Suggestions for Dual-Purposed Coilovers for Tracking and Spirited Driving

[Tbonem3]

I loved my vorshlag plates and was so sad to sell them to a friend, but I had to go back to street plates. The harshness wasn't actually the worst for me, it was the dead feeling. I love the classic BMW 3 series feel of rubber mounts and rubber FCABs.

[IamFODI]

The harshness wasn't actually the worst for me, it was the dead feeling.

Interesting. Could you expand on the dead feeling?

[Tbonem3]

No springing back like rubber does. Hard to describe. Felt it when I tried the TMS spherical fcabs, hated them immediately.

Just not as lively. I don't know how to describe that stock bmw feeling, but it was gone. Maybe the difference between the resistance of rubber and the lack of resistance with a bearing?

[bimmerfan08]

1) Why do your S/A's need to be replaced? If they are blown and you are the original owner there is a warranty.
2) What is it you want out of a setup that the car is currently not doing?

I bought the set, barely used, from a guy that took them off his E46 M3 track car in 2013 (he upgraded to MCS). I'm not the original owner, so the warranty doesn't apply to me. I've contacted Koni in the past about rebuilding the shocks and struts. With shipping, they're not much cheaper than buying new. And buying new puts the price tag at half of a decent coilover kit. Figured I'd explore options since I haven't conducted research in years.

The car has performed well - both on track and limited spirited driving. Not looking to change much other than freshen up the suspension.

Thanks for the responses so far. Great information for consideration. I need to refresh my knowledge of suspension setups, as it's been a minute since I've researched.

[Nowhereman89]

In for information, I'm looking to upgrade as well - shot OEM suspension. Just deciding if I want a starter kit or something I can grow into. My local specialist suggested KW V 3, I may just go with that if it's one they're familiar setting up...

[SQ13]

Ohlins coilovers are on sale this month fyi. 3DM sells a pre assembled/ready to install kit, which I have on order. The kit is customizable as well - I got 336 lb/in springs and bought RE RSMs separately. I stuck with the included Ohlins/Vorshlag camber plates, but I might regret that and end up buying GC Street camber plates.

[T-Rex]

I know, it's funny, but we've done a big circle in terms of suspension tuning philosophy at the enthusiast level, back to the same, basically, ratios as stock (stock is 143lb/385-685lb). Compliance/soft = fast (not upsetting/smooth) & roll = grip. To a degree ofc, and depends on driving usage/speed. In my sport of motocross, you didn't just pick spring rate based on body weight, you increased it based on your speed (beg, novice, inter, exp, increasingly)

I would also say to lower your front a bit based on my persoanl and some friends' experiences (esp if you have a bigger front bar), but increasing the rear is key to keeping up with the front - due to its location inboard (effective wheel rate is different than spring rate).

As far as harshness, for me, that comes much more down to your materials - is the front mount's material rubber, poly, solid? Are you using some rubber isolation like ohlins gives with their rear perches or just spring on metal like Ground control?

I went from 550lb ground control to 628lb ohlins and it's more comfortable! But more importantly, the car feels better from more closely matched ratio, more predictable, doesn't bottom out on big dips (scrape). I always loved how 550lb felt in regular driving, but it never kept up at speed, no matter what damper settings I chose (MCS 1w), and the car was pitching oddly due to stiff front (400lb at first, then I went to 343). I also had too much understeer when I went up to 400lb up front with medium sway setting, but it feels better now at 343lb.

To confirm, you went GC-> MCS 1W -> Ohlins? How much track time does your E46 see? I am definitely ready to replace my GC Coils, but unsure if they're enough of an upgrade on track to warrant going with Ohlins, or if I just need to bite the bullet and step up to something like MCS.

[Nowhereman89]

Ohlins coilovers are on sale this month fyi. 3DM sells a pre assembled/ready to install kit, which I have on order. The kit is customizable as well - I got 336 lb/in springs and bought RE RSMs separately. I stuck with the included Ohlins/Vorshlag camber plates, but I might regret that and end up buying GC Street camber plates.

I noticed that... Thanks for pointing out this 3dm kit, looks like this could be a great option. For some reason KW seems to be more well known here in SoCal, but Ohlins seems to be better tech with monotube etc. Hard decision and It's not like you can really try a bunch of coilover setups before buying.

[bimmerfan08]

Ohlins coilovers are on sale this month fyi. 3DM sells a pre assembled/ready to install kit, which I have on order. The kit is customizable as well - I got 336 lb/in springs and bought RE RSMs separately. I stuck with the included Ohlins/Vorshlag camber plates, but I might regret that and end up buying GC Street camber plates.

Is this the R&T kit?

https://www.ohlins.com/product/road-track/bmw-m3-2001-2005-e46/

[Nowhereman89]

Is this the R&T kit?

https://www.ohlins.com/product/road-...2001-2005-e46/

That's the base kit. 3DM website shows a "RTR" Ready to run as a second option once you select the kit on their website.

However they also have this kit below, there they include upgraded camber plates and some other items, but utilizing the dampers from the Road & Track Kit so it could be kind of a cool way to go for $3300.

https://3dmmotorsport.com/collections/bmw-m3-e46/products/bmw-m3-e46-3dm-trackday-suspension-kit

[SQ13]

Yup that’s the kit I got minus the RSMs. Just got the shipment email a few mins ago.

[SQ13]

To confirm, you went GC-> MCS 1W -> Ohlins? How much track time does your E46 see? I am definitely ready to replace my GC Coils, but unsure if they're enough of an upgrade on track to warrant going with Ohlins, or if I just need to bite the bullet and step up to something like MCS.

You could buy my MCS 2WNRs. They’ll be off the car by middle of next week. 😅

I noticed that... Thanks for pointing out this 3dm kit, looks like this could be a great option. For some reason KW seems to be more well known here in SoCal, but Ohlins seems to be better tech with monotube etc. Hard decision and It's not like you can really try a bunch of coilover setups before buying.

I’m installing the Ohlins track day kit next week, so I’ll share my feedback in a week or two. My suspension experience on the E46 M3 is stock (non-ZCP), PSS10s, and MCS 2WNRs.

[Nowhereman89]

Yup that’s the kit I got minus the RSMs. Just got the shipment email a few mins ago.

Nice! Definitely thinking of going with this kit. KWV3 & Camber plates would cost the same anyway. What was the timeframe like between ordering and shipping?

[Nowhereman89]

You could buy my MCS 2WNRs. They’ll be off the car by middle of next week. 😅



I’m installing the Ohlins track day kit next week, so I’ll share my feedback in a week or two. My suspension experience on the E46 M3 is stock (non-ZCP), PSS10s, and MCS 2WNRs.

Your feedback will be appreciated given all that experience... What were you not crazy about with the MCS system and the PSS10 system? If anything.

[SQ13]

Nice! Definitely thinking of going with this kit. KWV3 & Camber plates would cost the same anyway. What was the timeframe like between ordering and shipping?

Ordered April 7 and shipped today. There was a delay due to the 336# springs he had to order, but the standard Ohlins kit and the yellow Ohlins/Vorshlag camber plates were in stock when I reached out to him on the 13th.

Your feedback will be appreciated given all that experience... What were you not crazy about with the MCS system and the PSS10 system? If anything.

The PSS10s are fine. They’re on my blue car with linear rear springs, and I would definitely recommend them to someone with a street car that might see some track use. I’m switching out of the MCS 2WNRs bc the setup I have is noisy and I don’t want two way adjustable dampers anymore.