Handling

[HaiderGilll]

Hi,

Like the look of the E89 3.5i/si but it sounds like the handling needs to be improved to give it a sports car feel. Saw there is Bilstein B12 Pro kit, Koni Sport (with H&R Springs) and the Birds B4 suspension kits available. Wondering anyone has used these or something else?

Thanks
Haider

 

[buzyg]

Hi,

Like the look of the E89 3.5i/si but it sounds like the handling needs to be improved to give it a sports car feel. Saw there is Bilstein B12 Pro kit, Koni Sport (with H&R Springs) and the Birds B4 suspension kits available. Wondering anyone has used these or something else?

Thanks
Haider

I would take one out for a spin, before making any plans to change. It? :wink:

 

[Twin Turbo]

Well I had KW3's on my E89 28i, and totally transformed the car to a different beast.

Even my mates in M-lights and M3's had difficulty following through corners Like I could.

My car was a bit of a track hoar, so I was able to customize its settings from a track and been a daily driver.

My @ Donnington: https://youtu.be/0n7gLJg7ACk

 

[Maniac]

Stock setup even in adaptive mode is more about comfort than handling. It’s pretty wobbly with plenty of lean at high speed when throwing it around and definitely benefits from updated suspension parts.

Next on my list after the M sport bumper upgrade.

 

[Busterboo]

My car was a bit of a track hoar ...

Fruity, was she? :wink:

 

[john-e89]

You can’t change the fundamental problem that that the E89 is a heavy car with a pretty dismal chassis, anything can be improved on of course but only so far, you can’t make a cheetah out of a hippo by putting it on a diet and get it wearing running shoes...it’s still a hippo... :lol:

However if you can live with that fact they can be acceptable, weight transfer and dead steering feel being its 2 main acchillies heels. Still cracking cars but you can’t make it superb.

 

[ihadablackdog]

you can’t make a cheetah out of a hippo by putting it on a diet and get it wearing running shoes...it’s still a hippo... :lol:

I disagree....I used that very technique to train for a marathon!

 

[john-e89]

you can’t make a cheetah out of a hippo by putting it on a diet and get it wearing running shoes...it’s still a hippo... :lol:

I disagree....I used that very technique to train for a marathon!

Tickled me that sir...!

 

[Busterboo]

Hi,

Like the look of the E89 3.5i/si but it sounds like the handling needs to be improved to give it a sports car feel. Saw there is Bilstein B12 Pro kit, Koni Sport (with H&R Springs) and the Birds B4 suspension kits available. Wondering anyone has used these or something else?
Thanks
Haider

The first step with any E89 or, indeed, any car, is to pay attention to your tyres & pressures. The big suspension changes can come after you've exploited what you've got.

Throwing money at a car that's wallowing round on the wrong tyres at marshmallow pressures won't improve anything.

 

[Smartbear]

Hi,

Like the look of the E89 3.5i/si but it sounds like the handling needs to be improved to give it a sports car feel. Saw there is Bilstein B12 Pro kit, Koni Sport (with H&R Springs) and the Birds B4 suspension kits available. Wondering anyone has used these or something else?
Thanks
Haider

The first step with any E89 or, indeed, any car, is to pay attention to your tyres & pressures. The big suspension changes can come after you've exploited what you've got.

Throwing money at a car that's wallowing round on the wrong tyres at marshmallow pressures won't improve anything.

Nor will throwing money at a car that’s skating around on the wrong tyres at near to exploding pressures
Rob

 

[Busterboo]

"wrong tyres", Rob?

 

[HaiderGilll]

I have been thinking about the weight issue as well and on that account would move to may be Z4 28i 4 cylinder twin scroll turbo, less weight at the front should help it be more agile. You lose the straight six sound-track though; I want to find out what people have done though before I pull the trigger on anything. Obviously i don't run flat, proper tyres goes without saying...

 

[Smartbear]

"wrong tyres", Rob?

That depends entirely on which side of the fence you stand on :roll:
Rob

 

[Busterboo]

The Pirelli P Zero side.

NRFTs, of course.

 

[Anonymous]

I have been thinking about the weight issue as well and on that account would move to may be Z4 28i 4 cylinder twin scroll turbo, less weight at the front should help it be more agile. You lose the straight six sound-track though; I want to find out what people have done though before I pull the trigger on anything. Obviously i don't run flat, proper tyres goes without saying...

There have been many discussions on this issue of later 4 pot vs either earlier or later 6 pot.

The distilled essence is that a 4 pot is cheaper to run, handles better, can be made to go as fast as a stock 6 pot but lacks the 6 pot noise...

Application of money / prejudice / hearsay may affect your decision..

 

[john-e89]

I have been thinking about the weight issue as well and on that account would move to may be Z4 28i 4 cylinder twin scroll turbo, less weight at the front should help it be more agile. You lose the straight six sound-track though; I want to find out what people have done though before I pull the trigger on anything. Obviously i don't run flat, proper tyres goes without saying...

Tbh I found the opposite when I tried a 28i, the lighter front end just makes the E89 steering even more vague, you can tell it’s lighter yes cornering but that also hinders handling as well, it jumped about more, I really didn’t like it. The roofs weight is central moving to rear so the extra weight of the 35 engine helps with balance is all I can contribute it to. Safe to say I came away thinking the 35 is the better steering and handling car, to me anyway, I’m sure others have a different opinion.

 

[Smartbear]

I have been thinking about the weight issue as well and on that account would move to may be Z4 28i 4 cylinder twin scroll turbo, less weight at the front should help it be more agile. You lose the straight six sound-track though; I want to find out what people have done though before I pull the trigger on anything. Obviously i don't run flat, proper tyres goes without saying...

Tbh I found the opposite when I tried a 28i, the lighter front end just makes the E89 steering even more vague, you can tell it’s lighter yes, but that also hinders handling as well, it jumped about more, I really didn’t like it. The roofs weight is central moving to rear so the extra weight of the 35 engine helps with balance is all I can contribute it to. Safe to say I came away thinking the 35 is the better steering and handling car, to me anyway, I’m sure others have a different opinion.

Less weight over the nose is always a bad thing (unless it’s a Porsche) :wink:
Rob

 

[john-e89]

I have been thinking about the weight issue as well and on that account would move to may be Z4 28i 4 cylinder twin scroll turbo, less weight at the front should help it be more agile. You lose the straight six sound-track though; I want to find out what people have done though before I pull the trigger on anything. Obviously i don't run flat, proper tyres goes without saying...

Tbh I found the opposite when I tried a 28i, the lighter front end just makes the E89 steering even more vague, you can tell it’s lighter yes, but that also hinders handling as well, it jumped about more, I really didn’t like it. The roofs weight is central moving to rear so the extra weight of the 35 engine helps with balance is all I can contribute it to. Safe to say I came away thinking the 35 is the better steering and handling car, to me anyway, I’m sure others have a different opinion.

Less weight over the nose is always a bad thing (unless it’s a Porsche) :wink:
Rob

That was with the 28i on 18’s and mine on 19’s as well Robmero...

 

[Smartbear]

Tbh I found the opposite when I tried a 28i, the lighter front end just makes the E89 steering even more vague, you can tell it’s lighter yes, but that also hinders handling as well, it jumped about more, I really didn’t like it. The roofs weight is central moving to rear so the extra weight of the 35 engine helps with balance is all I can contribute it to. Safe to say I came away thinking the 35 is the better steering and handling car, to me anyway, I’m sure others have a different opinion.

Less weight over the nose is always a bad thing (unless it’s a Porsche) :wink:
Rob

That was with the 28i on 18’s and mine on 19’s as well Robmero...

A lot of this handling malarkey is subjective & feel is something that can vary enormously between different drivers.
Personally I think the weight of your wallet must be pinning the nose of your Boxster to the ground
Rob

 

[john-e89]

Less weight over the nose is always a bad thing (unless it’s a Porsche) :wink:
Rob

That was with the 28i on 18’s and mine on 19’s as well Robmero...

A lot of this handling malarkey is subjective & feel is something that can vary enormously between different drivers.
Personally I think the weight of your wallet must be pinning the nose of your Boxster to the ground
Rob

Indeed it does vary, one man’s pile of junk is another man’s pile of treasure....

Weight of my wallet....?? :?

You’ve seen my MR sale thread cos I’m skint, right bear.....??