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Thread: Coilovers - Bilstein PSS9 vs. GC Street/School

  1. #101
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    Quote Originally Posted by malter View Post
    Understood, but the whole idea of coilovers is one stop shop. It is a hassle to be buying springs separately and what am I paying so much then for C/o if springs are not good. So now I have PSS9 coilovers and some other springs. Seems like butchering the product. Then I might as well source out all my components individually and go something like GC or TCK. I want to buy coilovers and be done with it. In this case, would you say KW V3 springs are better than bilstein pss9?

    Thanks!
    You could shop at Vorshlag. They could set up everything for you. Spring conversion and camber plates. All probably presssembled. They’re just springs, not a big deal. There are a few people running that setup, even at national competition levels.

    KW V3 should be descent product. But I’d go PSS9 over them. KW club sport seems nice, but not sure you want that hardcore.

    You don’t have to change the PSS9 springs. Just saying it’s a possibility and the dampers can handle a certain range. The PSS9 and KW V3 are very comparable. Get whichever you find cheaper. Neither comes with camber plates. Bilstein can be revalved and rebuilt easier and could maybe be more reliable.

    For some reason KW aren’t as popular it seems with the E36 crowd here in the US.
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  2. #102
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    Thanks for the insights. Clubsport is honestly too hard core and out of budget. I definitely want camber plates. Thinking of perhaps then going with PSS9 and see how well it rides on street/track before looking into linear springs. I had early version of TEIN c/o 10 years ago on my e36 m3 and they were god awful! Rode way too stiff and had a broken spring. I think at this point I would pleased with PSS9 over that product. Decision fatigue is kicking in....same reason why i hate cheesecake factory menu. Too many choices paralyzed the decision process.
    Last edited by malter; 09-12-2018 at 03:00 PM.
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    '03 M5 Carbon sold
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    '97 M3, white, sold
    '02 M5 Sterling gray, sold
    '03 530xi wagon, sold
    '91 M5 black, sold
    '99 M3 cosmos, sold
    '11 335i, gray, sold
    '09 M3 silverstone, sold
    '02 330i, sold
    '02 M3, steel gray, sold
    '02 325xi, BSM, sold
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  3. #103
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    joenationwide is offline Makes Cars Dance BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by propcar View Post
    You could shop at Vorshlag. They could set up everything for you. Spring conversion and camber plates. All probably presssembled. They’re just springs, not a big deal. There are a few people running that setup, even at national competition levels.

    KW V3 should be descent product. But I’d go PSS9 over them. KW club sport seems nice, but not sure you want that hardcore.

    You don’t have to change the PSS9 springs. Just saying it’s a possibility and the dampers can handle a certain range. The PSS9 and KW V3 are very comparable. Get whichever you find cheaper. Neither comes with camber plates. Bilstein can be revalved and rebuilt easier and could maybe be more reliable.

    For some reason KW aren’t as popular it seems with the E36 crowd here in the US.
    +1 I like the Bilstein PSS9 dampers, best dampers for the money.
    I also swapped out the PSS9 springs are ran some Eibach ERS linear rate springs. Brand isn't that important.
    For the street and autox I like 550/550, track I like something more like 550/650 or 550/700.
    This setup is a very competent setup. Only thing better is really an MCS, JRZ, Ohlins, etc.

  4. #104
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    Quote Originally Posted by malter View Post
    Thanks for the insights. Clubsport is honestly too hard core and out of budget. I definitely want camber plates. Thinking of perhaps then going with PSS9 and see how well it rides on street/track before looking into linear springs. I had early version of TEIN c/o 10 years ago on my e36 m3 and they were god awful! Rode way too stiff and had a broken spring. I think at this point I would pleased with PSS9 over that product. Decision fatigue is kicking in....same reason why i hate cheesecake factory menu. Too many choices paralyzed the decision process.
    Quote Originally Posted by joenationwide View Post
    +1 I like the Bilstein PSS9 dampers, best dampers for the money.
    I also swapped out the PSS9 springs are ran some Eibach ERS linear rate springs. Brand isn't that important.
    For the street and autox I like 550/550, track I like something more like 550/650 or 550/700.
    This setup is a very competent setup. Only thing better is really an MCS, JRZ, Ohlins, etc.
    I'd listen to Joe he knows quite a bit about suspension for these cars... Get PSS9 + Vorshlag camber plates and I think you'll be happy. The only other reason that front spring swap is nice is that the PSS9 springs are a bit big and may require you to run a spacer more so than the smaller linear race springs. This will be way better than Tein (I had the Tein basics. They were kinda garbage)

    I bet Bimmerworld could also set you up with a full package etc.
    TRM Coilovers 670F/895R | BBS LM | Corsa RSC36

  5. #105
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    Quote Originally Posted by joenationwide View Post
    +1 I like the Bilstein PSS9 dampers, best dampers for the money.
    I also swapped out the PSS9 springs are ran some Eibach ERS linear rate springs. Brand isn't that important.
    For the street and autox I like 550/550, track I like something more like 550/650 or 550/700.
    This setup is a very competent setup. Only thing better is really an MCS, JRZ, Ohlins, etc.
    So you ran ERS linear springs for both front and rear on street or track setup? or both?

    I think with PSS9 $1750 and camber plates $530 + ERS $200, im looking ~$2600 after taxes and shipping. KW clubsports are $200 away from that price! Do you think this is worth it over KW clubsport? MCS single is $2650...

    so many damn choices

    Thanks
    Last edited by malter; 09-12-2018 at 05:14 PM.
    '95 M3 cosmos, sold
    '96 M3 boston gree, sold
    '00 M5 jet black, sold
    '01 M3 Ti Silver, sold
    '07 335i jet black, sold
    '00 M5 Silver, sold
    '03 M5 Carbon sold
    '02 M5 Carbon black, sold
    '97 M3, white, sold
    '02 M5 Sterling gray, sold
    '03 530xi wagon, sold
    '91 M5 black, sold
    '99 M3 cosmos, sold
    '11 335i, gray, sold
    '09 M3 silverstone, sold
    '02 330i, sold
    '02 M3, steel gray, sold
    '02 325xi, BSM, sold
    '09 335, Montego, sold
    '97 M3, dakar II, current
    '97 M3 estoril



  6. #106
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    Quote Originally Posted by malter View Post
    So you ran ERS linear springs for both front and rear on street or track setup? or both?

    I think with PSS9 $1750 and camber plates $530 + ERS $200, im looking ~$2600 after taxes and shipping. KW clubsports are $200 away from that price! Do you think this is worth it over KW clubsport? MCS single is $2650...

    so many damn choices

    Thanks
    Yeah at that price MCS is damn close.

    Although I don’t love Koni. Tckline single adj kit may be a good choice. Camber plates and nice springs and choice of rates . Under 2k. Good support if you need it. Pretty proven
    Last edited by propcar; 09-12-2018 at 11:36 PM.
    TRM Coilovers 670F/895R | BBS LM | Corsa RSC36

  7. #107
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    The Ground Control SA Koni all-inclusive kits are also just under $2K if I recall. Includes camber plates, RSM's, everything. Pretty good bang for the buck IMO.
    1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy


  8. #108
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    I realize I'm probably in the minority but I've had Koni shocks on several cars now, both the single adjustable sports and custom valved units from ground control, and I have not been impressed with any of them. I think the monotube design from Bilstein is much better. I will say though that the customer service from ground control is excellent, and if you want to stay below 2k I agree with Tostito that they'd be an acceptable option.

  9. #109
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    TC S/A is $2400...
    GC cheapest $1989...bare bones


    prices have gone up it seems. thats without any options of customization....it quickly balloons to $3k.
    Last edited by malter; 09-13-2018 at 12:21 PM.
    '95 M3 cosmos, sold
    '96 M3 boston gree, sold
    '00 M5 jet black, sold
    '01 M3 Ti Silver, sold
    '07 335i jet black, sold
    '00 M5 Silver, sold
    '03 M5 Carbon sold
    '02 M5 Carbon black, sold
    '97 M3, white, sold
    '02 M5 Sterling gray, sold
    '03 530xi wagon, sold
    '91 M5 black, sold
    '99 M3 cosmos, sold
    '11 335i, gray, sold
    '09 M3 silverstone, sold
    '02 330i, sold
    '02 M3, steel gray, sold
    '02 325xi, BSM, sold
    '09 335, Montego, sold
    '97 M3, dakar II, current
    '97 M3 estoril



  10. #110
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    At that price there's no way I'd buy anything with Konis

  11. #111
    joenationwide's Avatar
    joenationwide is offline Makes Cars Dance BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by malter View Post
    So you ran ERS linear springs for both front and rear on street or track setup? or both?

    I think with PSS9 $1750 and camber plates $530 + ERS $200, im looking ~$2600 after taxes and shipping. KW clubsports are $200 away from that price! Do you think this is worth it over KW clubsport? MCS single is $2650...

    so many damn choices

    Thanks
    PSS9s at $1750 and MCS 1 way at $2650.
    Both still need the camber plates $530 + ERS $200.
    So its $2600 total vs. $3380.

    It is expensive if you haven't already collected ERS springs and camber plates like I have.
    But the PSS9 setup with linear springs are great, and Bilsteins last forever.
    I had an E46 M3 with 90k mile PSS9s and no leaks or issues!

    Konis aren't bad, but they have very little compression damping and rely on lots of rebound damping.
    Not to mention they are a twin tube emulsion damper. They are a good sport shock but not great for real track work.

  12. #112
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    Thanks again! Great to get feedback from e36 old timers. I've been out of e36 for long time that I forgot a lot of knowledge.
    '95 M3 cosmos, sold
    '96 M3 boston gree, sold
    '00 M5 jet black, sold
    '01 M3 Ti Silver, sold
    '07 335i jet black, sold
    '00 M5 Silver, sold
    '03 M5 Carbon sold
    '02 M5 Carbon black, sold
    '97 M3, white, sold
    '02 M5 Sterling gray, sold
    '03 530xi wagon, sold
    '91 M5 black, sold
    '99 M3 cosmos, sold
    '11 335i, gray, sold
    '09 M3 silverstone, sold
    '02 330i, sold
    '02 M3, steel gray, sold
    '02 325xi, BSM, sold
    '09 335, Montego, sold
    '97 M3, dakar II, current
    '97 M3 estoril



  13. #113
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    If you switch to linear front springs, the camber plates are only $439. Compared to the camber plates for OEM diameter springs at $529.
    It almost pays for the springs to make the switch. And you should slightly bump up the spring to better match the compression valving of the PSS9. Standard E36 M3 PSS9 springs are around 200#.
    Last edited by modernbeat; 09-13-2018 at 05:40 PM.
    Jason McDaniel at Vorshlag

  14. #114
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    Quote Originally Posted by malter View Post
    Thanks again! Great to get feedback from e36 old timers. I've been out of e36 for long time that I forgot a lot of knowledge.
    Here you go! Vorshlag responding directly... give em a call sounds like you'll have a good setup. Let us know once you get it on.

    Quote Originally Posted by modernbeat View Post
    If you switch to linear front springs, the camber plates are only $439. Compared to the camber plates for OEM diameter springs at $529.
    It almost pays for the springs to make the switch. And you should slightly bump up the spring to better match the compression valving of the PSS9. Standard E36 M3 PSS9 springs are around 200#.
    TRM Coilovers 670F/895R | BBS LM | Corsa RSC36

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