Input on MCS and JRZ Suspension

[lafuerza]

Anyone have experience with JRZ or MCS suspension on Z4M Coupe for track and canyon runs. Car is not a daily and expected to perform but not rattle interior apart.

Currently has KW3 with Vorshlag plates and adjustable arms and endlinks. Very comfortable until you hit a big bump and then it crashes and way to soft for track and not not confidence inspiring with progressive springs when driving harder.

Thoughts on spring rates. Car has front and rear sways, AKG bushings, 4.10 diff, and 265/35/18 square setup with Brembo BBK front and back as well as Aero lip and wing.

[ANILE8]

No and no, but both brands would be excellent and have equivalent models.

Which model are you looking at specifically and what is your price range?

I've never understood why so many on here buy KW V3's seemingly by default, they have never struck me as anything special.

I'm currently running F400/R500 on the street and they feel fine.

Spring rates are usually somewhere around these:

Stage 1
F: 450 lbs/in
R: 550 lbs/in

Stage 2
F: 650 lbs/in
R: 750 lbs/in

Stage 3
F: 800 lbs/in
R: 900 lbs/in

[kk2]

If you can be flexible on timing, I have like new jrz rs 2 way with GC camber plates I’m going to be pulling off at some point. Shoot me a pm if interested.

[spxxx]

I just picked up a Z4M with JRZ RS Pro 2 Way Coilovers and they're great so far in the canyons but I've run MCS 1WNR on my F80 and JRZ RS2 as well on dual duty + full track builds.

IMO, 2 Way Coilovers are totally unnecessary on a dual duty car - I'd 100% go with MCS 1WNR, I actually plan to swap the JRZ RS Pro for some MCS 1W's.

I'm not super familiar with spring rates for this chassis but from my experience on E82, E92 & F80... I'd suggest going MCS 1 way as they seem to require fewer rebuilds and are incredible on track & street

[lafuerza]

Doing a lot of research and as a weekend car that only sees canyon runs and track days will be going all in with MCS 2 Way with Res. I knew I would upgrade the one way sooner than later.

Shop is recommending

700F with helpers
800R with helpers

The reservoir allows more range of stiffness and softness in the system. Most of the folks I talked to said either go Single Adj or at least Double with Res.

Any more insight or thoughts.

[sikedsyko]

I have 650lb springs on my ISC Coilovers on my track car and there's no way I would want springs that stiff for the street.

[F360C]

Originally Posted by lafuerza

Doing a lot of research and as a weekend car that only sees canyon runs and track days will be going all in with MCS 2 Way with Res. I knew I would upgrade the one way sooner than later.

Shop is recommending

700F with helpers
800R with helpers

The reservoir allows more range of stiffness and softness in the system. Most of the folks I talked to said either go Single Adj or at least Double with Res.

Any more insight or thoughts.

Late to the party here but I thought I would share my experiences.

So I have run H&R springs, GC coilvoers with many different spring rates and now running MCS 2 way remotes.

You cant go wrong with MCS! It amazes me that the MCS has such great ride quality even with high rates. 700F/850R on my GC's was crazy stiff but that same rates on the MCS is not bad at all. The ride quality was so good I upped my rates at one point 750/900 and it was still better then my GC's on 525/650 rates. Following my brother with the same car on the same rates with GC coils you can see how much better controlled the MCS suspension is. Its mind blowing! I linked a video below of me at Pocono and you can see how on the second half of the track (fast forward to 7:26) I was able to use the curbs to my advantage... I was NEVER able to hit curbs like that with my GC suspension.

For lower spring rates MCS and JRZ are comparable but it when the rates get higher the MCS has better control.

If you can swing the extra expense I totally think the remotes are worth it. For 95% of driving it wont make a difference but when you have those big hits (coming off curbs, huge compressions, catching a a bit of air in the car etc or crappy roads) it makes a large difference in control where you can have the confidence to slam the throttle to the ground.

What length springs are you planning on running? If you go with a 6 inch front spring I dont think you need the helpers. I run a 5' front spring at the with no helpers at the recommendation of my good friends at Bimmerworld and dont have an issue. Started with a 6" spring but went to 5" to fit 275's up front. In the rear I also run a 5 inch spring with no helpers and even at full drop on the MCS rear suspension the spring still has contact top and bottom.

[lafuerza]

F360C that is awesome. I have had various suspensions and you cant really compare ride on spring rate alone. I believe the shop is recommended 5" 2.25 springs with helpers. I am doing 2 Way with Res.

My buddy has a built cayman with JRZ and high rates and its firm but very controlled. Not jarring especially on canyon runs.

I heard MCS at its highest setting is lower than KW3 at its highest setting. How low are you on MCS. My car is very low now with KW3 at max height. I want to raise it a bit.

[F360C]

Not super low... in the below pic the blue car is on GC and my car is on MCS. I am about as low as I can go but mostly due to the 275 tire limiting me. It is the Bimmerworld recommended 1 finger fender gap

Untitled by Adam McGregor, on Flickr

[lafuerza]

F360C

Think you can run your setup at stock height? In the photo are you on the highest setting for MCS or can you raise the car more if you wanted to?

I run 265/35/18 Square. Bit of rubbing in the front with around 3 camber. Rear is fine. I also scrape everywhere since I have a long alum splitter running all the way back to transmission. Its about 6 inches passed the bumper and I have a 1M front vs the stock.

We emailed MCS and waiting on response but would be nice to know from another owner too.

[lelandr]

I have a set of JRZ RS 2 that I bought used from a list member. They seem like decent quality coilovers and are reasonably light weight. The front struts do not have the brackets for the brake lines or ABS sensors which is annoying. I was able to get something worked up, but this seems either like an oversight or cost-cutting.

I got the set with several springs and selected 550f / 650r which were the stiffest. For track use, this isn't sufficient. Although the car is fast and controllable, more spring would be ideal.

I dropped the car to its lowest setting while still being able to corner balance it.

I met TC Kline at a recent track event and he is very forthcoming and helpful. He recommended 700f / 800r for track use. Specifically for the rear springs, he recommended barreled springs to prevent binding. Others have told me that they don't agree with this, but he is pretty well respected and has created some fast cars over the years.

[kav]

I'm also considering a new setup for my rig.

What do these systems generally run new?

I'm a weekend spirited driver with very occasional track days. Suspension has been come too harsh recently, currently stock.

[lafuerza]

MCS/JRZ/Moton are expensive. Koni/TCKline much more reasonable.

[lelandr]

Also consider that JRZ recommends an impossibly short rebuild cycle. If these dampers are so flimsy that they need to be rebuilt every 10 events or so, then I wouldn't buy new ones.

[ANILE8]

It depends on what your expectations are but you'll get exactly what you pay for with cheap coilovers.

JRZ, Moton, Intrax, Penske and MCS are expensive for a good reason. Those who know the difference will pay the money.

If you are serious about performance, Koni or TCK are not even in the same class so yes, you would expect them to be at a much lower price point.

Consider for a minute, if you want to upgrade from KW3 don't waste your time and cash moving sideways. Buy once, cry once.

[kk2]

Originally Posted by kk2

If you can be flexible on timing, I have like new jrz rs 2 way with GC camber plates I’m going to be pulling off at some point. Shoot me a pm if interested.

I have these off and listed in the classifieds