[Tengocity]

Thanks to Gordon for taking me for a passenger ride to feel what his Bilstein Coilovers were like!

Both our cars are on Michelin Pilot Super Sports so a good like for like comparison on the ride qualities.

In terms of ride height we could see that my front is higher than his, but his rear sits higher, but he's chosen a height( adjustable of course) that's more even front and back and looks better than what I have to my eyes.

In terms or ride comfort it felt very much like my car in sport mode (I have ACS springs). Firm but never sharp or harsh, but seemed to be less crashy. Not that mine is too bad, but even from the passenger seat I could feel the difference.

The real big difference was on the back roads when the pace was upped. Whilst his car is sdrive and a saloon, so naturally a bit lighter and nimbler, the control on offer seems to be leagues ahead of my car (could be his driving too of course!). The flatness through tight stuff and willingness to hold a line were very noticeable, and importantly the ability to take bumpy B roads at pace was good to see.

Anyway, that's given me a good baseline for my deliberations as to what to do next to the car, but it will definitely involve new dampers at some point.
So I know I can have similar (if not slightly better) ride comfort to now but with a whole lot more handling ability.

Do I want adjustable or do I just go with some nice Bilstein B8s to go with my current springs... or go with the ACS RS kit? Or even the ultra expensive KW or Bilstein options which retain adaptive options on the move!

Decisions decisions!

Anyway thanks Gordon- much appreciated!

[jusdorange]

no. video?

[Tengocity]

Nope, sorry! Here's a pic though, where you can see the ride heights.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Decent review.

Did you take him out in yours?

If so his views in comparison?

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Interesting stuff.

I've taken my car for a thrash today; post damper repair and post fitting of a new set of PSSs.

Having been back in runflats for a couple of weeks I am overwhelmed by the Michelins all over again - they are amazing.

I am however really disappointed with the handling after driving the M3 this week. It's a little frustrating.

So the full coil over route may be the route to go for some. Alas not for me; I draw the line there as I'd rather spend that sort of cash on an M3 (same goes for power upgrade). I love the xDrive but chose it primarily for bad weather - in 18 months I've not seen any!

One question - what happens when replacing adaptive with coilovers?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Interesting stuff.

I've taken my car for a thrash today; post damper repair and post fitting of a new set of PSSs.

Having been back in runflats for a couple of weeks I am overwhelmed by the Michelins all over again - they are amazing.

I am however really disappointed with the handling after driving the M3 this week. It's a little frustrating.

So the full coil over route may be the route to go for some. Alas not for me; I draw the line there as I'd rather spend that sort of cash on an M3 (same goes for power upgrade). I love the xDrive but chose it primarily for bad weather - in 18 months I've not seen any!

One question - what happens when replacing adaptive with coilovers?

You need to stop the car thinking there is a fault. Eibach make a plug in control unit that does this and it's £300

Not sure if there is coding solution but would be hoping so!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Decent review.

Did you take him out in yours?

If so his views in comparison?

Yes, quick blast along the motorway!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Yes, quick blast along the motorway!

What did he think of the remap?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Brigand

What did he think of the remap?

I think he said my car was a hearse with power going to the wrong axle!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I think he said my car was a hearse with power going to the wrong axle!

Lol spank him lol

[NISFAN]

Good to meet you today Terry.

Nice to hear a second opinion about my own car on occasion. You can become complacent about how much a change it made. Probably much like your re-map? Your car pulls like a train, very rapid indeed.

[Nick the Greek]

IMO with the majority of mass produced road cars, the most effective way of making it quicker is put on a set of high quality aftermarket dampers.

[Cootie]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

IMO with the majority of mass produced road cars, the most effective way of making it quicker is put on a set of high quality aftermarket dampers.

Agree on this one. Having had extensive rides over the last 12 months in a Scuderia, Speciale, 991 GT3 and also the F Type R a common denominator for me is the quality of their damping. Definitely a league above what you find in mass produced daily drivers.

[Nick the Greek]

Originally Posted by Cootie

Agree on this one. Having had extensive rides over the last 12 months in a Scuderia, Speciale, 991 GT3 and also the F Type R a common denominator for me is the quality of their damping. Definitely a league above what you find in mass produced daily drivers.

Yep.

Anyone who rides a motorcycle will understand this. When you set the suspension of a motorcycle to run on road races, the springs are surprisingly 'soft' as is the compression damping. This has to be so, as you're running up to 190 mph on 30 mph roads. What is extraordinary about the set up is the quality of the damper and it's ability to deal with an irregularity in the road, in one 'movement' ie exceptional rebound control.

[dopper99]

Another reason why the 330d sdrive handles a little better than the 335d could be due to the thicker ARB's.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

IMO with the majority of mass produced road cars, the most effective way of making it quicker is put on a set of high quality aftermarket dampers.

This is remarkable considering this is exactly what we all used to do in the old days with our early cars...

... Or I did anyway!

[teaston]

I really want PSS's now!

I've only done a couple of miles with the Summer run flats back on and i can already tell how poor they feel even compared to the Winter non run flats!

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

I am however really disappointed with the handling after driving the M3 this week. It's a little frustrating.

This'll make you laugh...

Another boat out tonight and I'm thinking "this car is just too soft!" and getting really annoyed.

Turns out it looks like the technician changed my 'Sport' settings to drivetrain only.... would you believe, I've turned it back on to drivetrain/chassis and all is, well, better.

[Nick the Greek]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

This is remarkable considering this is exactly what we all used to do in the old days with our early cars...

... Or I did anyway!

Yes.

Nothing new just common sense!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Good to meet you today Terry.

Nice to hear a second opinion about my own car on occasion. You can become complacent about how much a change it made. Probably much like your re-map? Your car pulls like a train, very rapid indeed.

Yes, totally take it for granted and then on to the next life-changing modification!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

IMO with the majority of mass produced road cars, the most effective way of making it quicker is put on a set of high quality aftermarket dampers.

Given how fundamental they are to handling then hard to argue against that for the driving enthusiasts among us.
Just need to decide on which ones now.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Given how fundamental they are to handling then hard to argue against that for the driving enthusiasts among us.
Just need to decide on which ones now.

Have you got any in mind?

I've considered Bilstein B6 or B8's to go with my ACS springs. I'm not sure which of the 2 we'd need, but think it's probably the B6 as we're not lowered much.

They're £628 for all 4!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bilstein-B...3D331490380507