Need help choosing coilovers

[Dude]

Hey guys. Im ready to switch over to coilovers but as hard as I look I cant seem to find a good guide for figuring out what I need.

Right now I have

Rear M3 bilstiens (according to PO, there yellow) and stock front shocks
Tokico springs all around.

I need about 1-2 inches more drop with the adjustability for depending on if ill be at the track where its smooth or normal driving. The fenders are rolled and I dont believe I will have any rubbing issues

Looking to spend less then 1000 possible.

Ive debated the coilover conversion kit but I need it to handle decently and I dont wanna have to end up blowing my shocks.

How she sits now:






Goal (height wise):

[Adrian_Visser]

Well not to burst your bubble but you have probably already blown your shocks running them with lowering springs.

If you want to go low you need at least bilstein sports. You can get a basic GC kit without shocks for 399.00 add to that a set of Bilstein sports for ~450 and you are still under $1000, but I would think about getting GC RSM's and GC camber plates as well.

[Dude]

There really was no bubble to burst, i hate my current setup. Good chance the fronts are already blown. I saw someone put some numbers together and an entire ground control setup is cheaper then going to all billstien sports, plus race springs, plus camber plates and all that.

[Dude]

bump.

What are the disadvatages to the cheaper ebay kits?

[Dude]

up

[Dude]

some one please

[Bimmerman325i]

bump.

What are the disadvatages to the cheaper ebay kits?

Many....

They don't work.

They break (look up DDM Coilovers on bimmerforums for an idea of the quality you get with a <$1000 coilover kit)

They don't work as a suspension package, as in the shocks have wildly different stiffness and firmness side to side. Net result is an unbalanced car.

Springs that the dampers were not designed around, and are highly likely to not be anything you want.

Do it once, do it right, and get GC full coils from the get-go. The $399 version is a good starting point, but you still need new shocks (and if you get Konis, you need to shorten your strut housings for more shock travel), and you should run camber plates to get the most out of the suspension and your tire life.

Don't be hasty, just save longer and buy the proper full kit. You'll be happier.

Also, call GC and ask them about their product and their recommendations...... they know their shit.

[Danny]

Okay do this: buy used bilstein sports for the front, then the 399 kit.

Considering you don't give a fuck about handling this will work fine for you.

[Dude]

Many....

They don't work.

They break (look up DDM Coilovers on bimmerforums for an idea of the quality you get with a <$1000 coilover kit)

They don't work as a suspension package, as in the shocks have wildly different stiffness and firmness side to side. Net result is an unbalanced car.

Springs that the dampers were not designed around, and are highly likely to not be anything you want.

Do it once, do it right, and get GC full coils from the get-go. The $399 version is a good starting point, but you still need new shocks (and if you get Konis, you need to shorten your strut housings for more shock travel), and you should run camber plates to get the most out of the suspension and your tire life.

Don't be hasty, just save longer and buy the proper full kit. You'll be happier.

Also, call GC and ask them about their product and their recommendations...... they know their shit.

Okay do this: buy used bilstein sports for the front, then the 399 kit.

Considering you don't give a fuck about handling this will work fine for you.

I do give a shit about handling.

Since I cant drop 1500 right now Im getting used billy sports all around and ie3 springs.

[Bimmerman325i]

I do give a shit about handling.

Since I cant drop 1500 right now Im getting used billy sports all around and ie3 springs.

or, put up with what you have for a month or two and drop $1500 on a brand new proper setup.

[JRKOUPE]

Many....

They don't work.

They break (look up DDM Coilovers on bimmerforums for an idea of the quality you get with a <$1000 coilover kit)

They don't work as a suspension package, as in the shocks have wildly different stiffness and firmness side to side. Net result is an unbalanced car.

Springs that the dampers were not designed around, and are highly likely to not be anything you want.

Do it once, do it right, and get GC full coils from the get-go. The $399 version is a good starting point, but you still need new shocks (and if you get Konis, you need to shorten your strut housings for more shock travel), and you should run camber plates to get the most out of the suspension and your tire life.

Don't be hasty, just save longer and buy the proper full kit. You'll be happier.

Also, call GC and ask them about their product and their recommendations...... they know their shit.

all good points...



but GC has frt konis that are shorter...you dont HAVE to cut housings...just drop in spacer and add koni....

[Stephen]

You have to shorten your housing for a short shock. The spacer is because a g60 still doesnt fit in a housing after 1" of shortening.


OP, i would recomend finding used billys for the front, cut the bumpstop, Either get the GC conversion kit, or find some generic adjusters of ebay or wherever and get used eibach 2.5 coilover springs.


If you do your homework on rates, itll still handle alright. But, lets be realistic for a moment... You have to give up some handling at a dumped ride height. Rates arent the issue, the susp geo starts to change past a certain point. There are some things you can do, but, i would just live with it. At my ride height, my car is still a blast to drive

[JRKOUPE]

You have to shorten your housing for a short shock. The spacer is because a g60 still doesnt fit in a housing after 1" of shortening.


OP, i would recomend finding used billys for the front, cut the bumpstop, Either get the GC conversion kit, or find some generic adjusters of ebay or wherever and get used eibach 2.5 coilover springs.


If you do your homework on rates, itll still handle alright. But, lets be realistic for a moment... You have to give up some handling at a dumped ride height. Rates arent the issue, the susp geo starts to change past a certain point. There are some things you can do, but, i would just live with it. At my ride height, my car is still a blast to drive

love the wheels in your avi....and I wont pollute this thread....but Ill pm ya....you are not correct...this is an old argument...but the facts you state are not facts....

actually Ill post here to educate..


GC has a Koni SA.......its short...I run em and luv em........you put a spacer, that they supply, into housing and then add shock..that is it.
if you cut housing 1/2 inch..you cut spacer 1/2 inch ......

it s a GC Koni..its short....it works w/ a std housing and a spacer....done. Is it a g60 shock?.....dont know but I say its not......

[Stephen]

Well if thats what you did, thats what you did. Running low though, i would still want a shortened setup, because while youve gained travel, The housing is still long and the bumpstop may not hit before the housing hits other things.. I know it sounds unlikely but some setups really do not have alot of room up there to begin with, like mine.

[Dude]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. Ill make my final decesion after see how i like the ie3 + billy sports combo. If it rides the way i want it to but i just want adjustability i will probably convert the billys into coilovers, if everything sucks ill either go full GC or something like these http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/mer...ory_Code=vmaxx (at a discount)

I dont need full slam, im not trying to get hella flush or anything, i just need to come down an inch past normal lowering springs.