Selecting A New Suspension Setup

[NickZHP]

I've reached about 112k miles on my car and am thinking about refreshing/upgrading my suspension. I am new to suspension and have done some research about coilovers and the different setups e46 owners like but I need some help deciding which setup would be best for me. I want a new suspension that is more performance oriented than the stock setup but I don't want the harsh ride of a race car since my ZHP is my DD. How do Bilstein Sports with H&R Sport Springs compare with new OEM ZHP shocks, struts, and springs, is there really that much difference in performance? I know it would be lower than the stock setup and I've read Bilsteins are generally firmer (better performance?) than Konis but would it make the car handle considerably better?

And this brings me to my question about coilovers. There are many coilovers on the market and with a big price range. I've found that most cheap coilovers (<$1000) and especially those made in China/Taiwan are not well liked unless your only objective is to be lowered and to have control of the height. So compared to a new OEM ZHP suspension would these actually make your car handle worse since the internals, i'm assuming, are cheap? Do KW V1 Coilovers handle significantly better than cheap coilovers?

I know many of you on this forum are fans of the BC Racing BR-Type coilovers which are relatively cheap compared to coilovers like KW and GC. Between the Bilstein Sports with H&R Sport Springs and BC Racing BR-Type coilovers, do BC coilovers perform better or is the premium only because you can adjust them however you want.

I know its a lot of questions, there are so many suspension products out there and I am trying to figure out how they really compare.
Also, anyone here think its worth buying those STANDARD R3's? It's a great deal but after seeing so many bad reviews of cheap coilovers made in China, not that those are cheap but they aren't well known, I am unsure if it would be a good move.

[NoVAphotog]

I've reached about 112k miles on my car and am thinking about refreshing/upgrading my suspension. I am new to suspension and have done some research about coilovers and the different setups e46 owners like but I need some help deciding which setup would be best for me. I want a new suspension that is more performance oriented than the stock setup but I don't want the harsh ride of a race car since my ZHP is my DD. How do Bilstein Sports with H&R Sport Springs compare with new OEM ZHP shocks, struts, and springs, is there really that much difference in performance? I know it would be lower than the stock setup and I've read Bilsteins are generally firmer (better performance?) than Konis but would it make the car handle considerably better?

And this brings me to my question about coilovers. There are many coilovers on the market and with a big price range. I've found that most cheap coilovers (<$1000) and especially those made in China/Taiwan are not well liked unless your only objective is to be lowered and to have control of the height. So compared to a new OEM ZHP suspension would these actually make your car handle worse since the internals, i'm assuming, are cheap? Do KW V1 Coilovers handle significantly better than cheap coilovers?

I know many of you on this forum are fans of the BC Racing BR-Type coilovers which are relatively cheap compared to coilovers like KW and GC. Between the Bilstein Sports with H&R Sport Springs and BC Racing BR-Type coilovers, do BC coilovers perform better or is the premium only because you can adjust them however you want.

I know its a lot of questions, there are so many suspension products out there and I am trying to figure out how they really compare.
Also, anyone here think its worth buying those STANDARD R3's? It's a great deal but after seeing so many bad reviews of cheap coilovers made in China, not that those are cheap but they aren't well known, I am unsure if it would be a good move.

I think BMWCurves' thread pretty much sums it up. Better performance for a DD for relatively minimal cost with all new ancillary parts. I went with Bilstein PSS simply because my car will no longer be a DD and I happened to find a good deal otherwise I would have gone this route as well.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years

[slater]

I think BMWCurves' thread pretty much sums it up. Better performance for a DD for relatively minimal cost with all new ancillary parts.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years

+1 to this. if you just want to refresh with a 'plus' (the konis), go this route.

[BMWCurves]

I think BMWCurves' thread pretty much sums it up. Better performance for a DD for relatively minimal cost with all new ancillary parts. I went with Bilstein PSS simply because my car will no longer be a DD and I happened to find a good deal otherwise I would have gone this route as well.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years

Beat me to it!

I can't speak for coilovers, but so far I am loving my refreshed suspension. Compared to my worn OEM suspension, my new suspension is firm but still compliant and comfortable (I'm set at 3/4 turn from soft). It's also incredibly communicative. I can tell where bumps are, feel the road, and the balance of the car but the ride is far from jarring. My car performs nicely in the corners, more confidence inspiring than before. It feels more planted and very willing to turn in aggressively. Comfort is noticeably better than my shot OEM shocks/struts. In short, I believe it is OEM+ and it works great for a daily driver.

If you want to lower the car, you might look into H&R Sport springs as well. I think they lower our cars like 0.5-0.75" in the front and 0.25" in the rear. I like the lowered look for our cars but I would most certainly scrape my front bumper on common drive ways if I had, so I opted to stick with the stock springs.

I've heard Bilsteins are much firmer than Konis to the point of annoyance for some, but I can't speak from experience.

If you're patient you might be able to scoop up a set of gently used coilovers at a decent price like Daniel did. Just might require some time.

Hope that helps!

[ryankokesh]

I want a new suspension that is more performance oriented than the stock setup but I don't want the harsh ride of a race car since my ZHP is my DD.

This is what I was going for, as well. At the time I was DDing it 100 miles a day, so didn't want anything too harsh!

I ended up going with Koni FSDs with the Eibach Pro-Kit springs. At first I wasn't thrilled, but they must have needed a little time to break in or something. I didn't think that was a thing, but I ended up really, really liking them. Exactly the balance I was looking for between performance and a nice comfy highway ride. Still loving them. Wish I would have put them on my prius, too!

That said, I have very little experience with coilovers. So, take it for what it's worth :)

[jakksfor20]

I will only speak for Bilstein products as I've never ventured outside of it. I think you have to decide whether you want any height adjustability. If you don't then go with a set of Sport Springs and your choice of shocks. Bilstein Sports are quite firm. I've had them on 3 different cars and have driven to Missouri and back several times. I don't mind them, but there are softer rides out there. I've only recently gone into the PSS lineup. I bought a set on e46f a little over a year ago. They had 1,000 miles on them and the guy put them up for $500. I messaged him within 10 minutes and bought them. He had 3 more offers in the next 30 minutes. His wife claimed they were too rough and he ended up going the FSD route. I was getting into track days and the PSS was a natural progression and I've now migrated to the PSS-10's.
My recommendation is to see if anyone in your area has some different lineups. Bilsteins, Koni's, etc.
I will say that I posted some Bilstein Sports with the H&R Sport springs for sale on here and e46f. 25k miles on the shocks/struts, 10k on the springs. Even comes with almost new top hats. No need to take the fronts apart to get pieces off them, because the rubber pads are still there. All you have to get is new RSM's.

[ELCID86]

I'd go Koni. I have Yellow but str.t are worth considering. I bought a used set of KWs and I quickly saw how they have some design flaws in the spring adjuster plates--using a hex nut vs using two rings. The Allen/hex nut was completely seased up. KW actually has a line item on the RMA sheet for this repair so it must be fairly common. KISS and go with Koni or Bilstein.


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[slater]

I'd go Koni. I have Yellow but str.t are worth considering.

personally, i would pass on the str.t and go with the yellow. koni's rebound damping is nice. i really want to drive a ZHP with koni yellows and stock springs.



I bought a used set of KWs and I quickly saw how they have some design flaws in the spring adjuster plates--using a hex nut vs using two rings. The Allen/hex nut was completely seased up. KW actually has a line item on the RMA sheet for this repair so it must be fairly common. KISS and go with Koni or Bilstein.

yep. bilstein uses a locking ring, which makes more sense to me. less to go wrong!

i've used ST (KW) v1's in the past and while i bought them new, i did not like that hex screw in the adjuster ring. too frail for long term use. also, while i found the rest of the build quality to be decent, i did not like the damping (under-damped), and spring rates supplied with the kit.

after experiencing the build quality, and ride quality of the bilstein PSS i just put on my ZHP - i can't see anything better for the money. excellent stuff. and a lifetime warranty!

[BMWCurves]

personally, i would pass on the str.t and go with the yellow. koni's rebound damping is nice. i really want to drive a ZHP with koni yellows and stock springs.

Head due west for a short 3,000 mile jaunt and I'll let you have a spin in mine, and then I can try yours with the PSS!

[slater]

Head due west for a short 3,000 mile jaunt and I'll let you have a spin in mine, and then I can try yours with the PSS!

that would be inefficient, but fun. :)

actually, i really want to drive cross-country and then down the PCH. would be an awesome family road trip. it would have to be in the ZHP. :)

[Go Horns!]

I kept the stock springs and went with Koni yellows. I set them to full soft for DD duties; they are firmer than stock, but I have no problem driving for a whole day with them.

[ELCID86]

I kept the stock springs and went with Koni yellows. I set them to full soft for DD duties; they are firmer than stock, but I have no problem driving for a whole day with them.

Good idea. I need to soften up my rear a bit this weekend. It's so firm.


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[Sockethead]

If your wondering how H&R sport springs look, here's my car with those springs and Bilsteins. I'll be switching back to my Koni yellows shortly... as you can see, it's pretty low but I can get by most of the time.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?2784-Post-your-daily-ZHP-BMW-MINI-pics!&p=462925#post462925

[Vas]

If your wondering how H&R sport springs look, here's my car with those springs and Bilsteins. I'll be switching back to my Koni yellows shortly... as you can see, it's pretty low but I can get by most of the time.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?2784-Post-your-daily-ZHP-BMW-MINI-pics!&p=462925#post462925
Looks soo good

[Sockethead]

Thanks! I like they way it sits but the ride is way too harsh for DD on Jersey roads. I spend most of my time scanning the road rather than enjoying the ride. I'm starting by switching back to my Konis and going from there...

[NickZHP]

Wow Sockethead that looks awesome. I would definitely love for my car to be at that height but I'm not even sure if that could get up my driveway! I have those same CF Splitters, did you have any problems going over speed bumps or anything? You and many others mentioned how Konis are softer than Bilsteins but since you've had both how do you think they compare when taking a sharp turn around a corner? The roads are, for the most part, pretty nice in NC and based off my searches it seems Bilsteins are more reliable so I may consider those over Konis.

How do the eibach springs, or any others, compare to H&R? How is the ride height compared between the two?

Also I am probably not getting coilovers but I'm still curious as to how they compare to regular shocks and struts. The cheap coilover brands i.e. BC, Megan, ST must be more expensive solely for their adjustability correct? The dampening mechanism in the Koni and Bilsteins are probably much better than those?

[BMWCurves]

Good idea. I need to soften up my rear a bit this weekend. It's so firm.


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

How far turned do you have it from soft? I have it 3/4 turn from soft on all four corners and it's about the right tradeoff between firmness and comfort for me.

[Sockethead]

My drive way entrance has a pretty good rise in it My wife and I both have to use extreme angles to get in the drive way. She has KW v2 coilovers on her 135 and splitters too. The price you pay for having a low car.
Day to day driving isn't a problem for the most part...

The Bilsteins are great shocks if your roads aren't too bad. I can't remember if I had the springs when I had the Konis on the car, it's been a few years and the roads have gotten much worse since then. I like the fact that the Konis are adjustable... All the way down they are kinda like the OEM shocks and you have 1.5 turns of adjustment...
I also really like the KWs on my wife's car. Great handling when you push it but more compliant than the Bilsteins when cruising around town but I'm not into coilovers for my car. The KW v2s have compression and rebound dampening adjustment.

[NoVAphotog]

My drive way entrance has a pretty good rise in it My wife and I both have to use extreme angles to get in the drive way. She has KW v2 coilovers on her 135 and splitters too. The price you pay for having a low car.
Day to day driving isn't a problem for the most part...

The Bilsteins are great shocks if your roads aren't too bad. I can't remember if I had the springs when I had the Konis on the car, it's been a few years and the roads have gotten much worse since then. I like the fact that the Konis are adjustable... All the way down they are kinda like the OEM shocks and you have 1.5 turns of adjustment...
I also really like the KWs on my wife's car. Great handling when you push it but more compliant than the Bilsteins when cruising around town but I'm not into coilovers for my car. The KW v2s have compression and rebound dampening adjustment.

Understatement alert right here...I am all stock and still had to use extreme angles. Don't know how you guys do it!!

[johnrando]

I have the H&R Touring Cup Kit which I like. As I have a vert so it really sits low. Great Kit. May switch to coilovers at some point for adjustability.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[jonnyd330]

So I have been looking for a set of coilovers too. I am kinda kicking myself because ECS was having a sale on all the bilstein products during the hoildays but I wasn't ready to buy something.

I am curious is it worth the extra coin to get the PSS10's for adjustability? Do those of you with them adjust them? What setting do you use? I was also planning on getting camber plates, has anyone installed those with their coilovers?

[slater]

So I have been looking for a set of coilovers too. I am kinda kicking myself because ECS was having a sale on all the bilstein products during the hoildays but I wasn't ready to buy something.

I am curious is it worth the extra coin to get the PSS10's for adjustability? Do those of you with them adjust them? What setting do you use? I was also planning on getting camber plates, has anyone installed those with their coilovers?

what are the prices like now?

i bought my PSS from europe, and they were about HALF of what the PSS10's cost. and, after using them for 2 months now - i have to say, they are very well-judged for damping. i am very happy with them.

[johnrando]

what are the prices like now?

i bought my PSS from europe, and they were about HALF of what the PSS10's cost. and, after using them for 2 months now - i have to say, they are very well-judged for damping. i am very happy with them.

So even with shipping it was cheaper? Where/how did you buy them?

[slater]

So even with shipping it was cheaper? Where/how did you buy them?

yeah - the CAD/EUR exchange rate was really good last may. i bought them from an english-speaking bilstein dealer in germany. i think the total, to my door - including duty and brokerage fees - was $950CAD. so cheap! conversely, the PSS10's were almost $2000CAD from the same place.

i just looked up the company's website - it was www.autoteilebox.de - the site appears to not be there any longer - strange. they were extremely pleasant and easy to deal with. hmmm.

[jonnyd330]

ECS sells PSS and PSS-10 right now for $1007 USD and $1700 respectively.

[ef_michael]

Sorry to thread jack! But Im trying to decide between PSS10 and BC racing br for my zhp. Not looking to track, just a decent drop as well as decent ride quality. Im going to be driving the car through the winter with the coils as well. I know the BC racing coils are roughly 600 CAD cheaper than the pss10. Worth the extra?