Coilover Recommendation

[rbg]

Yeah, the independent preload and ride height adjustment is pretty slick. They also have built-in front camber plates, monotube digressive piston damper design, a great warranty, and swift springs. I went with 9k front and 11k rear springs. I'll post a review up once I get them.

https://fortune-auto.com/coilovers/mullermsc1way/

Are they on special custom order (these are not 500 or 510 right?), can't find them in their online store?

[liam821]

Are they on special custom order (these are not 500 or 510 right?), can't find them in their online store?

They're not the 500 or 510s, correct. It's not as aggressive/track focused like the 510, but at the same time its more than the 500. They also come standard all the options such as swift springs.

I also can't seem to find them on their online store, which is weird although I don't think I ever looked. How I ordered mine was pretty simple. I called and chatted with FA about spring rates, 500 vs 510 vs MSC and settled on MSC 9k/11k, they asked if I wanted to order from them via the phone and I told them I was going to order at ECStuning because I had a bunch of money in my PayPal account at the time, so it was just easier. They said sure thing. So then I called up ECS who then made me a special inventory tag for the 9k/11k MSCs for the e46m3 and emailed me a link. I then just clicked the link, paid with PayPal, and they showed up 3 weeks later.

[terra]

Agree the pricing at TR is up there.
Still not sure why you think these use "linear rate" springs?
Second post by Bilstein even more important about the lb rating of these "Progressive rate" springs.
https://www.vorshlag.com/forums/foru...s-pss10-review

If they tested it and found it to be progressive I can't argue with that. Lang racing and other vendors had only the rears listed as progressive. And I believe there was a post on m3forum with an email from Bilstein to that effect... not that I can go look for that now.

[Steve]

I've got BCs with the Swift springs, the setup came installed on the car when I bought it. Still have the stock components thankfully though.
Are BCs really the trash people claim? The car rides quite nice, isn't too harsh and tracks great around corners.
I dont have much of anything to compare it with as I have never been in another E46 M3 w/ coilovers...

No, they're fine. If you like them, why worry about what others think or if they trash talk with no direct experience of the product? I have them on my car and they've worked out great for a street setup.

[Cubieman]

Good point.

[Obioban]

That said, they’re not good. But, if you’re happy with them, don’t drive a car with a good setup and you should remain happy with them.

[newton22]

Obioban low key trashing everything not high caliber. 😂

Honestly, good handling and grip is not something everyone strives for. Cheaper coilovers work great for the low and slow guys or for drifting just get some BCs with extra firm rear spring rates. If we're going for handling and grip, then look into TCK etc.

[Tbonem3]

I'd rather drive an M with BC coils and MPS4s than one with TCK D/A and Ventus v12s...

There are many factors, no just shocks/springs.

[Obioban]

Obioban low key trashing everything not high caliber. 😂

Honestly, good handling and grip is not something everyone strives for. Cheaper coilovers work great for the low and slow guys or for drifting just get some BCs with extra firm rear spring rates. If we're going for handling and grip, then look into TCK etc.

No I'm not-- I'm just calling a spade a spade. I'm running Koni yellows + Dinans on the M3 wagon-- an setup at the same price point as the BCs. Not "high caliber" but any stretch... but also not a downgrade from stock.

Saying that crappy setups aren't crappy undermines actually good offerings, which is a negative for the platform. Yes, if you want to be low and slow, the BCs will function-- had that been the post, I wouldn't have replied. So will cutting your stock springs :P

I'd rather drive an M with BC coils and MPS4s than one with TCK D/A and Ventus v12s...

There are many factors, no just shocks/springs.

For sure-- nothing ruins a car faster than crappy tires.

... that doesn't mean suspension isn't also important.

[Cubieman]

I have nothing to compare them with, so I do agree that more high end coils would undoubtedly perform better, just how it is.
At the point at which I track the car I'll have to see about an upgrade, but these seem just fine for the street.
The previous owner had them installed along with some heavy window tinting. Car sits low and with the 19" 67's its kind of got a "gangstered out" look.

[Epsilon]

I'd rather drive an M with BC coils and MPS4s than one with TCK D/A and Ventus v12s...

There are many factors, no just shocks/springs.

I have BCs that came with the car and got new 19" MPS4s which made a noticeable improvement in ride quality compared to the previous MP A/S. It took the edge off the rough bumps.

[Steve]

Obioban low key trashing everything not high caliber. 😂

Honestly, good handling and grip is not something everyone strives for. Cheaper coilovers work great for the low and slow guys or for drifting just get some BCs with extra firm rear spring rates. If we're going for handling and grip, then look into TCK etc.

Nothing new there.

Truth of the matter is that I just had a blast on some backroads with my BC coils and Michelin AS3s. A setup that would be shunned on here because it’s not ready to do time trials at the track. Heck, my car is even on stock brakes, the horror! In reality though, I didn’t even go 5/10ths of what my setup is capable of and still had a blast. If I had spent $3000 more I would have ended up going 4/10ths of what it is capable of and gained absolutely nothing as I would have driven in the exact same manner. So whose wrong here? Answer is no one because everyone should use and mod their car as they please. But should people needlessly trash other people’s mods because they chose to go a different route? In my opinion, no as it’s a bit tasteless.

[r4dr]

I'm not sure why you're being so defensive when the point being made is that it's not how much you spend it, it's how you spend it... if you love your setup and have fun with it, it sounds like you're all set. Just like how I'm not going on the PGA tour anytime soon -- I'll be having fun golfing whether I have a set of hand me down steel clubs or state-of-the-art carbon fiber clubs.

[Obioban]

Nothing new there.

Truth of the matter is that I just had a blast on some backroads with my BC coils and Michelin AS3s. A setup that would be shunned on here because it’s not ready to do time trials at the track. Heck, my car is even on stock brakes, the horror! In reality though, I didn’t even go 5/10ths of what my setup is capable of and still had a blast. If I had spent $3000 more I would have ended up going 4/10ths of what it is capable of and gained absolutely nothing as I would have driven in the exact same manner. So whose wrong here? Answer is no one because everyone should use and mod their car as they please. But should people needlessly trash other people’s mods because they chose to go a different route? In my opinion, no as it’s a bit tasteless.

You're going to need to grow a thicker skin. If facts about setups hurts your feelings, the problem isn't with the facts.

Accurately describing the qualities of various setups is necessary for people to make informed purchasing decisions going forward. Certainly people are free to use whatever setup they desire-- but they should go into that decision with knowledge of what they're choosing.

Not at all targeted at you, but I think most people actually make their cars handle worse when they swap out suspension-- lower them out of design range of the suspension geometry, create weird front/rear ride height staggers, don't have enough bump travel for the suspension to actually function, huge amounts of preload, crazy corner weights, sway bars chosen by who knows what thought process, etc. I believe most people think that stiffer and less body roll = better handling, so low and stiff means the car is upgraded. It's hard to put much stock in lots of suspension "reviews" you read online, when looking at the setup you objectively know it's worse than stock, much less a properly done aftermarket setup.

I'd also point out that how "capable" a suspension is is just one factor of what makes it good/bad, for anything but dedicated race cars (not anyone here). Predictability, ride comfort, limit control, reliability, load capacity, tire clearance, adjustability etc are all significant, as well.

Also running stock M3 brakes on the M3 wagon

[Steve]

You're going to need to grow a thicker skin. If facts about setups hurts your feelings, the problem isn't with the facts.

Accurately describing the qualities of various setups is necessary for people to make informed purchasing decisions going forward. Certainly people are free to use whatever setup they desire-- but they should go into that decision with knowledge of what they're choosing.

Not at all targeted at you, but I think most people actually make their cars handle worse when they swap out suspension-- lower them out of design range of the suspension geometry, create weird front/rear ride height staggers, don't have enough bump travel for the suspension to actually function, huge amounts of preload, crazy corner weights, sway bars chosen by who knows what thought process, etc. I believe most people think that stiffer and less body roll = better handling, so low and stiff means the car is upgraded. It's hard to put much stock in lots of suspension "reviews" you read online, when looking at the setup you objectively know it's worse than stock, much less a properly done aftermarket setup.

I'd also point out that how "capable" a suspension is is just one factor of what makes it good/bad, for anything but dedicated race cars (not anyone here). Predictability, ride comfort, limit control, reliability, load capacity, tire clearance, adjustability etc are all significant, as well.

Also running stock M3 brakes on the M3 wagon

You totally missed the point of my post.

The point was that none of us are using our cars at 9/10 on the road and if we are, we don't need a license as we would be putting others in danger. I understand everyone wants "the best" but sometimes the things people post on forums just gets silly. What I don't like is when "the best" equals "whatever I happen to have" which seems quite common in the M3 world.

My skin is plenty thick, but suggesting my car is somehow lesser because it doesn't meet your 'standards' is a bit lame.