Which Coilover Kit?

[rzm3]

After quite a few track weekends, I am at the point where I would like to have a more suitable suspension kit for high performance driving. The Dinan springs are still too soft for my taste.

I've been recommended by many that coilover kit is the way to go. There are quite a few choices out there, KW, Bilstein, Moton, TCKlein etc.

Spring Rates Compared: (lbm/in)

OEM: 160F/550R
KW V3: 285F/630R
KW CS: 500F/800R
Moton: 360F/620R
Bilstein: 400F/565R

Key Requirements:

1. A capable track set up. I probably do a track event per 1-2 months and am currently in the 2nd to top run group. Would like less settling time on the car. Also less roll. Not expecting race car harsh suspension though.

2. A street liveable kit. I usually walk to work so this isn't really my DD. But I do use it for Weekly Driving for dinner, groceries etc. Therefore I would like something that is somewhat liveable on Houston Streets.

3. NO side-effects (NVH, excessive wear...). I've heard some stories of some springs cluncking etc. with some kits, so please let me know if you are experiencing problems with your kit.

4. Easy adjustability: I've seen that most mid to high end kits can change the compression and rebound settings, but I don't want to have to take hours to change them.


Anyway, please let me know your thoughts. I am an engineer, so please bombard me with technical information.

Vendors are also welcome to send me factual info/quotes

Thanks guys!

[jml]

I would buy the Moton StreetSports.

[doba_s]

I'll take your dinan kit ...

Moton I think is the way to go.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

I would recommend the TC KLINE D/A coilover setup, that uses Koni shocks paired with Vogtland springs. (Vogtland springs are lightweight, and offer very precise linear spring rates)

They give you compression and rebound adjustability, all for about half the price of the Moton street setup.

Just my 2 cents...

[aus]

Mr.5 had some issue with the Vorslag plated TCK uses. He's mostly on the E90 side but posted about them here about a year ago.

Harold can mate the TCK, KW track coils or AST coils with Swift springs but it does require modifying the coils on some applications.

[jml]

The secret sauce in the Motons is their fast response damping - it really smooths out the bumps on the track, and if they've translated that superior capability from their Club sport and racing dampers to the street kit, you can expect the ride quality to be excellent with respect to their ability to control the gross dynamics of the car. I don't think you will be able to find a better ride/handling compromise for the street - meaning that it will have superior ride quality for how well it will handle without requiring you to turn up the compression/rebound damping. Of course you will dial it up on the track...

[STALKER]

I just got the Motons, have not installed them yet though.
Its really the way to go IMO if you are using your car daily. I don't get out to the track as often as you, but its worth the extra $$$ IMO. My car is my daily driver so ride comofort was very important to me. I had GC coils and sways on my e46 M3 and was happy with that set up, but it could get a little harsh sometimes.
If you don't want to get the Motons, I would wait to see what GC is going to offer. I have heard that the TCK for the e9X M3s is pretty much a carry over over from their other kits, I can't verify this though.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by jml

The secret sauce in the Motons is their fast response damping - it really smooths out the bumps on the track, and if they've translated that superior capability from their Club sport and racing dampers to the street kit, you can expect the ride quality to be excellent with respect to their ability to control the gross dynamics of the car. I don't think you will be able to find a better ride/handling compromise for the street - meaning that it will have superior ride quality for how well it will handle without requiring you to turn up the compression/rebound damping. Of course you will dial it up on the track...

Don't forget the 5k 'entry fee'.

[jml]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Don't forget the 5k 'entry fee'.

It's worth every penny on a 70K car that weighs 4K lbs

[STALKER]

Plus the cost of install and set up...unless you can do it yourself.

[Trier Germany]

KW Variant 3 for the win

[rzm3]

guys, please elaborate on your choice of coilover kit with reason, dont just say xxx is the best/for the win. Thanks.

[STALKER]

What about the RD Sport chassis kit?
I don't think its adjustable though.

[aus]

I've got the first and only JIC/Cross coils that was a semi-custom set since some things didn't fit well initially. I only got them because their US operation isn't far from my home. They were able to give suggestions on spring rates after driving the car and it rides like stock despite being lowered. I really have to remind myself that I have coils on. I have 14kg/mm springs up front and 10kg/mm springs in back. There is minimal body roll now.
I'll do a write up someday with some pics.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by aus

I've got the first and only JIC/Cross coils that was a semi-custom set since some things didn't fit well initially. I only got them because their US operation isn't far from my home. They were able to give suggestions on spring rates after driving the car and it rides like stock despite being lowered. I really have to remind myself that I have coils on. I have 14kg/mm springs up front and 10kg/mm springs in back. There is minimal body roll now.
I'll do a write up someday with some pics.

Very interesting...

So you have 787 lb spings upfront, and 564 lb springs in the back...on Monotube struts and shocks.

Looking forward to your full review.

[rzm3]

Spring Rates Compared: (lbm/in)

OEM: 160F/550R
KW V3: 285F/630R
KW CS: 500F/800R
Moton: 360F/620R
Bilstein: 400F/565R

[MrHarris]

Originally Posted by aus

I've got the first and only JIC/Cross coils that was a semi-custom set since some things didn't fit well initially. I only got them because their US operation isn't far from my home. They were able to give suggestions on spring rates after driving the car and it rides like stock despite being lowered. I really have to remind myself that I have coils on. I have 14kg/mm springs up front and 10kg/mm springs in back. There is minimal body roll now.
I'll do a write up someday with some pics.

How much it cost?!

[aus]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Very interesting...

So you have 787 lb spings upfront, and 564 lb springs in the back...on Monotube struts and shocks.

Looking forward to your full review.

I was a little hesitant when they called and recommended stiffer springs since the kit came with 12K springs up front that member 08M3 had ordered. He ordered them from Ron************. JIC/Cross made the recommendations after driving the car stock and then with the 12K springs on.

Originally Posted by MrHarris

How much it cost?!

I got the kit for a pretty good price since 08M3 was having trouble moving them after he got the Motons (twice I think). It was ironic they were shipped to Canada from SoCal and then shipped right back to where they started from. I think they're based on the regular E90 version, but they had to make the lower mounts in back since the M3 is totally different. They also had to use the R56 Mini front sway bar mounts. The original kit was made in Japan and the US guys didn't even know about it.

http://www.**********s.com/_e/loc/pr...lovers_E90.htm