05-21-2019, 04:51 PM | #1 |
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Good Starting Suspension Upgrades for M240I
Just wondering what everyone's opinion on what good or beneficial basic supsension upgrades are for the m240i with xdrive.
I used to have a 06 WRX STI and definitely a better handling car than the m240i (but to be honest, not by much). I am looking to do some basic upgrades that should improve handling for more spirited street and backroad driving. Probably will not track the car, but never say never. I do want to keep EDC so anything should be EDC compliant. Before anyone states the obvious, first upgrade for sure is getting rid of the runflat tires (trying to burn through them as fast as possible) and get really non-run flat ultra summer performance tires. Also, any worthy or necessary brake accessories or upgrades (no BBK, just basic stuff)? |
05-21-2019, 06:28 PM | #2 |
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Brakes: pads & fluid.
Suspension: whatever enables you to achieve the negative camber you need to have fun. Also: a limited slip differential; without one, the car's performance is severely constrained. My 2¢, of course.
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2017 M240i: 25.9K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; Full PPF |
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05-22-2019, 09:39 AM | #3 |
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Definitely echo what dradernh has said above. The LSD especially enhances the handling of the car, especially when squeezing on the throttle coming out of the turns.
I'm surprised you said the WRX had better handling. My 2016 WRX (not STI though) plowed like a mofo due to all the weight in front of the front axle. Even with 245 front tires vs. the skinny 225s on my M240i, there is no question which car handled better overall. Then again, I have the LSD on my car, so maybe that helps. You also apparently have xDrive, which adds a decent amount of weight up front and will give it less of an advantage over the RWD counterpart. I will say that the M240i still doesn't have enough front tire or camber for optimal turn-in on sharper corners. I didn't destroy my tires, but I sure ate up the outside shoulder pretty good compared to the rest of the tread width. I was rolling over the front left tire during a 2-day HPDE @ Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. This track is harder on the front left than the front right, which shows when looking at my tires. Going to eventually have to do something about front camber and tire width. Overall, however, I felt the suspension was doing its job quite well in keeping the car settled over the curbs and throughout the course.
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05-22-2019, 09:55 AM | #4 | |
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05-22-2019, 10:31 AM | #5 |
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I think I read somewhere that it can work with xDrive, but I have my doubts on whether or not it will actually provide much of a benefit since xDrive is still going to be sending some torque to the front wheels. With the front wheels helping to "pull" the car along, I just can't see the rear wheels ever really needing much of a locking effect to aid with rear-wheel traction. Under very hard acceleration (like when trying to drift) or when there is no friction under the front tires (going over a patch of ice), then sure it would help, but for 99.9% of conditions on road or track, I just don't see it being worth the expense for a xDrive vehicle.
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05-22-2019, 03:47 PM | #6 |
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I mean my STI had mechanical front and rear differential as well as an electronic center differential, so there must be some benefit to adding an LSD to xdrive, but the real question is it worth the cost?
So far this is what I have come up with Brakes: EBC Yellow Stuff + Motul 600 (do we need stainless steel brakes lines or master brake cylinder brace? again coming from the Subie world) Suspension: F + R Sway Bars, sway bar end links, M3/M4 LCA, KW Coilover Kit V1 with EDC Does anyone know if strut bars are available for the m240i? |
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05-23-2019, 11:12 AM | #8 |
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Some comments from my initial researching of this same topic:
-I think the LCA retrofit won't work w/ xDrive Camber plates or the 'crash bolt' seem to be the only options (but hoping I'm wrong on this - I'm eating outside front tires too). -I hear that replacing sway bars is a ton of work, and questionable benefits (ditto the strut braces), looks to me like it is better to put the extra $$$ into the coilovers and camber plates, and perhaps bushings/frame reinforcement. -I haven't compared tires directly, but I went w/ Conti Extremecontacts, owing to a lot of complaints about the Michelins being especially susceptible to edge-wear. Mine have lasted 7 track days and all of last summer, now needing replacement before another track day (but not corded). I think I'm going to step up to Potenza s007's - grippier but still have good wet-traction, almost the same tread pattern as the Conti's. -I did the MPerformance brake upgrade, but only b/c I had the tiny base brakes; 240 brakes are adequate, cooling vents are the biggest missing piece. And I'd put in a plug for Ferodo 2500's for a streetable track pad. -not exactly a suspension mod, but get either a 4-point snap in (Schroth Profit) or a full harness. The difference in car control cannot be overstated. The ability to run a HANS is a nice bonus w/ this. |
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05-23-2019, 01:15 PM | #9 |
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Sorry to jack the thread, but do you know if these fit the m240i's? I looked on their site and they don't offer it for f22. I'm guessing you choose the m2 option?
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05-23-2019, 02:10 PM | #10 | |
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2017 M240i: 25.9K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; Full PPF |
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05-24-2019, 11:39 AM | #11 |
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^^^This is what I went with. I don't think there is an M2 version, but if so it might be preferable for being fully documented (the 'suitability' requires crash testing, so I's anticipate a 240 version before an M2). Until they decide to spend the $$$ the belts aren't truly certified, but work the same and are expected to provide the same level of safety.
Install was even simpler than I thought it would be, even getting the back seat up (don't think I'm ever going to fully get over just grabbing a part and puling hard, especially on s/t so complex that it practically runs itself). Does require a bigger Torx socket than I had (M50?), and be careful with the little plastic bolt-covers - the underprongs were mashed up by the factory and easy to break off if you just try to reinstall it. |
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05-25-2019, 08:04 PM | #12 |
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I want to do the Schroth harness, but the lack of F series certification really concerns me. Yes, it will fit. But I believe the F series have very different belt pre-tension devices than the older E series (if they even have them). So, in a crash, as the belt pre-tension system activates, the belt behavior could be very different. Without any comment or support from Schroth it's a bit of a risk.
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05-26-2019, 08:02 PM | #13 | |
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I've purchased quite a bit of safety gear from this outfit over the years, and it would surprise me greatly if they're selling equipment that is unsafe for us to use. If you do contact them, please let us know how they respond.
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2017 M240i: 25.9K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; Full PPF |
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04-05-2020, 02:15 PM | #14 |
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Dinan makes antisway bars for 2 series X drive. Install is expensive but worth it.
Racing dynamics makes a front tower brace that has a noticeable effect. My wife noticed the difference the mods individually made from the passenger seat in high speed avoidance maneuvers. |
05-13-2020, 09:44 AM | #15 |
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Haha wow so its been about a year since I last posted and I have done plenty of power mods, but still not suspension/brake/tire mods. Here is what I have come up with suspension mods so far and would love to get feedback
MSS Spring Kit https://shop.mss.company/shop/mss-sp...ies-f22-coupe/ Millway Polyurethane Camber Plates https://www.millway.se/camber-plates...0-f31-f32.html KC 28mm Front and 17mm Rear Sway Bar https://www.tw-kcdesign.com/products_detail_99.htm?pg= https://www.tw-kcdesign.com/products_detail_565.htm?pg= KC Front and Rear Endlinks https://www.tw-kcdesign.com/products_detail_443.htm?pg= https://www.tw-kcdesign.com/products_detail_429.htm?pg= I'm also thinking about doing a full SuperPro bushing kit.
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2019 M240i M Performance Edition / xDrive / ZF8 / BM3 Stg 2+ E30 / xHP Stg 3 / Dorch Stg 2 HPFP / Evolution Racewerks Catless Downpipe / MPPSK Exhaust / FTP Drop in Filter / FTP Intake Pipe / FTP Chargepipe / NGK 94201 Spark Plugs .022 / Michelin PS4S - 225/35/19 + 245/30/19
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05-24-2020, 05:01 PM | #17 | |
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As for brakes it depends on what you are looking for. Less dust, more brake performance, better pedal feel, less brake fade(pad or fluid fade)? |
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05-24-2020, 06:58 PM | #18 |
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^ This fact should be the starting point for any owner looking for an upgrade in suspension performance.
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2017 M240i: 25.9K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; Full PPF |
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05-24-2020, 09:11 PM | #19 |
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05-24-2020, 09:37 PM | #20 |
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My approach has always been to deal with qualified race shops. If you're near northern VA, I suggest contacting this outfit: https://rrtracing.com/. I don't know them, nor have I had expericence with them, but from what I've learned I doubt they will steer you wrong.
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2017 M240i: 25.9K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; Full PPF |
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05-24-2020, 09:40 PM | #21 | |
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05-25-2020, 07:20 PM | #22 |
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