The time has come to replace the suspension on my '99 M3. After some research and searching these forums I've narrowed it down to a few choices.

My main question is should I go for springs/struts or a coilover setup? I've heard coilovers ride harder than springs/struts, but by how much? This year I'd like to AutoX and get out to the track as much as possible; however, the reality is that my car will spend most of its time cruising around on the street. This is my only car and my daily driver. I don't want to be knocking my teeth out on the way to the grocery store while cursing my raced out suspension. That said a firm ride is just fine with me as I still enjoy my daily outings and usually drive in a "spirited" fashion.

Performance takes precedence over comfort to a degree, I just don't want the ride to be rediculous to the point where it's driving me crazy and upsetting my female friends. I definetly want to at least have adjustable rebound settings so I can have some influence on the car's balance.

The options I'm considering include:
-TC Kline Sporting Suspension System w/Externally Adjustable Rear Shocks
-TCKR True Match S/A Coilover System
-Ground Control Track/School Coilover Kit

I wanted to post links but apparently can't as I havn't made enough posts, sorry about that!

I was originally considering the Bilstien PSS9 coilovers as well but have decided to rule them out after searching these forums.

To sum it up my questions are:
Will the ride from a coilover setup be too harsh for me?
If no: TCKR S/A vs. GC T/S?
Are there any other products I should consider?

Thanks a bunch!

I'd say it's the opposite of what you stated... off-the-shelf springs and shocks/struts will usually be more harsh than coilovers, where you can choose your spring rate and adjust the dampers to suit.

If you're set on coilovers, TCK or GC are both very good and will be able to provide you with spring rates to suit your needs. When I went from H&R sports to TCK D/As I was impressed with how much better the ride was, and yet how much better it was on track.

I too had the HR sports and now have the TCK D/A. The car is now track only. The sports were so good that I would recommend them to you since your car is still streeting. YOu don't need coilovers unless you are corner balancing, and you probably won't corner balance a street car. In other words, save your money, get the sports w/DA koni's (to give you something to play with) and have fun.

The springs that are on your car now are quite suitable for your stated goals. The shocks could be pretty blown out on a 99 (useful life of OE shocks is probably not more than about 60k). A set of Koni SA's and maybe some GC camber plates would be fine on the street and still quite capable on the track.

My car has 69xxx miles on it and I'm sure the stock shocks are in a bad way. That's my main incentive to upgrade.

While I may not "need" coilovers, if they give me both better performance AND ride comfort as JonathanL suggested I see no problem in forking out the extra money for them.

My main concern with buying struts and the H&R sport springs is I'm not totally sure I want to lower the car that much (1.5-2.0in). I could see that much of a drop being a little impractical. I know that coilovers are height adjustable, but would it be like adjusting through a range that's all significantly lower than stock or would you be able to set them so the car is just slightly lower than stock?

I would order up a set of Bilstein replacement shocks and call it a day. No need to get fancy if street driving and comfort are 95% of your goal. It will be more then adequate for auto-x'ing as a beginner or even a seasoned vet depending on your goals. You'll be amazed at the change Bilsteins alone make in the attitude of the vehicle. My co-driver (auto-x) and I have become very quick on stock suspension or a stock spring/Bilstein combo. We regularly beat other’s with a higher level of car prep for the class.

The only thing 99% of the lowing springs are going to get you is a ride on the bump stops, which means lots of crashing and banging unless you live in an area with perfect roads. Most C/Os ride harshly unless a high-end set of dampers are used. High-end dampers == $$$$. If you are stuck on C/Os I wouldn't rule out AST from Vorshlag. Very nice dampers which can be made to ride almost like stock. I would stick with a stock/Bilstein combo myself if I were not looking to be regionally competitive in STU next year. There are always compromises to be made with after market suspension.

All IMHO from a guy who has gone the wrong route with suspension vs. his goals.

Rob

I would order up a set of Bilstein replacement shocks and call it a day.
Rob

I had a E36 M3 that had the Bilstein shocks and H&R springs. Very, very fast for the $$$.

i have koni SA's and H&R sports, and love them. the ride is somewhat firm, but the compromise is great. Love the feel through corners. Now, I need some sway bars.

I went through the same thing with my Z3.

I could go round and round, but....

Call Pete at TCK. He will get you to what you want.

Net is - S/A coilovers, no adjuster in the back, no camber plates is what I have. But that is for me - different strokes for different folks.

I had a E36 M3 that had the Bilstein shocks and H&R springs. Very, very fast for the $$$.

Agreed! That is my current set up and I love it. This is coming from a guy that had an e36 M3 with the expensive E36 TMS World Challenge Suspension.

The car should have come this way from the factory.

Great discussion - I’m exactly in the same situation.
After reading, I'm going w/ H&R sports and Bilstein.
Desires/wishes: comfort, daily use, weekend beginner auto-x, practicality, save $...
Thank you

Are the Bilstiens adjustable?

Are the Bilstiens adjustable?

They are not.

Skip the H&R springs, they're terrible. To low equates to a poor ride on the bump stops. Just get the Bilsteins.

roger....thanks

Do it right the first time.... TC Kline Coilovers.

I had a E36 M3 that had the Bilstein shocks and H&R springs. Very, very fast for the $$$.

Someone else must have been driving... :devillook

I'll have a set of barely used Bilsteins for sale in a Month....less than 10K on em....:)

as I am doing the TC Kline overhaul on Baby, for track purposes.