[e90dum]

Hi, I want to spend around 1000 for the best possible suspension setup I can get for track use. I have stock (not msport) suspension and it's stupid cushy. I daily drive the car and I'm not afraid of a rough ride(I once owned a stanced miata... don't ask) but I want it to be tolerable. I don't really care about height but I don't want to be afraid of speed bumps/potholes. I'm going to be installing it myself, but I've got a friend that can do an alignment.

I was looking at h&r coilovers, but I literally don't even know where to start/what I need or would want. My end goal is getting the firmest suspension I can get without making it a nightmare to daily.

[boro92]

For 1k you are better off upgrading the dampers only.
You will not find a true track oriented coilover at that price range.

In fact, you are better served spending your 1k towards camber plates and brake pads if you are serious about track. Or even just tires. Much better ways to spend 1k. One of the best budget off the shelf performance setup for track is PSS10, but that's well above 1k.

[feuer]

I truck my car...Also I got the suspension for $1k

Koni yellow new
GC camber plates new
BMWPS yellow springs used
After I sold my OEM for $250 the total $840 dropped to $590

I did the same with M3 front and rear control arms.
After I sold my OEM the new arms cost me $480

So little over $1k. Just need to check the classifieds frequently and be patient.

The Apex wheels and Hankook RS-3 were the largest expense. About $2k

Also, the front and rear F30 Brembo brakes. Around $1.6k

[matteblue3er]

If you haven't tracked a car before, I'd spend it on lessons. Once you out perform the car, then worry about upgrading parts

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by matteblue3er

If you haven't tracked a car before, I'd spend it on lessons. Once you out perform the car, then worry about upgrading parts

This.

[e90dum]

Originally Posted by matteblue3er

If you haven't tracked a car before, I'd spend it on lessons. Once you out perform the car, then worry about upgrading parts

I spent 75 dollars to go on a track. For 1,500 dollars I could have had an instructor with me. Are you seriously telling me that I will get more out of getting a dude to help me push my camry suspension than me just getting a stiffer suspension? I think ya'll are crazy for suggesting I blow my budget on lessons...

[e90dum]

Originally Posted by feuer

I truck my car...Also I got the suspension for $1k

Koni yellow new
GC camber plates new
BMWPS yellow springs used
After I sold my OEM for $250 the total $840 dropped to $590

I did the same with M3 front and rear control arms.
After I sold my OEM the new arms cost me $480

So little over $1k. Just need to check the classifieds frequently and be patient.

The Apex wheels and Hankook RS-3 were the largest expense. About $2k

Also, the front and rear F30 Brembo brakes. Around $1.6k

This sounds like the route I should be going. What is the ride like?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by e90dum

This sounds like the route I should be going. What is the ride like?

A lot of boom and bam but that is mostly the GC camber plates, Monroe rear shock mounts and the stiff side walls on the RS-3's

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by e90dum

I spent 75 dollars to go on a track. For 1,500 dollars I could have had an instructor with me. Are you seriously telling me that I will get more out of getting a dude to help me push my camry suspension than me just getting a stiffer suspension? I think ya'll are crazy for suggesting I blow my budget on lessons...

Sounds like you did an Auto-X and not an actual track session.

Anyway, yes. I understand the desire to just want to make the car stiffer and roll less but if you don't know how the car reacts at its limits, then how are you suppose to decide on the parts you want to upgrade?

It's like trying to repair a misfire by throwing parts at the issue...

[justpete]

Originally Posted by e90dum

I spent 75 dollars to go on a track. For 1,500 dollars I could have had an instructor with me. Are you seriously telling me that I will get more out of getting a dude to help me push my camry suspension than me just getting a stiffer suspension? I think ya'll are crazy for suggesting I blow my budget on lessons...

You need to find a BMWCCA HPDE where the instructor comes with the deal. And, yes, you'll learn far more than you can imagine. Otherwise you'd already be a skilled track driver. Not being a dick, it really is all about not knowing what you don't know. And tightening up the car will actually deprive you of learning how to drive at the limit, no lie. Ain't no shortcuts.

[boro92]

+1 on driver mod > *

[Camman]

Originally Posted by Washington335i

Recommendation:
Koni Yellow Sport shocks
Swift Spec R springs (for 335i)
Dinan Camber Plates

Koni Yellows let you adjust rebound firmness as firm as you want; Swift springs are firm and do not lower your car much; camber plates allow you to dial in negative camber for track. Add a thicker sway bar and you are done!
Best regards, Chris
www.strutmonkey.com

This sounds like a good way to go.

Also, I would make sure you have a good set of wheels and tires first before moving to the suspension.

[E90ALLMANUAL]

Due all necessary maintenance and drive the car the way it is right now. Then upgrade as necessary.

Get a dedicated set of wheels and tires. 17x8 or 17x9 with 225,235 or 245 tires

HP plus brake pads at a minimum.

I recommend doing a full M3 control arm swap and sway bars

Upgrade the rear subframe bushings

Camber plates, sports springs and the best performance shocks/struts you can afford .

All this parts will do more than an entry level set of coillvers and you are going to need them anyway.

[e90dum]

Y'all right I'm not a racecar driver but I definitely felt like I would benefit from better suspension. I'm gonna start with sway bars and subframe bushings and have my friend that tracks his car get in the passenger seat next time so he can yell at me


I don't see any HPDEs happening at all next january, unless I'm reading the website wrong. I used to be a member, I wonder if I still am...

[alpineweissm]

I have a sport suspension sitting in my garage right now. The front springs are still installed over the struts with Dinan camber plates and SP lowering perches (so the Dinan plates don't raise the suspension height). About 40k miles on the struts. PM me if this interests you.

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by e90dum

Y'all right I'm not a racecar driver but I definitely felt like I would benefit from better suspension. I'm gonna start with sway bars and subframe bushings and have my friend that tracks his car get in the passenger seat next time so he can yell at me


I don't see any HPDEs happening at all next january, unless I'm reading the website wrong. I used to be a member, I wonder if I still am...

Sway bars are literally the last suspension component you want to change. They are used to fine tune a suspension. Advertising from companies is strictly from a sales perspective and they are not really looking out for the customer's best interest.

Look on motorsportreg.com Not all events are on an actual track so read the details

You don't need to have a Porsche to go with PCA clubs or a BMW for BMW CCA, etc

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by boro92

For 1k you are better off upgrading the dampers only.
You will not find a true track oriented coilover at that price range.

In fact, you are better served spending your 1k towards camber plates and brake pads if you are serious about track. Or even just tires. Much better ways to spend 1k. One of the best budget off the shelf performance setup for track is PSS10, but that's well above 1k.

That is about right for a good set of dampers(Koni or Bilstein) and good sport springs(spec-R).

Low mileage coilovers may be an options, but it is a risk you take.

[supermann125]

I took my stock base model 2011 335d with run flat tires to a HPDE. The only upgrades I did were to the brakes (SS Lines, pads, high temp fluid approx $400). It was a 2 day event, 7 track sessions, with an instructor, for $355.

Yes, the car out performed me by far. But like you're saying, I wanted something more. I purchased a used set of lightweight Kosei wheels with BF Goodrich g-force Rival tires that had been lightly used. $800. It was an amazing difference in my next HPDE.

My order for suspension (that you probably don't think is suspension):
Brakes
Wheels
Instruction

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by e90dum

I spent 75 dollars to go on a track. For 1,500 dollars I could have had an instructor with me. Are you seriously telling me that I will get more out of getting a dude to help me push my camry suspension than me just getting a stiffer suspension? I think ya'll are crazy for suggesting I blow my budget on lessons...

Yes that is what people are saying. You sound young, you may want to listen to the experience that this site has.

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Yes that is what people are saying. You sound young, you may want to listen to the experience that this site has.

+1

[mike-y]

put it this way - the more mods you get now, the more they will cover up your mistakes, and you won't learn as quickly. With a mostly stock suspension, it forces you to learn how to be smooth with your inputs to be able to control the car. once you learn how to be fast by maximizing the stock suspension, you'll be really fast when you upgrade, and have more grip and control.

That said, a few basic mods (like brakes, camber plates) can still be beneficial.


Also, many track days include the instructor. I suggest looking for some different organizations. Out here, you can get into a 2-day event, with an instructor for like $250.