Ground Control recommendations

[Sco0terzsl]

Well, I'm sure everyone has seen the group buy for the full suspension kit. This will be my first venture into ordering a suspension with my preferences instead of just going with what the spring is (I'm a shock/spring guy). The car is my daily and will see a few autox's each year (2-3 max) for fun. From my limited research I found that 300f 475r is the typical spring rate that people get on a 6" spring. Now my question to you, it seems as though these rates are relatively low, maybe i'm used to hard suspensions but my old hatchback had similar rates and it weighed much less (basically raising the rate even more from what I've come to believe). So does anyone have some imput on some good aggressive daily spring rates for a 325i?

Thanks much in advance!

[Beej '86 325es]

Keep in mind, that comparing spring rates between cars is not apples to apples. It all depends on where they are situated...i.e. on a strut, on a trailing arm, etc. etc.

[Dave]

Keep in mind, that comparing spring rates between cars is not apples to apples. It all depends on where they are situated...i.e. on a strut, on a trailing arm, etc. etc.

And everyone's idea of what is a good ride is different.

Going from my Lexus IS300 to my e30 for a 200 mile ride to the track last weekend on 475/650 rates seemed awful at first. By the next day though, it was no big deal riding that on the street.

one guy posted here that his H&R Sports were too harsh, so . . .

[Sean]

And everyone's idea of what is a good ride is different.

Going from my Lexus IS300 to my e30 for a 200 mile ride to the track last weekend on 475/650 rates seemed awful at first. By the next day though, it was no big deal riding that on the street.

one guy posted here that his H&R Sports were too harsh, so . . .

And H&R Sports aren't that stiff to me - mine are tons stiffer (IE3s), and I love them on the street!

As they said - it's ALL relative.

[Dave]

H&R Sports are soft. I ran H&R Race on my vert - and I found it decent for the street.

[Sco0terzsl]

I understand different strokes for different folks, I guess what I'm trying to say is I usually like a stiffer ride than most... I don't care what my girlfriend says, she has no say in my cars :) But, I guess what I'm looking for as far as suspension rates are concerned. I believe he said the shocks were dyno'd with the particular spring rates you order, so I figure that will improve the quality allowing me to sneak a little higher rates.

Basically, do you guy's think 400f 575r would be too much?

[JRKOUPE]

rates

alot of good advice here.....


and really its so subjective. I run HR race and theyre like 300 ish up frt and low 5oo ish in rear..its a track car I drive to tracks...I would not want it for a daily but its doable. You are close w/ the rates you ask about to be prolly ok for a guy that likes a hard ride. I have GC konis too.......Its not like they tune a shock for 450 and for 475.....its a range that a particular shock is good for. I was told the GC "off the shelf" items are good up to 600 ish. U should try and get a ride in one of our cars.....

[1991 318is]

That's stiff. It will be bouncy on city streets and bang on potholes. I currently have 350/450 6" coilovers on a street car and am going to 275/350 with the purchase of a pair of 275's.

[PeaveyBassist]

H&R Sports are VERY good daily driver springs. My mom has no problem with them and she complains about m3 springs with bilsteins. lol

Will

[2002maniac]

I run 400/650 and they werent as harsh as I expected.

I think Koni's would give a better ride quality as well.

[Mystikal]

300lb/in front bottomed too often for me, when the car was at a low height (IE Stage III height, basically). Went to 375lb/in and the problem is gone.

Can't feel a damn difference in ride quality, either. Get at least 375 up front.