lower, compliant suspension. possible?

[jocko 1.2]

lemme preface this by saying i searched. although there was an abundance of info (sensory overload), it did not get to the crux of my inquiry.

in my early, mid and late twenties, i found a set of bilstein sports and race springs suited me fine for daily driving. now in my early thirties, and w/a stock m3, i'm thinking something that will deliver similar looks but with a slightly more compliant, day to day liveable ride....damn, i'm getting old. i've gotten plain spoiled w/the 'comfort' the stock suspension provides.

since i don't plan on putting the car on a track and don't wish to improve the car's handling abilities, i'm having a hard time plunking down $1.5k on a coilover setup that may or may not get me the comfort i'm looking for. i understand our cars are not cadillacs and lowering cars usually means a firmer suspension, no need for a schooling there. i'm just looking for a happy medium and for some first hand accounts of folks and their setups.

w/that said, i'm thinking koni adjustables w/h&r sports.

thanks in advance for the insight.

[RRSperry]

That'll do...

I have the OE Sports, and they are fine. I think the biggest bang for the buck would be anti roll bars.

[jocko 1.2]

That'll do...

I have the OE Sports, and they are fine. I think the biggest bang for the buck would be anti roll bars.

cool, thanks for posting. i feel silly for saying this because i'm a 'form follows function' kinda dude but i'm really after the look of a lowered suspension w/as little of the byproduct of a ridiculously stiff ride.

[turbosporttsi]

Check out the TCKline Tru Match. There was a member on here not too long ago that got really soft spring rates and custom valving... 1650 I think it cost. The rates were like 350/400, which is not much over stock. He gave the ride a great review.

[Eric98Sedan]

Check out the TCKline Tru Match. There was a member on here not too long ago that got really soft spring rates and custom valving... 1650 I think it cost. The rates were like 350/400, which is not much over stock. He gave the ride a great review.

Hey, that's me!

Just to clarify, by "custom valved" I meant TCKs proprietary valving that comes standard with the Tru Match (SA) and Smart Design (DA) coilovers. OTS replacement Koni inserts/shocks are valved differently than the TCK coilovers. Not to say they're bad, but just different.

That said, yes, I'm running the TruMatch with 350F/400R springs which are just a 'tad' stiffer than stock. However, I've been running around the city streets/canyons of San Diego for a week now with this suspension and I am simply amazed at how well it works. SUPER grippy and SUPER compliant. I just can't say enough about it. I'm running the car about 1" lowered all around with the perfect rake. Car looks great and rides and handles even better.

In fact, this morning I took the GF down Highland Valley road (narrow, bumpy, tight curves, 3rd gear) and she was equally impressed with the car. She said "this suspension is WAY more comfortable than your old Billy Sports/stock springs!". She's right. Not that the Billys are bad (they're amazing too, actually) but they are firm and there's no denying it. Even when the suspension does bottom, say over a big dip at 90mph through a turn, the 'hit' is very progressive and, well, surprisingly soft. There were times when I totally expected a "BANG" but to my surprise, not a peep. Just a nice, firm tap and the car returns to normal ride height and I'm ready for the next bump and/or turn.

In conclusion, I can say that I'm a believer now. After trying various combos including a totally fresh OE suspension, it is my opinion (based on experience) that the ONLY way to get the stance you want, with good grip AND a compliant ride, you gotta cough up some dough and do the TCKs or similar. Otherwise you are just making compromises. Make no mistake: a totally fresh OE suspension is MORE than enough for any street and VERY comfy, HOWEVER, you don't get that cool 'lowered' look. If you want low with zero compromises, you have to spend some cash. If you're happy with the stock ride height, then my recommendation would be to stick with fresh OE parts.

For the record: I'm running a complete OE set of bushings/mounts and PS2s. My ONLY mods are the TruMatch COs and X-brace. No camber plates, no poly bushings. The car is amazing.

[jocko 1.2]

Hey, that's me!

Just to clarify, by "custom valved" I meant TCKs proprietary valving that comes standard with the Tru Match (SA) and Smart Design (DA) coilovers. OTS replacement Koni inserts/shocks are valved differently than the TCK coilovers. Not to say they're bad, but just different.

That said, yes, I'm running the TruMatch with 350F/400R springs which are just a 'tad' stiffer than stock. However, I've been running around the city streets/canyons of San Diego for a week now with this suspension and I am simply amazed at how well it works. SUPER grippy and SUPER compliant. I just can't say enough about it. I'm running the car about 1" lowered all around with the perfect rake. Car looks great and rides and handles even better.

In fact, this morning I took the GF down Highland Valley road (narrow, bumpy, tight curves, 3rd gear) and she was equally impressed with the car. She said "this suspension is WAY more comfortable than your old Billy Sports/stock springs!". She's right. Not that the Billys are bad (they're amazing too, actually) but they are firm and there's no denying it. Even when the suspension does bottom, say over a big dip at 90mph through a turn, the 'hit' is very progressive and, well, surprisingly soft. There were times when I totally expected a "BANG" but to my surprise, not a peep. Just a nice, firm tap and the car returns to normal ride height and I'm ready for the next bump and/or turn.

In conclusion, I can say that I'm a believer now. After trying various combos including a totally fresh OE suspension, it is my opinion (based on experience) that the ONLY way to get the stance you want, with good grip AND a compliant ride, you gotta cough up some dough and do the TCKs or similar. Otherwise you are just making compromises. Make no mistake: a totally fresh OE suspension is MORE than enough for any street and VERY comfy, HOWEVER, you don't get that cool 'lowered' look. If you want low with zero compromises, you have to spend some cash. If you're happy with the stock ride height, then my recommendation would be to stick with fresh OE parts.

For the record: I'm running a complete OE set of bushings/mounts and PS2s. My ONLY mods are the TruMatch COs and X-brace. No camber plates, no poly bushings. The car is amazing.


wow, thanks for the detailed response. would you happen to have pics of your car?

[Eric98Sedan]

Lowered about 1 inch all around:

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii144/ericfortin/DSCF0859.jpg

[gsxrpeter]

you can go billies and springs they arn't that much stiffer than stock.

[MARKSS]

I have Bilsteins and H&R Sports and I noticed a pretty significant difference in stiffness ove stock. I'm not saying that it is jarring, but very noticeably stiffer over bumps and road imperfections.

[gsxrpeter]

I have Bilsteins and H&R Sports and I noticed a pretty significant difference in stiffness ove stock. I'm not saying that it is jarring, but very noticeably stiffer over bumps and road imperfections.

You have a four door the two doors are way different. If you put stock two door stuff in you would notice a difference two.

[M13]

My AST coilovers have been more comfortable than my stock suspension ever was. I'm not good with elaborating so you'll have to do a search but it's all about the quality of the dampeners that allows me to ride so low and have such a smooth ride. Trust me, I spent a lot of time researching suspension, and finally narrowed it down to TCKline and AST/Vorshlag. I went with AST because I got a decent deal on them used.

Even with a relatively soft spring rate (350F / 400R), my car performs really well on the track and I have full confidence in it. I set it on full stiff at the track (depending on conditions) and I definitely feel a difference if I leave it there for street use. It's on full soft on the street.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy their product again. It's a little pricey, compared to the other options out there, but you truly get what you pay for (in a good way).

[turbosporttsi]

Hey, that's me!

Hah! yep... your review was outstanding... except for the fact that it made me want to ditch my Koni/GC setup, and my wallet simply cannot handle that. :stickoutt

[Eric98Sedan]

you can go billies and springs they arn't that much stiffer than stock.

Sorry bud, but you have NO IDEA what you're talking about.

[Eric98Sedan]

You have a four door the two doors are way different. If you put stock two door stuff in you would notice a difference two.

Sorry bud, but you have NO IDEA what you're talking about.

Do you really believe what you just typed???? There is ZERO difference between Coupe and Sedan hardware.

ZERO. ZILTCH. NADDA.

[XanDer]

Might get flammed for this.


If you're not too worried about the drop, I recommend picking up a set of Dinan springs in the classifieds section. They handle well enough for the street and have a very comfortable right with billies.