[J-Sud]

Which one should I do first??

-Dinan springs and bump stops
Or
-VMR V710 18" matte black (car is alpine)

Car definitely needs to be lowered some, but yet the stock wheels are pretty ugly! So I'm torn on what to do first. I don't drive to hard and don't auto-x or track the car so better handling is a nice to have in my case.

Thoughts?

[Beartato]

Wheels, this car has a great stock suspension. I wouldn't even bother with the suspension until you do a LSD to improve handling.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Beartato

Wheels, this car has a great stock suspension. I wouldn't even bother with the suspension until you do a LSD to improve handling.

Seconded. IMHO, the stock 18-inchers fill the wells, um, well. If you go to 19s, you risk making the ride quite a bit harsher and suffering bent rims from road imperfections much more. I would consider nothing less than a forged wheel if you're going to plus-one the OEM setup.

But an LSD will do much more for the enjoyability of the car's handling and power delivery than lower/stiffer springs. In fact, the latter may make things worse in some cases, depending on what your setup goals and driving habits/skills are.

[Dylan86]

Dinan's spring setup is pretty good, very close to stock ride but tighter (more "M" like). Honestly, if you like the OEM+ look, I'd go with springs first, just don't do any sway bar work until you've got an LSD out back

Otherwise the stock suspension from a handling perspective is still pretty good.

You're either doing it for looks, or for driving pleasure. Each will result in a different outcome. Can't go wrong with either, really. Priorities.... lol

[J-Sud]

I do have the LSD on my todo list....didnt know if i wanted to spend the money...but it looks like ill need to

I really wanted 19" wheels, but given the roads in Houston 18" is a must. I have blown 2 tires and 2 bent/cracked wheels in the last 5 years. (4 separate occasions)

[qnet]

I have the set up that you're considering . Dinan springs & bumpstops, with vmr 710 wheels on mpss staggered tires. It looks real nice, and I like the Dinan springs. Right now I have my stock orbit gray wheels on with the 225 run flats. The Dinan springs even make the thin stock tires look nice when you add spacers.

I got the wheels first and did a HPDE (track day) and they performed well. I agree that getting the wheels first would be a good choice, but either way you can't go wrong. If you decide to get the Dinan springs first , I would recommend some spacers for the stock wheel/tire setup.

[DF]

Can someone post pics of the vmr wheels on the car? I had them on my e93 and was thinking of getting them for the 2 er

[qnet]

Originally Posted by DF

Can someone post pics of the vmr wheels on the car? I had them on my e93 and was thinking of getting them for the 2 er

This thread has a lot of pics of 2 series with different VMR wheels. It's were I learned about VMR wheels & fitment.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1125726

[Jeggers]

It really depends on what impact you want to make - form or function. I just had Dinan springs installed and can say that the handling is vastly improved. Wheels are pretty, but won't add much to the experience from a handling perspective. Some would say that 19" wheels can make the ride harsher, but I am running stock setup so can't say with certainty. Springs aren't as glamorous, but the car feels much more planted and and corners much better.

[DF]

Originally Posted by qnet

This thread has a lot of pics of 2 series with different VMR wheels. It's were I learned about VMR wheels & fitment.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1125726

That's wheel porn

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by DF

That's wheel porn

I was going to reply that it is just art. Then I visited again, and, yes, gotta grudgingly admit its porn.

But I'm only here as research, to see what everybody is talking about. And I clicked on a link by mistake. First time ever, Honest.

[Anthony235]

Springs and spacers.

[pz619]

Wheels. Mostly because the stock wheels don't look good on the m235i. It looks a little.... flowery to me.

[N55guy]

VMR 710s and dinan springs/bump stops here...

I vote springs/bump stops/alignment

I did springs/bump stops first, I could deal with the stock wheels, couldn't deal with wheel gap and bounciness of stock suspension at higher speeds.

After debating 18s vs 19s I went 19s... I just think 19s fit the car better, Milwaukee roads aren't great and I'm doing fine.

[steve1980]

I agree with N55guy. Springs and bumpstops first. Stock the suspension is good, but I still found the gap especially in the rear of mine to be a bit too much and could look even more so with new rims n tires. I had my rims, tires n springs put on the same day, but If i had to do one at a time I would have opted to go with the Dinan setup first. The Dinan springs tightened up the gap n took away alot of the roll n bounce that's present stock. I do have the LSD, so the entire combo of new rims n tires, Dinan setup, and LSD has the car feeling great n performing very well.

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by N55guy

VMR 710s and dinan springs/bump stops here...

I vote springs/bump stops/alignment

I did springs/bump stops first, I could deal with the stock wheels, couldn't deal with wheel gap and bounciness of stock suspension at higher speeds.

After debating 18s vs 19s I went 19s... I just think 19s fit the car better, Milwaukee roads aren't great and I'm doing fine.

I am going to go Spring and Bump stops first, mainly because I got a deal on the springs and labor - so hard to pass up. I will be getting the springs, resonator delete and upgrade to stage 2 software all done at the same time next week. (car is at the body shop currently adding m perf splitter, side blades and rear spoiler)

That being said....I am due for tires shortly - maybe end of Jan - I will but buying wheels with the new tires. However, i am torn between 18s or 19s. Houston is REALLY full of pot holes and uneven/bumpy streets

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by J-Sud

I am going to go Spring and Bump stops first, mainly because I got a deal on the springs and labor - so hard to pass up. I will be getting the springs, resonator delete and upgrade to stage 2 software all done at the same time next week. (car is at the body shop currently adding m perf splitter, side blades and rear spoiler)

That being said....I am due for tires shortly - maybe end of Jan - I will but buying wheels with the new tires. However, i am torn between 18s or 19s. Houston is REALLY full of pot holes and uneven/bumpy streets

Houston's roads are actually better than many other cities' for a variety of reasons. That said, 19s are a risk as I stated before. All it takes is one pothole, deteriorated concrete seam, unseated drainage cover (those in particular litter Dallas roads), etc. -- even on 18s with our cars.

I would personally only consider forged wheels at that diameter on any BMW -- especially with a stiffer/lower suspension, which will do even less than the OEM suspension to absorb shock. They will cost considerably more than a typical cast wheel -- even one made from flow casting.

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Houston's roads are actually better than many other cities' for a variety of reasons. That said, 19s are a risk as I stated before. All it takes is one pothole, deteriorated concrete seam, unseated drainage cover (those in particular litter Dallas roads), etc. -- even on 18s with our cars.

I would personally only consider forged wheels at that diameter on any BMW -- especially with a stiffer/lower suspension, which will do even less than the OEM suspension to absorb shock. They will cost considerably more than a typical cast wheel -- even one made from flow casting.

Curious what part of Houston you are referring to - i live inner loop and its some of the worst I've seen in the country! I rarely drive on freeways, only streets with max 40-50 MPH speed limits, while most are 35mph range. The freeways are great, but that might be 100-200 miles for every 1000 i drive. (I only drive about 7-8000 per year)

Considering what you are saying tho - i think its best i stick with 18s for the VMRs?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by J-Sud

Curious what part of Houston you are referring to - i live inner loop and its some of the worst I've seen in the country! I rarely drive on freeways, only streets with max 40-50 MPH speed limits, while most are 35mph range. The freeways are great, but that might be 100-200 miles for every 1000 i drive. (I only drive about 7-8000 per year)

Considering what you are saying tho - i think its best i stick with 18s for the VMRs?

Yeah, I feel 19s will significantly increase your risk of both blown tires and bent rims. It's simple physics: less rubber between your rims and the road, combined with less 'give' in the suspension from the lowering you're about to do.

I think 18s look great on this car, but I understand that's subjective.

Another thing to consider: 19s will be heavier than equivalent 18s, both in terms of the wheels and the tires. That's another advantage: Less rolling unsprung weight = better feel, quicker responsiveness, and a slight gain in acceleration and (possibly) braking distance. All are reasons why many race cars, from weekend AutoX cars to F1 cars, fit the lightest and smallest-diameter wheels possible.

[XutvJet]

Keep in mind reducing roll does not necessarily mean that handling is improved. Often times lowering without changing camber and upgrading to stickier tires can often result in worse at the limit handling (i.e., snap oversteer, more understeer) and reduced grip limits. Lastly, the ONLY mode that the OEM electronic LSD operates is in DSC Off and the eLSD is actually pretty good. In all other modes, your diff is wide open (even in Sport+). You will not reap the benefits of a mechanical LSD in the non DSC Off modes simply because the nannies are hyper active and will kill the fun before the mechanical LSD can work much of it's magic. Before deciding to get that mechanical LSD, make sure that your driving style and skill really can use it. If you track the car often, get the LSD.

[J-Sud]

I've decided to skip the LSD, i never drive in Sport+ or track the car.

Also, i will be going with the VMR V710s in matte black 18x8.5 et35 - 225f and 18x9.5 et45 - 255r (PSS tires)

I will more than likely be ordering the wheels within the next week or so. Like i said car is currently in the body shop getting M Perf goodies. The plan is to get the car back next Thursday - then Friday all day in the shop again to upgrade to Dinan stg 2, Dinan springs and resonator delete.....I will be so happy to get my car back!

ONCE all of that is complete then i can get the wheels and tires put on!

...and may the M Perf steering wheel

[J-Sud]

These just got delivered!