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Thread: Comfy Coilovers? Does the unicorn exist?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330I ZSP

    Comfy Coilovers? Does the unicorn exist?

    Forgive my rhyming tag line but I've been doing a lot of research and asking questions here and there and haven't gotten any difinitive answers.


    *Is there a comfortable coilover kit that is adjustable? *

    My shocks are getting to be shot.
    My springs, at least the front, are uneven so they're shot.

    So I figure coilovers solve all my problems. I'm in the market for say $1000 for shocks and springs.

    Now, I live in Chicago where roads sucks but I like to autocross and go out the country to curvy road and drive balls out. So I figured coilovers with damping adjustment might be best.

    I don't want to give up my comfy ride. I'm not dead set on adjustable. I really just want OEM+ but adjustable knobs sounds like a lot of fun.

    BR Racing coilovers seemed good with in the dly damping until I realized their spring rates were 500-600#. I doubt I'll ever get comfortable with that (also 1 year warranty? Really)

    Bilstein PSS seems good but all reviews say they're SUPER soft and are basically like stock

    Vogtland coilovers don't have progressive springs which I feel would be not good for rough road and really seems like a track only thing in the modern world

    Most kit have descriptions like "a budget way to get low.". I have no interest in getting low. I want to replace my suspension bits for whatever makes it more fun.

    I feel like pairing non matched springs and dampers is a bad idea though that seems my only other option than buying new OEM springs (which seems like a super lame thing to do honestly).

    What do you guys run?

    Any and all opinions will be appreciated and taken seriously by me.

    I will try to maintain an open mind except I do kind of believe that softerish springs have more grip even on mildly bumpy roads.

    Thanks in advance for the feedback. I apologize for the long length

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Charleston, SC
    Posts
    660
    My Cars
    2000 M5, 2018 Macan Turb
    If your car is sitting crooked a coil has probably broken. It is Chicago after all. Given the weather extremes and the roads the last thing I would do is coilovers.

    I have extensive experience with PSS9’s, soft doesn’t come to mind. For a Bilstein they are relatively softer at full soft, they can also be quite hard at more aggressive settings. Even at full soft they’re going to be lower and ride harder than stock. Harsh winters just aren’t coilover friendly.

    I would find another set of factory springs and perhaps do a mild damper upgrade, or just do stock Sachs again. It will still have a major improvement.




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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    NW suburban Chicago
    Posts
    16,302
    My Cars
    hiss by my window
    Comfort is all about suspension travel. Lessen the travel, lessen your comfort.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    ATL
    Posts
    164
    My Cars
    '91 325i
    ST and KW ride really well and are very smooth. You can also put softer springs on any brand, however you will risk coil bind since the spring is shorter and each coil is directly above the next (unlike a beehive style spring).
    Harrison Motorsports
    Motion Control Suspension
    Daytona M3

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS
    Since ride-height adjustability is NOT your primary goal or requirement,
    a simple shock/spring combo would be best due to Chicago winters/salt corrosion.
    Possibilities,
    1.non-adjustable = ZHP suspension refresh kit - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-zhp-suspension-refresh-kite4633500429577kt
    rear kit - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...plex-06164kit1
    + front springs - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...l-spring-06163

    2. adjustable = KONI sport dampers paired with EIBACH pro-kit springs - https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...rmance+Package

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Detroit
    Posts
    447
    My Cars
    E36 Compact,Coupe,E30
    Quote Originally Posted by MIKYZZ4 View Post
    Since ride-height adjustability is NOT your primary goal or requirement,
    a simple shock/spring combo would be best due to Chicago winters/salt corrosion.
    Possibilities,
    1.non-adjustable = ZHP suspension refresh kit - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-zhp-suspension-refresh-kite4633500429577kt
    rear kit - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...plex-06164kit1
    + front springs - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...l-spring-06163

    2. adjustable = KONI sport dampers paired with EIBACH pro-kit springs - https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...rmance+Package
    Agree with MikyZZ4. I'm in Detroit and even though I only drive summer, I went with slight lowering springs and Konis. Simple setup that offered a slight drop with relative comfort.
    S52 E36 Compact
    E36 325is Coronaproject
    08 Saab 9-3 in Oxford Green

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Peoria, AZ
    Posts
    7,696
    My Cars
    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp
    My ZHP is on H&R Sport springs and Koni Yellow struts and I will tell you that while it's a blast to drive hard, as a daily driver in New England with bad roads I am strongly considering adjusting Koni that are on mid level to slightly softer setting. H&R has nailed ride height though and overall, I am still pleased with this setup.
    Last edited by Mless5; 02-12-2019 at 01:06 PM.

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