Help me finally choose my coilover setup

[bavarian3]

Wow appreciate all the feedback. Now I'm more confused 😂 I think all the positive notes suggest it's hard to go wrong at this price point and I'll just need to take the plunge.

I don't think I'll go Ohlins since I want camber plates and no travel limitations from lowering. Regarding GC products, they scare me off too much from all the stories about clunking products.

Nate047, 9kracing, elbert With regards to the JRZ's I actually was steering towards completing this set but it does seem these are more suited for track with a more frequent rebuild interval. I was PM'ing with jvit27 and his experience with these suggests there are better options for my scenario. BTW those AST's are sexy, for the cost though I'll probably stick with the mentioned options.

Sid_E46 Could you elaborate more on your setups and experience with the TCK vs MCS? This isn't the first time I've heard great things about the MCS on the street.

[cobra]

I would throw the KW V3 in the mix. The springs they come with are a good street/track balance, they have good damping range, are shortened so you don't lose travel when lowering. Add some stock-ish height camber plates and you've got all the adjustment you need with minimal effort. These would be a step above those JRZ's you have.

Are we sure that Dinan ran RS2's and not RS Pro's?

[SQ13]

I don't think I'll go Ohlins since I want camber plates and no travel limitations from lowering.

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that’s only an issue if you don’t use the 3DM strut spacers and set the ride height below 13.5”.

You don’t need 2 ways unless you’re competing at the track IMO. Way too much adjustability that you likely won’t even mess with after setting them up once.

[LSBNick]

Im on MCS one ways with a relatively stiff spring setup and it is incredibly comfortable on the street. More comfortable than my previous TcKline DAs and depending on the setup, probably more compliant than Ohlins.

+1 for MCS 1WNR. I’m running roughly the same spring rates as Sid, and I’ve never been happier. Up in the GA mountains they were a night and day difference over my ohlins r&t setup I ran. And with MCS being local, any maintenance or future upgrades are extremely convenient.

[bmwfnatic]

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that’s only an issue if you don’t use the 3DM strut spacers and set the ride height below 13.5”.

You don’t need 2 ways unless you’re competing at the track IMO. Way too much adjustability that you likely won’t even mess with after setting them up once.

I believe it was an issue only if you used an aftermarket camber plate which is much shorter than the BMW top mount, in that case people used the 3DM spacer.
I personally run them with a camber plate that is identical in height compared to the BMW top mount, no issues, no spacer.

[liam821]

Ground Control has a nice complete kit that is made to work with MCSs

https://groundcontrolstore.com/collections/e46-m3/products/bmw-e46-coilover-completion-kit-for-ohlins-mcs-jrz-ast-etc

[Sharocks]

I have TCK DA's and if I were you, I would consider the Ohlins first, MCS 1 ways second, TCK DA's last.

TCK DA's can be setup extremely well but they require some fiddling with.

Ohlins like everyone else said, are great out of the box.

MCS is MCS, they ain't gonna suck unless you choose some garbage spring rates or turn them all the way up on the street.

[T.J.]

How much camber are you looking to run? Stock mounts maintain oem NVH levels and you can get decent camber with the slotted mounts.

[fattycharged]

TMS plates aren't cheap, but really close to stock height


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[SQ13]

Just buy this. Spec softer front springs and have him drop the RSMs (get Rogue RSMs instead). It comes preassembled, so you basically just have to install and set ride height. And make sure you buy OE strut tower reinforcement plates.

https://3dmmotorsport.com/collections/bmw-m3-e46/products/bmw-m3-e46-3dm-trackday-suspension-kit?variant=28992298319977

[bavarian3]

I would throw the KW V3 in the mix. The springs they come with are a good street/track balance, they have good damping range, are shortened so you don't lose travel when lowering. Add some stock-ish height camber plates and you've got all the adjustment you need with minimal effort. These would be a step above those JRZ's you have.

Are we sure that Dinan ran RS2's and not RS Pro's?

Whatever I end up with let's get em' on the shock dyno.

Ground Control has a nice complete kit that is made to work with MCSs

https://groundcontrolstore.com/collections/e46-m3/products/bmw-e46-coilover-completion-kit-for-ohlins-mcs-jrz-ast-etc

Nice find. Somewhat offtopic but I'm curious what the importance is to run barrel springs in the rear. TCK and Ohlins run them but others don't. I'm thinking below a certain rate barrel style must help.

I have TCK DA's and if I were you, I would consider the Ohlins first, MCS 1 ways second, TCK DA's last.

TCK DA's can be setup extremely well but they require some fiddling with.

Ohlins like everyone else said, are great out of the box.

MCS is MCS, they ain't gonna suck unless you choose some garbage spring rates or turn them all the way up on the street.

Wow it's crazy depending who you talk to, you could hear the exact opposite. The positive sentiment towards the Ohlins kit can't be disregarded though.

One thing that seems conclusive is the MCS being awesome.

[bavarian3]

How much camber are you looking to run? Stock mounts maintain oem NVH levels and you can get decent camber with the slotted mounts.

I'm aware of this, but want the adjustability. I'm also after more steering feel.

TMS plates aren't cheap, but really close to stock height


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It's sad they lack parts(spring perches) and support. I made the decision not to go down that path incase of any issues.

I believe it was an issue only if you used an aftermarket camber plate which is much shorter than the BMW top mount, in that case, people used the 3DM spacer.
I personally run them with a camber plate that is identical in height compared to the BMW top mount, no issues, no spacer.

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that’s only an issue if you don’t use the 3DM strut spacers and set the ride height below 13.5”.

You don’t need 2 ways unless you’re competing at the track IMO. Way too much adjustability that you likely won’t even mess with after setting them up once.

Just buy this. Spec softer front springs and have him drop the RSMs (get Rogue RSMs instead). It comes preassembled, so you basically just have to install and set ride height. And make sure you buy OE strut tower reinforcement plates.

https://3dmmotorsport.com/collection...28992298319977

Appreciate the clarification.

I did see this actually, thanks! Looks like he highlights and solves the issue around travel.

[bavarian3]

+1 for MCS 1WNR. I’m running roughly the same spring rates as Sid, and I’ve never been happier. Up in the GA mountains they were a night and day difference over my ohlins r&t setup I ran. And with MCS being local, any maintenance or future upgrades are extremely convenient.

Love to hear this! I think with the conclusive positive notes on MCS I'll start looking at pricing together a kit. What rates do you run?

[fattycharged]

I'm sure you're aware, but you'll need the same ancillary items to run the MCS as the JRZ's, so you could give them a go before going in on a set of MCS dampers, and not be any worse off.

[bigjae46]

I have TCK DA's. They're 12 or 13 years old and have about 60k miles on them. No leaks but they could use a rebuild. I can feel the dampers bottom out if I run over a rather large curb.

My E46 track car is more comfortable than my E90 M3 on a stock non-EDC suspension. I do the flat ride thing which has made a huge difference. I've only touched the adjustments 3 times since I've owned them.

But for a street car, I'd probably get Bilstein PSS again. They were decently comfortable and performed really well at about 1/3 the price of the others.