8 August 2012
Evening all: Just joined the Autocar Forum.
Recently changed my 2000 model BMW 328ci for a 2005 120d Sport running on 17" tyres - runflats on front and newly fitted regular tyres on rear. More family suitable.
Ride is fine on smooth surfaces but what I would call harsh on irregular roads. Missus is not happy! Have read the forum ref changing RFT's to regular etc and this may improve the ride but I have a different question - what if the springs were changed to say Eibach progressives which are supposed to give a smooth ride but as the car is pushed round the bend the suspension gets sportier and the cornering improves. Anyone done this?
20 December 2008
No but I have read of people doing it on the BMW forums. However, most seem to be satisfied with the change to non RFTs. I'm certainly dissappointed with the ride an I have the same car. I thought i'd get use to it because I was changing from a softly sprung Passat and generally I have but passengers really notice it. I suspect I'll not keep the car as long as I kept the Passat.
The Autocar forum has gone so join some of us at thecarexpert.co.uk to continue the debate!
8 January 2008
Evening all: Just joined the Autocar Forum.
Recently changed my 2000 model BMW 328ci for a 2005 120d Sport running on 17" tyres - runflats on front and newly fitted regular tyres on rear. More family suitable.
Ride is fine on smooth surfaces but what I would call harsh on irregular roads. Missus is not
No idea about the change of suspension but the first thing you could do is make sure you have either RFTs or non RFTs on both axles. I've not experienced it but I've read on BMW forums that mixing types like that will destroy the ride.
6 November 2007
I tend to agree with Lee on the mixed axles thing, I'm fairly sure BMW even warn against it. Changing the suspension is an idea, but I believe you need to approach it in the whole, so to speak, and be looking at wheels, tyres, bracing etc, not just the suspension in isolation. It would be worth talking to a specialist (Birds, Elite etc) and get a view on it from them.
If I knew what I was getting into, I wouldn't have done it...and I would have been wrong.
8 August 2012
Thanks guys.
Read the article on Birds website on tuning the suspension on their 130 and it has given me some ideas. The article by Rhoddy Harvey-Bailey was also very interesting. Cheers.