[DeeM55]

I'm ready to pull the trigger on entry level coilovers. The goal is to close the wheel gap and be somewhat low. I don't mind a stiffer ride. I had coils on my last car and they were very stiff.

I've searched here and various other websites to see exactly what my options are but it looks like I'm somewhat limited to ST and KW v1. I was set on BC's but I don't see F36's as an option on their website.

So, my F36 people, what other options are there? If you have experience with any of these (specifically F36 models), what are your thoughts?

Recap:
ST vs Kw v1 - Galvanized vs Stainless Steel
Vogtland - F30 only
Fortune 500 - F30 only
BC - F30/32 only

I live in SoCal where we don't get snow (Huntington Beach) nor do I have to worry about salt.

[Logicoeur]

All of those will fit. The spring rates may not be optimal but it will bolt up no problems.

On top of that you can go Fortune or BC and get custom swift springs to make up for the extra weight. Dampening would be adjusted for on the shock dial.

[335JTSD]

I believe the ST now have the ST XA's with damping adjustment that fit the F36. I think I may be leaning towards those as I'm in San Diego. $1,189 on their website. I've been going back and forth too which way to go on my F36.

[cfm56d7b]

What's your total budget including installation + 4 wheel alignment?

[kern417]

ST is the best budget option out. BC coilovers will work but they aren't ideal in my experience. Noisy and they get a lot of corrosion.

[DeeM55]

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

All of those will fit. The spring rates may not be optimal but it will bolt up no problems.

On top of that you can go Fortune or BC and get custom swift springs to make up for the extra weight. Dampening would be adjusted for on the shock dial.

This is interesting. I did not know this.
If the spring rates are not optimal, and with the F36 being about 200+ pounds heavier than the F32; does that mean the springs/ride will be bouncier or will I feel the impact a bit more when going over bumps/dips?

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

What's your total budget including installation + 4 wheel alignment?

~$1,200 plus alignment (seperate). I'm about 25-30 minutes away from **********s. I can do the install myself and then have them align it.

Originally Posted by 335JTSD

I believe the ST now have the ST XA's with damping adjustment that fit the F36. I think I may be leaning towards those as I'm in San Diego. $1,189 on their website. I've been going back and forth too which way to go on my F36.

I just checked the website and I only see ST as an option for the F36. If the XA's are an option then that would be my number one choice. I'll give them a call.

[Logicoeur]

No, that's what the adjustable dampening is for.

[andino]

If you go for a set that's designed for an f30/32, the rear springs will likely just be undersprung. That results in a more crashy ride and will also make the car feel more easily upset. You could compensate for this with dampening but it'll never feel right. You can swap the rear spring out for something stronger. Its not too bad but it is a bit of extra work.

Fwiw, KW V1s come in a config for the f36. It has a stronger rear spring and adjusted dampening to compensate for it.

[DeeM55]

Originally Posted by 335JTSD

I believe the ST now have the ST XA's with damping adjustment that fit the F36. I think I may be leaning towards those as I'm in San Diego. $1,189 on their website. I've been going back and forth too which way to go on my F36.

Just called ST and the XA's are $1,399. For a $100 more, the KW V1's will get us the lifetime warranty.

[335JTSD]

Originally Posted by DeeM55

Just called ST and the XA's are $1,399. For a $100 more, the KW V1's will get us the lifetime warranty.

I was quoted $1,189 and confirmed on their website by searching the part # given. Is that with camber plates for the $1,399? Part #1822000J I was given to me and told did not include camber plates.

[DeeM55]

Originally Posted by 335JTSD

I was quoted $1,189 and confirmed on their website by searching the part # given. Is that with camber plates for the $1,399? Part #1822000J I was given to me and told did not include camber plates.

They did include the camber plates in the quote I was given.
I just realized that they gave you the "Your Price" on their site and quoted me the MSRP price.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by andino

If you go for a set that's designed for an f30/32, the rear springs will likely just be undersprung. That results in a more crashy ride and will also make the car feel more easily upset. You could compensate for this with dampening but it'll never feel right. You can swap the rear spring out for something stronger. Its not too bad but it is a bit of extra work.

Fwiw, KW V1s come in a config for the f36. It has a stronger rear spring and adjusted dampening to compensate for it.

i have the opposite (F31 coilovers on my F32) and have no issues with it. I think a lot of these comments are overblown. They post the spring differences on their website and it's minimal between the two. Same shocks, just different springs with i think 10kg difference in spring rate.

what people don't think about is that the ideal suspension setup will differ for everybody. Some like a soft rear, some like it stiff (pause) so just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's undersprung. These setups are modular and KW, H&R, Swift, etc. all sell their springs separately for a reason. But it won't suddenly make it feel like you're driving a boat.

[andino]

Originally Posted by kern417

i have the opposite (F31 coilovers on my F32) and have no issues with it. I think a lot of these comments are overblown. They post the spring differences on their website and it's minimal between the two. Same shocks, just different springs with i think 10kg difference in spring rate.

what people don't think about is that the ideal suspension setup will differ for everybody. Some like a soft rear, some like it stiff (pause) so just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's undersprung. These setups are modular and KW, H&R, Swift, etc. all sell their springs separately for a reason. But it won't suddenly make it feel like you're driving a boat.

I think it might actually be preferable to run a set for f31 on your car over f32. I felt that KW was too softly sprung resulting in a lot of crashing. I haven't done calcs to see where the spring rates shake out for KW but they feel like they some form of flat ride designed into them. Can't say the same about Bilsteins who have far too stiff a spring in front compared to the rear.

I'll agree this is my opinion and most consumers will be fine with whatever stuff comes out of the box. I know very well that these systems are modular as I have different springs will be getting custom valve work done to the shocks of my b14s as well.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by andino

I think it might actually be preferable to run a set for f31 on your car over f32. I felt that KW was too softly sprung resulting in a lot of crashing. I haven't done calcs to see where the spring rates shake out for KW but they feel like they some form of flat ride designed into them. Can't say the same about Bilsteins who have far too stiff a spring in front compared to the rear.

I'll agree this is my opinion and most consumers will be fine with whatever stuff comes out of the box. I know very well that these systems are modular as I have different springs will be getting custom valve work done to the shocks of my b14s as well.

I just had a lot of people telling me that it would be crashy and the rear would feel like it was on steel beams, so throwing in my 2c. I saw a lot of people trashing Ohlin's because they don't make x-drive specific kits, and really it's the same thing. If they like how their recipe fits multiple platforms, . The best thing you can do is get an adjustable kit to set it how you want. But the V1s fit the bill perfectly for me and I really have no desire to do anything other than maintain them.

[andino]

Originally Posted by kern417

I just had a lot of people telling me that it would be crashy and the rear would feel like it was on steel beams, so throwing in my 2c. I saw a lot of people trashing Ohlin's because they don't make x-drive specific kits, and really it's the same thing. If they like how their recipe fits multiple platforms, . The best thing you can do is get an adjustable kit to set it how you want. But the V1s fit the bill perfectly for me and I really have no desire to do anything other than maintain them.

Do you have a US spec f31 kit? Because if you do, your spring rates are actually pretty close to what's needed for a 6cyl rwd car. Since the f31 is only available in xdrive 4cyl in the US, it actually is very close to the same nose weight as the 6cyl rwd cars. Coupled with the stronger rear spring for the wagons, you prob have a very ratio for rates front to rear.

FWIW, I found the KW V1 springs a bit too soft for me so I was crashing over larger bumps or consecutive bumps. If I was only using them on the street, I'd prob of lived with them since the ride was nice the majority of the time. But with more textured roads or track time, I think I'd of swapped the springs and revalved those too.

Its also funny you bring up Ohlins because they're the only manu that has any flat ride out of the box. Its a bummer they don't make an xdrive kit. That pesky shorter front strut on xdrive cars is a real bummer haha.

[335JTSD]

For somebody who has very little knowledge about spring rates and damping...would you recommend reaching out to somebody like Fat Cat to piece a better than out of the box system together? I've only recently learned about what flat ride is and I thought these coilovers were a lot better than people are making them out to be. Thanks!

[andino]

Originally Posted by 335JTSD

For somebody who has very little knowledge about spring rates and damping...would you recommend reaching out to somebody like Fat Cat to piece a better than out of the box system together? I've only recently learned about what flat ride is and I thought these coilovers were a lot better than people are making them out to be. Thanks!

It depends on your goals. Most people will find the upgrade to any coilover what they're looking for. Without know more about what you're after (what you want to improve, what your use cases are, etc), recommending something is near impossible. If you're planning to daily drive and don't ever plan to see the track, then probably any coilover is good. Most are plenty happy with various coilovers out of the box.

[Gen13 F36]

So far for my choices as replacement suspension for my F36 will be

KW street comfort or eibach /koni SA

I'll be following this thread. Hope to gain some more choices. The car is DD and I'm not planning to track the car.

[335JTSD]

Are there more benefits to the KW Street Comforts besides the obvious smoother ride? Valving and springs optimized for comfort compared to more performance? Thanks!

[Gen13 F36]

Speaking of coilovers on another thread, someone mention Tein coilovers specifically it's the FLEX Z coilovers... just went to there website spring is 6 kg Front and 10.5 kg.

I read somewhere in another thread that people order swift spring custom with 8 kg front and 14 kg rear. Is stronger spring really needed for everyday driving?

[kern417]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

Speaking of coilovers on another thread, someone mention Tein coilovers specifically it's the FLEX Z coilovers... just went to there website spring is 6 kg Front and 10.5 kg.

I read somewhere in another thread that people order swift spring custom with 8 kg front and 14 kg rear. Is stronger spring really needed for everyday driving?

No. Again, it all depends on what the end-user wants. A lot of people want coilovers for a stiffer, sportier ride. That may not fit your bill.

Also keep in mind that Tein, BC, Fortune Auto, etc. are all pretty much the same.

[thatBimmerBloke]

Originally Posted by kern417

No. Again, it all depends on what the end-user wants. A lot of people want coilovers for a stiffer, sportier ride. That may not fit your bill.

Also keep in mind that Tein, BC, Fortune Auto, etc. are all pretty much the same.

How's your experience with V1? I'm looking for options for my F32 xDrive. Considering B14, B12 kit, V1 and Street Comfort. Just worried rear 1.4" minimum drop of V1 might be too much for Wisconsin. Also worried drop on B12 kit might be too minimal, the xDrive front wheel gap is ridiculous, rear seems pretty good so 1.4" drop will be too much.