Damper ratings for stock setup

[Tbonem3]

In your OP, you say you want to soften things up from stock?

I would trust companies like GC or anyone else with a task like that as they love slapping on 500lb springs (stock is 143lb).

Maybe we should really clarify what it is that you want. Removing your front strut bar would make the ride more comfortable, for example, but few would actually do that.

It may be as simple as just swapping out your old dampers (and spring pads/bumps) with new yellow koni, black billys (b4) or oem sachs. I wouldn't bother with Konis if you're going to repurpose stock springs - no need to pay a little extra for adjustability.

As alluded to, 18" wheels/tires will have big effect on comfort over 19"

Maybe new mounts are in order too.

[sharadn]

18" wheels Conti DWS06 on the back with older Pilot sport A3 on the front. Once I get my suspension sorted out and aligned I will put the Contis on the front as well. I would just like to soften things up a bit and make the suspension a bit more supple so that expansion joints and so on are not so jarring. It seems that the Koni sports are the best for this. I had originally considered coilovers because the springs and valves can be customized and matched (for comfort) but all the feedback that I got was that the coil overs will only increase the harshness. Maybe the GC setup with the adjustable Konis would be more comfortable than the stock setup. It seems that all my dampers are still good. No oil leaks. They are not bouncy or floaty and still seem to dampen but they seem kind of dead like bumps are just a thud instead of being adsorbed. Stock BMW units with 105K on them.
I also got a similar sales pitch about the Ohlins road and track but apparently they are setup for coupes and not verts. I'm not interested in lowering

[r4dr]

I had kind of written off coilovers based on input that I got but Ground Control assures me that they can make a setup that will improve on the comfort of the stock setup. The setup does come with the adjustable Konis and I think you can adjust them without removing from the car
E46 M3 Complete Coilover Kit, Street/School (Complete Front Assemblies – Ground Control Suspension Systems (groundcontrolstore.com)
Should I believe them?
2002 vert
From Ground control:

Yes it will be a much better ride. The car will handle better but also give your a better ride at the same time. Mention the information of how you want the car to ride when you purchase and we will set you up with desired spring rates as well.

On Sun, 07 Feb 2021 06:02:33 -0800, Arthur Nichols <[email protected]> wrote:

Will this setup definitely be more comfortable than the stock e46 M3 setup? My wife is giving me the thumbs up and I am doing this as much for her as for me and I don't want her to be disappointed after spending $2G,


On Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 11:54:35 AM EST, <[email protected]> wrote:


On Tue, 02 Feb 2021 08:33:37 -0800, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:

Yes we can get you setup with something like that. Here is a link to the kit we would recommend https://groundcontrolstore.com/colle...ont-assemblies .

When purchasing include the same information you gave us here and we will be able to set you up with the correct spring rates to cater to the comfort you are looking for.

Hello, I have a 2002 e46 M3 vert. I find the suspension a bit stiff for DD. I understand that the suspension for the 330CI ZHP would be more comfortable for DD and would be a drop in swap without being overly floaty. Can you recommend a setup that will get me close to the ZHP level of comfort and control? Thanks Art

That would highly depend on their spring rates IMO... are you on 19" wheels? What tires?

[sharadn]

I had kind of written off coilovers based on input that I got but Ground Control assures me that they can make a setup that will improve on the comfort of the stock setup. The setup does come with the adjustable Konis and I think you can adjust them without removing from the car
E46 M3 Complete Coilover Kit, Street/School (Complete Front Assemblies – Ground Control Suspension Systems (groundcontrolstore.com)
Should I believe them?
2002 vert
From Ground control:

Yes it will be a much better ride. The car will handle better but also give your a better ride at the same time. Mention the information of how you want the car to ride when you purchase and we will set you up with desired spring rates as well.

On Sun, 07 Feb 2021 06:02:33 -0800, Arthur Nichols <[email protected]> wrote:

Will this setup definitely be more comfortable than the stock e46 M3 setup? My wife is giving me the thumbs up and I am doing this as much for her as for me and I don't want her to be disappointed after spending $2G,


On Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 11:54:35 AM EST, <[email protected]> wrote:


On Tue, 02 Feb 2021 08:33:37 -0800, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:

Yes we can get you setup with something like that. Here is a link to the kit we would recommend https://groundcontrolstore.com/colle...ont-assemblies .

When purchasing include the same information you gave us here and we will be able to set you up with the correct spring rates to cater to the comfort you are looking for.

Hello, I have a 2002 e46 M3 vert. I find the suspension a bit stiff for DD. I understand that the suspension for the 330CI ZHP would be more comfortable for DD and would be a drop in swap without being overly floaty. Can you recommend a setup that will get me close to the ZHP level of comfort and control? Thanks Art

[Obioban]

Konis ride the best.

[sharadn]

I understand that without getting into coil overs that there are limited options for dampers for the M3. Koni yellows, Sachs, and Bilstein B4 and B6. We can leave out the OE BMW dampers as I understand they are rebranded Sachs. I need to refresh my suspension and would like to get some input as to how these rate on the stiffness scale. I would like to soften up things up a bit while maintaining the stock setup. If I am forgetting any options please weigh in.