Springs vs Coilovers

[mike519]

I am looking to possibly purchase one of the above in the next few months. If I wind up deciding on coilovers, they may wind up waiting till next spring for budget sake only.

The main goal here is appearance (60%?) and ride quality/handling (40%). The debate is on whether springs alone are enough or if I need to go with coilovers. I would like to go springs only to save the funds but if I need to go coilovers, so be it.

Bottom line, aside from damper adjustability, what is the big difference between either option? If I do not plan on any serious tracking, do I need coilovers?

Thanks

[ZStig]

U will be ok with just H&R springs for a while, until your oem shocks take a crap

For street and looks, the biggest benefit of coilovers is the ability to go lower overall,corner balance, and also set the exact stance you want.

Most springs lower the front less than the rear and it looks funny

[mike519]

Originally Posted by ZStig

U will be ok with just H&R springs for a while, until your oem shocks take a crap

For street and looks, the biggest benefit of coilovers is the ability to go lower overall,corner balance, and also set the exact stance you want.

Most springs lower the front less than the rear and it looks funny

Is this a factor with the H&R springs or do they not lower the back more?

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by mike519

Is this a factor with the H&R springs or do they not lower the back more?

You're right; H&R's its the back that drops. To level it you can purchase e46 15mm rear spring pads

Rear Spring Pads (pair) - 15MM Part #: (33-53-1-094-754)

If I had to do it again I would have gone for the Coilovers out of the gate.

[mike519]

Originally Posted by Caddyshk

You're right; H&R's its the back that drops. To level it you can purchase e46 15mm rear spring pads

Rear Spring Pads (pair) - 15MM Part #: (33-53-1-094-754)

If I had to do it again I would have gone for the Coilovers out of the gate.

OK, good advice, thank you. Maybe I will just hold out till later in the year or next for the coil overs.

[dubsesd]

zstig and caddyshack pretty much hit the nail on the head. save and go for coilovers right away.

[Mirko]

Originally Posted by dubsesd

zstig and caddyshack pretty much hit the nail on the head. save and go for coilovers right away.

^ WHS

You will end up there eventually Mike. Save the middle step

[mike519]

OK then guys, what's the recommendation considering best bang for the buck and the fact that I won't be doing any hardcore tracking?

KW?

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by Mirko

^ WHS

You will end up there eventually Mike. Save the middle step

Yep. I think sometimes we try to be cost-conscious and end up paying more. Save up a bit if needed and do it right the first time.

[johanness]

Originally Posted by dubsesd

zstig and caddyshack pretty much hit the nail on the head. save and go for coilovers right away.

I'm the opposite. I say ride your shocks till they die, and THEN get coilovers. That's my program anyways...

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by mike519

OK then guys, what's the recommendation considering best bang for the buck and the fact that I won't be doing any hardcore tracking?

KW?

H&R

[Beedub]

if your not tracking regularly imo coilovers not needed in your application, the stock shocks, lowering springs, camber shims, and a proper geo will offer you a very nice setup for very little, i ran this combo for ages ( sans springs) and Was very pleased with the performance of the car!!

My new KW CS have added a whole new dimension to the car.. not to mention the harshness as well..... phenomenal on smoother back roads and tracks!!

[dubsesd]

Originally Posted by Beedub

if your not tracking regularly imo coilovers not needed in your application, the stock shocks, lowering springs, camber shims, and a proper geo will offer you a very nice setup for very little, i ran this combo for ages ( sans springs) and Was very pleased with the performance of the car!!

My new KW CS have added a whole new dimension to the car.. not to mention the harshness as well..... phenomenal on smoother back roads and tracks!!

if 60% of his goal is appearance, springs will leave him dissapointed. the whole point of getting coilovers in this case, is to fine tune your ride height exactly where you want it. i have H&R coils and love them. no squeaks or thumps, firm and comanding ride yet still very comfortable around town and on city streets

[ZeD4Mr]

Many said OE is harsh and abrupt in transition. Is H&R ride better than OE? Most said KW V3 rides better than OE and has better damping and rebound. How about TC S/A or D/A? Beedub, does KW CS rides better than OE on daily roads?

Basically, which coilover rides better (softer and more comfortable) than OE around town and has better performance on occasional track?

[dubsesd]

I can say my h&r coilovers are a smoother riding setup over stock. Firmer, but smoother

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by ZeD4Mr

Many said OE is harsh and abrupt in transition. Is H&R ride better than OE? Most said KW V3 rides better than OE and has better damping and rebound. How about TC S/A or D/A? Beedub, does KW CS rides better than OE on daily roads?

Basically, which coilover rides better (softer and more comfortable) than OE around town and has better performance on occasional track?

Kw cs is a track setup... It does not drive smoother than stock , no where near it.... The v3 will however is a street setup and offers progressive springs, the track stuff like tck, club sports, ground control, are all going to be the same I guess. it all depends what your after from your car i guess :-)

[mickfo]

Originally Posted by ZeD4Mr

Many said OE is harsh and abrupt in transition. Is H&R ride better than OE? Most said KW V3 rides better than OE and has better damping and rebound. How about TC S/A or D/A? Beedub, does KW CS rides better than OE on daily roads?

Basically, which coilover rides better (softer and more comfortable) than OE around town and has better performance on occasional track?

I have driven my bro's E46 M3 before and after his TCK's were installed and I immediately ordered a set for my Z4 M Coupe. Exactly what you said as far as being more comfortable on the street yet immensely improved handling in the corners. His was a D/A Front S/A Rear but I decided to go full S/A due to the noises that occurr during normal driving with the D/A's ( T.C. Kline himself admitted that to me on the phone). The handling should be very similar, just I will lose some adjustability when on the track. Considering I haven't tracked it yet, I'm sure I won't need the adjustability when I am learning for the first few years.

My $0.02.

[antennahead]

Any reason you're not considering Eibach Pro-Kit springs for your Z? I have them on my M Roadster and I'm very happy with the drop and ride (DD/non-track car). They have a larger drop in front so the stance came out nice (Front: 0.8" / Rear: 0.4"), and they are a progressive rate spring. Running them with the OEM shocks for now, will go to Bilsteins later this year (OEMs had no mileage on them when I upgraded the springs, so I didn't scrap them at that time). I concur with everyone here, if you are going to the track by all means go coilover. For a DD could be considered a little overkill/expensive, then again, we all have different needs

John

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by mickfo

I have driven my bro's E46 M3 before and after his TCK's were installed and I immediately ordered a set for my Z4 M Coupe. Exactly what you said as far as being more comfortable on the street yet immensely improved handling in the corners. His was a D/A Front S/A Rear but I decided to go full S/A due to the noises that occurr during normal driving with the D/A's ( T.C. Kline himself admitted that to me on the phone). The handling should be very similar, just I will lose some adjustability when on the track. Considering I haven't tracked it yet, I'm sure I won't need the adjustability when I am learning for the first few years.

My $0.02.

They make SA fronts now? I thought for some reason they didn't have a full SA Kit for our cars.

Shoot me a PM with more info please

[ZeD4Mr]

Dubsesd - Firmer? I guess I'll rule out the H&R

Are all linear spring going to ride firmer/harsher than progressive? I was leaning towards KW V3 but the front perch is too big and will limit wheel choices from my research. KW CS is too firm from what Beedub indicated, so KW is out.

TCK S/A are progressive or linear spring? What is the tallest setting on these? I want minimum drop possible as my car is already low enough with a lip. I'll scrap my parking structure 4 times (4th Floor) if I'm not careful enough.

AST4100? Anyone has experience on an M? Softer riding with minimum drop?

I'm not considering springs as I know I'll eventually get coilover anyways and if I ever want to sell, I don't want my OE shocks shot and hunt for them again. I keep all my OE part and will de-mod when the time comes.

[Kgolf31]

Linear springs will give you a more predictable ride. It's not like you're at 150 lb/in then suddenly hitting 400 lb/in


It all depends on what spring rate you chose, the beauty of the ride is in the damping, not the springs.

TCK is linear. AST also makes good suspension. Last time I recalled though they didn't have kits for our cars?

[johanness]

Originally Posted by ZStig

Most springs lower the front less than the rear and it looks funny

Originally Posted by dubsesd

if 60% of his goal is appearance, springs will leave him dissapointed

Hilarious and no disappointment:



(These are H&R Mike)