Pissed off about Bilstein Coilovers....

[Greg]

I installed the ride height Bilstein coils, and I've done the Xbrace, and sways, and I'm simply not content with the handling.
Apparently the Bilsteing coil link the sway bars differently then factory M3 settings. They actually link like a 325. So for months I'm wondering if I should get bushings or whatever to tighten up the front end, when the sway bar has been down graded to the control arm instead of the strut. Having linked to the strut really tightens things up let tell you.
So I placed a call to Bilstein to see if they've made an upgrade or if there is a revised part I can buy to make this work better. They said that they are still designing. They said the same last year. Those guys are dropping the ball, and missing out on a big market sector.
I waiting on their response to see what they advise.

Any advice from you guys?

Help.

:( :(

Greg

[UD///M]

By moving the sway bar link to the control arm you introduce some flex into the control arm. This was the whole reason for connecting to the strut body in the first place. Different bushings will not make a hill of beans worth of difference for that situation.

My advice is to sell them and get some H&R coilovers.

[fourfa]

it changes the lever arm on the sway bar, much more so than you could expect the arm to flex. Solid welded I-beam steel isn't exactly flexible.

You would need a thicker front swaybar with the arm-mount to equal a stock front swaybar with the strut-mount. Not sure the exact ratio.

[Bernman]

Greg, did you try full firm on the front sway bar and full soft on the rear? This should balance your oversteer a little.

I can imagine a part that could clamp on the shock and allow you to connect the sway bar link...hmm. I have an idea but I have to check it out first.

How "mechanical" are you? Do you know how to use a dial caliper? I may need some measurements if this works out. Do you have the original M3 sway bar links still?

Will try to get back to you this weekend.

Bernman

[Greg]

Guys,
Thank you so much for the info. The car oversteers a bit. You really notice the change in setup when going into a turn that has uneven pavement, the car feels less tight. Overall the loss is nominal. But the whole point to going aftermarket is to upgrade performance, and not downgrade.
I appreciate all the input

Greg

[Bernman]

Greg, it's soundlind like somthing is worn out. My car was very "darty" over uneven pavement, and just did not feel connected in general. I had vibration when lightly applying brakes at freeway speeds, and if I pulled into a driveway just right, would get some crunching sounds. I changed the control arms, control arm bushings, shocks/struts and strut bearings. The difference is amazing. No more vibration, and the car is locked down on the freeway and not skittery at all in bumpy corners.

If you are on the original parts, I would have your mechanic check out the front suspension. It could also be worn tie rods. My steering still is not perfect. I might do that next, even though the alignment guy said they were fine.

Good luck!
Bernman