I'm considering a set of double adjustable 44s for my M3, for autocross use.

The car is not used on the street and has solid bushings / spherical bearings at all key points.

I'm looking for any feedback, both positive and negative. If needed I can step up to the next better model, though I think 4-way shocks for autox are a significant waste of money.

Mike

I don't know much about the 44's since they've been replaced by the through-rod TTX46's. Are you buying them used? I know they were Ohlins high end before the TTX's came about.

We run the more conventional double adjustable 36's on our race car and I love them. They have been better for us than the Motons and AD's we had on the car before.

They're new, coming straight from Ohlins USA. Perhaps they're "old stock".

Given your comment about the 36s I'd say they'll be fine. A friend told me the newer 46 may offer some computer-based revalving options that bypass the need for a shock dyno. Have you heard anything about that?

Mike

They're new, coming straight from Ohlins USA. Perhaps they're "old stock".

Interesting...their website says they're no longer available. :)

A friend told me the newer 46 may offer some computer-based revalving options that bypass the need for a shock dyno. Have you heard anything about that?

Yeah, Ohlins has modeled some of the valving options in a free program that would allow you to play around with damper curves without actually rebuilding the shocks. I'm not sure how beneficial that really is on this level...and the price premium on the TTX dampers is significant.

Any more information about these "44's straight from ohlins?"

ST44 has been dicontinued, although there are many still around, and Ohlins will support them until 2018...after that though, you're screwed lol

The TTX36 is now out, which is a "more affordable" version of the TTX series, although there is no BMW application for the fronts...rears are easy.

I have practically the same set up as Bryan, DAs front and true coilover DAs back, and I love them. They have a great meaningful adjustment range, unlike some other brands that I have tried. They haven't given me one issue in the time that I have had them. They still have right around the same pressure that they were shipped with, so no leakage problems.

Any more information about these "44's straight from ohlins?"



I'll let you know what I find out.

Mike

I'll let you know what I find out.

Mike

Oh, I thought you already had info. Where was any info you already had from?

I have raced on Koni DA's, Advanced Design, Ohlins and Moton Motorsport Triples.

The Ohlins Double Adjustable's were/are and I think will always probably be my favorite. If they still supported BMW like Moton does, or if they had a dealer network that I could get parts from easily I would probably have a set.

In fact, I may get a set and keep my Moton Triples as spares - I just haven't bitten the bullet yet again.

Jon, Ohlins has huge BMW support, just not in the US :) They also only do the TTX lines now, which are substantially more expensive, but if you have the engineer(s) to get them right (which ohlins makes pretty easy to do, relatively), they are amazing from what I have seen.

MotorsportSpares is the place to go for Ohlins support these days, they are the largest in the US and have the most experience, specifically with BMW's...although RRT has as much knowledge, just don't do it as much anymore.

There are no more E46 HMRC DA kits made, you have to have them custom built, like i had to have done (by MSI). You'll also need a sleeve adapter made to make the strut work with the E46 upright. Rears are easy.

One of the best features IMO is the diaphragm inflation system on the reservoir.

When you move to the TTX though, its a whole different ball game, but you can essentially revalve the shock while its on the car.

Jon, Ohlins has huge BMW support, just not in the US :)


YEs, this is the problem. If you need a spare part it can take 4 to 8 weeks to get it. Moton parts are on the shelf for overnight delivery.

Not true, MSI has everything you would need in stock to rebuild/repair the shock. On the E46 model, everything other than the sleeve adapter is currently made by Ohlins and will be for atleast 10 years.

That was NOT my experience in the past with the E36 Ohlins that I used to run. We were SOL when I needed some parts with a 4 to 6 week timeline to receive them.

Thats why I said "E46 model" :) Because it uses the Porsche strut as the universal component, and a sleeve adapts it to the E46 hub.

Unless of course you go with the TTX, than its an off the shelf, bolt on item :)

It would be nice if they could adapt the TTX E46 strut housing to the TTX36, thats a bit more affordable, as its replacing the ST44.