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      11-17-2020, 01:48 PM   #1
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Öhlins spring rates

I have always found the Öhlins standard spring rates to be too firm for the street, and comparing them to other kits with lower spring rates validated my thoughts. If you compare these rates across the board, you will find most other manufacturers have gone with significantly lower spring rates than Öhlins standard.

After discussions with Brian at Öhlins, Leonard at Swift, and Harold at HP Autosport I ordered a set of Swift springs in 70/140 to replace the standard Öhlins 90/190 spring rates. These rates should be the perfect setup for someone who wants a compliant ride on the street while still allowing you to carve back roads and still occasionally hit the track.

Here is the foundation for my research:
Öhlins F87 M2 kit (standard)
Front: 90 N/mm // 515 lbs/in
Rear: 190 N/mm // 1087 lbs/in

BMW M2 Stock
Front: 35 N/mm // 200 lb/in progressive
Rear: 125 N/mm // 714 lbs/in progressive

M-Performance coilovers: (40% stiffer than stock - rates extrapolated not verified)
Front: 50 N/mm // 285 lb/in
Rear: 175 N/mm // 1000 lbs/in

Dinan
Front: 44 N/mm // 250 lb/in linear
Rear: 131 N/mm // 750 lb/in linear

Öhlins F32 4-series kit (standard)
Front: 60 N/mm // 343 lbs/in
Rear: 160 N/mm // 914 lbs/in

Brian @ Öhlins recommends:
Front: 70 N/mm // 400 lbs/in
Rear: 190 N/mm // 1087 lbs/in

Harold @ HP Autosport recommends: (https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=34)
Front: 80 N/mm // 457 lbs/in
Rear: 140 N/mm // 800 lbs/in -OR-
Rear: 160 N/mm // 914 lbs/in

Leonard @ Swift recommends:
Front: 8" 70 N/mm // 392 lbs/in
Rear: 9" 140 N/mm // 784 lbs/in

KW3 Variant 3: (standard settings)
Front: 40 N/mm // 226 lbs/in progressive
Rear: 160 N/mm // 685 lbs/in linear w/helper spring
Other forum members custom spring rates on Öhlins coilovers:
Saanen (https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...5&postcount=49)
Front: 80 N/mm // 457 lbs/in
Rear: 160 N/mm // 914 lbs/in

PLF69
Front: 70 N/mm // 400 lbs/in
Rear: 140 N/mm // 800 lbs/in

Chaselib
Front: 60 N/mm // 343 lbs/in (used 8" Ohlins spring)
Rear: 100 N/mm // 571 lbs/in (used 10" Swift spring)

moveswiftly
Front: 80 N/mm // 457 lbs/in
Rear: 160 N/mm // 914 lbs/in

Got f1? (https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=42)
Front: 70 N/mm // 400 lbs/in (used 7"/178mm 2.5"OD Hypercoils spring)
Rear: 123 N/mm // 702 lbs/in (used 10"/254mm 2.5"OD Hypercoils spring)
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Last edited by nothingman; 12-11-2020 at 09:58 AM..
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      12-08-2020, 10:02 PM   #2
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Great info👍
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      12-09-2020, 11:03 AM   #3
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Great info!

It will still come down to the individual though. We have customers completely happy with the 90/190 rate and we have also done something as low as 60/120 for a street car.
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      12-09-2020, 05:21 PM   #4
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I just installed mine and F:80N/mm R:160N/mm on 16 clicks is more plush than stock imo.. I love it.

Haven't had time to dial it in for track or even mountains but it currently feels amazing.
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      12-30-2020, 09:25 PM   #5
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I will be switching to these rates during the winter.

Front: Swift 60nm 7inch springs

Rear: Swift 110nm 8inch springs


I will report back on my impressions next spring.
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      12-31-2020, 05:35 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PLF69 View Post
I will be switching to these rates during the winter.

Front: Swift 60nm 7inch springs

Rear: Swift 110nm 8inch springs


I will report back on my impressions next spring.
I have no idea what the stock ohlins spring lengths are but keep in mind that generally the swift springs have less useable travel than others of the same length.
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      12-31-2020, 07:46 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MR RIZK View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by PLF69 View Post
I will be switching to these rates during the winter.

Front: Swift 60nm 7inch springs

Rear: Swift 110nm 8inch springs


I will report back on my impressions next spring.
I have no idea what the stock ohlins spring lengths are but keep in mind that generally the swift springs have less useable travel than others of the same length.
They are 8 inch at both axles on the M2 kit, 10 inch rear on the M3/4 kit, don't ask me why.

I verified with 3dm motorsports before ordering, the reason for shorter front springs is the adjustment rings reduces clearance and I want to run square 18x10 wheels et33 and moving the perch upward should make the tire pass under which could give enough clearance to run no spacer or at least the minimum possible.

And since I already wanted to lower my spring rates It's a good time to try it out
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      12-31-2020, 08:01 AM   #8
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I'm running a 500/800 2.25" setup that are both 6"F/R with my MCS 2WNR. In the next setup, it will be a 5.5" spring 60mmID that's used with Ohlins TTX. In my current setup, I'm able to fit a 265/35 and a 10.5" wheel in front with zero issues on both sides.
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      12-31-2020, 08:42 AM   #9
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I get the reasoning just providing my experience so others make an educated decision.

For me with MCS 2WNR with 6" 448 lbs swift rears on a full rear CO setup I get some coil bind hence why I looked at other manufacturers. I will be moving to Eibachs instead as they provide some additional travel. I will probably move to a 7" coil also. (Yes I know the thread is about divorced rears)

All I'm saying is if shortening the coil make sure you have enough travel as clearance is not the only thing to account for.
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      03-02-2021, 10:52 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nothingman View Post
I have always found the Öhlins standard spring rates to be too firm for the street, and comparing them to other kits with lower spring rates validated my thoughts. If you compare these rates across the board, you will find most other manufacturers have gone with significantly lower spring rates than Öhlins standard.

After discussions with Brian at Öhlins, Leonard at Swift, and Harold at HP Autosport I ordered a set of Swift springs in 70/140 to replace the standard Öhlins 90/190 spring rates. These rates should be the perfect setup for someone who wants a compliant ride on the street while still allowing you to carve back roads and still occasionally hit the track.

Here is the foundation for my research:
Öhlins F87 M2 kit (standard)
Front: 90 N/mm // 515 lbs/in
Rear: 190 N/mm // 1087 lbs/in

BMW M2 Stock
Front: 35 N/mm // 200 lb/in progressive
Rear: 125 N/mm // 714 lbs/in progressive

M-Performance coilovers: (40% stiffer than stock - rates extrapolated not verified)
Front: 50 N/mm // 285 lb/in
Rear: 175 N/mm // 1000 lbs/in

Dinan
Front: 44 N/mm // 250 lb/in linear
Rear: 131 N/mm // 750 lb/in linear

Öhlins F32 4-series kit (standard)
Front: 60 N/mm // 343 lbs/in
Rear: 160 N/mm // 914 lbs/in

Brian @ Öhlins recommends:
Front: 70 N/mm // 400 lbs/in
Rear: 190 N/mm // 1087 lbs/in

Harold @ HP Autosport recommends: (https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=34)
Front: 80 N/mm // 457 lbs/in
Rear: 140 N/mm // 800 lbs/in -OR-
Rear: 160 N/mm // 914 lbs/in

Leonard @ Swift recommends:
Front: 8" 70 N/mm // 392 lbs/in
Rear: 9" 140 N/mm // 784 lbs/in

KW3 Variant 3: (standard settings)
Front: 40 N/mm // 226 lbs/in progressive
Rear: 160 N/mm // 685 lbs/in linear w/helper spring
Other forum members custom spring rates on Öhlins coilovers:
Saanen (https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...5&postcount=49)
Front: 80 N/mm // 457 lbs/in
Rear: 160 N/mm // 914 lbs/in

PLF69
Front: 70 N/mm // 400 lbs/in
Rear: 140 N/mm // 800 lbs/in

Chaselib
Front: 60 N/mm // 343 lbs/in (used 8" Ohlins spring)
Rear: 100 N/mm // 571 lbs/in (used 10" Swift spring)

moveswiftly
Front: 80 N/mm // 457 lbs/in
Rear: 160 N/mm // 914 lbs/in

Got f1? (https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=42)
Front: 70 N/mm // 400 lbs/in (used 7"/178mm 2.5"OD Hypercoils spring)
Rear: 123 N/mm // 702 lbs/in (used 10"/254mm 2.5"OD Hypercoils spring)
any updates on the 70/140 rates and how you like them?
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      03-02-2021, 05:45 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike082802 View Post
any updates on the 70/140 rates and how you like them?
Wish I did, but I parted out and sold my M2 in November/December before I even got them on.
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      03-02-2021, 06:12 PM   #12
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I have AST 5100 on my M2C currently and love them.

AST 5100
Front 95 N/mm
Rear 80 N/mm Rear True Coilver so it's usually half of divorce.
Springs are by Moton.
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      03-02-2021, 06:26 PM   #13
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I have the Original F87 Ohlins set up. It's transformational and with dampers clicked to 15 or 20 (soft setting), the car is great on the street. Neutral, with no understeer (paired with -2.0 degrees camber) modified alignment (minimal toe) and corner-balanced.
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      03-02-2021, 07:05 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrbri View Post
I have the Original F87 Ohlins set up. It's transformational and with dampers clicked to 15 or 20 (soft setting), the car is great on the street. Neutral, with no understeer (paired with -2.0 degrees camber) modified alignment (minimal toe) and corner-balanced.
When you say original do you mean MP40, which was replaced with MP41? If so, I just installed these on my 18 M2. MP41 is slightly shorter body, and more threads for adjustability for those that want to lower more than what the MP40 can. I only wanted 10mm lower, which is fine for me. Installed Vorshlag Camber Plates also. Will be off to alignment shop tomorrow for alignment of -2.5 Street, -3.2 Track. I assume your -2.0 is for the street set-up. What setting did you go for the rears? BTW your car looks great, as I have seen some pictures of it.
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      03-02-2021, 07:25 PM   #15
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I did some damping analysis on the MR40 kit and it's no wonder they revalved the rears for the MR41.

Unlike the front dampers, which at full soft are actually pretty close to the M2's stock dampers, the rears are pretty firmly damped even with the 230N/mm springs. Since the front dampers can go pretty soft, you have a large range of spring rates you can pair with them. The rears however, I think will be overdamped below 1100lbs/in on their softest setting.

I'm pretty certain Eibach makes the springs for Ohlins. They're the only ones I saw (out of the major spring mfgs like Hyperco/Swift/Eibach) that make a 230mm long 230N/mm spring.
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      03-02-2021, 08:27 PM   #16
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I have my rears revalved by 3dm and I'm switching from 70/140 to 60/110 this month but probably won't drive the car until another month or so because of winter around here.

Will let you guys know my impressions
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      03-02-2021, 08:39 PM   #17
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I would like to add the TC-Kline option:

They have 300/600 and 400/700NM. I'm leaning towards that hoping I would get more comfort for street driving.
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      03-02-2021, 08:58 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief1richard View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrbri View Post
I have the Original F87 Ohlins set up. It's transformational and with dampers clicked to 15 or 20 (soft setting), the car is great on the street. Neutral, with no understeer (paired with -2.0 degrees camber) modified alignment (minimal toe) and corner-balanced.
When you say original do you mean MP40, which was replaced with MP41? If so, I just installed these on my 18 M2. MP41 is slightly shorter body, and more threads for adjustability for those that want to lower more than what the MP40 can. I only wanted 10mm lower, which is fine for me. Installed Vorshlag Camber Plates also. Will be off to alignment shop tomorrow for alignment of -2.5 Street, -3.2 Track. I assume your -2.0 is for the street set-up. What setting did you go for the rears? BTW your car looks great, as I have seen some pictures of it.
BMS MR40 - the MP40 is the M3/M4 (heavier car)
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      03-02-2021, 10:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrbri View Post
BMS MR40 - the MP40 is the M3/M4 (heavier car)
Ohlins EU doesn't list an "MP40" only "MR40" for all F8x.
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      03-03-2021, 03:31 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PLF69 View Post
I have my rears revalved by 3dm and I'm switching from 70/140 to 60/110 this month but probably won't drive the car until another month or so because of winter around here.

Will let you guys know my impressions
70/140 too stiff?
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      03-03-2021, 12:31 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike082802 View Post
70/140 too stiff?
Really depends on the person and road conditions, around here roads are really awfull and particularly the ones I have to drive 3 hour straight to go to the best local track.

I am ready to sacrifice some performance on track to have a better trip experience going to and coming from events, I also hope this will encourage me to use the car more often for fun drives or evening outs. Its hard to get find the right balance and my opinion would probably be much different if I'd live in Cali or Texas...
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      03-03-2021, 02:23 PM   #22
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When I go to the Öhlins USA website, it shows the BMU MR41 as the correct version for M2, M3 and M4. I think the MR41 supercedes the MR40.
When I go to the other Öhlins.com website it still shows the MR40 but that is likely old info.

Edit
MR41-01 for M4 has a rear higher spring rate of 230 while the MR41-03 for M2 has a rear spring rate of 190 according to springrates com.

Last edited by AlpsRider; 03-03-2021 at 09:24 PM..
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