CSL suspension improvements - Page 2

bryce · 07-11-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.mac

I would speak to kw about a different spring rate, Im sure they will advise.
I run AST and there are loads of options for spring to suit what you are looking for

Good point s.mac.

More interestingly though, I just checked out the AST's your talking about and in the description "They guarantee a comfortable ride".

Im pressuming youve got the sportline II. Much cost and why'd you buy?

s.mac · 07-11-2010, 10:02 PM

I went for AST as it wasn't full coilover at the rear, they also got good reviews when I asked about, I did ask about different spring rates but went for the standard ones with the kit. Steve Gill gave me a few options but I thought they were too much for road and track
Yes it is the sportline II and on full soft I would say they are OEM standard, full hard is way too much for road though, very easy to change!!
I got them from balance motorsport, I'm guessing £1600 to £1800 plus vat, I would need to check.
Im sure Daz changed his springs earlier this year and they made a difference.

titan · 07-11-2010, 10:06 PM

Don't go moaning about 'expert' replies and then be harping on about how you love the way it looks !! What do you want to do, look at your car or drive the thing?

Your question has been answered. You've got a kit, have a look what spring rates you are running, phone KW and get some softer ones.

FWIW I'm going to give intrax 1k2 a try. My reason has nothing to do with the quality of the kit (and my evo has a very pricey KW custom 3-way comp setup) - my reasoning is that you need to speak to someone who has had tonnes of experience and just knows what works.

When I spoke to simpsons they offered 3 different sets of springs - soft for road, very stiff for uk track/race, or somewhere in the middle which would suit the 'ring.

Conversely KW will be able to offer little advice for uk road or track because thats not their thing.

bryce · 07-11-2010, 10:07 PM

Thanks smac. So on full soft they take bumps and pot holes well but still handle like standard? Just checked price. £1900inc vodka and tonic

bryce · 07-11-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titan

Don't go moaning about 'expert' replies and then be harping on about how you love the way it looks !! What do you want to do, look at your car or drive the thing?

Your question has been answered. You've got a kit, have a look what spring rates you are running, phone KW and get some softer ones.

easy now. By 'expert' I mean Joe Bloggs with a real opinion rather that the actual Expert who's trying to sell me something. And there was no solution offered until smac come along.

Why wont kw be able to offer much?

titan · 07-11-2010, 10:23 PM

KW's uk presence is a box-shifting outfit, all of the expertise is in germany. So (I'm assuming your requirement is predominantly road) they won't have much experience in what you are asking for.

Its a shame ohlins don't do a "road and track" kit for the E46. That would be great and cheap as its off-the-shelf.

Best kit I ever had for road was from exe-tc. Top single adjusters, fantastic quality, could be made far softer than OEM or pretty firm. shame they don't do e46 either.

if you're looking to get something else, no-one has complained about intrax and simpsons seem to really know what they are doing. If you want to fix the issue without big spend, get softer springs.

bryce · 07-11-2010, 10:32 PM

thank you titan, i like to play nice.

the car will probably never be around a track (cos Im a shitebag) so entirely for road use.

I could put the std susp back on and cut the springs with my 9" grinder, then Id still have the comfort... Or put some weights in the boot :-/

s.mac · 07-11-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Its a shame ohlins don't do a "road and track" kit for the E46. That would be great and cheap as its off-the-shelf.

are you serious ?

Quote:

So on full soft they take bumps and pot holes well but still handle like standard?

yes, but I need to drop the front as it is too high at the moment

I wouldn't change your set up! get another set of springs !

bryce · 07-11-2010, 10:59 PM

I bought them from Thorney, hopefully they'll chime in with info on springs. Though I believe they no longer deal with kw.

shane@mbtech · 07-11-2010, 11:02 PM

Why not just "soften" the damping on yours.

When I sold my CSL, my mate who bought it isnt as hardcore as me and probably wont go on track, its his daily drive as well vs me just using it as a weekend blaster/track car.

I softened both the bump and rebound and it drives spot on, very, very similar to OEM,

I drove it other day and for road use it was fine, would be a little too soft for track work mind.

Its running KW clubsport too.

07-11-2010, 10:02 PM	#12
s.mac CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,247 Casino cash: $15600	I went for AST as it wasn't full coilover at the rear, they also got good reviews when I asked about, I did ask about different spring rates but went for the standard ones with the kit. Steve Gill gave me a few options but I thought they were too much for road and track Yes it is the sportline II and on full soft I would say they are OEM standard, full hard is way too much for road though, very easy to change!! I got them from balance motorsport, I'm guessing £1600 to £1800 plus vat, I would need to check. Im sure Daz changed his springs earlier this year and they made a difference.

07-11-2010, 10:06 PM	#13
titan S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 268 Casino cash: $1363	Don't go moaning about 'expert' replies and then be harping on about how you love the way it looks !! What do you want to do, look at your car or drive the thing? Your question has been answered. You've got a kit, have a look what spring rates you are running, phone KW and get some softer ones. FWIW I'm going to give intrax 1k2 a try. My reason has nothing to do with the quality of the kit (and my evo has a very pricey KW custom 3-way comp setup) - my reasoning is that you need to speak to someone who has had tonnes of experience and just knows what works. When I spoke to simpsons they offered 3 different sets of springs - soft for road, very stiff for uk track/race, or somewhere in the middle which would suit the 'ring. Conversely KW will be able to offer little advice for uk road or track because thats not their thing.

07-11-2010, 10:07 PM	#14
bryce S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scotland (sw) Posts: 1,369 Casino cash: $2512	Thanks smac. So on full soft they take bumps and pot holes well but still handle like standard? Just checked price. £1900inc vodka and tonic

07-11-2010, 10:23 PM	#16
titan S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 268 Casino cash: $1363	KW's uk presence is a box-shifting outfit, all of the expertise is in germany. So (I'm assuming your requirement is predominantly road) they won't have much experience in what you are asking for. Its a shame ohlins don't do a "road and track" kit for the E46. That would be great and cheap as its off-the-shelf. Best kit I ever had for road was from exe-tc. Top single adjusters, fantastic quality, could be made far softer than OEM or pretty firm. shame they don't do e46 either. if you're looking to get something else, no-one has complained about intrax and simpsons seem to really know what they are doing. If you want to fix the issue without big spend, get softer springs.

07-11-2010, 10:32 PM	#17
bryce S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scotland (sw) Posts: 1,369 Casino cash: $2512	thank you titan, i like to play nice. the car will probably never be around a track (cos Im a shitebag) so entirely for road use. I could put the std susp back on and cut the springs with my 9" grinder, then Id still have the comfort... Or put some weights in the boot :-/

07-11-2010, 10:59 PM	#19
bryce S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scotland (sw) Posts: 1,369 Casino cash: $2512	I bought them from Thorney, hopefully they'll chime in with info on springs. Though I believe they no longer deal with kw.

07-11-2010, 11:02 PM	#20
shane@mbtech CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: warrington Posts: 5,419 Casino cash: $19783	Why not just "soften" the damping on yours. When I sold my CSL, my mate who bought it isnt as hardcore as me and probably wont go on track, its his daily drive as well vs me just using it as a weekend blaster/track car. I softened both the bump and rebound and it drives spot on, very, very similar to OEM, I drove it other day and for road use it was fine, would be a little too soft for track work mind. Its running KW clubsport too.