Aftermarket drops and comfort vs performance

[Jaymax85]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone with a drop comment on:
1. What they have
2. Comment on the ride quality
3. Comment on any perceived performance enhancement


Thanks

Jawwad

[SouthShoreM3]

Jawwahd there is alot of posts out there in suspensions and plenty of options depending on budget.

It all depends on what you are looking for in a suspension modification. Are tracking the vehicle, is it a DD, or does it serve as both?

If you have EDC in your vehicle and want to retain the EDC functions my recommendation would be to go with Dinan. I have stage 3 in my E90 and although it is not the most aggressive stance out there it does have many pluses.

The ride quality and comfort is excellent. Prior Dinan releasing a coil over system for the E9x their spring set up was very good in my personal opinion. It did an excellent job with giving a slightly more aggressive stance and however did not impact the ride quality of the vehicle. Nor did it compromise the geometry of the vehicle. The stage 3 has great handling characteristics for the road and the track. I can adjust the vehicle as necessary with their coilover set up. It is quiet as well.

And one of the best parts is that it is covered under warranty for BMW.

There are so many great kits out there for this car you really can't go wrong. It just depends on the budget and what you are looking to achieve and gain/slightly sacrifice in an aftermarket suspension.

Good luck!

[iamcpap]

Hey there,

After having the Ground Control Sleeve Over kit, which was great for handling, but sucked on city streets, I switched to BG Sport Springs with E36 bumpstops. It gives the car a very aggressive look without sacrificing the ride quality at all, or at least to a very minimum at most. On the track this weekend (first time) I was very happy with the ride and control.

You also retain EDC capabilities. Highly recommended. Reach out to A-Spec or mkpoto if you are interested.

I live in Bucktown and work downtown if you would like to see the car in person.

[Jaymax85]

I actually bought the Dinan st 1 with cambers but was unimpressed with the drops in pics.. So I sold it.. I'm in between the Eibach and spec R but am really concerned about not losing anymore ride quality as the car is pretty stiff over bumps as it is

[iamcpap]

Eibach will ride hard... what is your email address, I will send you pics of the B&G springs drop...

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by iamcpap

Eibach will ride hard... what is your email address, I will send you pics of the B&G springs drop...

Firedc5@gmail.com

[ec_E92]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

I actually bought the Dinan st 1 with cambers but was unimpressed with the drops in pics.. So I sold it.. I'm in between the Eibach and spec R but am really concerned about not losing anymore ride quality as the car is pretty stiff over bumps as it is

Jawwad,

Did you even install the Dinan kit?

I have the Eibach's and E36 bumpstops and have been pleased with performance on street and track while still keeping 4-season DD capability. I also have EDC. I chose this setup as it's the same as the Dinan Stage 1 kit (minus the shaved guide supports) and a fraction of the cost ($350 total new). The camber plates will raise the car several mm's, but not sure it's that noticeable over just Eibach's.

Which leads me to the question, what are you trying to achieve? Comfort ride with slammed look? You can't have both of these and unless you go into an adjustable coilover kit where you can dial in rebound, ride height, etc to your exact wishes, Dinan/Eibach is probably the setup you're looking for.

My takeaway after 1.5 years and 25k on the setup is the car has slightly less roll, dive and squat. I'd love to have a lower drop/stance with a firmer ride but it's not practical in the midwest if you're driving 4-seasons. Overall it's a subtle visual drop and just slightly firmer ride than stock springs.

Let me know if you want to check out my car again or go for a ride in it. I also have 18's, same as you if I recall? Maybe we can meetup at a Cars and Coffee before the season is over.

-Eric

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by ec_E92

Jawwad,

Did you even install the Dinan kit?

I have the Eibach's and E36 bumpstops and have been pleased with performance on street and track while still keeping 4-season DD capability. I also have EDC. I chose this setup as it's the same as the Dinan Stage 1 kit (minus the shaved guide supports) and a fraction of the cost ($350 total new). The camber plates will raise the car several mm's, but not sure it's that noticeable over just Eibach's.

Which leads me to the question, what are you trying to achieve? Comfort ride with slammed look? You can't have both of these and unless you go into an adjustable coilover kit where you can dial in rebound, ride height, etc to your exact wishes, Dinan/Eibach is probably the setup you're looking for.

My takeaway after 1.5 years and 25k on the setup is the car has slightly less roll, dive and squat. I'd love to have a lower drop/stance with a firmer ride but it's not practical in the midwest if you're driving 4-seasons. Overall it's a subtle visual drop and just slightly firmer ride than stock springs.

Let me know if you want to check out my car again or go for a ride in it. I also have 18's, same as you if I recall? Maybe we can meetup at a Cars and Coffee before the season is over.

-Eric

Eric,

Thanks for your insight. I plan on retiring this car from daily driving when I graduate residency next summer. That being said, I would like to retain my street-able ride while slightly lessening the body roll and maybe lowering the front to a 2 finger gap. I plan on doing a couple HPDEs starting next summer.

I am leaning towards the Eibach vs the swift spec Rs, but have a feeling the swifts may be too stiff. I would actually love if I could get a ride in your car and look at the stance again as I have the 219Ms.

Let me know when you are free!

Jawwad

[ec_E92]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

Eric,

Thanks for your insight. I plan on retiring this car from daily driving when I graduate residency next summer. That being said, I would like to retain my street-able ride while slightly lessening the body roll and maybe lowering the front to a 2 finger gap. I plan on doing a couple HPDEs starting next summer.

I am leaning towards the Eibach vs the swift spec Rs, but have a feeling the swifts may be too stiff. I would actually love if I could get a ride in your car and look at the stance again as I have the 219Ms.

Let me know when you are free!

Jawwad

PM'd

[tareemaa]

I would go with the eibachs, Ive had them on all four of my previous cars, stock like comfort with tighter performance.

by the way, where are you a resident?

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by tareemaa

I would go with the eibachs, Ive had them on all four of my previous cars, stock like comfort with tighter performance.

by the way, where are you a resident?

Riverside Methodist in Columbus

[tareemaa]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

Riverside Methodist in Columbus

sweet, I'm at rush Copley, can't wait to be done!! I'm gonna be burning a lot of cash on my car, that's if the wife doesn't kill me

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by tareemaa

sweet, I'm at rush Copley, can't wait to be done!! I'm gonna be burning a lot of cash on my car, that's if the wife doesn't kill me

Lol, I'm pretty conservative with my cars, subtle mods. I bought an M because I paid the BMW engineers to do it right