[335dM]

I am in the process of possibly ask JR to tune my car and buying the best coilover set up.
What would you recommend so the car is not too low and provide a " Lexus LS " feel ?
Ohlins R&T ?

[Dazza335iC]

Any suspension that lowers the car will be firmer than stock, since a decreased ride height necessitates a firmer rate in order to prevent suspension crash or bottoming. That being said, there is absolutely no way to make your 335D feel like a "Lexus LS". The LS is tuned purely for comfort and rides on long-travel springs and shocks with low rates, big squishy rubber bushings, and tall-sidewall tires. Driving an LS is kind of like piloting a yacht; you're slightly aware that something is going on under you, but it's barely perceptible.

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by 335dM

I am in the process of possibly ask JR to tune my car and buying the best coilover set up.
What would you recommend so the car is not too low and provide a " Lexus LS " feel ?
Ohlins R&T ?

You can see from my profile or signature block what I have done to date 54k miles. I like it but it wouldn't satisfy your criterion. Am pondering throwing more money at it with those Ohlins.

[Chief Orman]

Ohlins hands down...owned FSDs...nice concept that doesn't really work...

[kbsilver]

I'm going with a simple upgrade to Bilsteins B6 model (heavy duty, not sport) which has the better monotube design. I'm hoping for a more controlled ride without being too stiff. I felt the factory shocks were all wrong for the car from the beginning, especially from the rear which always had an extra bounce over bumps. At the same time going to put on Bridgestone driveguard runflats which ride nearly the same as a conventional tire (or so everyone seems to say). I'm tired of bending rims over our crappy roads and hope this combo will help.

I've used Koni FSDs on 2 other cars and was dissapointed. On our 540 the fronts shocks were completely shot in 12K miles, felt like the car would bounce off the road. On our E46 they did not wear out, but all of them rust very badly and am worried about the spring perch breaking off some day.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

I'm going with a simple upgrade to Bilsteins B6 model (heavy duty, not sport) which has the better monotube design. I'm hoping for a more controlled ride without being too stiff. I felt the factory shocks were all wrong for the car from the beginning, especially from the rear which always had an extra bounce over bumps. At the same time going to put on Bridgestone driveguard runflats which ride nearly the same as a conventional tire (or so everyone seems to say). I'm tired of bending rims over our crappy roads and hope this combo will help.

I've used Koni FSDs on 2 other cars and was dissapointed. On our 540 the fronts shocks were completely shot in 12K miles, felt like the car would bounce off the road. On our E46 they did not wear out, but all of them rust very badly and am worried about the spring perch breaking off some day.

what you are after is EXACTLY what the Ohlins provide

[Poosik]

Originally Posted by 335dM

I am in the process of possibly ask JR to tune my car and buying the best coilover set up.
What would you recommend so the car is not too low and provide a " Lexus LS " feel ?
Ohlins R&T ?

Sorry man that supple, isolated, an acoustically muffled lexus feel is just not going to happen. Last weekend I've driven the 2016 Lexus NXt? (small 4wd SUV) and it's capacity to handle bumps is LIGHT YEARS ahead of my 335d with Ohlins. It really rides like a dream. I think a big component that provides this nice driving experience is effective sound deadening and taller tire sidewall.

That being said, I like the Ohlins and they're more comfortable than stock suspension- no doubt. (But stock setup is crap)

If you're planning to keep car for several years there's really no choice but to upgrade shocks/springs. That being said- you'll never achieve that lexus ride.

[mefferso]

The Ohlins sound great but hard to justify $2k+ for shocks. Especially when that $2k could buy a set of hybrid turbos instead!

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by Chief Orman

what you are after is EXACTLY what the Ohlins provide

Maybe, but not at over $2000. This is nearly 4x what the Bilsteins will cost. Just wanted a small improvement over stock, no need to change springs and such. The OEM shocks are not worn out, they were just wrong for the car to begin with. I'm not looking for a Lexus (aka Camry) ride, just a little more control and less damaging to the rims.

I'll know in less than a week how the Bilsteins work out.

[Puerto Rican 335d]

yes my FSDs went out also but the ride is superb to OEM non sport that i have, don't want to lower it cause the roads and specifically in Dominican Republic they have what is called Policias Muertos o better said road hump to lower your speed specifically around schools and some Barrios

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by mefferso

The Ohlins sound great but hard to justify $2k+ for shocks. Especially when that $2k could buy a set of hybrid turbos instead!

I hear you...it was painful to pull the trigger...I was just so damn fed up with the lousy handling even after I basically replaced every suspension component with M3 parts.

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by Puerto Rican 335d

yes my FSDs went out also but the ride is superb to OEM non sport that i have, don't want to lower it cause the roads and specifically in Dominican Republic they have what is called Policias Muertos o better said road hump to lower your speed specifically around schools and some Barrios

Sounds like Bilsteins would be the way to go, since they seem to last quite a long time....

[Dirk Van Driver]

Any reason you're wanting to use coilovers ?

The Alpina B3 Bi Turbo springs and dampers would be good, either that or the Birds B3 Sport suspension kit (Bilstein based, bespoke damper rates and springs) :

http://www.birdsauto.com/parts/L9031928335

http://www.birdsauto.com/product-inf...330i-335d-330d

[Puerto Rican 335d]

Pierre I'll stick to FSDs since they hv a lifetime warranty, the roads in Dominican Republic are way better than Puerto Rico's roads.

[Fundguy1]

Ohlins or bilstein b12

[Nadir Point]

My stock factory BMW suspension still feels fine at 102k miles. Maybe I'm just not that perceptive, or the relatively good roads around here offset any shortcomings or wear. In any case, I expect to make this decision myself sooner or later, so listening carefully...

[kbsilver]

My 2 issues with the suspension are the ease to which wheels are bent, and not enough dampening, especially in the rear. They made the shocks too soft (in my opinion) to compensate for the hard riding runflats. The rear always has had extra bounce or two after a bump. If I wanted a ride like a Fleetwood, I would have bought one. Again this is by BMW design, the shocks have not failed.

[larrysing]

Originally Posted by UberArchetype

My stock factory BMW suspension still feels fine at 102k miles. Maybe I'm just not that perceptive, or the relatively good roads around here offset any shortcomings or wear. In any case, I expect to make this decision myself sooner or later, so listening carefully...

My 2011 335d M Sport with 74K feels very "bouncy" at highway speeds. I'm going to fix that probably in the next 90 days.

I'm torn between the Bilstein B12 Pro Kit and just a straight Koni FSD install. Still undecided.

[Nadir Point]

Originally Posted by larrysing

My 2011 335d M Sport with 74K feels very "bouncy" at highway speeds.

Do you know what are the differences, if any, between the M-Sport and non-M-Sport suspension?

[Fundguy1]

M sport is lower, different rims, and firmer I believe. I don't think they change sways etc.

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

My 2 issues with the suspension are the ease to which wheels are bent, and not enough dampening, especially in the rear. They made the shocks too soft (in my opinion) to compensate for the hard riding runflats. The rear always has had extra bounce or two after a bump. If I wanted a ride like a Fleetwood, I would have bought one. Again this is by BMW design, the shocks have not failed.

Coil overs and stiffer subframe bushings.

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Coil overs.

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