[RoyalFlush]

I'd like some feedback on the suspension and brake setup listed below for a daily driven car. Although it's a daily driver, I go on spirited drives every day.

This is for an E92 335i (FBO + E50).

- KW Street Comfort Coilovers (Or H&R Sport Springs w/Koni Yellow Shocks?)
- Vorshlag Camber Plates (Or Stock Strut/Shock Mount Kit?)
- M3 Front Strut Tower Brace Kit
- M3 Front Sway Bar
- M3 Front Control Arm Kit
- M3 Rear Control Arm Kit
- M3 Rear Sway Bar
- M3 Rear Subframe Bushings

- StopTech Centric Slotted Rotors
- StopTech Street Performance Brake Pads (Or Akebono Euro Ceramic Pads?)
- StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines (Or Goodridge G-Stop Brake Lines?)
- StopTech Brake Sensors

If done by a professional, how long should the install(s) take?

[cvc 22349a]

KW street comfort>any sport spring/strut combo. I tried a few sport spring/strut combos before KW s/c because I didn't want coilovers. I'll never go back on this chassis. KW s/c has superior ride quality AND handling. Don't waste your money like I did.
M3 front control arms. I have the M3 strut brace but wouldn't really recommend it for a DD. M3 rear guide rods and subframe bushings. Possibly Megan Racing rear toe arms. Sway bars are very debatable. I'd say no especially the rear.
OEM brakes>stoptech for a DD!! If you need front rotors get the Z435is rotors.
It's all here in this forum.

[cvc 22349a]

And I'd use oem strut mounts with Dinan camber plates instead of adjustable camber plates for a DD. I wish I had gone that route instead of ground control camber plates.

And get new rear lower shock mounts and aftermarket rear upper shock mounts-Dinan or Powerflex.

[J38]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

KW street comfort>any sport spring/strut combo. I tried a few sport spring/strut combos before KW s/c because I didn't want coilovers. I'll never go back on this chassis. KW s/c has superior ride quality AND handling. Don't waste your money like I did.
M3 front control arms. I have the M3 strut brace but wouldn't really recommend it for a DD. M3 rear guide rods and subframe bushings. Possibly Megan Racing rear toe arms. Sway bars are very debatable. I'd say no especially the rear.
OEM brakes>stoptech for a DD!! If you need front rotors get the Z435is rotors.
It's all here in this forum.

Wow, I would be shocked if KW Coilovers (v1?) were better than Bilstein + correct springs for a street car.

I've had Koni Yellows + H&R Race and thought it was stiff on my ZHP, but every car I've driven on Bilsteins was amazing.

*disclaimer: I haven't been in an E90 with either KW or Bilstein +springs, so I would go with forum knowledge on this one, but on other applications, Especially my Evos, it wasn't even close.

Edit: I answered my own question about the KW. We aren't talking about V1s, V2s, etc. I didn't even know Street Comfort was a model. So yeah, ignore my advice, but I would still research the crap out of this. There is nothing like spending $1500 - $2k on a suspension and finding out that you hate it. Go to cars and coffee or your local club meet and catch a ride in a similar setup if you can.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by J38

Wow, I would be shocked if KW Coilovers (v1?) were better than Bilstein + correct springs for a street car.

I've had Koni Yellows + H&R Race and thought it was stiff on my ZHP, but every car I've driven on Bilsteins was amazing.

*disclaimer: I haven't been in an E90 with either KW or Bilstein +springs, so I would go with forum knowledge on this one, but on other applications, Especially my Evos, it wasn't even close.

Edit: I answered my own question about the KW. We aren't talking about V1s, V2s, etc. I didn't even know Street Comfort was a model. So yeah, ignore my advice, but I would still research the crap out of this. There is nothing like spending $1500 - $2k on a suspension and finding out that you hate it. Go to cars and coffee or your local club meet and catch a ride in a similar setup if you can.

Be shocked and speculate. I'm speaking from experience and not selling anything. This chassis utilizes bumpstops as a secondary spring which transmits bumps to the chassis much more so than a coilover such as KW Street Comfort that has higher spring rates, superior shock valving and utilizes shorter bumpstops that simply prevent the shock from bottoming out.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

KW street comfort>any sport spring/strut combo. I tried a few sport spring/strut combos before KW s/c because I didn't want coilovers. I'll never go back on this chassis. KW s/c has superior ride quality AND handling. Don't waste your money like I did.
M3 front control arms. I have the M3 strut brace but wouldn't really recommend it for a DD. M3 rear guide rods and subframe bushings. Possibly Megan Racing rear toe arms. Sway bars are very debatable. I'd say no especially the rear.
OEM brakes>stoptech for a DD!! If you need front rotors get the Z435is rotors.
It's all here in this forum.

Which sport spring/strut setup did you compare to the KW? The SC (almost 99% positive) uses a progressive spring, which usually never entails a better ride quality. If you are looking for adjustability then KW is not a bad option but when compared to the less expensive (non-height adjustable) Koni/Swift, the Konis will outperform and outlast KW every time.

In terms of the best bang for your buck the front control arm kit is the way to go. You have a good list so I would just keep it the way it is and maybe go a different route in terms of struts/springs.

-Mike

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

Which sport spring/strut setup did you compare to the KW? The SC (almost 99% positive) uses a progressive spring, which usually never entails a better ride quality. If you are looking for adjustability then KW is not a bad option but when compared to the less expensive (non-height adjustable) Koni/Swift, the Konis will outperform and outlast KW every time.

In terms of the best bang for your buck the front control arm kit is the way to go. You have a good list so I would just keep it the way it is and maybe go a different route in terms of struts/springs.

-Mike

Mike,

Have you even driven an E9x with Swift spec r springs and Konis?
I've had Konis with oe sport springs/bumpstops and BMW PS springs/bumpstops. ALL sport spring/oem style struts are going to contact the bumpstops all too frequently and upset the E9x chassis as opposed to isolating the chassis from small and large bumps.
I could never find a sweet spot for the Koni struts; they were either too slow or a 1/4 turn firmer too firm and moved the front of the car around too much.
I've had Koni Sports and FSD's (purchased from HPA along with numerous other products) and there is no way Konis 'outperform' KW S/C on the E9x! KW lists the S/C as linear rates (for the E9x)-286F/572R. I believe the KW S/C is the kit Harold refers to when he says KW took HPA's idea for a linear rate coilover. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm also guessing you don't sell the KW S/C.
I don't want to tout the S/C as the only viable suspension option for a street car, but my personal experience with my car is KW S/C handles better AND provides superior ride comfort than Konis with whatever sport springs.

OP: You mentioned KW SC; that's why I chimed in. HPA sells all the stuff on your list; I'm sure they'd be happy to help you out. Ask them if they've ever driven an E9x with the KW S/C suspension and if they sell it. Do yourself a favor and read the mixed reviews (some quite bad) about those Stoptech brake products for a street car.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Mike,

Have you even driven an E9x with Swift spec r springs and Konis?
I've had Konis with oe sport springs/bumpstops and BMW PS springs/bumpstops. ALL sport spring/oem style struts are going to contact the bumpstops all too frequently and upset the E9x chassis as opposed to isolating the chassis from small and large bumps.
I could never find a sweet spot for the Koni struts; they were either too slow or a 1/4 turn firmer too firm and moved the front of the car around too much.
I've had Koni Sports and FSD's (purchased from HPA along with numerous other products) and there is no way Konis 'outperform' KW S/C on the E9x! KW lists the S/C as linear rates (for the E9x)-286F/572R. I believe the KW S/C is the kit Harold refers to when he says KW took HPA's idea for a linear rate coilover. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm also guessing you don't sell the KW S/C.
I don't want to tout the S/C as the only viable suspension option for a street car, but my personal experience with my car is KW S/C handles better AND provides superior ride comfort than Konis with whatever sport springs.

I have driven Konis on a 335 (not with the Swift upgrade) and also Konis on e46 Ms. I had KW V2s with Swift linear springs on my e90 before my ASTs. This is all subjective, but from experience I have never liked the dampening power of KWs, even with linear spring rates, compared to Koni (on the track and street). I cannot attest to your displeasure with not finding the right settings, but I still believe Koni makes a better strut than KW. My KWs were pretty beat up when I sold them with 20k miles and Konis last significantly longer (with my own experience and customer feedback). We do sell KW coilover kits, we just prefer and recommend Koni.

-Mike

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

I have driven Konis on a 335 (not with the Swift upgrade) and also Konis on e46 Ms. I had KW V2s with Swift linear springs on my e90 before my ASTs. This is all subjective, but from experience I have never liked the dampening power of KWs, even with linear spring rates, compared to Koni (on the track and street). I cannot attest to your displeasure with not finding the right settings, but I still believe Koni makes a better strut than KW. My KWs were pretty beat up when I sold them with 20k miles and Konis last significantly longer (with my own experience and customer feedback). We do sell KW coilover kits, we just prefer and recommend Koni.

-Mike

KW valves their V series dampers for softer, progressive rate springs. It makes sense they felt/were underdamped for higher rate, linear springs.
I can not attest to the longevity of KW dampers but they do carry a lifetime warranty unless you machine the perches and switch to higher rate springs
I am familiar with your previous E9x; it looked like a beast.

[J38]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Be shocked and speculate. I'm speaking from experience and not selling anything. This chassis utilizes bumpstops as a secondary spring which transmits bumps to the chassis much more so than a coilover such as KW Street Comfort that has higher spring rates, superior shock valving and utilizes shorter bumpstops that simply prevent the shock from bottoming out.

Not accusing you of serving your own interests or anything.

So forgive my ignorance on these cars, but can the bumpstops not be shortened? Swift springs have less drop than most, and typically they design them to NOT contact the bumpstops. A common fix on some cars is to hacksaw the bumpstop in half, is that not applicable due to the design?

If the car is designed to use the bumpstops as the secondary spring then wtf.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by J38

Not accusing you of serving your own interests or anything.

So forgive my ignorance on these cars, but can the bumpstops not be shortened? Swift springs have less drop than most, and typically they design them to NOT contact the bumpstops. A common fix on some cars is to hacksaw the bumpstop in half, is that not applicable due to the design?

If the car is designed to use the bumpstops as the secondary spring then wtf.

Bad idea as the oem bumpstops are progressive. The idea is to utilize softer springs to isolate the chassis/driver from small road irregularities yet increase spring rate during hard cornering. The end result is inconsistent bump absorption (in my experience). Suspension tuning is a series of compromises. There is a great sticky thread in the E9x M3 suspension forum about bumpstops and lowering springs. There's also a thread in that forum about the new Swift spec r springs where one user tried shorter E36 M3 front bumpstops and finds that the struts bottom out over hard impacts, so it sounds like reusing your oem bumpstops (as Swift and HPA recommend) is the way to go. If I were to consider a sport spring/strut combo, I'd look at the Swift spec r with Bilstein Sport struts/shocks; those struts have internal stops. Either way, ride quality isn't going to be as good as KW S/C imo

[RoyalFlush]

So, I'm debating between the KW SCs and H&R Sport w/Koni Yellows. I'm leaning towards the KW SCs for the simple fact I can adjust the height. I'd hate being unable to change the height if I was too low with the H&R/Koni setup. I'll probably do everything else except the rear sway bar.

If I were to go with KW SCs, what camber plate kit and/or struct/shock mount kit should I use with it? (Stock + Dinan?)

I'm still on the fence about the brake related updates. I'm trying to have everything done at one time, but I'm unsure if that's needed.

[AW M4]

Kw street comfort is the way to go. Height and rebound doing adjustable just like the v2. As for the brakes, stoptech make a well rounded kit that works great for a street driven car. Better stopping power an pedal feel vs stock for sure and it's a great bang for your buck setup. I bought the stage 2 kit from mod bargains and I couldn't be happier!

[RoyalFlush]

Originally Posted by adub3

Kw street comfort is the way to go. Height and rebound doing adjustable just like the v2. As for the brakes, stoptech make a well rounded kit that works great for a street driven car. Better stopping power an pedal feel vs stock for sure and it's a great bang for your buck setup. I bought the stage 2 kit from mod bargains and I couldn't be happier!

Do you personally have KW SCs on your car? Did you get a camber plate and/or new strut/shock mount kit with them?

I plan on getting that StopTech upgrade kit, except I'm getting the 6-piece brake line kit instead of the 4-piece brake line kit displayed on their site.