Review: 3DM Öhlins R&T kit + TMS camber plates + Syncro Design Works tension arms

[IamFODI]

Off topic...but how are you guys getting a hold of Barry? I've been trying to reach him on and off since 2022 and can't get a hold of the guy.

He had a family emergency and was out for a lot of 2023. He doesn't return phone calls or emails. I'm super fed up and considering buying the kit elsewhere at this point.

Last time I spoke with him was a couple of years ago at this point. Shame he hasn't been available.

Is there a reason you want to buy through him, other than that he's a great guy to support? FCP Euro carries Öhlins kits now, so you can buy from them and get that LRG.

[AWE46M3]

Last time I spoke with him was a couple of years ago at this point. Shame he hasn't been available.

Is there a reason you want to buy through him, other than that he's a great guy to support? FCP Euro carries Öhlins kits now, so you can buy from them and get that LRG.

I like the option of customizing and specing out the order before it ships out vs buying the standard kit and needing to buy replacement springs..etc.

I reached out yesterday and left him yet another voicemail. If I don't hear from him by Friday, I'm giving a local Ohlins distributer the business.

[Tbonem3]

Just piece the kit together yourself. I can help you ofc. It's pretty straight forward, you're just specc'ing new springs, and really only the front imo, rears not needed. Just need a 7" (or 7.08" if metric) 300-343lb spring in 2.5" or 63.5-65mm diameter and then camber plates with 2.5" perch.

[AWE46M3]

Just piece the kit together yourself. I can help you ofc. It's pretty straight forward, you're just specc'ing new springs, and really only the front imo, rears not needed. Just need a 7" (or 7.08" if metric) 300-343lb spring in 2.5" or 63.5-65mm diameter and then camber plates with 2.5" perch.

Thank you 🤝 What are your thoughts on the spacer he sells? If I'm doing the Turner Street camber plates (which seem thicker than vorschalg) would you get the strut spacer?

My understanding based on this video is the spacer adds height lost otherwise due to the lower profile/stack height of the camber plate:

[Tbonem3]

I'll have to review. Ostensibly, I'd say don't use it snd minimize stack height since you plan to lower the car. Seems like the spacer is for those wanting stock height? If it's a matter of clearance in the assembly, we can find an appropriately sized washer to take up any slack. But it's hard to see how Ohlins would make and be able to sell so many kits if these kits didn't work as-is and needed some little spacer from some Barry guy of you catch my drift.

[SFPirate]

New issue: In trying to hunt down a noise that I think is suspension-related, I found the boots on both camber plate monoballs were torn. No idea how long they were like that but there is definitely play in at least the passenger's side monoball. If that isn't the source of the noise, I'm guessing it will be soon.

I was a hair's breadth from using this situation as an excuse to switch to other camber plates. But ECS is running a killer sale RN that puts the TMS Hybrid at the price of the GC Street or Vorshlag. GC says their Street plates will only give up to -1.5º of camber, which is less than I need. GC Race and Vorshlag will do more, but still have unsealed monoballs. So, I guess I'll be sticking with TMS Hybrids.

Only consolation in all this is that the M3 will be seeing fewer miles from now on as we've added another car to the stable. So, hopefully whatever camber plates I buy next will last longer than 3 years and 40k miles.

Did you ever figure out what the noise was? I have a clunk that sounds similar to what loose-end links sound like, but it's for sure the camber plates. Running the BMW 1 Series (E82)
3DM "TrackDay" Suspension Kit. Which has Vorschlag Camber Plates.
Thanks!

[IamFODI]

Did you ever figure out what the noise was? I have a clunk that sounds similar to what loose-end links sound like, but it's for sure the camber plates. Running the BMW 1 Series (E82)
3DM "TrackDay" Suspension Kit. Which has Vorschlag Camber Plates.
Thanks!

Mine was the camber plate monoballs as well.

[Tbonem3]

May I leave my mini review of the R&Ts on E90, but with stock mounts + Dinan plates?

I cut the mounts by 10mm to reduce the stack of dinan fixed (-.7 iirc camber) plates that are 6mm thick iirc. so still a thinner stack than stock. I'm pretty low, I've got it 10 clicks off hard and it's very nice. I'm not wowed like I was with MCS on the E46, but that could be down to how good the E9x chassis is? Not sure. They're really great, but don't soak up bumps as quickly yet calmly as the mcs 1wnr do. Same 343lb front spring rate, though that, effectively, would be less on the heavier e90. Rear is 685 on e90 and 628 on E46. E46 is much lighter in the rear than the e90, so the eff rate may still be a bit lower on the e90. I want to move to a 400lb spring so that I can stay at my ride height. I'll post pics later. Rear might benefit from 700 something as well. The flat ride rate of 160/550 is interesting. A bit higher than e46 up front, expected, but only 550 rear which I found to be inadequate, though that was at 13" ride hoeght not stock 14" On my e46 w/ mcs, it's quite low too 13.25/12.75" and the ride is unreal, but the car is pretty light overall so higher eff rate in a sense which mcs don't mind at all. I would say get ohlins for e9x if you aren't going to go a bit lower than the lowering spring type sets go. Pss10 are similar in that regard I believe. Maybe I should have got v3s. Idk I was sold on the comfort the ,dfv, and the quality of the ohlins components and completeness of a kit too I guess, for under $2500 (at the time of purchase, secondhand).

Wheels are 9.5"/10.5"et17 with 265/285/35 ps4s. -2.6 camber up front, rears are somewhere around -2.xx as well No rubbing at all! (did have to shave the rear fender liners - that squarish piece of plastic that sticks out)