Coilover Chaos

I have an '02 M3 and am looking to get coilovers. THERE ARE SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM... it's exhausting and fairly ridiculous to READ and choose the best. I need some serious feedback...I don't want to get crappy coilovers and have to deal with silly things . Please help me out guys...thanks!! Vote on the POLL and give me some useful advice

I personally run KW Suspensions Street Comfort kit on my E60. I am very happy with the ride. I do enjoy knowing that I have a lifetime warranty. I highly recommend the V2s for the M3 models.

just wondering why you need to have coils over anything else

KW V2 is the way to go IMO!

Originally Posted by NMAN85

I have an '02 M3 and am looking to get coilovers. THERE ARE SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM... it's exhausting and fairly ridiculous to READ and choose the best. I need some serious feedback...I don't want to get crappy coilovers and have to deal with silly things . Please help me out guys...thanks!! Vote on the POLL and give me some useful advice

You're not telling us for what purpose your buying coil overs for...

...And if you want a poll from all brands, your missing a alot of reputable ones.

Moton 4-way adjustable with remote oil reservoirs

in all seriousness, you need to elaborate on why you want coils - track, autox, stance, street/track mix...

Originally Posted by KrasivataSabine

Moton 4-way adjustable with remote oil reservoirs

in all seriousness, you need to elaborate on why you want coils - track, autox, stance, street/track mix...

Originally Posted by TrickTizzle

I would clap too... but not for that price. $13.5K for the E46 application on TMS

OP, I've been doing a fair amount of research myself and it seems the decision making process can be streamlined like this - older members steer me in the right direction if I've misunderstood.

-If you just want stance/adjustable lowering from a quality coil, go for a KWv1. (Lesser quality "lowering" coils would be Rokkors, I suppose)

-If you want good handling/driving dynamics with relative streetability, go for a H&R RSS, TMS TrackSport, or a Bilstein PSS10. (The PSS10 is bound/compression adjustable, while I don't believe the RSS or TrackSport are. It's up to you to decide if that justifies the $600 price gap). These are definitely performance-oriented, but the PSS10, TrackSport, and, I think, the RSS feature progressive-rate springs, which are not ideal for track/autox. I imagine they should be plenty entertaining on a canyon run.

-If you are dedicated to the track, and wake up covered in money just because you win at life, go for AST 5000 series dampers with your choice of spring rates and dampening adjustability. MCS also offers excellent track-oriented dampers. And, as hinted stated, Moton is probably the cream of the crop in this catagory.

Originally Posted by KrasivataSabine

I would clap too... but not for that price. $13.5K for the E46 application on TMS

OP, I've been doing a fair amount of research myself and it seems the decision making process can be streamlined like this - older members steer me in the right direction if I've misunderstood.

-If you just want stance/adjustable lowering from a quality coil, go for a KWv1. (Lesser quality "lowering" coils would be Rokkors, I suppose)

-If you want good handling/driving dynamics with relative streetability, go for a H&R RSS, TMS TrackSport, or a Bilstein PSS10. (The PSS10 is bound/compression adjustable, while I don't believe the RSS or TrackSport are. It's up to you to decide if that justifies the $600 price gap). These are definitely performance-oriented, but the PSS10, TrackSport, and, I think, the RSS feature progressive-rate springs, which are not ideal for track/autox. I imagine they should be plenty entertaining on a canyon run.

-If you are dedicated to the track, and wake up covered in money just because you win at life, go for AST 5000 series dampers with your choice of spring rates and dampening adjustability. MCS also offers excellent track-oriented dampers. And, as hinted stated, Moton is probably the cream of the crop in this catagory.

Honestly....obviously I'm a novice and I don't understand how to post threads with desired info so I can get valuable responses. But thanks dude...that cleared it up for me and I appreciate it. I decided I'm going to go with the PSS10 because it's my DD and I want to lower my ride, and still have comfort. I won't be taking it to the track but I do need quality handling because I street race sometime . So thanks bro...appreciate it

Originally Posted by NMAN85

Honestly....obviously I'm a novice and I don't understand how to post threads with desired info so I can get valuable responses. But thanks dude...that cleared it up for me and I appreciate it. I decided I'm going to go with the PSS10 because it's my DD and I want to lower my ride, and still have comfort. I won't be taking it to the track but I do need quality handling because I street race sometime . So thanks bro...appreciate it

Absolutely - but keep in mind this is my analysis. Talk to others, read up on as many reviews as you can before actually making the purchase. Make sure your money is well spent! I bought a H&R Touring CupKit looking for improved handling and, although it certainly delivered, I have a REAL hankering for some PSS10s - wish I put the money elsewhere.

Originally Posted by KrasivataSabine

Absolutely - but keep in mind this is my analysis. Talk to others, read up on as many reviews as you can before actually making the purchase. Make sure your money is well spent! I bought a H&R Touring CupKit looking for improved handling and, although it certainly delivered, I have a REAL hankering for some PSS10s - wish I put the money elsewhere.

I had a lot of positive feedback for PSS10 and Kw V2 on m3forum.com. So it seems like PSS10 is what i'm looking for...and the price is within my budget.

Originally Posted by NMAN85

Honestly....obviously I'm a novice and I don't understand how to post threads with desired info so I can get valuable responses. But thanks dude...that cleared it up for me and I appreciate it. I decided I'm going to go with the PSS10 because it's my DD and I want to lower my ride, and still have comfort. I won't be taking it to the track but I do need quality handling because I street race sometime . So thanks bro...appreciate it

Ok, now I'm going to drop in my .02;

Obviously the Motons are a purpose coilover system for to benefit on track.

You drive an ///M3, and you want good handling, in my opinion, the PSS10 are more of a "comfort" coilover. While they will be good on the track, IMO there are better options for the money.

I'm looking at your car, and future mods, I wouldn't be surprised if you end up doing HPDE's soon, in that case, keep in mind of the future when you decide.

If you want something that you can take on the track and drive on the street, I would look into;
-H&R TMS Suspension Kit. ( IIRC, you cannot adjust the shocks on these)
-KW v2( v2 have alot more adjustability vs v1, and is a fully adjustable dampening & compression, except for spring rates.[Progressive springs])

I purchased TC Kline coilovers about 3 years ago, and they've been excellent both on and off track. I tend to do several HPDE's throughout the year, but people use TCK coils on race cars.
Its all about spring rates on a static coilover system like the TCK, I chose;
500lb/in Front
600lb/in Rear
-Its a mildly aggressive, but I can also adjust dampening to balance it out, I do prefer a firmer ride so I keep a higher spring rate and less dampening.


--Hope that gave you some more info about coils to help you decide. If you have more questions, just ask!