1M Springs in 128i

cmcdonald · 12-12-2013, 03:01 PM

Hi everybody. I was wondering if anyone has swapped in stock 1M springs into their 128i? If so how much did it lower it? How was the handling and ride quality? I want to lower my 128 but I live in Chicago thus lots of bad roads and potholes. So I thought that Eibach and H&R might be a bit extreme for me. I was also considering the 135 M sport setup too but was hoping the 1M stuff might be a bit more aggressive. Guess I was looking for a compromise between full on lowering springs and what the M sport is as far as a drop and was hoping the 1M springs would do that. Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

andrey_gta · 12-12-2013, 03:53 PM

I dont think it would lower compared to Msport springs, I think the front would be jack up front ( n54 is heavier and stock 1m has a large gap as is). The rear springs would be the more desirable to keep, paired with better dampers

Look at HR OE or BMW Perf Yellows

TheSt|G · 12-13-2013, 07:59 AM

You also need matching struts.

cmcdonald · 12-13-2013, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the help guys! I didn't realize that the 1M springs would actually raise the front of the car. I had no idea the N54 was so much heavier than the N52. So I guess I would have the same issue with a 135 M sport suspension then too? And Stig thanks for mentioning the struts. I want to replace them too but I was half considering going with just springs until they wear out the stock struts and then swap out for good ones.

Blacksport · 12-14-2013, 08:42 AM

Audrey mentioned H&R "OE" sport springs...these are the ones to go with if you're only changing springs...less than 1" drop, your struts and alignment should be okay...then when you want to do the struts/shocks, Bilstein works great with these...I've used this setup on a few cars and it works great in the real world, even if it isn't the best track setup. And for only $230, you can't beat the price...

ozimmer · 12-14-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcdonald

Thanks for the help guys! I didn't realize that the 1M springs would actually raise the front of the car. I had no idea the N54 was so much heavier than the N52. So I guess I would have the same issue with a 135 M sport suspension then too? And Stig thanks for mentioning the struts. I want to replace them too but I was half considering going with just springs until they wear out the stock struts and then swap out for good ones.

I don't know that you would see a significant difference in ride height based on the difference in mass between the 125/128 and 135. Here in Aus, BMW quote the mass of a 125 MT as 1405 kg and the 135 Msport MT as 1455kg, i.e. 50kg (~113lb). Assuming this is all over the front axle, 50/700 = 7%. Springs designed for the 135 should sit the front of a 125/128 marginally higher than the 135, but compared to putting say, 2 x 75 to 100kg driver and passenger in the car, I suspect you would not notice the difference.

Incidentally, I am contemplating a set of BMW PS springs from a 135 for my 125, so I too have been pondering the likely impact on ride height/ drop. I intend to pair these with Bilstein B8 dampers, from a B12 kit. I was thinking of installing the complete kit (with Eibach springs), but this may drop the car further than I want (~30mm). I am hoping for a 20-25mm drop (from stock non M-sport susp) with the BMW PS springs. I hope this may help… happy to swap notes when you have decided what to do.

12-12-2013, 03:01 PM	#1
cmcdonald Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 216 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 128i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	1M Springs in 128i Hi everybody. I was wondering if anyone has swapped in stock 1M springs into their 128i? If so how much did it lower it? How was the handling and ride quality? I want to lower my 128 but I live in Chicago thus lots of bad roads and potholes. So I thought that Eibach and H&R might be a bit extreme for me. I was also considering the 135 M sport setup too but was hoping the 1M stuff might be a bit more aggressive. Guess I was looking for a compromise between full on lowering springs and what the M sport is as far as a drop and was hoping the 1M springs would do that. Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated. __________________ 2012 BMW 128i: BMW Performance Rear Spoiler, BMW Performance Front Grilles, 20% Tint, BMW 135i M-Sport Axle-back With Shadowline Tips, Golf-Tee Mod, 261 M-Sport Rims with Falken 235/40R18 265/35R18 Tires,Depo Smoked LED Side Makers, Eiback Pro Springs (To be installed)
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12-12-2013, 03:53 PM	#2
andrey_gta Brigadier General 300 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	I dont think it would lower compared to Msport springs, I think the front would be jack up front ( n54 is heavier and stock 1m has a large gap as is). The rear springs would be the more desirable to keep, paired with better dampers Look at HR OE or BMW Perf Yellows __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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12-13-2013, 07:59 AM	#3
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	You also need matching struts. __________________ 2005 E46 M3 Interlagos/Cinnamon with Sunroof Delete
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12-13-2013, 08:11 PM	#4
cmcdonald Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 216 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 128i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the help guys! I didn't realize that the 1M springs would actually raise the front of the car. I had no idea the N54 was so much heavier than the N52. So I guess I would have the same issue with a 135 M sport suspension then too? And Stig thanks for mentioning the struts. I want to replace them too but I was half considering going with just springs until they wear out the stock struts and then swap out for good ones.
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12-14-2013, 08:42 AM	#5
Blacksport Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 2013 128i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ft Lauderdale iTrader: (0)	Audrey mentioned H&R "OE" sport springs...these are the ones to go with if you're only changing springs...less than 1" drop, your struts and alignment should be okay...then when you want to do the struts/shocks, Bilstein works great with these...I've used this setup on a few cars and it works great in the real world, even if it isn't the best track setup. And for only $230, you can't beat the price... __________________ '13 128i 6sp, '19 Cherokee Ltd 3.2, '17 Ducati SuperSport S *Gone But Not Forgotten:* 74 Z28, 77 Datsun 280Z (1st 5sp in US), 92 Nissan 300ZTT, 94 MB SL600 V12, 01 M Roadster, 66 Yamaha TwinJet 100, 70 Suzuki X6 Hustler *Race:* GP/FP Spitfire SCCA, Merlyn FF SCCA, Mazda RX7 IMSA GTU, Yamaha FZR 400 AMA.
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