Review | JRZ Suspension Engineering RS Pro
Introduction
For many years, I have been on the hunt for the suspension setup that near perfectly suits my needs in any regard possible.
To preface, I have had the following different suspension setups on my E46 M3:
- OE - since brand new
- Tein Lowering Springs
- Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs
- H&R Lowering Springs
- Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit
- Koni Adjustables with H&R Lowering Springs
- Stance Super Sports
- KW V2
- KW V3 with Competition Valving
- Ohlins Road & Track
- JRZ Suspension Engineering RS Pro
For me, I find the perfect E46 M3 to be a car that can be driven all year round, through any different conditions, on the street, and on the track. To achieve this, I needed a suspension setup that was both very street compliant, yet could be transformed into a very capable track damper with nearly no limitation. Every suspension setup I've tried, it has always left something to be desired, until I finally decided to take the plunge and get the JRZ RS Pros.
I decided on the following suspension setup:
- JRZ Suspension Engineering RS Pro Dampers w/ True Rear Coilover
- JRZ Suspension Engineering Rear Clevis Mount
- JRZ Suspension Engineering Front Stäubli Quick Disconnects
- Ground Control Street Camber Plates (Anodized JRZ Red)
- Ground Control Sway Bar End Links (Anodized JRZ Red)
- Eibach 2.25" ID ERS Springs (6" 550#F/8" 325#R)
- AKG Motorsport RSM Reinforcement Plates
Track Impressions
Godly. I am using Autobahn Country Club (ABCC) Full, North, and South Course as my controlled variable. Every suspension I've had in the past other than the JRZ, I found certain sections of the track to really make the chassis feel unbalanced. Either the car felt like it was skipping, launching, or jarring. What ultimately set the JRZ RS Pro separate from the rest was the phenomenal effectiveness of the valving and it's adjustments. There were back sections of ABCC Full/North that I found to be very bumpy and unsettling with every other suspension I've tried. Despite my efforts in adjusting the damping, I just felt like the ratios between the rebound and compression curves were not on point for my driving style and the track I was on.
With the JRZ RS Pros, I was able to finally tune the chassis to make weight transitions seamless, rumble strips silky smooth, and bumpy sections essentially non-existent. Ultimately, this provided me with more confidence in the car that helped me drastically improve lap times. It gave me the capability to more confidently take very efficient lines.
What cannot really be measured quantitatively was how these dampers revolutionized how I felt as a driver. As a track enthusiast, what really matters the most is having secure confidence in yourself and the capabilities of the car. For the very first time, I felt that with this suspension and it gave me the confidence to push myself harder without having to fight the car so much.
Street Impressions
What I am the most critical about is the street characteristics. Words cannot really explain how picky I am when it comes to this. On this setup, I chose spring rates that I was rather terrified to try because they were stiffer than anything else I've had in the past. JRZ Suspension Engineering, Olsen Motorsports, and my friends assured me that these dampers will have zero problem controlling the chassis with this spring rate. I did't believe them until I finally installed them!
Wow! Talk about street compliancy in a very low car! Believe it or not, these are hands down the smoothest setup I've ever had on the street. We all know that even stock can be a bit harsh and rough around the edges. No suspension I've had ever thoroughly made the chassis more compliant the way the JRZ RS Pros do. I strongly believe the key ingredient is the damping across the whole range of rate, load, and speed. Being able to control rebound and compression independently across a range that actually makes a difference has completely transformed the street driving experience. To top it off, the damper and mounting hardware is so silent and compliant!
Living in the Chicago-land area and frequently driving through the downtown area of the city, I am faced with some of the most horrendous roads. Under good suspension load, nothing has ever handled these bumps the way the JRZs do.
Conclusion
There was never a doubt that these dampers would be phenomenal on the track. There is a reason why some of the most competitive race teams and club racers use JRZ Suspension Engineering. For me being a primarily street E46 M3 driver, what really proved to be priceless was how the damping worked on my routine commutes.
I spent a lot of money on different suspension setups, installs, and alignments. Over the many years, I found that when it comes to suspension setups, you really get what you pay for. I was once so intimidated by having a 'race' damper on a street car. But now realize that these are the dampers that truly have the least compromise out of them all. What I learned through this journey is, decide on what you want and need, save until you get the product that will get you there. I would have saved a lot of money waiting until I was ready to buy the top tier dampers. At the same time, I don't regret my former choices because it really made me appreciate how much better these were for me.
Well...enough words...this thread really needs some photos...
Photos
Brand spanking new
Front damper and canister
Rear damper and canister
Rear clevis mount
Blue is my favorite color...all Estoril Blue E46 M3s need JRZ RS Pros
Matched my camber plates to my rebound knobs :lolhit:
First installed on Flippy, The JB E46 M3
Breaking in the dampers at Autobahn Country Club North Course
Threw them on the SG E46 M3 for Road America
Fall colors FTW!
Chiberia is on it's way so we squeezed in one more track day at Autobahn Country Club
Piloted by Abad46 so I could take pics my car :rofl3:
Random Notes:
I am posting this here since a damper is a damper and I imagine it would transcend the same type of feedback for the E9X M3 chassis to an extent.
I originally purchased the JRZ Suspension Engineering RS Pros directly from Bryan at JRZ.
I go through Olsen Motorsports for my JRZ servicing and rebuilds. I got into an accident in my Jet Black E46 M3 when it had the JRZs installed, so I took it to them to get inspected and shock dyno'd. Everything checked out perfectly fine!
I go through Olsen Motorsports for my chassis setup and track side support.
I will be buying JRZs from Olsen Motorsports for my E9X M3 within the next year or so.
