[WC1]

I am a new owner of a low mile '10 335d. I have been getting it in shape to be a fun daily driver. I would like to add some Bird's coil-overs to improve handling. I like what Birds garage (http://www.birdsauto.com/) in the UK seems to be doing, but their terms for US customers are tough to get comfortable with: US customers are expected to wire them funds in advance. Since this method of payment would leave me no practical recourse if something goes wrong (IE Birds never ships for instance and just never takes my call) I wanted to solicit some feedback from US customers that have ordered from Birds:

> What was the transaction process like?

> How has your experience been with the product you ordered?

> If you needed follow-up assistance or warranty service, how was that experience?

[6ixSpd]

Curious: why are the countless readily available brands in North America not good enough?

[Phil325i]

I went for Ohlins R&T, having tried a car fitted with the Birds kit. I'd recommend Ohlins, but each to his own. Just my five cents...

[WC1]

Why I am focused on Birds? A - It claims to be custom designed for street and has been favorably reviewed. The Ohlins R&T seems like a good option. Its a bit more expensive and may be more harsh than I need for street.

[LMB335IS]

My take. The downside is huge, the upside is minimal. And the actual difference between what's readily available here and this is probably minimal as well. Even if they have a great warranty, what's the turnaround time while your car is on jackstands? Who covers shipping back and forth to the UK? Just throwing some things out there but it's your car, do what makes you happy.

[WC1]

Good points you are making ... part of the reason I solicited comments. Was hoping Id get a bunch of "dont worry about a thing" responses but its been crickets.

[Spitfire007]

I'm also interested but am in PA.
I like the idea of a solution for sporty suspension built for shitty roads.

Not up for an LSD. Car really doesn't need it as I don't track it, but would like the shocks springs and sways...

[Spitfire007]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

Curious: why are the countless readily available brands in North America not good enough?

Nothing in NA is specifically engineered for our crappy roads.

All Bilstein/Koni and even many coilovers are made/tested on beautifully smooth European roads....

[WC1]

Speaking with Birds, they dont rec the sways without the diff. Reason being the sway in the rear is stiff enough to reduce traction, necessitating the diff. I was going to start with just the suspension.

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Nothing in NA is specifically engineered for our crappy roads.

All Bilstein/Koni and even many coilovers are made/tested on beautifully smooth European roads....

That's doesn't make any sense.

Those companies develop products for use and consumption in a massive market likely generating at least a third of their revenue. They wouldn't design a product that would be subpar for a consumer base that earns such a massive chunk of their earnings. That's a terribly unsuccessful business model.

Those shocks are developed for use in a variety of situations, accommodating for changing conditions and road surfaces and have been proven to perform just as well as claimed, for the better part of two decades.

Lastly, European roads aren't magically better than North America's especially considering the infrastructure is much newer on this side of the Atlantic.

[Spitfire007]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

That's doesn't make any sense.

Those companies develop products for use and consumption in a massive market likely generating at least a third of their revenue. They wouldn't design a product that would be subpar for a consumer base that earns such a massive chunk of their earnings. That's a terribly unsuccessful business model.

Those shocks are developed for use in a variety of situations, accommodating for changing conditions and road surfaces and have been proven to perform just as well as claimed, for the better part of two decades.

Lastly, European roads aren't magically better than North America's especially considering the infrastructure is much newer on this side of the Atlantic.

Totally disagree. The nordschleife is a particular track, and bilsteins are designed to excel there.
Our bumpy pothole filled roads are abysmal compared to Europe. I'm from France and my wife is Italian. We KNOW.
The Northeast US is shamefully bad, and most sporty aftermarket suspensions are too harsh for our shit roads.
European infrastructure is in many levels far superior. Shame their economies are terrible, and they're too socialist for me. But their roads and driving manners far exceed ours

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Totally disagree. The nordschleife is a particular track, and bilsteins are designed to excel there.
Our bumpy pothole filled roads are abysmal compared to Europe. I'm from France and my wife is Italian. We KNOW.
The Northeast US is shamefully bad, and most sporty aftermarket suspensions are too harsh for our shit roads.
European infrastructure is in many levels far superior. Shame their economies are terrible, and they're too socialist for me. But their roads and driving manners far exceed ours

Nearly every sports car these days is developed and tuned at the 'Ring, so by that logic they're all designing them wrong right from the factory, too...

There are plenty of reliable, tried and tested aftermarket suspensions that work great for this chassis, ranging for daily driven orientated to more dedicated track use and everything in between. This forum (and others) are littered with countless threads sharing this information.

[WC1]

Quick attempt to bring this back on point: Does anyone in the US have any first hand experience with Birds they can share? Thanks

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by WC1

The Ohlins R&T seems like a good option. Its a bit more expensive and may be more harsh than I need for street.

Disagree. I have my Ohlins dampers set to full soft and the ride is ace, yet the handling is also superb.

[WC1]

Good to know. What did you pay for the Ohlins set up? Thanks