I used to be a big fan of GC's "street/track" kit. What convinced me to buy was the price. Really cheap compared to the competition. What I didn't realize at the time were the hidden costs. Yes, the coilovers with short 6" springs (and bigger sways) really improved cornering ability and handling, but this also meant having to stop whenever entering most driveways and going over speed bumps, etc. A big hassle. Also, figure in the cost of replacing tires more often ($230 for a Bridgestone S-03) and more vibrations going into the car's structure and suddenly the car's developing rattling from strange places.

I used the kit for a number of DEs. Then the front left strut started leaking, and the mechanic said it was destroyed and had to be replaced. So I replaced both front Koni strut inserts. After only 11 K street miles, the strut insert failed again. Rather than buy more strut inserts, I decided to go with Bilstein Sport shocks and the stock M3 springs.

I am happy to be driving around a bit higher off the ground, with a very smooth compliant suspension that handles almost as well as the coilovers did, without the harshness and without all the vibration.

My recommendation is that the "street/track" kit should be installed on cars used mostly on the track. If you have a daily driver and want to keep it awhile, this is not your kit.

P.S. My 97 M3 just broke the 100K mark and with the Bilsteins, the rattles have disappeared. Handling is still superb, and buttery smooth as stock.

I do not intend to demean GC, but I think they should warn customers that their coilovers, especially when used in combination with heim-joint camber plates (I used Motor-force) should NOT be used on a street-driven car. That is, if you want your car to last.

let the drama begin.

let the drama begin.
:eatpop:

Man, somebody delete this thread . . .

:):):):)

Man, somebody delete this thread . . .Why? He said he liked the handling improvement, but thought it was too harsh for a daily driver. Good information for someone on the fence about buying a set. Where is the controversy?

Oh, here it is: "I am happy to be driving around a bit higher off the ground, with a very smooth compliant suspension that handles almost as well as the coilovers did. And maybe the part about GC "warning their customers."

eh, it's an opinion. Coilovers degrade street ride quality, no surprise there. I don't see why you are all expecting some kind of fireworks as if he's so far off base as to be subject to ridicule.

my .02

Its called compromise :) See the "SLASH" between street/track.

i was talking about the the gc/mf marriage of parts. i'm sure someone will get antsy...

Its called compromise :) See the "SLASH" between street/track.

exactly, they don't need to warn you, its just not for you. No big deal, though it sounds like you are trying to make it one.

Why is this in the track forum? Wrong place to be complaining about ride quality.

exactly, they don't need to warn you, its just not for you. No big deal, though it sounds like you are trying to make it one.

Why is this in the track forum? Wrong place to be complaining about ride quality.

Thats the spirit....We like it rough in this forum :D

My HREs are going on this Sunday. My Brembos are going on the week after. I was seriously considering doing coilovers, but got the Eibach Pro Kit instead. My car is more of a street car and less of a track car. I think I made the right decision. I also HATE to slow down too much for dips in the road.

:lol Damn, I hate my suspension. Every time I get home I have to slow down to turn into my driveway. Speed bumps in parking lots piss me off too. Is it because I lowered my BMW why they put those stupid things up?

In all reality, most human beings actually do slow down before entering a driveway even if they own a Super Duty Ford F350. Oh and as for speed bumps, most people slow down for those too because children could be playing in the area, or a high amount of foot traffic is usually present.

My .02 cents

Dale

I like the comment on the rattles. I have a stock ///M3 with only 65K on the body and engine. It rattles from every corner. It actually bugs the living shit out of me sometimes. I had an e35 525i before this, and it rattled even worse. I don't know what it is about BMWs, but they need to learn how to put their interiors together better, at least from my experience with them. I do plan on getting the GC kit, b/c a few more rattles here and there won't hurt too much (I'll upgrade the speakers at the same time:buttrock ), but a few seconds shaved off the autocross track will be well worth it.

Anybody else experience these rattles, creaks, and other odd noises?

Anybody else experience these rattles, creaks, and other odd noises?

Just popping noises. :D

-Carlos.

Driveways are one thing, dips in the road or at intersections is another. I lost a front air dam that way. I no longer use aftermarket ground effects. Some of us drive fast on the street, not just the track.

Some of us drive fast on the street, not just the track.

This is the Track forum, not the stupid people on the street forum.

Keep it on the track. :nono

Some of us drive fast on the street, not just the track.

:lol

go away ricer.

In all reality, most human beings actually do slow down before entering a driveway even if they own a Super Duty Ford F350. Oh and as for speed bumps, most people slow down for those too because children could be playing in the area, or a high amount of foot traffic is usually present.

Dale

There you go being all logical and shi7. Can't you tell these guys don't want logic?? :)

lol! @this thread

wheres the pic of that stupid bunny with the pancake on it's head when you need it:D


oh wait....edit

http://www.zonkerama.net/wp-content/bunnypancake.jpg

I used to be a big fan of GC's "street/track" kit. What convinced me to buy was the price. ...

What spring rates were you running?

I used to be a big fan of GC's "street/track" kit.

Clearly, the benefits of a coilover kit, or any proper high performance suspension, are lost on you. The simple fact that you are so intent of listing your extensive sound system modifications in your signature supports that fact.

You can have a GC coilover kit and also have proper ride height and certainly a good ride for the street- I'm sure anyone at GC could have helped you if you knew what you wanted instead of being so intent on posing as a serious track guy.

By the way, I currently run your current setup (Bilstein Sports and stock springs) and relish the day when I decide to swap them out for a proper coilover kit like GC's Serious track kit. Other than street driving, it leaves LOTS to be desired.

Drive Safely,
Raza

This is the Track forum, not the stupid people on the street forum.

Keep it on the track. :nono

Yeah? They have driveways and speed bumps on the track, genius?

:lol

go away ricer.

So you have to be a "ricer" to drive your car on the street? I thought that is what this post was about, all of the problems with coilovers on the street. Maybe I misread it, or maybe you failed to read it.

Am i wrong about coilovers being adjustable?

Wait, I gotz ma E36 slambt to da ground and got no problem wit sped bumpz. What za deal?

Wait, I gotz ma E36 slambt to da ground and got no problem wit sped bumpz. What za deal?
Yeah, but does it rattle? If not... fuggettaboutit.:stickoutt

Ma sub is louder den da rattlez.

There you go being all logical and shi7. Can't you tell these guys don't want logic?? :)

Sorry man. It was just so funny to read that after all the calls I took at work. It finished the day nicely.
Hey on another note let me know if you have any S54 parts you want to sell. Drivetrain or anything actually. Our car has to be finished in 6 weeks. Racing at Laguna with A1 GP
D

First advice is to listen to yourself, and pay attention. (and according to you, you bought a "track/school" kit, not a "street/track" kit, the two kits are very different.)

I replaced my stock suspension with Ground Control's track/school kit. Basically the fronts are custom made (shortened) strut housings with Koni single adjustable inserts. The rears are true Koni coilovers with built in threaded collars. I bought two sets of springs, the first one because I didn't know any better (450 lbs/6" F and 525lbs/6" R) which lowers the car about 2". Not recommended for regular highway use (entering driveways is a big problem if you don't like to hear scraping.) I just bought a set of softer/longer springs to raise it back to stock height.

The car handles extremely well and balanced, on the street and on the track. Just try not to lower too much as I did.

If you buy these coilovers, just stick to one set of springs and adjust the shocks for firmness. Live and learn.

Secondly, I am disappointed that your "mechanic" did not inform you of Konis Lifetime Warranty. If the struts are truly defective, you get new ones for free. You would not have had to buy new ones.

While all moving parts on a car are subject to wear, my experience has shown that 2 "blown" struts with low mileage, and at the same time, arises from installation problems. If the struts were returned for warranty, GC and/or Koni can inspect them. Hopefully this would have prevented the third ruined strut.

The only place your original custom valved Konis could be bought is from GC, who designed the valving. If your "mechanic" did not replace them with GC valved struts, then I am not surprised that you have been disappointed.

If Ground Control can help in the future, please do not hesitate to call.

As for the question about spinrg rates, they were 450 lbs front and 525 lbs rear, per Dale's recommendation. Spring length was 6" all around, which dropped the front around 1.5" lower than stock, the rears around 1.25" lower than stock. ALso both front Koni inserts were replaced at the same time, not because both failed at the same time, but this was GC's recommendation to do both at the same time.

Yes, Konis are adjustable. But they are a pain to adjust. For the fronts you have to jack up the front end. For the rears you have to disassemble the shocks from the mounts (take everything apart) to get to the shock.

So unless you are prepared to make that adjustment every time you visit the track, you are spending a lot of time adjusting rather than driving.

No where did I claim to be a "serious" track guy. I do this only for fun and I'm not sponsored.

Yes, Konis are adjustable. But they are a pain to adjust. For the fronts you have to jack up the front end. For the rears you have to disassemble the shocks from the mounts (take everything apart) to get to the shock.

So unless you are prepared to make that adjustment every time you visit the track, you are spending a lot of time adjusting rather than driving.This sucks. Why do you have to jack up the front end? And couldn't you get externally adjustable rears? Or is that only available on the AD's?

Btw.. not all Koni's are created equal. Mine have both compression/rebound adjustments externally.. thanks TC! :D

o-rings are intended to be static seals, not sliding seals so they require more thn the usual maintenance when used that way ...

that said, if I could get a set for an RX-8 soon I'd still be interested

You don't have to jack up the front to make a shock adjustment. They are top adjustable from under the hood.

unless the mechanic installed them upside down and needed adjustment from the bottom. i love my g/c's