H&R Cup Kit Vs. IE Stage 3 w/ Blisten Sports

[jweb]

I finally have the money, now I just have to decide which suspension to buy. The cup kit is cheaper by about $100. I want a fairly stiff suspension that I can auto-x in t he future. If you own either one of these setups, why did you buy it instead of something else?

- Jamie

[UNHCLL]

Cup Kit is to soft for serious Auto-X/track use.

IE Stage 3 is going to be "rough" on regular roads.

I'd go IE

[slammed_e30]

I have the IE springs with Koni adjustables and i love them, with the shocks to full firm it is rock hard, I love it!!! Adjust the shocks to soft your ride will feel like sport springs and bilstiens. I have also heard that the cup-kit is too soft for auto-x. My vote is for IE.

[jweb]

Ok, I was leaning towards the ie's. I think that's what I'm gonna go with. Now I just need to find the cheapest place to buy everything.

[MattE30]

Ove Kvam from bmwe30.net said that the cup kit is not soft at all, and that it is stiffer than bilstein sports and H&R sports. Ted from our forum uses the cup kit also, autocrosses often, and does not think the cup kit is soft.

[Bryson]

if you can, spring for some konis to couple with the IE springs, I wasn't too impressed with my bilstein sports even with RD springs

[Low Level E30]

I have a Cup Kit, on my E36. Not exactly an apple vs apple comparison, but it's still fruit....

Point here is, I bought the Cup Kit because it was designed to __slam__ the car, which it does, and retain a very streetable ride, which it also does.

However, it is definitely softer than your standard H&R Race setup.

It's not super-soft, I really enjoy the ride and the handling when I'm in the twisties - but without having experiend the IE's, I'd be willing to bet they're stiffer. Comes down to what you really want.

[jweb]

if you can, spring for some konis to couple with the IE springs, I wasn't too impressed with my bilstein sports even with RD springs

What was wrong with the Blisten Sports?

[darien28]

some ppl don't like the bil sports becasue they'r eno t adjustable... I love my IE/bil sport setup.

Also, it's not that the cup kit is soft, it's not soft jsut softER than the IE3 springs. the IE3's are a replica of the HR race springs but made by eibach. something like 450/650 spring rates...

[Rob]

I haven't ridden in a 325 with the cup kit, just my car. They arent race springs, but they handle fine for me. My car probably is stiffer since the rates are for the heavier 325. On a slightly related note, my roomates VR6 GTi with the cup kit is tons stiffer than my car, go figure

[bmw_e30]

if you can, spring for some konis to couple with the IE springs, I wasn't too impressed with my bilstein sports even with RD springs

You're the first person I've heard say this.

[jweb]

Maybe I just need to ride in both before I decide. I would like to save the money with the cup kit, but i don't want my suspension to be too soft. I don't think anyone in the Atlanta area has either one of these setups though. :(

[reelizmpro]

IE stage 3 springs are stiffer. I'd go with them and cut 1/2 or 1 inactive coil off the top of the front springs.

[MattE30]

Can Bilstein Sports even handle IE/H&R race springs?

[UNHCLL]

Bilsteins arent the best shocks to be used in conjunction with stiff springs. Their Sport shocks are sufficient for Non-Race H&R or similar Eibachs.

They lack the serious ooomph needed by super stiff springs.