Suspension theory BMW vs F-body
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03-28-2009, 03:18 PM
#63
03-28-2009, 07:59 PM
#64
Couple questions.....
My current suspension mods are:
UMI rear control arms
UMI panhard bar
UMI 2pt subframe connectors
Spohn solid c.m. 32mm front bar
Strano hollow 22mm rear bar
Now for the 2 questions......
1. What is the difference between the Strano Bilstein shocks, the SLP Bilstein shocks, and the HD Bilstein shocks? Which ones are best for stock 1998 ws6 springs and the mods I have??
2. I am still on stock de carbon front shocks and the rear has some shocks i never heard of on there called sensatrak(not sure if those are any good). I dont think my car rides good at all right now. It handles great in the turns.... way better than when I got it.... but bumps are still pretty harsh. If I got one of the Bilstein setups would the car ride even worse since they are stiffer or would it ride better since they are higher quality shocks?
My current suspension mods are:
UMI rear control arms
UMI panhard bar
UMI 2pt subframe connectors
Spohn solid c.m. 32mm front bar
Strano hollow 22mm rear bar
Now for the 2 questions......
1. What is the difference between the Strano Bilstein shocks, the SLP Bilstein shocks, and the HD Bilstein shocks? Which ones are best for stock 1998 ws6 springs and the mods I have??
2. I am still on stock de carbon front shocks and the rear has some shocks i never heard of on there called sensatrak(not sure if those are any good). I dont think my car rides good at all right now. It handles great in the turns.... way better than when I got it.... but bumps are still pretty harsh. If I got one of the Bilstein setups would the car ride even worse since they are stiffer or would it ride better since they are higher quality shocks?
03-28-2009, 09:24 PM
#65
Dude, you should have started your own thread rather than hijacking this one, but ...
Stranos and SLPs are all Bilstein HD shocks. The difference is in the valving. Particularly, Strano uses a different rear shock than other Bilstein vendors with less compression and more rebound valving; i.e., less impact harshness and better control.
Your car will ride incredibly better with Bilsteins - especially the Strano set-up.
Stranos and SLPs are all Bilstein HD shocks. The difference is in the valving. Particularly, Strano uses a different rear shock than other Bilstein vendors with less compression and more rebound valving; i.e., less impact harshness and better control.
Your car will ride incredibly better with Bilsteins - especially the Strano set-up.
03-29-2009, 09:42 AM
#66
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What's the next thing - dark colored cars being outlawed in CA - well that happened already...
03-29-2009, 01:38 PM
#67
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Dude, you should have started your own thread rather than hijacking this one, but ...
Stranos and SLPs are all Bilstein HD shocks. The difference is in the valving. Particularly, Strano uses a different rear shock than other Bilstein vendors with less compression and more rebound valving; i.e., less impact harshness and better control.
Your car will ride incredibly better with Bilsteins - especially the Strano set-up.
Stranos and SLPs are all Bilstein HD shocks. The difference is in the valving. Particularly, Strano uses a different rear shock than other Bilstein vendors with less compression and more rebound valving; i.e., less impact harshness and better control.
Your car will ride incredibly better with Bilsteins - especially the Strano set-up.
...question seems to go along with the thread's content.
03-29-2009, 02:59 PM
#68
Yes, Sam Strano uploaded a page from the Bilstein catalog on here a long time ago that clearly stated that HD's are not for use with lowering springs. His own experience with them has indicated that they're not adequate for higher rate springs.
That being said, I have them on the front of my M6 car with 1" cut stock springs and they work fine. The car rides and handles very nicely - even BMW-like. But 1" cut stock springs have a very low rate compared to most aftermarket lowering springs.
In fact, speaking of "BMW-like" ride, I think Bilsteins are closer than Konis because they're softer on the bumps. But that would be more like standard models (330ci) rather than hi-po (M3).
That being said, I have them on the front of my M6 car with 1" cut stock springs and they work fine. The car rides and handles very nicely - even BMW-like. But 1" cut stock springs have a very low rate compared to most aftermarket lowering springs.
In fact, speaking of "BMW-like" ride, I think Bilsteins are closer than Konis because they're softer on the bumps. But that would be more like standard models (330ci) rather than hi-po (M3).
03-29-2009, 04:53 PM
#69
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Yes, Sam Strano uploaded a page from the Bilstein catalog on here a long time ago that clearly stated that HD's are not for use with lowering springs. His own experience with them has indicated that they're not adequate for higher rate springs.
That being said, I have them on the front of my M6 car with 1" cut stock springs and they work fine. The car rides and handles very nicely - even BMW-like. But 1" cut stock springs have a very low rate compared to most aftermarket lowering springs.
In fact, speaking of "BMW-like" ride, I think Bilsteins are closer than Konis because they're softer on the bumps. But that would be more like standard models (330ci) rather than hi-po (M3).
That being said, I have them on the front of my M6 car with 1" cut stock springs and they work fine. The car rides and handles very nicely - even BMW-like. But 1" cut stock springs have a very low rate compared to most aftermarket lowering springs.
In fact, speaking of "BMW-like" ride, I think Bilsteins are closer than Konis because they're softer on the bumps. But that would be more like standard models (330ci) rather than hi-po (M3).
03-29-2009, 07:23 PM
#70
Dude, you should have started your own thread rather than hijacking this one, but ...
Stranos and SLPs are all Bilstein HD shocks. The difference is in the valving. Particularly, Strano uses a different rear shock than other Bilstein vendors with less compression and more rebound valving; i.e., less impact harshness and better control.
Your car will ride incredibly better with Bilsteins - especially the Strano set-up.
Stranos and SLPs are all Bilstein HD shocks. The difference is in the valving. Particularly, Strano uses a different rear shock than other Bilstein vendors with less compression and more rebound valving; i.e., less impact harshness and better control.
Your car will ride incredibly better with Bilsteins - especially the Strano set-up.
03-29-2009, 09:07 PM
#72
TECH Senior Member
03-29-2009, 09:16 PM
#73
1" cut springs are at 330 lbs. (per Jason WW). That's less than a factory 1LE spring - and in range for Bilsteins.
The ride is firmer than at stock height, but less harsh than with Konis on the lower perch. There is a little bit less body roll from the lower center of gravity.
I agree that if you're running lowering springs with some serious rate, Konis are truly your best option.
03-30-2009, 10:15 AM
#74
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Ok.. I guess I stand corrected and owe the BMW guys here an apology. If the weight and and power figures are pretty comparable, than why are the BMW springs not higher rate? ..especially on thier high performance models?
03-30-2009, 01:03 PM
#75
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....not to bash BMW, but.....they have 4 doors and look like a 'box'
...jmho 
03-30-2009, 02:24 PM
#77
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Though some of the 3 series BMWs had some serious issues like the subframe ripping problem. I remember being concerned about control arm bushings that commonly wore out when searching for an E46. It's on their official "Inspection #2" to check this... maybe #1 as well, I forget. BMW shock valving is top notch. So while their rigid, they certainly have some reliability issues. I would say more than the Camaro. That being said, I'm a huge BMW fan
I have noticed this in all aspects of BMW design, from brakes and suspension to their PCV systems. They deliberately choose shorter part life in favor of more performance for that reduced amount of time, and they anticipate that their customers will accept this without question. In reality though, they tend to only do that when they are in warranty.