What options on spring kits please??

Windowlicker · 01-01-2009, 05:59 PM

Hi there,
Just wondering if any has experience of a spring kit for the CSL.
I dont want to go down the coilover route, been there done that previously and spent forever chasing the dragon for an ideal compromise, only never to find it

So basically, to just lower the car, more for aesthetic reasons i guess, but not at the detriment of handling / ride quality, does anyone make a decent kit.
Eibach are obviously available, but not having much knowledge in the german car scene, i wonder if there are any more respected/known quantitys out there.
Just want to close up the gaps above the tyres and make its stance a little more aggressive, but dont want to upset the ride quality at all.

Also, bearing in mind the CSL is lighter than a standard M3 , is there a CSL specific kit , that takes this into account, as i am wondering if a kit for a heavier car were fitted, would this have an overall affect on performance/compliance etc on the CSL.
Many thanks, Nick

_Nathan_ · 01-01-2009, 08:14 PM

Can't answer your question exactly but remember that the CSL is lower than a normal M3 and lighter, I recall reading something on MTorque where someone had fitted M3 lowering springs to a CSL and it ended up higher than stock...

benCSL · 01-01-2009, 08:46 PM

I haven't find any kit (h&r,eibach...)....also i have fit a coilover suspension kit!!

I think , it's a risk to take the m3 kit....

M3ACS · 01-01-2009, 08:53 PM

Due to the CSL being lower than a standard M3 you may find the M3 sport sprints to actually give the same height as what you already have if that makes sense.

Before i had the CSL i had an M3 with Tein coilovers, since moving to the CSL i actually find the standard CSL setup to be better than the old Teins.

For me its either Intrax/KW or kept standard im afraid as i dont want to sacrifice handling..

Windowlicker · 01-01-2009, 09:18 PM

Thanks for the replys , i was not actually wanting to fit something that sacrifices handling for looks, with some things pose over practicality is justifiable but not in this case.
So basically y options are leave it stock, or go the full monty coilover route??
Cheers, Nick

SMD · 01-01-2009, 11:51 PM

I know what you are saying about not wanting to go full Coilover route nick after evos etc with them on! BUT

A freind of mine has KW Varient 3's and i have been in/driven it back to back with mine! All i can say is WOW! The ride is no harder if anything a little softer. The car looks mint with the lower ride height and the feel is amazing, it turns in so much better than standard and zero understeer!. Can get this full kit for £1k aswell!

Mine will be fitted some time in Jan i hope!

terryb · 01-01-2009, 11:52 PM

Speak to Simpson Motorsport - I'm sure they recommend H&R spring kit for a CSL if you don't want to go down the coilover route.

Cheers

Terry

Highmast · 03-01-2009, 12:45 PM

i asked the same question few time ago to Jhon Thorne from thorneymotorsport...

that was his answer:

I'm afraid that there are no really good lowering kits for the CSL, the Eibach kit actually raises it. We'd recommend a suspension kit like KW, its not a question of waiting until yours have worn out, the KW's really do improve the handling hugely.

i understood there was really not other solution to feet a good suspension kit, (CSL is not a car for second range upgrade), so i bought Bilstein PSS10, the last model of suspensions develloped on nurburgring in end of 2008 for M3 E46 and CSL.

i had just a word to say: FANTASTIC!
if suspension of CSL are quite good with double effect in sach dampers, and specific spring (i could compare with my ex SMGII M3 mounted with eibach specific spring with 20 mm lowering), the BILSTEIN parts bring your car in another dimension...the performance step is about the same between M3 standard and CSL, and between OEM suspension CSL and Bilstein. As we say in french: "un monde" (the world)

Now i can lowered my car as i want with something manufactured to work in those conditions. More, i can easily access and adjust the damping force with 10 level...

it's not to compare bilstein, or else with another mark, but just say that this investissement is problably the best ratio money/result to increase performance of your CSL. Do it if you can, you will not regret!

**DazBlackCSL** · 03-01-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMD

I know what you are saying about not wanting to go full Coilover route nick after evos etc with them on! BUT

A freind of mine has KW Varient 3's and i have been in/driven it back to back with mine! All i can say is WOW! The ride is no harder if anything a little softer. The car looks mint with the lower ride height and the feel is amazing, it turns in so much better than standard and zero understeer!. Can get this full kit for £1k aswell!

Mine will be fitted some time in Jan i hope!

Since ive had my V3's its simply awesome, as SMD says took me around a month to tweak it to how I wanted it, lower stance , not to harsh , is the same as std , but when your on it , its just sooo dialled in now ..

bryce · 03-01-2009, 05:50 PM

Windowlicker, Id advise going the coilover route as well - dont be so tight with your baby

I put mine on about a month ago and Im absolutely loving them. Initially I wanted exactly what you want - a nice drop to lose arch gap, without compromising handling. After a lot of research, I soon learned that I wasnt going to achieve this from just a spring. Your right in saying the springs are different on a CSL vs M3, they're differently rated - and this'll be why folk end up sitting higher. Im unaware of any companies that do a CSL specific spring too.

On my first drive with coils installed, I couldnt believe how it felt. There's NO roll and the steering is so direct. Its a little harsh of ride, so Im going to soften it up when I can be bothered!

Im running KW V3s btw, with a fast road geometry setup. Lowest setting in rear, and low enough in front!

Before for comparison

01-01-2009, 05:59 PM	#1
Windowlicker S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: York Posts: 174 Casino cash: $544	What options on spring kits please?? Hi there, Just wondering if any has experience of a spring kit for the CSL. I dont want to go down the coilover route, been there done that previously and spent forever chasing the dragon for an ideal compromise, only never to find it So basically, to just lower the car, more for aesthetic reasons i guess, but not at the detriment of handling / ride quality, does anyone make a decent kit. Eibach are obviously available, but not having much knowledge in the german car scene, i wonder if there are any more respected/known quantitys out there. Just want to close up the gaps above the tyres and make its stance a little more aggressive, but dont want to upset the ride quality at all. Also, bearing in mind the CSL is lighter than a standard M3 , is there a CSL specific kit , that takes this into account, as i am wondering if a kit for a heavier car were fitted, would this have an overall affect on performance/compliance etc on the CSL. Many thanks, Nick

01-01-2009, 08:46 PM	#3
benCSL S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: France Posts: 39 Casino cash: $284	I haven't find any kit (h&r,eibach...)....also i have fit a coilover suspension kit!! I think , it's a risk to take the m3 kit.... __________________ In Motorsport We Trust !

03-01-2009, 12:45 PM	#8
Highmast S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Behind the Red Line Posts: 50 Casino cash: $865	i asked the same question few time ago to Jhon Thorne from thorneymotorsport... that was his answer: I'm afraid that there are no really good lowering kits for the CSL, the Eibach kit actually raises it. We'd recommend a suspension kit like KW, its not a question of waiting until yours have worn out, the KW's really do improve the handling hugely. i understood there was really not other solution to feet a good suspension kit, (CSL is not a car for second range upgrade), so i bought Bilstein PSS10, the last model of suspensions develloped on nurburgring in end of 2008 for M3 E46 and CSL. i had just a word to say: FANTASTIC! if suspension of CSL are quite good with double effect in sach dampers, and specific spring (i could compare with my ex SMGII M3 mounted with eibach specific spring with 20 mm lowering), the BILSTEIN parts bring your car in another dimension...the performance step is about the same between M3 standard and CSL, and between OEM suspension CSL and Bilstein. As we say in french: "un monde" (the world) Now i can lowered my car as i want with something manufactured to work in those conditions. More, i can easily access and adjust the damping force with 10 level... it's not to compare bilstein, or else with another mark, but just say that this investissement is problably the best ratio money/result to increase performance of your CSL. Do it if you can, you will not regret! __________________ Hervé ///M Gaz & Metal, Sound & Power..CSL

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01-01-2009, 08:14 PM	#2
_Nathan_ Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,099 Casino cash: $13060	Can't answer your question exactly but remember that the CSL is lower than a normal M3 and lighter, I recall reading something on MTorque where someone had fitted M3 lowering springs to a CSL and it ended up higher than stock...

01-01-2009, 08:53 PM	#4
M3ACS S3 - On the open road Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 91 Casino cash: $567	Due to the CSL being lower than a standard M3 you may find the M3 sport sprints to actually give the same height as what you already have if that makes sense. Before i had the CSL i had an M3 with Tein coilovers, since moving to the CSL i actually find the standard CSL setup to be better than the old Teins. For me its either Intrax/KW or kept standard im afraid as i dont want to sacrifice handling..

01-01-2009, 09:18 PM	#5
Windowlicker S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: York Posts: 174 Casino cash: $544	Thanks for the replys , i was not actually wanting to fit something that sacrifices handling for looks, with some things pose over practicality is justifiable but not in this case. So basically y options are leave it stock, or go the full monty coilover route?? Cheers, Nick

01-01-2009, 11:51 PM	#6
SMD S6, Sport On, Traction Off Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Shropshire Posts: 1,505 Casino cash: $10726	I know what you are saying about not wanting to go full Coilover route nick after evos etc with them on! BUT A freind of mine has KW Varient 3's and i have been in/driven it back to back with mine! All i can say is WOW! The ride is no harder if anything a little softer. The car looks mint with the lower ride height and the feel is amazing, it turns in so much better than standard and zero understeer!. Can get this full kit for £1k aswell! Mine will be fitted some time in Jan i hope!

01-01-2009, 11:52 PM	#7
terryb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hants Posts: 364 Casino cash: $5455	Speak to Simpson Motorsport - I'm sure they recommend H&R spring kit for a CSL if you don't want to go down the coilover route. Cheers Terry

03-01-2009, 05:50 PM	#10
bryce S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scotland (sw) Posts: 1,369 Casino cash: $2512	Windowlicker, Id advise going the coilover route as well - dont be so tight with your baby I put mine on about a month ago and Im absolutely loving them. Initially I wanted exactly what you want - a nice drop to lose arch gap, without compromising handling. After a lot of research, I soon learned that I wasnt going to achieve this from just a spring. Your right in saying the springs are different on a CSL vs M3, they're differently rated - and this'll be why folk end up sitting higher. Im unaware of any companies that do a CSL specific spring too. On my first drive with coils installed, I couldnt believe how it felt. There's NO roll and the steering is so direct. Its a little harsh of ride, so Im going to soften it up when I can be bothered! Im running KW V3s btw, with a fast road geometry setup. Lowest setting in rear, and low enough in front! Before for comparison