18" rims + m-sport lowering

[Rev]

The mod virus is strong! after changing rims, been thinking about lowering (must not think about m-tech body kit - damn hawt, no $$$ but droooool)

my ride: e90 320i
driving style: I dont track, I dont drag-race at traffic light but I do enjoy taking corners at a slightly faster speed and tau-huey-smooth lane-changes
The look i'm going for: is an overall smooth subtle look like my driving style, no slammed drop. Currently, I feel handling is acceptable, ride height is juuuust nice (becos black car?), my 18" rims with polished lip & non-rfts is juuuust right size(altho sometimes look like 17" or 19").
Concerns: priority is comfort, I'm wiling to sacrifice a little in comfort for looks and of course the benefits of improved handling

So I figure the m-sport lowering kit will be best for my needs, it'll be practical (only slightly less comfortable) and I still clear humps or carpark ramps with less concern. I also dont like that slammed look where there's no finger gap and feel it's not practical . plus the m-sport kits in resale look yummier & yummier to my wallet each day...

What do U pros think? OR 1 of the popular aftermarket solution can do better in terms of comfort compared to m-sport? I think going from stock to m-sport to aftermarket gives U less & less comfort
this is my car to give U an idea

 

[nYteMarE]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

m-sport!

if you aren't too fussy, a pair of lowering springs and an ARB would be good too, cept that your shocks may suffer after awhile.. some have gotten over the issue by installing konifsd after their shocks gave way...

 

[SILVER]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

"priority is comfort , I'm wiling to sacrifice a little in comfort for looks and of course the benefits of improved handling"

Bro so, is comfort your priority or looks? if u are willing to sacrifice comfort then looks is your priority! haha..you want to go lower but worry about comfort? haha =)
I was like you before on 18s, just want to have a lowered ride because of looks. I've tried springs and now I am on coilovers.

On springs it looks ok, just nice 1 1/2 finger gap front, no finger gap rear just nicely below the wheel arch. I'm kitted so far for the past almost 2 years I've not come across any carpark I've problem with. But wear and tear absorbers will soon give way and your ride quality will drop.

If you mentioned you like to take corners at a slightly spirited way then it depends on how fast you talking about, and what type of corners/bends. cos springs can only do so much. At speeds above 60km/hr at shaper corners i.e. exits from highway etc. you car will still float. (although may be better if you also have ARBs and strut bars)

Options

1. Just change springs - Non height/non dampening adjustable. ride will be a little hard (may get harder when absorbers wear out in time) cornering will still float at high speed but better than stock.

2. Change springs and Koni FSD - Non height & dampening adjustable, ride a little more comfortable. cornering only slightly better than Option 1

3. Change springs, Koni FSD, install ARBs & strut bar
Non height & dampening adjustable, ride a little more comfortable. cornering better that Option 2

4. Change to coilovers.
Very similar to Option 2 BUT...height adjustable and dampening adjustable to your liking ride also more comfortable

5. Change to coilovers with ARBs & Strut bar
Ultimate - Can take corners like no body business, can adjust ride height and dampening to your custom liking, ride is also more comfortable as you can adjust to your liking

Hope this helps

 

[Rev]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

lol, sorry if that sentence is confusing. comfort is still priority, if looks or handling is priority, then I pick any aftermarket options like KW2 or PSS9 or simply drop with springs only. I'm gonna change springs+shocks or coilovers and not change springs only as I my ride already 1.5 yrs old so the shocks will already have some wear.

my spirited cornering maybe 60-70 max exit from highway, like the CTE exit to PIE (jurong direction), no sharp corners la, I got no skillz for that =)

Thanks for the great detailed advice. thanks to this forum, I able to find my rims!

 

[JuzMe]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

Silver, very good write up. Good for newbies like me to learn more. With the options you listed, I assume changing springs is the cheapest option? With lowering via change of springs, I guess a lot of stress would be placed on existing absorbers?

 

[Rev]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

dont think alot of stress will be placed, yr shocks do wear at a slightly faster rate that depends on yr driving habits over bumps.

changing springs is definitely the cheapest option worldwide. but I read that the ride quality will worsen over time (mebbe 3-4yrs) - bumpy to more bumpy and then harsh. By changing to springs+shocks, the ride quality will be abit bumpier on rougher roads but it wont become harsh. hope I'm right...

 

[JuzMe]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

Thinking to moving up to 19" rims but my tires on current 17" rims are still around 90%. I am sure after going 19", the gap between tire and car still big so need to lower. If buy 19" rims, tires, lowering springs and shocks, it'll be expen$ive :-(

 

[Rev]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

sorry, tried to search for ARB but couldnt find anything. what's that?

juzme, guess U gotta decide which is priority... the gap or yr 19" rims? I feel rims make the biggest visual impact but lowering will make yr drive much better...

 

[SILVER]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

Guys take ur time to upgrade! Unless u have the budget to do so at one go. Most would just change wheels first then decide on lowering be it coilovers or springs. I started with springs first cos its a cheaper option at only approx $600+ with installation where coilovers will set u back approx $2.6 - $3k

ARB is Anti Roll Bar or Sway bars haha

 

[JuzMe]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

Silver, thanks for your advice. By the way, it is your fault that some of us got bitten by upgrade bug ;-) What you've done to your car is incredible!

 

[Herman]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

yah. its his fault !!
virus spreader!

but very good write up by bro silver.

all on target.

 

[jamers]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

lol, sorry if that sentence is confusing. comfort is still priority, if looks or handling is priority, then I pick any aftermarket options like KW2 or PSS9 or simply drop with springs only. I'm gonna change springs+shocks or coilovers and not change springs only as I my ride already 1.5 yrs old so the shocks will already have some wear.

my spirited cornering maybe 60-70 max exit from highway, like the CTE exit to PIE (jurong direction), no sharp corners la, I got no skillz for that =)

Thanks for the great detailed advice. thanks to this forum, I able to find my rims!

Hi bro Rev,

i just changed up shocks and springs to the eibach + koni FSD setup coz my 5.5 yrs stock dampers kinda feels worn out. mayb i give u a 2cents worth of my upgrade.

for ride height, its about half-1 finger gap all round. looks alot sweeter den having jus stocks spring. i'm on 18" too.. but beware if ur boot as plenty of amps n subs, u're rear spacing will look alot lower den ur front.. for mi i have 1 amp + 1 sub, it still looks ok to mi.. if u wan to achieve the front-down fierce look.. go for adjustable coilovers.

no prob with most humps and MCP.. drove over it slowly and definately no prob.. better safe den sorry

for comfort, i got to say its alot better den stock.. although u might feel it is abit bumpy but u'll get use to it... so far for the past 2weeks.. ferried 3 to 4 person in the car and no one complained about being too stiff or soft.. even my mum(50+) said it was comfortable.

for cornering.. not sure about ur route from CTE to PIE(JURONG).. but i tried SLE(woodlands) entering Mandai Road, no prob with 70-75km/h.. it doesn't feel like it was floating on paper..

tts my 2cents worth, how it helps wif ur decision with coils and dampers.

 

[SILVER]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

Silver, thanks for your advice. By the way, it is your fault that some of us got bitten by upgrade bug ;-) What you've done to your car is incredible!

yah. its his fault !!
virus spreader!

but very good write up by bro silver.

all on target.

Hey thanks for compliment, as I said my car is just a push cart...You guys are terrible what my fault!....hahahaha :screwedu: I am sure both of your's are hot rides too ok haha

Herman and JuzMe, Have we met before? sometimes I know nic but dont know real name, sometimes know name dont know nic!!

Hope to meet you guys soon!

 

[SILVER]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

Rev, Actually based on what you require, what Jamers did is also highly recommeded.
This combo has been tried and tested, most find it reasonably good enough especially you dont track. It does serve your purpose of lowered ride, without compromising comfort, with a silght improvement on cornering.

If I am not wrong, springs and Koni FSD (include install & wheel alignment) will be approximately $1700 +/-?? (correct me if I am wrong)

Which is about a grand less than coilovers so I would say is not bad an idea too.

If not convinced or still unsure, its always good to come to the meet up and take a ride on some cars to feel it yourself...I am sure we have most combinations here haha.

 

[JuzMe]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

Hey thanks for compliment, as I said my car is just a push cart...You guys are terrible what my fault!....hahahaha :screwedu: I am sure both of your's are hot rides too ok haha

Herman and JuzMe, Have we met before? sometimes I know nic but dont know real name, sometimes know name dont know nic!!

Hope to meet you guys soon!

Silver, I'm newbie to forum so never met you before. Been surfing this site and saw posts of your car :woowooo:

 

[Crazy_]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

The mod virus is strong! after changing rims, been thinking about lowering (must not think about m-tech body kit - damn hawt, no $$$ but droooool)

my ride: e90 320i
driving style: I dont track, I dont drag-race at traffic light but I do enjoy taking corners at a slightly faster speed and tau-huey-smooth lane-changes
The look i'm going for: is an overall smooth subtle look like my driving style, no slammed drop. Currently, I feel handling is acceptable, ride height is juuuust nice (becos black car?), my 18" rims with polished lip & non-rfts is juuuust right size(altho sometimes look like 17" or 19").
Concerns: priority is comfort, I'm wiling to sacrifice a little in comfort for looks and of course the benefits of improved handling

So I figure the m-sport lowering kit will be best for my needs, it'll be practical (only slightly less comfortable) and I still clear humps or carpark ramps with less concern. I also dont like that slammed look where there's no finger gap and feel it's not practical . plus the m-sport kits in resale look yummier & yummier to my wallet each day...

What do U pros think? OR 1 of the popular aftermarket solution can do better in terms of comfort compared to m-sport? I think going from stock to m-sport to aftermarket gives U less & less comfort
this is my car to give U an idea

Bro,

Will like to ask what are the tyre size you used? I just changed to 18" today also. Using 225/40/18.

Yap!!! The mod virus is strong. But I guess I will end with my mod for the moment.

Changed to 18"only because got a good deal from my pals at stamford.

 

[Rev]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

silver...
i re-read yr post, so in terms of comfort, the coilovers are the most comfortable?
eg. coilovers (most comfort), spring+shock (less comfort), springs only (least comfort)? hope U can clarify a littler further, thanks!

thanks jamers, i think i should go to the meetups 1 of these days and try. I sat in a friends sachs-lowered peugeot on 16"s, the ride's alittle bumpier, every bump feels more firm, the rebound is less but it's never harsh. just wish I could have that with a lowered bm and my 18"s

OT: crazy, I running 225/40 front & 255/35 rear, gotta keep same wheel diameters otherwise the car sits higher with fatter tires. i've been possessed by the staggered look and even been thinking to put in spacers to bring out the rear alittle more. I also running yoko sport v103, alittle noisier than previous conti's

 

[SILVER]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

silver...
i re-read yr post, so in terms of comfort, the coilovers are the most comfortable?
eg. coilovers (most comfort), spring+shock (less comfort), springs only (least comfort)? hope U can clarify a littler further, thanks!

thanks jamers, i think i should go to the meetups 1 of these days and try. I sat in a friends sachs-lowered peugeot on 16"s, the ride's alittle bumpier, every bump feels more firm, the rebound is less but it's never harsh. just wish I could have that with a lowered bm and my 18"s

OT: crazy, I running 225/40 front & 255/35 rear, gotta keep same wheel diameters otherwise the car sits higher with fatter tires. i've been possessed by the staggered look and even been thinking to put in spacers to bring out the rear alittle more. I also running yoko sport v103, alittle noisier than previous conti's

Comfort will depend on the settings you decide on your coilovers (soft = comfort or hard = track holding) it does not mean coilovers are the most comfortable. Just that with coilovers you can adjust the levels (hard or soft) to your liking, or adjust your preferred ride height, where else shocks and springs are fixed.

Yes on springs your ride comfort will be compensated.

So if you do not track and a non aggressive driver who want to have good value, go for shocks and springs will do. Although I know there are many here who do not track but still install coilovers, like myself, because I want the options.

 

[Deadkookaburra]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

u need blackline tailights

 

[Deadkookaburra]

Re: 18" rims + m-sport lowering

Thinking to moving up to 19" rims but my tires on current 17" rims are still around 90%. I am sure after going 19", the gap between tire and car still big so need to lower. If buy 19" rims, tires, lowering springs and shocks, it'll be expen$ive :-(

m on 19"...only 2 fingers rear n 2.5 front. depends what brand tyres u buy can be affordable