want it lower and ride/handle like stock

[Alex07M3]

Personnally, I never bottomed out with my Eibachs and I'm on the stock bump stops , the ride with EDC on confortable mode does'nt feel more harsh then stock , that's the main reason why I'm so happy with them. Also when it was time to choose which springs I wanted , price was not an issue , I went with Eibachs because I've readed many good reviews of them and also because I had Eibachs on 2 of my previous cars and was really satisfied! You probably can't go wrong with Dinan but I can tell you that I honestly does'nt see any down side with my Eibachs and keep in mind that I live in Québec, the streets here are as ugly as it gets !

[e1000]

Isn't Dinan stage 1 a set of springs, bump stops and modified spring perch's? I agree it's the proper way to put springs on a car but you definitely don't need to go through Dinan to get all of that done.

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

If you have the H&R springs, you need the correct bump stops and modified upper guide supports.

Malek

Ditto.

I have RD Sport springs + Dinan bumpstops + Dinan shockmounts.

Ride feels eerily similar to stock!

[Z K]

Originally Posted by HREM3

I'm waiting for a solid review comparing the KW sleeve kit to the Dinan Stage 1. I hear the KW kit rides very nice if you dont turn it all the way low (Which i wouldnt do) I'd keep it at a .6-.7" drop in front and .5 in the rear.

Once someone is able to compare these two options I'll make my decision. I wish Dinan was just a little cheaper, it would make the decision that much easier. I'm sure price is why most people just do Eibachs and call it a day.

I can't speak for the Dinan. I have the KW Sleeve over kit at max height (about 0.5 inch lowering) and the ride is stock. Softer over small bumps and slightly harsher over large bumps. The spring rate is higher than stock so it does help performance a bit. No one in the car can ever tell its not stock when riding in it.

Most people just street drive the KW sleeve overs. I have tracked it and autocrossed the car and it works well. It feels and handles like stock with a small reduction in body roll. The stock shocks definitely needs more dampening and rebound on track though. At no time did I feel like it was hitting the bumpstops. KW sleeve overs also come with shorter bump stops so that may be why.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by LateBraking

I recall that this is correct. EAS installed a ZCP conversion on a client's car a long time ago I recall, which included shocks.

Yes we did. That was forum member aajami's M3.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

Ditto.

I have RD Sport springs + Dinan bumpstops + Dinan shockmounts.

Ride feels eerily similar to stock!

In the last 2 years, we have setup over 250 cars now with the modified upper guide supports and bump stops with our choice of lowering springs.

When doing follow ups, for the most part, they all seem to enjoy the comfort of the setup in comparison to stock. Some of those guys have gotten into tracking now, so they are on the upward progression of upgrades.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by Denk

I've tried H&R, Eibach and Dinan Stage 1 on a couple of M3's. The only one that didn't compromise anything from the stock suspension was Dinan. Slightly firmer than stock, subtle drop (a little lower than ZCP) and very comfortable on the street with all of the travel intact.

H&R looks cool but bounced all over the place and even with Eibachs I was bottomed out on the stops, very noticeable in tight high speed transitions and dips...not cool. I'd only put Dinan on my M3 if I wanted a drop, albeit a subtle one.

Couldnt agree more..most I know have echoed this ^ about lowering springs and I myself have rode and driven several..thats why I am confused here..to lower a car and maintain the same ride characteristics..it is just not possible.without addressing the entire suspension geometry

The trade off you get in poor ride quailty vs a car that sits lower on the ground...well isnt worth it IMO..for that a proper CO system would be better suited

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

In the last 2 years, we have setup over 250 cars now with the modified upper guide supports and bump stops with our choice of lowering springs.

When doing follow ups, for the most part, they all seem to enjoy the comfort of the setup in comparison to stock. Some of those guys have gotten into tracking now, so they are on the upward progression of upgrades.

So if I use Eibach springs, modify my guide supports and bump stops I'll get my drop without the ill effects of just doing the springs. E.g. Bounciness

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by HREM3

So if I use Eibach springs, modify my guide supports and bump stops I'll get my drop without the ill effects of just doing the springs. E.g. Bounciness

Is your car a ZCP car?

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

Is your car a ZCP car?

It is not. It's an 09 with EDC.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by HREM3

It is not. It's an 09 with EDC.

Then yes, to answer your previous question, you can retain stock-like ride and handling characteristics with the Eibach setup along with the supporting modifications.

It will be pretty much like a stock car, but slightly lower.

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

Then yes, to answer your previous question, you can retain stock-like ride and handling characteristics with the Eibach setup along with the supporting modifications.

It will be pretty much like a stock car, but slightly lower.

Thank you, I wish you were closer to me. I'd like to have someone who knows do the modifications to my stock parts instead of having to explain it.

[kaiv]

As far as comfort goes, KW V3s ride pretty much like stock as far as I can tell.

[paradocs98]

If it helps, here's a pic of my car with Dinan Stage III suspension (same ride height as Stage I):

[bigjae1976]

I've had a buddy's ZCP E90 right next to my E90 with the Dinan Stage 1. The front is about the same but my car was a little lower in the rear.

My non-EDC car with the Dinan Stage 1 is just a touch rougher on the street. 99% of the people would be happy with it if price were no issue.

IMO, if the track is in the equation...all of the above is a waste. No better than OEM.

BTW, I have a pair of Dinan front guide supports for sale. I've upgraded to ground control plates.

[gixxer_kidd]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

In the last 2 years, we have setup over 250 cars now with the modified upper guide supports and bump stops with our choice of lowering springs.

Where can we get these modified guides? Are they recommended with the KW sleeve kits?

For the OP, I've been pretty happy with the ride of the RD Sport springs. Ride is pretty close to stock with a nice drop. Reason I'm switching to sleeve kit is because I want a lower drop.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by gixxer_kidd

Where can we get these modified guides? Are they recommended with the KW sleeve kits?

For the OP, I've been pretty happy with the ride of the RD Sport springs. Ride is pretty close to stock with a nice drop. Reason I'm switching to sleeve kit is because I want a lower drop.

Some really good looking, smart, and all around awesome guy is selling some modified guides ...

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=695310

[giancarlo214]

Is H&R the lowest you can go? Is there anything lower than this? . Height wise. No coilover tho.

[cole328]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

Another vote for Dinan. I'm assuming you're starting with a non-ZCP car. Although the specs indicate that the drop with the Dinan setup is about the same as that of the factory ZCP package, subjectively I think the Dinan suspension sits a bit lower than ZCP once the springs settle.

Dinan is always controversial on here--some people swear by them, others think their products are overpriced and not worth it. They are expensive, but you can't argue with the amount of R&D they put into their products. For what you want, they're probably the perfect solution--nice, aggressive drop with actually increased suspension travel for maintaining good ride and handling. As you've found, just switching out springs on these cars can screw up the entire handling balance as it bottoms out on the bumpstops. Dinan came up with a good solution to get a bit of the best of both worlds.

If price is an issue, sit tight for a while. Dinan runs 10-15% off sales periodically. If you're committed to modifying this $60k+ car, don't cheap out on something as essential as the suspension.

+100 I have the Dinan Stage 2 set-up on my 'vert. LOVE IT. Looks perfect, handles flat, and is super comfy as a DD when I want to chill

[italyix]

Originally Posted by gixxer_kidd

Where can we get these modified guides? Are they recommended with the KW sleeve kits?

For the OP, I've been pretty happy with the ride of the RD Sport springs. Ride is pretty close to stock with a nice drop. Reason I'm switching to sleeve kit is because I want a lower drop.

Malekreza11 I believe sells them...

[mosx]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

If it helps, here's a pic of my car with Dinan Stage III suspension (same ride height as Stage I):

That looks good! Are you running stock tire sizes?

[slicer]

Originally Posted by giancarlo214

Is H&R the lowest you can go? Is there anything lower than this? . Height wise. No coilover tho.

RD Sport is the lowest spring option.