Bimmerfest CA - after getting a voucher in one of my raffle tickets to thesuspensionsource.com, I ordered a set of discounted coilovers from a relatively new-to-me, and apparently unseen on E46 M3s, Street Edge, I was told to come up with a review of what I thought.
The purchase was done through Kris Ash from thesuspensionsource.com
Before I go further, I just want to add a disclaimer. They have amazing customer support. Kris worked with me to use my raffle voucher that I won, to get me the best set up at the lowest cost to me. Any emails were very promptly replied and helpful. And best of all, hiccups during install, were solved with a quick phone call on the spot.
Sold as a daily driver improvement to stock, this setup has preset everything (besides adjusting ride height with perches)
Sway bar links are solid, and 'made in germany' parts. I think on the kit itself, the only 'cheap' looking you get is the plain black. Because you don't get the flash of glossy white/silver TCK or bright yellow Konis. But it's suspension, barely seen anyways. Yes, TCK, Koni, Bilstein, blah blah blah will get you intensive adjustment ability, and is great for track w/ daily use. But some people just cant lay over a grand on suspension. Enter Street Edge. At $500 price point, you'ld think you're getting nothing. And while the kit is basic, it is the necessities for your average daily driver. So far, it rides smooth and solid, no body roll (however stay tuned for updates, once springs settle and I venture out to a spirited mountain run or something) My ZCP set up had little over 35k on it, so I'm keeping it as a back up incase I feel like switching back, or simply tossing them on when these die, and I'm waiting for a grand to upgrade again
The Kit: http://thesuspensionsource.mybigcommerce.com/street-edge-coilover-kit-00-06-m3-e46/
(courtesy of thesuspensionsource.com )
Installation?
Well, I ventured out to do it myself. Tough, nerve-pushing, but doable. Not gonna bore with the whole "how to install" because there's plenty of DIYs out there. But I did get some shots along the way. Enjoy
The hardest part, I would say was my original removal. I guess most people say it's easy, but as with the lightbulb, I found a bunch of ways of how NOT to remove a spring. :facepalm:
Adjusting the rear perches was quite easy, because I just lined them up together, and from there adjusted equally once mounted.
Front? not so nice. beyond having lost my cool while removing the front assembly (PIA) the new apparently went on 'easy' once said and done, but I'll be going to SonicMS for an alignment and adjustment later.
Ride quality? I'll update as I put more miles on them. So far, I've only gone like 50miles in the city. What I can say from first glance (maybe will change as springs are settled, and I get proper ride height or what not) is that they are nice and firm. Compared to the ZCP set up, these seem to damp and bumps, but transfer any discrepancies in the road, to your seat. I'm probably not the go to guy on comparing suspension (as this is the first I'm getting into) but it feels less squishy than ZCP.
http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums...e Coilovers/?action=view¤t=DSC_5392.jpg
The purchase was done through Kris Ash from thesuspensionsource.com
Before I go further, I just want to add a disclaimer. They have amazing customer support. Kris worked with me to use my raffle voucher that I won, to get me the best set up at the lowest cost to me. Any emails were very promptly replied and helpful. And best of all, hiccups during install, were solved with a quick phone call on the spot.
Sold as a daily driver improvement to stock, this setup has preset everything (besides adjusting ride height with perches)
Sway bar links are solid, and 'made in germany' parts. I think on the kit itself, the only 'cheap' looking you get is the plain black. Because you don't get the flash of glossy white/silver TCK or bright yellow Konis. But it's suspension, barely seen anyways. Yes, TCK, Koni, Bilstein, blah blah blah will get you intensive adjustment ability, and is great for track w/ daily use. But some people just cant lay over a grand on suspension. Enter Street Edge. At $500 price point, you'ld think you're getting nothing. And while the kit is basic, it is the necessities for your average daily driver. So far, it rides smooth and solid, no body roll (however stay tuned for updates, once springs settle and I venture out to a spirited mountain run or something) My ZCP set up had little over 35k on it, so I'm keeping it as a back up incase I feel like switching back, or simply tossing them on when these die, and I'm waiting for a grand to upgrade again
The Kit: http://thesuspensionsource.mybigcommerce.com/street-edge-coilover-kit-00-06-m3-e46/
(courtesy of thesuspensionsource.com )
Installation?
Well, I ventured out to do it myself. Tough, nerve-pushing, but doable. Not gonna bore with the whole "how to install" because there's plenty of DIYs out there. But I did get some shots along the way. Enjoy
The hardest part, I would say was my original removal. I guess most people say it's easy, but as with the lightbulb, I found a bunch of ways of how NOT to remove a spring. :facepalm:
Adjusting the rear perches was quite easy, because I just lined them up together, and from there adjusted equally once mounted.
Front? not so nice. beyond having lost my cool while removing the front assembly (PIA) the new apparently went on 'easy' once said and done, but I'll be going to SonicMS for an alignment and adjustment later.
Ride quality? I'll update as I put more miles on them. So far, I've only gone like 50miles in the city. What I can say from first glance (maybe will change as springs are settled, and I get proper ride height or what not) is that they are nice and firm. Compared to the ZCP set up, these seem to damp and bumps, but transfer any discrepancies in the road, to your seat. I'm probably not the go to guy on comparing suspension (as this is the first I'm getting into) but it feels less squishy than ZCP.
http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums...e Coilovers/?action=view¤t=DSC_5392.jpg