11-23-2019, 12:08 PM | #1 |
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BC Racing vs. KWv3 vs. Bilstein PSS10 B16
Anyone make this same decision I am in?
My brief thoughts: KWv3 ($2.5k): offers the most diversity with height and adjustments Bilstein ($2k): close is variability and cheaper than KWv3 with just as good quality BC racing ($1k): Cheapest option but best value for your $$, still a quality product from what I hear My M2C is currently a daily driver in southern California, potholes and crap roads are easily avoidable... but the ultimate goal is to turn this car into a full-blown track build. Any advice is appreciated. |
11-23-2019, 03:44 PM | #2 |
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If the ultimate goal is a "full blown track build" then I don't understand why BC racing is even an option. I would buy the KWs and be done with it.
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infinitekidM2C4206.50 Brickologic32.00 |
11-23-2019, 03:59 PM | #3 |
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11-24-2019, 05:15 AM | #4 |
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Keep OEM suspension spend moneies on diver mod, buy JRZ MCH, AST, etc actually awesome track suspension when its only a track car
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11-24-2019, 05:36 PM | #5 |
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If you never experienced any kind of coilover and you don't have much of track experience, go with either KW or Bilstein for beginning.
There is forum member who was running B16 PSS10 kit for years now on this forum and he has many trackdays videos posted on the youtube: I just ordered mine kit 3 days ago, and It should be with me in the next 2 weeks. But, what made me decide to go with Bilstein over KW are the following reasons. 1.The shocks are Monotube, and rear shock piston is reversely positioned which can have many benefits. The main one is that adjustment knob is easily accessible compared to KW V3 kit. 2. Bilstein is more comfortable compared to KW what I have heard from many F80 owners from European forums. Overall you can't go wrong with any of these two kits, but I chose comfort as we have bad roads over here and the eibach springs that I've put on my shocks really hurt my daily driving experience. While on track they work perfectly well. And you will look for the suspension out there, there is just one: Intrax. |
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11-24-2019, 08:50 PM | #6 | |
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Glad to hear that yours are actually coming though. I was turned off by the whole experience with Bilstein and didn't want to give them my business. Post up and let us know how you like them once you have them installed though! And just an edit: The KWs can be had for around $2k if you wait for a deal. I think they were running a $350 rebate when I got mine and it came to just under 2k shipped. Closes the gap to some of the others like the Bilsteins.
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Yellowflash21369.50 |
11-25-2019, 03:07 AM | #7 |
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Mosely Thanks for sharing your experience.
As far as I heard, they had issue 3+ years ago with the springs, and also the common problem is with the damping adjustment knob at front which tends to get broken after few years. Might be due to salt/water, and I'm planning to further protect it with some isolation/corrosion lubricant. I think that you folks in US have a dedicated manufacturing, which might explain the possible difference in built quality that existed before. Definitely, I will share my experience once I manage to install them in Bilstein thread. |
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11-25-2019, 04:12 PM | #8 | |
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11-26-2019, 04:43 AM | #9 |
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I didn't have much luck with PSS10 on the e46. The front failed after only about 30k miles. The warranty only covers material and has many exceptions.
I heard similar things from other people including a performance shop owner. They were quite good while they lasted though. Same comfort as OEM. |
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12-09-2019, 02:36 PM | #11 | |
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12-14-2019, 05:29 PM | #14 |
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Ok, finally my buddy mechanic find some time to dedicate me a whole day to install PSS10 kiy properly.
Before switching to PSS10 set, I had Eibach spring which worked well on track but on street use it was a complete mess. We ran into few issue during installation, as: a)My buddy mechanic got drunk last night. b)We didn't have a proper socket to unbolt the rear shock, so we had to ask around to get the right one. But anyway, here is the short story. My M2 is 2016 and on inspecting the front axle, we heard strong ticking noise when we moved steering angle from one side to another. The same noise can be reproduced when turning hard left or right in the corners, and many people reported this type of noise/clicking/ticking on this forum but nobody didn't know how to fix this. The problem was very clear and it was due to failed bearing inside "guide support", or the thing that comes at the top of each front shock. Today is Saturday, and we had little hope that we will find a replacement part and my gc plates didn't arrive yet. So, we had no other choice then to try to open them up and see what's going on with bearings inside. Lucky thing for us is that this was a bloody easy fix. Bearing can be dismantle with ease. My buddy put a lot of bearing lubricant inside of both of them and they were like new without any further noise. Now, back to Bilstein install, as we had visit in the shop by experienced ex racing driver which was happy to assist us with height setup. He measured front & rear shocks travel distance when uncompressed and compressed and did his math on the paper to tell us what would be the idle height to set the coils on. It surprised me that he was able to perfectly match the height of the car when it was on oem springs and on our first attempt. I've tested the setup for almost 60 miles on middle setting number 5, and its amazing how comfortable it is compared to stock & Eibach especially the back end which I hated so much. Although, the front is bit stiffer now compared to stock and I will see to maybe switch them to 4 and see how that will work out for daily usage. As its winter here, the hard settings will have to wait until March & track but overall I'm extremely happy as well is my butt and kidneys. Please, if you're looking for comfort,and look(lowering), do not go with any kind of HAS or spring sets. Pick a proper and well tested set of coilovers or don't change anything. The reasons why, I've decided to go with Bilstein compared to KW3 or Mperforamnce ones are: 1. Monotubes design shocks compared to KW ones 2. Rear shock is inverted 3. Rear damping can be easily adjustable 4. Damping can be adjusted on one knob 5. Trusted fellow M2 owners across the globe who had this kit installed and confirmed that it was a good option for them 5. It has blue colored springs. |
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12-17-2019, 10:57 AM | #15 | |
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For those that do, its inadequate at best, dangerous (body roll comes to mind) at worse. Its quite an uneasy feeling when you lose downforce on the inside coming into a corner at high speeds. |
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12-17-2019, 11:17 AM | #16 | ||||
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No, the M2 is not "designed for the track". Its a trackable street car. The "competition" badge does not all the sudden make it a full blown track car. Never said higher-rate springs = better handling, not sure where you got that from. BMW knows the cars well, but the cars are designed with thousands of drivers in mind, not you, or how you plan to use the car. I'd suggest searching the forums regarding other's experience with M performance coilovers. They are certainly not the best from what I can gather. Quote:
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Not trying to get into a pissing contest here, but you literally just bought your M2. I'd suggest you take it to a track before you start making claims of what you think the suspension is designed for. Last edited by detroitm2; 12-17-2019 at 11:29 AM.. |
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12-17-2019, 11:31 AM | #17 | |
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Its good to hear that you've had track experience, however, given you've just gotten your M2, I honestly doubt you're even close to qualified to state "facts" on its performance/handling specs. Again, theres no need to turn this into a pissing contest. The M2C is not a "track car" and the OEM suspension is tuned for aggressive street driving, just like every other M car (non CS) on the road. |
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12-18-2019, 05:44 AM | #19 |
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The stock setup is quite good for street use and decent for track, but if you are looking for the best lap time you need an improvement and KW V3/PSS10 are far superior than stock suspension. Mperformance coilovers is nothing but a KW V3 with different rate springs (more street oriented). Everything can be improved, a KW Clubsport is even better but it depends on what you're looking for.
Nothing to say about BC coils because I never tried them, forget HAS on a M car. |
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12-18-2019, 10:20 AM | #20 |
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Have you ever driven a M2 with a KW V3 and a Mperformance coils? I suppose not.
The spring rate by itself does not mean anything if you don't consider the stiffness of the shock absorbers, a higher spring rate can be better or worse depending on the shocks absorbers, it's not a universal value. |
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12-18-2019, 10:39 AM | #21 | |
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Theres also no one mentioning anything about Spring Rate other than you. You do know that all of the aftermarket coilovers here have various options for spring rate, correct? Please stop acting like an expert when you have literally zero experience on the M2 platform. You can also head back to reddit with the trolling, no one here cares. |
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12-18-2019, 10:54 AM | #22 | |
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