E92 SE handling upgrades - where to start on a budget

E92 SE handling upgrades - where to start on a budget

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Discussion

SoupAnxiety

Original Poster:

299 posts

109 months

Saturday 11th April 2015
quotequote all
Can you gauge where the bite point is? If you're able to change gears without fluffing them then chances are it's been done - to say it was terrible with the CDV in place is an understatement. I spent six months trying to "learn" the car, convinced I was being a numpty!

phil_cardiff

7,041 posts

207 months

Saturday 11th April 2015
quotequote all
Never had a problem with the biting point. In fact hill starts are ridiculously easy, the car seems to hold itself for a couple of seconds before the biting point is needed.

Sorry for the thread hijack too...

SoupAnxiety

Original Poster:

299 posts

109 months

Sunday 12th April 2015
quotequote all
The hold is deliberate - the car applies the brakes automatically for three seconds. It is a really handy feature.

Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
quotequote all
an update... all the parts have arrived (I think..).. just need to get some time to fit them.. or an independent shop..

it's like Christmas! I love looking up the parts and getting a load of bit to build something.. the sado in me smile . I have a full list of part numbers and web addresses if anyone is interested.. I haven't ordered subframe bushes as I want to see what this lot does first. I really hope this is worth the effort and I haven't wasted my money.
















SoupAnxiety

Original Poster:

299 posts

109 months

Monday 20th April 2015
quotequote all
Nice work - you are right in saying it is like Christmas! Get some man wrap on it and unwrap it for a more immersive experience.
The Koni FSDs get a good write up, particularly for real world driving. Whereabouts are you based? I know a cracking independent if you are in Cheshire who's kept my E92 and E30 happy and will be the go to guy when I get round to getting my new shocks and springs. He's warned me against getting Powerflex bushes all round saying the ride would be too hard - recommended that you renew bushes whilst fitting the new shocks etc but aftermarket rock hard bushes are not always a good thing.

Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Mm that's good to know about Powerflex bushes. TBH I want to keep most things OEM. I did consider using M3 control arms etc, but looks like a hastle with camber settings and didn't want to muck around with that.

I live in Horton Heath in Eastleigh, Hampshire. TBH i'm in two minds as to whether to do it myself or not. if i do i'll do it over a bank holiday weekend. I suspect getting an indy to do it would cost quite a bit, around 500? i'll have to get some quotes to see where i stand.

SoupAnxiety

Original Poster:

299 posts

109 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
quotequote all
I'm doing the E30 myself at home but i've heard the E9x can be a bit of a pig. I'm on mates rates at £200 for the day to do the work, if it's a day for a mechanic with a proper garage your bank holiday weekend suggestion would be doable. Stock up on beer and WD-40 and you'll get through it.

Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Well I fitted the rear bits yesterday with a bit of help from a very good friend, did a side each. It was easier than I had expected and ironically the hardest part was refitting the interior boot trim lol .

I haven't been for a ride yet and it'd be premature to comment until the fronts are fitted next week, but the original shocks were very much gone, when depressed they wouldn't expand, well they would but over a matter of minutes! Lol. Ride height on rear is currently actually higher than before even though springs are shorter! I guess it'll settle after a while. I did follow procedure and tighten up control arms etc when suspension is level using the hydraulic Jack. Roll on next weekend for the fronts!














SoupAnxiety

Original Poster:

299 posts

109 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Nice work! Thanks for taking photos. Besides spring compressors did you need any special gear? Were you surprised that your old shocks were worn out - were you having any problems when driving?
Let me know how it is on the road.

Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Actually I didn't need spring compressors for the rears! you just undo the lower ball joint and lower the lower arm and the spring will come out! I wasn't surprised the rear shocks had gone, no, well especially the right rear, as when cornering the car sagged hugely and felt awful! But I was surprised at how shockingly bad (pardon the pun lol) they were though. Only special tool was an e-12 skt for the lower strut mount bolts. We did try and use an imperial socket (I forget the size) but in the end we when to Halfords to get a proper torx e-12 socket, as it was starting to burr.

We started late morning at 11 and finished at 5, but that's with lunch and a visit to Halfords in there, so not bad really. When I do the front suspension I should imagine it will take longer esp on my own. A special tool I've ordered for the fronts is this Spreader Socket for Spring Strut Clamp. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161102846611?_trksid=p20...

Here's the height which I hope will settle..


SoupAnxiety

Original Poster:

299 posts

109 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Sounds easier than what I was expecting, and good to see you have used axle stands. I've convinced myself most jobs need a ramp and therefore cannot be completed at home!
The ride height isn't silly high, if you want silly arch / tyre clearance try fitting the wrong profile (ordered in error) to 14" wheels on an E30. Never have I been so ashamed!
Keep me posted on the front and your opinions on the setup! The wedding fund may find itself lighter to the tune of the Bilstein kit if you are impressed with yours!

Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Yeah it really wasn't that bad, just placed wood stoppers on front wheels to stop car movement. Ride height isn't that bad no, New spring rubbers and strut mounts probably need to settle.

Wrong tyre profile! Doh! And you consider yourself a piston head? wink .. easily done

Will keep you posted..

Sohlman

590 posts

253 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Every suspension change I have ever done results in a high ride height.

After you have driven the car a couple of miles it will settle and drop a fair amount

Pass judgement after you have done this

Good work by the way. I understand from my specialist that doing the front is not too hard.



Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Monday 27th April 2015
quotequote all
Cheers Sohlman!

After 26 miles driving today ride height hasn't dropped. Started reading this thread below and got a bit worried, but on Page 5, Mart1000 put my mind at rest a bit. Think I'll put my old 65kg CRT TV in my boot to help things along wink

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718...

TBH if the front looks anything like the pics in the above thread I'll be happy, not wanting a big drop, but the rear is higher than before. I'll be patient and wait.

Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Saturday 2nd May 2015
quotequote all
Well I finished fitting the front suspension today, did one side yesterday and the other today! struth what a job! Changing the shocks and and struts were relatively easy, but changing the control arms turned out to be a right PITA! mostly due to the thread corrosion in the last few winds. In the end one side was drilled out and other was hacksawed off! :s.. never again. Anyway... the result is worth it. The changes are subtle but evident. I've only driven a few miles, but can tell that the shocks do indeed absorb bumps and potholes better eliminating the previous crashy ride. Also it feels more tight and steering less heavy - probably due to the new strut mounts. It's nothing like a Honda Integra or probably an M car, but is better than before. I have to say I'm loving the subtle lowering of the front! it's just right, not too low, although I suspect it may get lower when it's settled. I need to drive some familiar roads and report back really.

One thing that has been highlighted though is the woeful rear subframe mounts. I knew they were bad, but you can now feel the movement of the rear more so now. When the rear goes over a bump the rear skips to the side. I managed to order some clearance Whiteline mounts for £60 (reduced from £160), so will fit those in the future at some point. Anyway here's some pics..

Front before change


front after change









Edited by Monkey_boy on Sunday 3rd May 10:00

Wills2

22,666 posts

174 months

Sunday 3rd May 2015
quotequote all
Top work there fella, looks good, do you have shot of the full car? I quite like that canted forward stance (lower at the front to back)


Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Sunday 3rd May 2015
quotequote all
Wills2 said:
Top work there fella, looks good, do you have shot of the full car? I quite like that canted forward stance (lower at the front to back)

Cheers! here's one, but it isn't great as car is filthy and rear has had 1 week to settle a bit whereas front only 1 day. The old rubber spring mounts were fairly squashed compared to the new ones so there is room for settling. Do you know what, the ride with the new FSD shocks is almost I'd say more comfortable that my wifes F11 530d! but I think that's more to do with the runflat tyres more than anything else.

Nice M3's and M5 in your car history btw!



Edited by Monkey_boy on Sunday 3rd May 18:51

Wills2

22,666 posts

174 months

Sunday 3rd May 2015
quotequote all

Cheers! I did a bit of DIY on the M5 last week, fitted the M performance gloss back grills and carbon interior trim, no where near as good/hard as your spannering but I have a new found admiration for doing stuff yourself.

I really like the Alpina wheels top work.


Monkey_boy

126 posts

183 months

Sunday 3rd May 2015
quotequote all
Nice one! Hope it looks good, sounds like it does. We all learn from each other! I looked up lots of DIY's to do this job from various forums to make sure I had the right tools etc.

For SoupAnxiety and others this is the list of parts and websites I used and might consider for the future. Hopes it's of use...

Rear Rubber mount, shock absorber ~£11
33526768544
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/swag-2131468.html
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/spares-search.html...


Rear SPRING PAD LOWER ~£4
33536764420
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Rear SPRING PAD UPPER ~£6
33536764419
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Rear shock cover & Bump stop ~£6
33536767335
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/febi-bilstein-7105...



Front Stut Mount ~£30
31306775098
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-1270390....
http://www.rockauto.co.uk/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optimal-F8-5433-Top-Strut-...

Front SPRING PAD UPPER ~£2
31336767500
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Front SPRING PAD LOWER ~£2
31336764372
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Upper spring plate/cup ~£12
31336764093
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Front Shock tube protection ~£5
31331094749
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Front Bump stop ~£5
31336767333
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/mapco-7073775.html
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/sachs-1231051.html

Covering cap ~£2
31306774021
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Self-locking collar nut ~£2
33326760668
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

DUST PROTECTION COLLAR ~£2
31331110196
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Washer ~£7
31306763966
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Washer Gasket ~£3
31306772226
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Spring pocket
41147057297
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...





Tension Strut (Front Left) ~£45
31126769797
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/suspension-arm-tra...
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-1268877....

Tension Strut (Front right) ~£45
31126769798
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/suspension-arm-tra...
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-1268879....

Wishbone (Front Left)
31126770849 / JTC1031
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/suspension-arm-tra...
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-1268889....

Wishbone (Front Right)
31126770850 / JTC1030
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/suspension-arm-tra...
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-1268893....

Control Arm (Rear right)
33326782238 / JTC1209 / 35734 01
http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/product/product?pr...
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/suspension-arm-tra...
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-7018157....
http://www.skscarparts.co.uk/steering-axle-arms-li...

Control Arm (Rear left)
33326782237 / JTC1209 / 35733 01
http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/product/product?pr...
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/suspension-arm-tra...
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-7020410....
http://www.skscarparts.co.uk/steering-axle-arms-li...

Ball Joint (Rear) ~£12 ea
33326792553
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-7009488....

Track Strut (Rear) ~£21 ea
33326763471 / JTC1210
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/suspension-arm-tra...
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-1269511....

Wishbone (Rear) ~£54 ea
33326777980 / JTC1211
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/suspension-arm-tra...
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/lemforder-1271760....




Rear subframe mount Front ~£18
33316758259
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/hub-carrier-bush/l...
http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/product/product?pa...

Rear subframe mount Rear ~£18
33316758260
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/hub-carrier-bush/l...
http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/product/product?pa...


Rear subframe mount Front (M3) ~£34ea / £58ea
33312283382
http://www.schmiedmann.co.uk/33312283382/product-t...
productnumber.aspx
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Rear subframe mount rear (M3) ~£44ea / ~£65ea
33312283383
http://www.schmiedmann.co.uk/33312283383/product-t...
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Rear subframe mounts (Whiteline) ~£159
http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?pa...


Diff Bushes front ~£7ea
33176760287
http://www.schmiedmann.co.uk/en/33176760287/model/...
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Diff Bush Rear ~£11
33176770866
http://www.schmiedmann.co.uk/33176770866/product-t...
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Diff Bushes front (M3) ~£17ea X2
33312284019
http://www.schmiedmann.co.uk/33312284019/product-t...
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Diff Bush Rear (M3) ~£17
33312283384
http://www.schmiedmann.co.uk/33312283384/product-t...
http://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw/product_info.php...

Diff Bushes (Whiteline)
http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?pa...


Wish I'd found this place before ordering 95% of my parts!! Great prices!
http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk

Fitting:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274...
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661...

Eibach Lowering threads:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585...
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718...

Eibach Lowering threads:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585...
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718...

Edited by Monkey_boy on Thursday 28th May 17:47

SoupAnxiety

Original Poster:

299 posts

109 months

Monday 4th May 2015
quotequote all
Nice work! The part number list is invaluable, thanks a million for sharing. I've been grinding rust out of the E30 getting it ready for welding, this is still on the list but will have to wait frown
How are the FSDs in the real world - do they adapt and do they balance comfort / sport? Sounds like it from your F11 comment they do!

After doing the front / rear yourself is it all worth it when you get on the road?