[BlackDesertTango]

I drive 20K every 6 months. I often drive through CA 58's loopy roads and enjoy it. I am satisfied with my stock non-sport e90 suspension going 90+ in the mountains.

I notice that enthusiast commonly upgrade their suspension to aftermarket performance suspensions.

I was wondering, aside from aesthetics, do the aftermarket suspension kits make the ride smoother or rougher?

I'm interested in buying a kit that provides a smoother ride but also better performance on the winding roads I drive on.

[Chrispy650]

I used to have non sport suspension. Couple days ago I got st coilovers and wow the ride handles so much better. The comfort is still there just absorbs bumps a whole lot faster which I like better.

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by BlackDesertTango

I drive 20K every 6 months. I often drive through CA 58's loopy roads and enjoy it. I am satisfied with my stock non-sport e90 suspension going 90+ in the mountains.

I notice that enthusiast commonly upgrade their suspension to aftermarket performance suspensions.

I was wondering, aside from aesthetics, do the aftermarket suspension kits make the ride smoother or rougher?

I'm interested in buying a kit that provides a smoother ride but also better performance on the winding roads I drive on.

There is no simple answer to that question since there is a myriad of options. But in general you can make the suspension whatever you want from stock softness with better bump handling to racing stiff. The trick is choosing wisely so you don't have to go through too much trial and error.

How many miles do you have on the car?

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by BlackDesertTango

I drive 20K every 6 months. I often drive through CA 58's loopy roads and enjoy it. I am satisfied with my stock non-sport e90 suspension going 90+ in the mountains.

I notice that enthusiast commonly upgrade their suspension to aftermarket performance suspensions.

I was wondering, aside from aesthetics, do the aftermarket suspension kits make the ride smoother or rougher?

I'm interested in buying a kit that provides a smoother ride but also better performance on the winding roads I drive on.

Generally, for daily driving, the rap on Koni FSD's + BMW Performance springs is: Excellent, absorbant ride with much much better handling.

Hey....Ground Control [Koni Yellows] Street/School will give you a dazzling performance envelope and a smoother ride, Koni FSD's a yet more compliant ride & smaller envelope. Both much better than any stock config. Check your camber - Ground Control's package includes M3 rear lower camber arms for added goodness; other things not seen in other mfr's solutions.

Both match shock to spring, prerequisite to good result, which is why I mention Ground Control vs Yellows + random springs.

Combine w/HP Autowerks' M3 suspension parts for exquisiteness if you don't mind another $2k+. Those rear bushings really gotta go; M3 sways yield flat handling.

I have Wavetrac limited slip differential - huge improvement and highly recommended by everyone who tries 'em. Everything they say and then some....

Maybe $7k parts for total improvement. Do you recoil? Don't! You'll bless yourself every day for doing all....
.

[tscdennab]

Almost all aftermarket suspensions provide a better performance on winding roads compared to the stock suspension. But very few (if any) provide better confort.

There are 2 suspensions that come to mind for similar confort but a bit better performance: KW Street Comfort and the Koni FSD / Eibach Pro-Kit combination.

[BlackDesertTango]

Originally Posted by Chrispy650

I used to have non sport suspension. Couple days ago I got st coilovers and wow the ride handles so much better. The comfort is still there just absorbs bumps a whole lot faster which I like better.

Ya, I'm looking into coilovers route.

[BlackDesertTango]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

There is no simple answer to that question since there is a myriad of options. But in general you can make the suspension whatever you want from stock softness with better bump handling to racing stiff. The trick is choosing wisely so you don't have to go through too much trial and error.

How many miles do you have on the car?

Ya when I started looking, I realized there were too many options. But what I gotta remember is what I am trying to achieve with the upgrade so that I don't make that trial and error approach.

approaching 90K, I bought it with 70K and I've owned it since August.

[cdgatti]

Makes sense. At 90K if you just put new stock shocks on it, say the bilstein b4, the car will ride almost like new and feel like a big improvement.

[rayguy24]

My combo of BMW Performance Shocks/Struts and Eibach Pros works nicely for me. The drop isn't extreme, but handling definitely improved and the ride is still comfortable. Think memory foam mattress vs. a luxurious but springy mattress (stock non-sport suspension).

[Legato2057]

I went with the Koni FSD shocks and Eibach pro kit spring setup shortly after I got my car. I also changed my wheels and tires to a 19" setup. I previously had the sport suspension w/ 18" wheels. To me it made a huge difference. Stock, the sport setup was a little numb while the upgrades gave me a lot more confidence in the handling of the car. Truth be told, I will probably never exceed the capabilities of even the stock setup but I am still glad I upgraded.

[Fred_Boosted]

Most adjustable sport coilovers are comfort as stock and perform better.

It really depends on how you adjust your spring and damping setting.

Racing coilovers are more aggressive than sport coilovers, they are 3 way, 12 way adjustable. Even you set it to softest setting its rough..... But maximize the performance.

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by Legato2057

I went with the Koni FSD shocks and Eibach pro kit spring setup shortly after I got my car. I also changed my wheels and tires to a 19" setup. I previously had the sport suspension w/ 18" wheels. To me it made a huge difference. Stock, the sport setup was a little numb while the upgrades gave me a lot more confidence in the handling of the car. Truth be told, I will probably never exceed the capabilities of even the stock setup but I am still glad I upgraded.

Can you compare the ride quality for a daily driver in moving from the sport to the eibach/fsd set up?