The definitive suspension thread

**Mike R** · 28-12-2013, 10:02 PM

I've spent several hours looking through all the old suspension related threads and thought it might be handy for all the information to be located in one place. As we all know, the key to a fast Cesil is being able to carry more corner speed than almost anything else (that hasn't got mega aero appendages). But all OE suspension tends to be built to a budget, hence why better specced aftermarket dampers can see good improvements.

At present, I have H&R coilovers that are not much younger than the car and so next year will be looking to replace them, but don't know with what (obviously they have done so well, it could even be with the latest version of them). I know from my research that I will be avoiding Intrax, as I have seen from friends and lots of people on here that as good as they are, the rebuild frequency has put me right off.

So I'd be interested in views of the suspension set ups you have - it would be great if you could list the manufacturer, the model version, spring rates (and whether they are proper coilovers on the rear as well), cost, suspension geometry, is the damping fixed or adjustable, what you use the car for and your views on the Pros and Cons of your set up (e.g. Great on the track, but a bit harsh for the road (or vice-versa)). It would be great to see as much detail as possible

.

Muchos grassy arse

.

shane@mbtech · 28-12-2013, 11:41 PM

whats your budget is the definitive question to the definitive thread

dave wilkinson · 29-12-2013, 01:39 AM

If your only playing at trackdays and not racing. Intrax are perfect for you (as your not that fast anyway)

if you get serious at driving round in circles perhaps try some ohlins, but they'll cost you serious money. From experience I'd personally get COG to set your car up to your needs. Will gain you more than wasting a few grand

dave wilkinson · 29-12-2013, 01:45 AM

Just to add, as Shane's said, pointless question without a budget, cos you could nearly spend as much as your Csl's worth if your serious!

**Mike R** · 29-12-2013, 10:28 AM

I'm interested in what people have on their own cars and what they think of them, and that requires zero budget considerations

. I have a custom built set of Ohlins on the Cossie, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the normal kit they do for the E46 is going to be any good. I'm after real world experience of YOUR actual suspension on a CSL

, not what you might "think" would be good

.

You only have to read through some of the past threads to see that even many of the major suspension manufacturers get the spring rates completely wrong (which is why I was hoping people would put what they have and comment on what they think of THEIR set up). This is because I don't want to turn what is a reasonable compromise into an out and out track car (I already have one of those

).

This would also help anyone else looking in the future, as they could see that for instance, the KW V3 set up with x and y spring rates was universally praised by all who had them on their car. So rather than giving me a hard time

, why not get involved and post your set-up details

.

**shimmy** · 29-12-2013, 11:03 AM

HSD and D2.... Perfect for you mike.

**Mike R** · 29-12-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimmy

HSD and D2.... Perfect for you mike.

I assume that is what you swapped your KWs for in the end

?

**shimmy** · 29-12-2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike R

I assume that is what you swapped your KWs for in the end

?

Never used Kw but interestingly KW Clubsport are probably what you need. Full coilovers, work well, little maintenance if any.

I don't get on with Nitron and think they are still not 100% engineered for the car.

trackm3 · 29-12-2013, 11:31 AM

Mike, any good coilover will require rebuilding every 12months ! Have you ever put a set on a dyno after say just 1000 miles ? They are all over the place, so don't rule out Intrax !

QUOTE=Mike R;160204]I've spent several hours looking through all the old suspension related threads and thought it might be handy for all the information to be located in one place. As we all know, the key to a fast Cesil is being able to carry more corner speed than almost anything else (that hasn't got mega aero appendages). But all OE suspension tends to be built to a budget, hence why better specced aftermarket dampers can see good improvements.

At present, I have H&R coilovers that are not much younger than the car and so next year will be looking to replace them, but don't know with what (obviously they have done so well, it could even be with the latest version of them). I know from my research that I will be avoiding Intrax, as I have seen from friends and lots of people on here that as good as they are, the rebuild frequency has put me right off.

So I'd be interested in views of the suspension set ups you have - it would be great if you could list the manufacturer, the model version, spring rates (and whether they are proper coilovers on the rear as well), cost, suspension geometry, is the damping fixed or adjustable, what you use the car for and your views on the Pros and Cons of your set up (e.g. Great on the track, but a bit harsh for the road (or vice-versa)). It would be great to see as much detail as possible

.

Muchos grassy arse

.[/quote]

The Gorilla · 29-12-2013, 11:36 AM

Hi,

I think your going to wait a long time
for any serious replies in regard of
suspension etc.

Why ?

Those using ''out the box'' doing the odd Track day will
believe the car handles better on this
or that, yet the stock suspension set up correctly with
the addition of Camber plates and adjustable
ARB links, then the vast majoritymost of them would noit be able
to drive at 80/85% of its capabilities.

Move to a more progressive and say more serious suspension
set up where say many hours fetteling and switching
of settings and even spring rates has occured, with Caster,
and toe changes into the mis, combined with moving
items around for weight transfer ratios etc ARB changes
along with ARB settings, and very very few, if any,
are going to want to share that information for
the obvious reasons.

I have never been a subscriber that more expensive is
better, but what you do need is flexability ie] the ability
to be able to alter, point being is that if the std Sachs
Dampers were adjustable for low and high speed, and
the std Strut casing had the ablitly for Coilover sleeves
etc, then with a re-valve and spring change, add in some tenders
a set of Adjustable ARB drop links and camber mounts,
and for somebody that understands the basics then
unless your Hans Stuck, good useable gains can be made and
the orders for KW/Intrax/HR etc out the box with some
very limiting knobs on for E46's would decline.

Point being not many do.

Ring 'CSL Time' was a Press Car as such, so put on AP's
front and rear, Camber plates,well scrubbed Cups and
until you can get within circa 2 to 3 secs of that time, its not really
a suspension change holding back the Car is it ?

Regards,

The Gorilla.

28-12-2013, 10:02 PM	#1
Mike R S6, Sport On, Traction Off Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Norwich Posts: 1,582 Casino cash: $17548	The definitive suspension thread I've spent several hours looking through all the old suspension related threads and thought it might be handy for all the information to be located in one place. As we all know, the key to a fast Cesil is being able to carry more corner speed than almost anything else (that hasn't got mega aero appendages). But all OE suspension tends to be built to a budget, hence why better specced aftermarket dampers can see good improvements. At present, I have H&R coilovers that are not much younger than the car and so next year will be looking to replace them, but don't know with what (obviously they have done so well, it could even be with the latest version of them). I know from my research that I will be avoiding Intrax, as I have seen from friends and lots of people on here that as good as they are, the rebuild frequency has put me right off. So I'd be interested in views of the suspension set ups you have - it would be great if you could list the manufacturer, the model version, spring rates (and whether they are proper coilovers on the rear as well), cost, suspension geometry, is the damping fixed or adjustable, what you use the car for and your views on the Pros and Cons of your set up (e.g. Great on the track, but a bit harsh for the road (or vice-versa)). It would be great to see as much detail as possible . Muchos grassy arse . __________________ Mike R Sarcasm is just a free service I provide. Nordschleife, there's only two barriers to worry about - the ones on the left and the ones on the right . CSL number 044

29-12-2013, 10:28 AM	#5
Mike R S6, Sport On, Traction Off Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Norwich Posts: 1,582 Casino cash: $17548	I'm interested in what people have on their own cars and what they think of them, and that requires zero budget considerations . I have a custom built set of Ohlins on the Cossie, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the normal kit they do for the E46 is going to be any good. I'm after real world experience of YOUR actual suspension on a CSL , not what you might "think" would be good . You only have to read through some of the past threads to see that even many of the major suspension manufacturers get the spring rates completely wrong (which is why I was hoping people would put what they have and comment on what they think of THEIR set up). This is because I don't want to turn what is a reasonable compromise into an out and out track car (I already have one of those ). This would also help anyone else looking in the future, as they could see that for instance, the KW V3 set up with x and y spring rates was universally praised by all who had them on their car. So rather than giving me a hard time , why not get involved and post your set-up details . __________________ Mike R Sarcasm is just a free service I provide. Nordschleife, there's only two barriers to worry about - the ones on the left and the ones on the right . CSL number 044

29-12-2013, 11:03 AM	#6
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,645 Casino cash: $43908	HSD and D2.... Perfect for you mike. __________________ .

28-12-2013, 11:41 PM	#2
shane@mbtech CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: warrington Posts: 5,419 Casino cash: $19783	whats your budget is the definitive question to the definitive thread

29-12-2013, 01:39 AM	#3
dave wilkinson S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 252 Casino cash: $6129	If your only playing at trackdays and not racing. Intrax are perfect for you (as your not that fast anyway) if you get serious at driving round in circles perhaps try some ohlins, but they'll cost you serious money. From experience I'd personally get COG to set your car up to your needs. Will gain you more than wasting a few grand

29-12-2013, 01:45 AM	#4
dave wilkinson S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 252 Casino cash: $6129	Just to add, as Shane's said, pointless question without a budget, cos you could nearly spend as much as your Csl's worth if your serious!

29-12-2013, 11:31 AM	#9
trackm3 S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 411 Casino cash: $18073	Mike, any good coilover will require rebuilding every 12months ! Have you ever put a set on a dyno after say just 1000 miles ? They are all over the place, so don't rule out Intrax ! QUOTE=Mike R;160204]I've spent several hours looking through all the old suspension related threads and thought it might be handy for all the information to be located in one place. As we all know, the key to a fast Cesil is being able to carry more corner speed than almost anything else (that hasn't got mega aero appendages). But all OE suspension tends to be built to a budget, hence why better specced aftermarket dampers can see good improvements. At present, I have H&R coilovers that are not much younger than the car and so next year will be looking to replace them, but don't know with what (obviously they have done so well, it could even be with the latest version of them). I know from my research that I will be avoiding Intrax, as I have seen from friends and lots of people on here that as good as they are, the rebuild frequency has put me right off. So I'd be interested in views of the suspension set ups you have - it would be great if you could list the manufacturer, the model version, spring rates (and whether they are proper coilovers on the rear as well), cost, suspension geometry, is the damping fixed or adjustable, what you use the car for and your views on the Pros and Cons of your set up (e.g. Great on the track, but a bit harsh for the road (or vice-versa)). It would be great to see as much detail as possible . Muchos grassy arse .[/quote]

29-12-2013, 11:36 AM	#10
The Gorilla S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 740 Casino cash: $14401	Hi, I think your going to wait a long time for any serious replies in regard of suspension etc. Why ? Those using ''out the box'' doing the odd Track day will believe the car handles better on this or that, yet the stock suspension set up correctly with the addition of Camber plates and adjustable ARB links, then the vast majoritymost of them would noit be able to drive at 80/85% of its capabilities. Move to a more progressive and say more serious suspension set up where say many hours fetteling and switching of settings and even spring rates has occured, with Caster, and toe changes into the mis, combined with moving items around for weight transfer ratios etc ARB changes along with ARB settings, and very very few, if any, are going to want to share that information for the obvious reasons. I have never been a subscriber that more expensive is better, but what you do need is flexability ie] the ability to be able to alter, point being is that if the std Sachs Dampers were adjustable for low and high speed, and the std Strut casing had the ablitly for Coilover sleeves etc, then with a re-valve and spring change, add in some tenders a set of Adjustable ARB drop links and camber mounts, and for somebody that understands the basics then unless your Hans Stuck, good useable gains can be made and the orders for KW/Intrax/HR etc out the box with some very limiting knobs on for E46's would decline. Point being not many do. Ring 'CSL Time' was a Press Car as such, so put on AP's front and rear, Camber plates,well scrubbed Cups and until you can get within circa 2 to 3 secs of that time, its not really a suspension change holding back the Car is it ? Regards, The Gorilla.