Dinan Stage III Suspension vs KW Clubsport

[soberin]

Anyone here made the above change? Very interested if there is a significant difference in body roll, brake dive, turn-in, lap times etc, and how daily driving affected.








-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2009 E90 6MT: Dinan intake, exhaust, software, differential, pulley, stage III suspension, toe links, monoballs, strut brace. BMW pedals, performance steering wheel, CF mirrors. Advan AD08s.

[bigjae1976]

I think the KWs will wipe the track with the Dinan St III in terms of performance. The problem is the Dinan reuses the OEM dampers so that is the limiting performance factor.

I have a Dinan Stage 3+...Dinan stage 2 + GC camber plates. It does improve upon the understeer but its not much of a difference in terms of improving its performance potential.

[哇靠~M3]

my 2 cents:
KW CS a nice system.

[soberin]

My Dinan Stage III is actually a very nice setup. Quite supple on the road, with very little body roll or brake dive at all. Much sharper turn-in than stock. Problem as you say, is that it uses the stock struts and shocks, and is just too "floaty" on the track, and even some twisties on the road. The question is the additional cost of taking out the Dinan Stage III for the KW CS going to make a big enough difference in daily driving, not at the track, to justify the cost.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by soberin

My Dinan Stage III is actually a very nice setup. Quite supple on the road, with very little body roll or brake dive at all. Much sharper turn-in than stock. Problem as you say, is that it uses the stock struts and shocks, and is just too "floaty" on the track, and even some twisties on the road. The question is the additional cost of taking out the Dinan Stage III for the KW CS going to make a big enough difference in daily driving, not at the track, to justify the cost.

IMO, going with KW CS for mostly street driving is a waste when you have what is probably the best all around street setup available. Potentially fewer issues with the dealer if you are still under warranty.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

IMO, going with KW CS for mostly street driving is a waste when you have what is probably the best all around street setup available. Potentially fewer issues with the dealer if you are still under warranty.

Agreed, the only reason, IMHO, to move to clubsports is for the track, for street driving, think you've got the ideal setup

[knolow]

Originally Posted by klammer

Agreed, the only reason, IMHO, to move to clubsports is for the track, for street driving, think you've got the ideal setup

I agree. I have the Dinan Stage III suspension and have no complaints. I can hang with all the M's with other setups. Yes there are techincally better setups for track but the Dinan is best for all around.

[slicer]

Dinan suspension lowers the car around 0.5". People seem to think it yields a good ride quality but for that slight of a drop I would stick to the stock suspension. The Clubsports are adjustable. You can dial in softer settings for street use if you desire. I have no regrets switching from Eibach springs to clubsports (from a daily driver perspective).

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by slicer

Dinan suspension lowers the car around 0.5". People seem to think it yields a good ride quality but for that slight of a drop I would stick to the stock suspension. The Clubsports are adjustable. You can dial in softer settings for street use if you desire. I have no regrets switching from Eibach springs to clubsports (from a daily driver perspective).

Slicer. What kind of yearly mileage do you do? Whats your commute like?

[slicer]

Originally Posted by CSanto

Slicer. What kind of yearly mileage do you do? Whats your commute like?

I don't have much of a daily commute these days but I put on about 8000 miles per year. The point is that the KW Clubsports can be adjusted in stiffness and height to your desired specs. I see you are in NY. I would keep in mind that if the car see's winter driving and salt exposure, coilovers may not be the best option.

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by slicer

I don't have much of a daily commute these days but I put on about 8000 miles per year. The point is that the KW Clubsports can be adjusted in stiffness and height to your desired specs. I see you are in NY. I would keep in mind that if the car see's winter driving and salt exposure, coilovers may not be the best option.

Gotcha, 8k miles per year is about what I do.

I didnt know that about coilovers not being suited for winter driving and salt exposure. Thats very good to know.

[M3SQRD]

I don't know the cost of the KW CS but why not also consider the RS1 damper with street-biased spring rates or wait for the Ohlins R&T suspension to be released?

I'm using the RS1 with 400/672 and 500/800 rates - the ride is not at all harsh on the street even with 500/800 rates. With 400/672, the street ride and performance are greatly improved over stock EDC plus the rates are stiff enough to still have fun at the track!

The Ohlins R&T comes with ~350/~680 rates. With the DFV technology, this damper, and rates, will make for a great DD ride with improved overall handling performance compared to OEM!

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I don't know the cost of the KW CS but why not also consider the RS1 damper with street-biased spring rates or wait for the Ohlins R&T suspension to be released?

I'm using the RS1 with 400/672 and 500/800 rates - the ride is not at all harsh on the street even with 500/800 rates. With 400/672, the street ride and performance are greatly improved over stock EDC plus the rates are stiff enough to still have fun at the track!

The Ohlins R&T comes with ~350/~680 rates. With the DFV technology, this damper, and rates, will make for a great DD ride with improved overall handling performance compared to OEM!

I'm eagerly waiting on the price announcement for the Ohlin R&Ts

[biggynuts01]

Originally Posted by CSanto

I'm eagerly waiting on the price announcement for the Ohlin R&Ts

Price is already out on the Ohlins R/T. ~ $3150 by most of the vendors on this forum.

Im gonna pick up a set this spring.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I don't know the cost of the KW CS but why not also consider the RS1 damper with street-biased spring rates or wait for the Ohlins R&T suspension to be released?

I'm using the RS1 with 400/672 and 500/800 rates - the ride is not at all harsh on the street even with 500/800 rates. With 400/672, the street ride and performance are greatly improved over stock EDC plus the rates are stiff enough to still have fun at the track!

The Ohlins R&T comes with ~350/~680 rates. With the DFV technology, this damper, and rates, will make for a great DD ride with improved overall handling performance compared to OEM!

Did you find that the EDC shocks were too soft? Especially in the rear?

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by CSanto

I'm eagerly waiting on the price announcement for the Ohlin R&Ts

Here you go:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...64&postcount=1

This price is if you re-use your stock mounts. Camber plates and different spring rates are optional and increase overall cost.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Did you find that the EDC shocks were too soft? Especially in the rear?

My '09 had the non-ZCP EDC and my '12 had the ZCP EDC. First, I'd say the ZCP EDC was slightly better than the non-ZCP EDC. At least to me, it felt like the stock EDC dampers had too much compression damping relative to rebound damping; however, I only used the stock dampers for a combined ~2000 street miles.

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I think the KWs will wipe the track with the Dinan St III in terms of performance. The problem is the Dinan reuses the OEM dampers so that is the limiting performance factor.

I have a Dinan Stage 3+...Dinan stage 2 + GC camber plates. It does improve upon the understeer but its not much of a difference in terms of improving its performance potential.

Yep. I have KW CS and have ridden in Dinan3's on track, and there's no comparison. My suspension is much stiffer and the dampers do a better job at allowing the car to put down power on corner exit. My car is roughly half street and half track, but I don't mind the ride on the street. I'm not changing shocks until the car is track only, if then.

Dinan is a pretty good compromise setup, it just isn't as good on track. I wouldn't pay that kind of money for a stock damper setup.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

Yep. I have KW CS and have ridden in Dinan3's on track, and there's no comparison. My suspension is much stiffer and the dampers do a better job at allowing the car to put down power on corner exit. My car is roughly half street and half track, but I don't mind the ride on the street. I'm not changing shocks until the car is track only, if then.

Dinan is a pretty good compromise setup, it just isn't as good on track. I wouldn't pay that kind of money for a stock damper setup.

And that's the problem I'm having with my non-EDC shocks. I have to wait soooo long before I can really get onto power. Otherwise the rear squats, rides on the bump stops and the back end comes out.

I threw on some NT01s replacing the RS3s and that helped a lot but that's really a bandaid fix.

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

And that's the problem I'm having with my non-EDC shocks. I have to wait soooo long before I can really get onto power. Otherwise the rear squats, rides on the bump stops and the back end comes out.

I threw on some NT01s replacing the RS3s and that helped a lot but that's really a bandaid fix.

Try some CS's. The first session on them I thought I accidentally left traction control on ha it is that big of a difference.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

Try some CS's. The first session on them I thought I accidentally left traction control on ha it is that big of a difference.

Lol...I think I will go with the TC Kline route someday. Gotta figure out my car situation first. Not sure if the M3 will be the primary track car.

[Z K]

I am surprised no one has suggested it but the KW V3 is very good as well. It is basically the CS without the upper mounts and a less aggressive dampener set up (more street friendly).

Dinan is way over priced for what is essentially a set of lowering springs.