Anyone gone for lowering springs only??

[Paul Eggleton]

Hi,

I'm not prepared to throw £k's at a full on suspension kit as I don't do many track days, but I would like to lower the car a bit.

Has anyone gone for just a shorter set of springs as per the ones on the Thorney site - stage 2? It shows a reasonable drop at the front but I would like to see the effect on the rear too.

Does anyone know if the ride is effected much, for better or worse?

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/tuning/E46_M3_CSL_Handling.shtml

thanks

Paul

[bromers]

I wasn't 100% sure they fitted the CSL, double check with John - if they do let me know how you get on.

[daniel_csl]

Have a look at the HSD coilovers on the cutters forum. I believe a-ltuning are doing them for sub 800 fitted:thumbs:. Getting very good reviews so far.

[Paul Eggleton]

Thanks, I will take a look.

[anissut]

Those HSD coilovers look bloody good value. Anyone with any experience of them? Would they fit the CSL just like the E46 M3?

[Lee13]

Brand new platform adjustable suspension £650

I can do a set of the BC Racing RM series inverted shocks monotube design where the coilover lowers into the body so that you lose no travel whatsoever no matter how low you lower the car (porsche GT3 style coilover) with pillowball topmounts and camber adjusting topmounts rears are seperate damper and spring as per CSL. I have been developing this kit for a few months now on my CSL and have been amazed with the quality of the kits. I guarantee anyone who purchases will not be disappointed, the ride quality on the road is identical to standard. BC Racing have been making platform adjustable suspension for 10+ years now for other manufacturers then they rename the kit as their own. A £725 kit is £1195 when it goes out renamed......... I have ran KW suspension all my life and I can assure you that the level of service and the quality of this suspension is second to none. Any enquiries please PM me. All suspension carries a 12 month warranty.:thumbs: Register price £650 for the RM series + £10 carriage
Basically same kit as HSD £100 cheaper

[anissut]

Lee, I guess a specialist such as Thorney/Simpsons would need to do the fitting? Any idea how much they would charge to fit?

[NZ_M3]

If you are doing it for aesthetics then by all means - if you are doing it to improve handling then you are dreaming to be honest.

The stock set up really is very good out of the box. Either go coilovers or nothing at all:

I can do a set of the BC Racing RM series inverted shocks monotube design where the coilover lowers into the body so that you lose no travel whatsoever no matter how low you lower the car (porsche GT3 style coilover) with pillowball topmounts and camber adjusting topmounts rears are seperate damper and spring as per CSL.

No offense Lee13, but that makes absolutely zero sense to me from a technical perspective - whether the shocks are monotube, twin tube, monotube inverted or whatever, unless you were cutting into the chassis to move the pick up and pivoting points on a car you WILL change the geometry and travel of a car - having a taller top mount helps, but you are still changing the overall travel of the suspension design.

[shimmy]

The stock set up really is very good out of the box. Either go coilovers or nothing at all:



.

:thumbs:

but surely its not worth ruining a great car just for a slightly lowered look!

[Dan_csl]

:thumbs:

but surely its not worth ruining a great car just for a slightly lowered look!

I would most definately say no! lol

I think what would be better is if someone can recommend a kit that has been tried and actually tested by a member that offers a decent upgrade in handlind performance yet still keeps the car nice on road trips and everyday driving, I personally don't want the car to bang, bump and crash around on potholes for the sake of a cheapo set of coilovers!

Lots of people have the KW's, surely these are tried and tested, how are these for light track use and road/everyday driving?

[AlexGTT]

As mentioned already above, don't bother with just springs. Go with a good coilover or leave alone. Plenty of choice from KW, Intrax, Nitron, AST.

If I wasn't tracking much I'd certainly have stuck to std. setup with some good adjustable top mounts.

[glendog74]

Lots of people have the KW's, surely these are tried and tested, how are these for light track use and road/everyday driving?

KW V3 would suit you then if that's how you will be using the car. If more track use is planned then consider the KW Clubsport kit + topmounts.

As has already been said, standard CSL suspension does just fine on road and with occasional track use. I swapped to KW as my originals were becoming rather tired and the car was rolling during cornering on track.

[shimmy]

As mentioned already above, don't bother with just springs. Go with a good coilover or leave alone. Plenty of choice from KW, Intrax, Nitron, AST.

If I wasn't tracking much I'd certainly have stuck to std. setup with some good adjustable top mounts.

i agree. my car was stock suspension for forst 2 years of owner ship used road and track and it was perfect, even though maybe15mm higher than id like for looks

now with intrax and about 17mm drop its fine as well but used mainly weekends and track, and would swap back to OEM if it was still a daily road car

[Paul Eggleton]

For all of you that say leave shorter springs alone, have you actually had experience of something like the ones Thorney are offering??????..............

I'm fully aware of making a step backwards in performance by putting on any old kit (i remember the early Jamex kits :smt103 ) and won't do it unless it's on at least par with std for performance, albeit a bit firmer. I don't mind a firm ride and the car's not a daily driver.

I shall discuss with Thorney and gauge their view.

[DuncanR]

I think what would be better is if someone can recommend a kit that has been tried and actually tested

Recommended kit for lowering a CSL without spoiling anything.
Purchase 4 no. pieces of 40mm thick steel plate, approx. 500mm square.
Lift floor carpets in footwell.
place steel plate in footwell
recover with carpets ...seemple !:thumbs: