches! you must be chuffed! I too felt like you, that it's allowed me to enjoy the car again and have fun! very much worth it IMO. So even with the Bilsteins they provide a comfortable ride.. that's great!! I'd love to hear how you got ride of the paint marks.
I'm chuffed with the setup, I'm not sure what the issue is with Bilsteins and other comments about them being firm but coming from SE suspension they are fine. All that you notice is that the spring oscillation is reduced as the Bilsteins are reducing the travel, it's not jarring. No complaints for comfort and handling has tightened up so much, no longer running wide on corners. A lot of it would be 140k worn suspension and it's not fair to compare old with new but simply put the setup is bloody brilliant. I can go round corners but still drive and approach speed bumps without fear. Going to do the same to my E30 next year!
Swirl marks were buffed out by a detailer, I bought a buffer but was too scared to use it. By no means is it perfect as the previous (company) owner didn't care about scratches but it is a lot better.
To sum up the suspension replacement I no longer want "more" from the car - I'm happy with it as it is. Only thing I would do is get an E90 M3 in a few years and enjoy the last of the NA cars. Very disappointed with modern CO2 constraints and auto boxes, 1.5 litre engines with 4,000 turbos and fake engine noise via speakers!
Swirl marks were buffed out by a detailer, I bought a buffer but was too scared to use it. By no means is it perfect as the previous (company) owner didn't care about scratches but it is a lot better.
To sum up the suspension replacement I no longer want "more" from the car - I'm happy with it as it is. Only thing I would do is get an E90 M3 in a few years and enjoy the last of the NA cars. Very disappointed with modern CO2 constraints and auto boxes, 1.5 litre engines with 4,000 turbos and fake engine noise via speakers!
It's great that you're chuffed with your Bilstiens! it's nice to have a sorted car isn't it 
Yeah I've never been particularly comfortable with motor buffers... Yeah I'd love an E90 M3 too! but fuel costs would be a nightmare! .. I've been there with an S4 v8.
After having my suspension fitted, the rear never felt nice, it was obvious the standard subframe and diff bushes were shot. Perhaps replacing the springs and shocks highlighted/amplified this. The rear steered the front meaning I had to constantly put in corrections to steering and the rear felt loose and skipped over bumps and never felt connected properly.
Anyhow last week a bit the large bullet and had them fitted. Expensive labour, but it needed doing! Iridium who did the work are thoroughly recommended! Took lime out to talk through stuff and took an interest in the car and didn't take it on a long jolly like other garages have.
Has made a large difference to way the rear end behaves - more planted, doesn't skip to the side when going over bumps and less drivetrain slack giving more predictable clutch engagement! Am very pleased now. Looks like I'll be keeping her for a few more years
Yeah I've never been particularly comfortable with motor buffers... Yeah I'd love an E90 M3 too! but fuel costs would be a nightmare! .. I've been there with an S4 v8.After having my suspension fitted, the rear never felt nice, it was obvious the standard subframe and diff bushes were shot. Perhaps replacing the springs and shocks highlighted/amplified this. The rear steered the front meaning I had to constantly put in corrections to steering and the rear felt loose and skipped over bumps and never felt connected properly.
Anyhow last week a bit the large bullet and had them fitted. Expensive labour, but it needed doing! Iridium who did the work are thoroughly recommended! Took lime out to talk through stuff and took an interest in the car and didn't take it on a long jolly like other garages have.
Has made a large difference to way the rear end behaves - more planted, doesn't skip to the side when going over bumps and less drivetrain slack giving more predictable clutch engagement! Am very pleased now. Looks like I'll be keeping her for a few more years
Anything involving "subframe" = £££. Well done to you for doing it, mine too had a floaty feeling but that was cured by a laser four wheel alignment after the suspension change (drive from garage after suspension overhaul to alignment = unpleasant). A few months in and I'm still chuffed with the Bilstein / Eibach setup, great manners when you want to take it easy and enjoyable when pressing on. I think top end there's still something missing, I can't decide if it's the size of the car and me still missing my former hot hatch but driving my E30 with knackered front shocks and arms then hopping into the E92 it still feels wallowy. It's way better than it was and I don't think there's a quick fix, I think the only way would be to drive a low mileage / fully overhauled E92 and see how my car should be (or if it is normal). Glad to hear yours is sorted.
Yeah I understand your thinking about hot hatches, I often think the same thing! I have driven modern non-GTI Golfs and even they feel very nibble and full of life, I guess it's down to the shorter wheelbase and B roadsetup rather than ~GT Car setup. I do wonder if i'd have a hatchback for the next car.. people say it's a step backwards, but they are definitely more fun. The garage I took mine to said that Eibachs are one of the best springs you can get and he rated them highly. I suspect if the control arms and other bushes were replaced with M3 ones the feeling would be quite different, who knows.. For now I wouldn't want mine any harsher than it is now for a daily.
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