I found some advantages to rear coilovers

admranger · Thu, Jun-28-2012, 09:59:36 PM

My Ohlins could be true rear coilovers.

Terrapin · Fri, Jun-29-2012, 12:10:00 AM

You guys with the rear coilovers, how did you reinforce the shock mounts? Is there a solution that doesn't involve a full cage? I hear they are prone to tearing as is. Seems it would be a much bigger problem if they also have to hold the weight of the car...

Tarmac_E36_M3 · Fri, Jun-29-2012, 04:11:43 AM

I'm running full rear coilovers, made my Intrax. I'm using z3 reinforcement plates.

SC_TR0JAN_M3 · Fri, Jun-29-2012, 06:18:05 AM

from all my discussions with race shops and my local MCS shop that i bought my setup from, the main difference you get is that the rear springs become more "efficient" in a rear coilover setup, so you end up using less spring relative to the oem positioning. i would be surprised if anyone of us (myself included) would be able to hop into a car and feel any difference.

elbert · Fri, Jun-29-2012, 03:13:22 PM

I don't buy the argument that the horizontal forces generated by the arcing spring motion contributes much to the body damage at the subframe mount. My WAG is a lot more force is generated by accelerating/decelerating or by turning hard on some really sticky tires.

If you are really concerned that the springs are a problem, you can try the GC weight jacks instead of rear coilovers. The lower spring perch articulates, so the spring compresses closer to a linear motion. Not as ideal as rear coilovers, but significantly less expensive.

I assume those numbers listed for wheel rate are for E9x. The wheel rate for E46 is something like 0.44 for stock spring location.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC_TR0JAN_M3

i would be surprised if anyone of us (myself included) would be able to hop into a car and feel any difference.

For us mere mortals, you're probably right. I'm sure it's very easy for a pro in a car with high spring rates and solid bushings everywhere.

M3ANMACHINE · Fri, Jun-29-2012, 06:18:09 PM

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing

flipm3 · Sat, Jun-30-2012, 01:52:58 AM

Great information and interesting read.

I personally plan on going to a true rear coilover sometime in the future when I get a more track focused set of dampers. I am personally just waiting for a certain damper to release to the market before I make my decision.

Some people brought up reinforcing the rear. I have exchanged several emails with Lex at Motion Control Suspension. He specifically told me that the risk of tearing shock towers is overly exaggerated. According to him, a simple reinforcement plate and rear strut bar should suffice, even for a car that's daily driven. I have exchanged messages and emails with countless people throughout the world asking the same question. No one has ever had any tears after tens of thousands of miles.

And of we all know that the real reason to get a full rear coilover in the back is make adjusting height a lot easier

aznbo187 · Sat, Jun-30-2012, 02:40:55 AM

Actually, to adjust height my weight jacks make extremely easy. Jack up car from diff, ratchet & socket, bam! No collars, no wheel removal, extremely easy.

m3 guy · Sat, Jun-30-2012, 02:57:13 AM

Great info here, thanks

//MBAU · Tue, Jul-10-2012, 12:05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IHCrusader

Does AST by chance do this too?

I pretty sure they do.

Thu, Jun-28-2012, 09:59:36 PM	#11
admranger Registered troublemaker Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 449 Reputation: 0 Location: Las Vegas	Re: I found some advantages to rear coilovers My Ohlins could be true rear coilovers. __________________ '02 M3, Imola/Black, 6MT, CWP, PP, xenons, no sunroof, swapped ft. strut hats, Bimmerworld radiator and oil cooler, Ohlin struts/shocks, Eibach pro kit, PFC DD Rotors, PFC pads (Z or 06, depends...), Hybrid Audio Technologies Clarus speakers up front, two HAT Legatia 8's in rear deck, two big amps in the trunk for increased downforce... '11 E90 M3, Mebourne/Black/Fox Red/Black, 6MT, roof, PP2, heated seats, bone stock

Fri, Jun-29-2012, 12:10:00 AM	#12
Terrapin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,292 In the garage: '03 TOYOTA TACOMA '02 BMW E46 M3 Reputation: 0	Re: I found some advantages to rear coilovers You guys with the rear coilovers, how did you reinforce the shock mounts? Is there a solution that doesn't involve a full cage? I hear they are prone to tearing as is. Seems it would be a much bigger problem if they also have to hold the weight of the car... __________________ Journal

Fri, Jun-29-2012, 04:11:43 AM	#13
Tarmac_E36_M3 If it ain't lightweight, it ain't the right weight. Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3,002 In the garage: '95 BMW M3 '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: LA/OC/SD	Re: I found some advantages to rear coilovers I'm running full rear coilovers, made my Intrax. I'm using z3 reinforcement plates. __________________ Current: 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe; 351w (5.8L) carb engine; Champion 4 row radiator; Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifold; Edelbrock 750 CFM Carb; 15" Cragar Wheels; 215/60-15 front tires, 255/60-15 rear tires; Doug Tri-Y Headers; Custom 2.5" Dual Side Exit Exhaust w/Xpipe; MSD 6AL; Electric Fuel Pump; March Performance U/D Pulley Set; Monte Carlo Bar; 3200 lbs. 1995 M3; single 3" exhaust after cats; CF hood; Apex ARC-8 17x9" wheels; Conti DW 245 square; BC Racing Coilovers. SOLD: E46 M3 SMG; Intrax coilovers; ACPT CF DS; SS V1 Headers/Section 1; Zionsville Type 17 kit; VAC Ultra light pulley set; BMW MS 4.10; Evolve-R Tune; 2980 lbs.

Fri, Jun-29-2012, 06:18:05 AM	#14
SC_TR0JAN_M3 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,487 Reputation: 0 Location: San Jose	Re: I found some advantages to rear coilovers from all my discussions with race shops and my local MCS shop that i bought my setup from, the main difference you get is that the rear springs become more "efficient" in a rear coilover setup, so you end up using less spring relative to the oem positioning. i would be surprised if anyone of us (myself included) would be able to hop into a car and feel any difference. __________________ 2004 CB 6 Speed ///M3 Motion Control :: Performance Friction :: Autosolution :: Ground Control :: Mason :: APEX Looking For :: SS Race ::

Sat, Jun-30-2012, 01:52:58 AM	#17
flipm3 E46 M3 \| E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 6,258 Reputation: 0 Location: Chicago	Re: I found some advantages to rear coilovers Great information and interesting read. I personally plan on going to a true rear coilover sometime in the future when I get a more track focused set of dampers. I am personally just waiting for a certain damper to release to the market before I make my decision. Some people brought up reinforcing the rear. I have exchanged several emails with Lex at Motion Control Suspension. He specifically told me that the risk of tearing shock towers is overly exaggerated. According to him, a simple reinforcement plate and rear strut bar should suffice, even for a car that's daily driven. I have exchanged messages and emails with countless people throughout the world asking the same question. No one has ever had any tears after tens of thousands of miles. And of we all know that the real reason to get a full rear coilover in the back is make adjusting height a lot easier __________________ 2002 E46 M3 6MT \| Jet Black . Black Nappa \| My E46 M3 Build Thread 2009 E90 M3 DCT \| Melbourne Red . Speed Cloth \| My E90 M3 Build Thread LIKE IT: Zima Motorsports . Dean's Performance POST YOUR DYNO GRAPH HERE: The Official Dyno Thread

Sat, Jun-30-2012, 02:40:55 AM	#18
aznbo187 MCLA Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,386 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: West Hills, CA	Re: I found some advantages to rear coilovers Actually, to adjust height my weight jacks make extremely easy. Jack up car from diff, ratchet & socket, bam! No collars, no wheel removal, extremely easy. __________________ MCLUB \| Los Angeles

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