[TerryCTR]

Originally Posted by x233

Not M2 but I'd say neither is a particularly good choice for a daily car. Both will eventually need a rebuild and servicing. Clubsports have a range of settings more suitable for track, and yes, are probably too extreme for daily use. AST - you can't fit dust boots and better not use them in winter. I really loved AST5100, so much better than Bilstein PSS16 and KW, on a car that was my daily, a perfect and superior balance of handling and comfort, with and without the optional camber plates, exceptional handling, easy to set up, really loved them... all the 5000 km until they needed a rebuild (

Litchfield fed back to AST re lack of dustboots and AST UK tell me that’s now been addressed.

[x233]

Originally Posted by TerryCTR

Litchfield fed back to AST re lack of dustboots and AST UK tell me that’s now been addressed.

I have my share of doubt after dealing with that personally. It may not be physically possible.

Depends on whether you go with the camber plates or not and the type of spring they use, cylindrical (comes with camber plates) vs conical (as in one of the pictures above, if they actually use a conical spring for m2). If you look very closely at the front design in the pictures with camber plates you'll see there is really no way they can fit a dust boot between the shaft and the spring, and even if they did it would still jam because there's not much clearance between the shaft and the spring, and the only workaround seems to be fitting some kind of protection over the whole assembly which is awkward and I don't think it does well what it's supposed to do (but it may be the only solution, and there used to be those kind of bags that you zip on top of the whole thing, quite literally).

Rear isn't a problem. It's possible to fit some 3rd party boots, which I did. Rear still needed a rebuild in my case just like the fronts, only later.

Winter: I am not sure if it's all the dirt that gets in there or the cold that kills them, or both, but ASTs tend to get very stiff (oil issue) and don't survive winters very well where it gets below freezing.

Now, this is not to say that AST are bad. They are very good at what they are designed for. It's just that although people use them on the street what AST5100 really is is an entry-level summer track setup. They are not really meant for the street, imho. That's all.

That's from my limited experience. I bet the folks at AST could explain better.

PS: feedback from an actual owner of AST5100 for M2/M2C w/o camber plates would be greatly appreciated.

[swifty]

I believe there are few ppl running the AST Litchfield version all year in the UK. Hopefully they can provide winter and reliability feedback.

[ZPrime]

Wow, happy I've been following this. Anything I do suspension-wise must be able to handle cold and salt and such.

Wonder if JRZ is better about this?

[swifty]

There's another member driving a Litchfield tuned M2 comp with AST coils in UK.

I've asked him to provide some feedback as it seems like a daily.

[3t3p]

I'm going to ask Litchfield to drive their M2 as the AST kit was so well reviewed but at that price needs to be warrantied and or reliable.

My car is my daily not going on track.

Any feedback is good for everyone

[VW TT]

Originally Posted by 3t3p

I'm going to ask Litchfield to drive their M2 as the AST kit was so well reviewed but at that price needs to be warrantied and or reliable.

My car is my daily not going on track.

Any feedback is good for everyone

I was in touch with litchfield a few weeks ago and they don’t have their M2 anymore. I was planning to do the same, test it first to be sure. But all the reviews are so good. I’ll have to read this thread through again to see if there are any track reviews. My cars my daily and I do 5-6 trackdays a year so would be good if it can do both. Litchfield assure me the AST’s are more than up to the job of road and track.

[MR.]

Originally Posted by VW TT

I was in touch with litchfield a few weeks ago and they don’t have their M2 anymore. I was planning to do the same, test it first to be sure. But all the reviews are so good. I’ll have to read this thread through again to see if there are any track reviews. My cars my daily and I do 5-6 trackdays a year so would be good if it can do both. Litchfield assure me the AST’s are more than up to the job of road and track.

Maybe GreatWhiteM2 can help you further... He has a car with them, and he knows more people with them installed. Drop him a PM.

MR

[3t3p]

Bummer I was really looking forward to testing their car, why didn't they keep it a company like that can keep it paid for for peanuts.

Considering they still advertise the kit and that you can come to drive it. Three grand is a heck of a punt in the dark.

[3t3p]

PMd great white no answer not sure why.

I'm growing to like the stock suspension more than I thought I would, esp at a decent speed but am still interested in the AST

Do the 5100 come with those cylinders attached by hoses to the coilover? If so where would they be mounted typically?

[VW TT]

Originally Posted by 3t3p

Bummer I was really looking forward to testing their car, why didn't they keep it a company like that can keep it paid for for peanuts.

Considering they still advertise the kit and that you can come to drive it. Three grand is a heck of a punt in the dark.

I agree it’s a lot of money without being able to test it first but then they are a very reputable bunch Litchfield. And having spoken to them they really can’t rave enough about the setup. In their words it’s “without doubt the best road suspension kit we have done”.

What I would love to know is how they’ve held up to a winter of driving?

[3t3p]

I'd love to know this too re reliability, did you ask them
?. If I can get assurances from either AST or Litchfield it's on the cards.
I suppose tunes are done leap of faith style too.

Wonder if they have an M2C demonstrator with it fitted as one has gone out to at least one reviewer.

[Franzino]

Originally Posted by ZPrime

Wow, happy I've been following this. Anything I do suspension-wise must be able to handle cold and salt and such.

Wonder if JRZ is better about this?

How is Öhlins Road & Track in this area?

[ZPrime]

Originally Posted by Franzino

How is Öhlins Road & Track in this area?

I've heard that they are designed for all weather conditions. Spoke to some Öhlins sales reps at an event last month and they said that the salt might mean they need a rebuild a little sooner, but they shouldn't require attention every year or anything.

But I have no firsthand experience so I'm curious as well.

[3t3p]

http://www.ast-suspension.com/blog/n...on-dust-covers

[3t3p]

That's great to know Greatwhite, so essentially can treat them as 'normal' suspension. Running with any boot/dust covers?

Two more questions for you, how did you rate the Litchfield tune on the N55? It's an OBD software tune correct? Running stock for now, wouldn't rule out the tune at a later date when the engine is ready for it (hardware mods etc) but would trust Litchfield to map my car.

Alot of people have praised the M2Cs ride compared to OG, do you feel the AST further upgrades the car?

Cheers

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by 3t3p

PMd great white no answer not sure why.

I'm growing to like the stock suspension more than I thought I would, esp at a decent speed but am still interested in the AST

Do the 5100 come with those cylinders attached by hoses to the coilover? If so where would they be mounted typically?

AST 5100 - as fitted to GWM2's BSM M2C - don't have external reservoirs. @GreatWhiteM2 can confirm

FWIW - we met up this weekend and I had a - albeit brief - drive of his car. His AST setup on 255/275 19" is softer/more civilised than my OG m2 with MPerf coilovers, camber correction hubs and 245/265.

Litchfield have got his cars suspension dialled very well to create a competent A or B road rocket that works on our UK roads and just about contains the 540/500 power/torque of their stg 1 s55...

[3t3p]

So for sure, if I bought the package blind I would think it better on a UK B-road? That's what I'm after, to tame down that jostling from side to side the car does, it's both fun and annoying?

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by 3t3p

So for sure, if I bought the package blind I would think it better on a UK B-road? That's what I'm after, to tame down that jostling from side to side the car does, it's both fun and annoying?

Either MPerf or AST will cure yr cars foibles

[3t3p]

Thanks for the insight. Is it a rolling road custom OBD tune or generic as the site state 420hp and 420lb/ft and you got more?
I am eventually going to do supporting mods but thought sports cat 300cell which is fitted this Monday coming would be alright?
I was looking to do the pure turbos inlet pipe too. Is this why you got 435bhp?

I thought m performance was firmer and set up for track useage?

[ashtaron14]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteM2

Two UK winters and over 12000miles and they are fine. Currently running them on my Litchfield tuned 540bhp M2C and ran them on my 435bhp Litchfield tuned OG M2.

Pardon me Mr.GreatWhite, but which AST setup are you running?

I'm thinking if 5100 or 5200 would be more suitable for the M2C.

Would 5200 be more uncomfortable than 5100, or is it really just more adjustability?

Thanks,
Sunny

[warrenw]

Reviving old thread...still no dust boots?