Is Maximum Motorsports the only option?

[Therian]

I'm looking for a coil over kit that will allow use of Bilstein struts...most kits only allow use of stock diameter struts, with no go for bilsteins. MMR used to make a bilstein specific coilover setup, but I don't see it listed on their site anymore.

Any reason I should look at any other kit? (you'll have to sell me on not getting bilsteins)

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Prescribing!
RC

 

[WhiteDevil]

I have heard nothing but GREAT things about MM bilstien coil over kit. My friend has them front and rear on his 98 cobra and loves it.

 

[Therian]

I have heard nothing but GREAT things about MM bilstien coil over kit. My friend has them front and rear on his 98 cobra and loves it.

I do not doubt this. Since Griggs and Kenny Brown have basically fallen off the map, MM is one of the few remaining high performance suspension companies left. Which would explain the prices...

the cost, is the principle reason I created this thread - $1700 for a coil over setup (F+R) is a little to steep for me at the moment

 

[Therian]

bump

 

[HISSIN50]

If lacking in replies, perhaps shoot my buddy Shane (Loudtoy 958) a PM. As I recall, he did a lot of research about this and has had some informative posts about it, IIRC.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Yobi1Kanobi]

Well if price is a factor why not just go with a set of tokico luminas 5 ways. And you can find coilover kits for those alot alot cheaper and quality is good too..

 

[bimmertech]

Well if price is a factor why not just go with a set of tokico luminas 5 ways. And you can find coilover kits for those alot alot cheaper and quality is good too..

you can't use tockico's for the rear coil-overs.

i have front tockico's with eibach springs in the rear and am very pleased.

i did not notice a panhard bar in your sig(original poster), if i may make a suggestion---i would buy a panhard bar, front coilovers for koni(same as the tockicos), offset control arms, and stay with your current rear springs. then down the road you can just add a rear coil-over kit. since you will need a panhard bar(not really, but makes it easier) for rear coil-over anyways.

you could do the same as above with bilsteins instead of koni's, but with my experiences on BMW's i would much rather have koni's than bilsteins.

 

[Therian]

you can't use tockico's for the rear coil-overs.

i have front tockico's with eibach springs in the rear and am very pleased.

i did not notice a panhard bar in your sig(original poster), if i may make a suggestion---i would buy a panhard bar, front coilovers for koni(same as the tockicos), offset control arms, and stay with your current rear springs. then down the road you can just add a rear coil-over kit. since you will need a panhard bar(not really, but makes it easier) for rear coil-over anyways.

you could do the same as above with bilsteins instead of koni's, but with my experiences on BMW's i would much rather have koni's than bilsteins.

Thanks for the information Ben, I appreciate it. Aren't Koni's typically more expensive than bilsteins? any comments on the ride difference (compared to either bilsteins or tokicos)...and lastly, are you referring to adjustable Koni's?

edit: new design is interesting

 

[TheRedBlur]

It's not MM that really dictates which spring you use. I think for bilstein they use some SSR spring, they also use H&R. H&R is a really good company. From what I've read, the advantage for the MM coil-over kit, is in the fact that they use custom-valved bilsteins, which better fit our car and the way it reacts, weighs, etc. Another thing is that you really should get 4 bolt CC plates, since the entire weight of the front end now lies on the CC plates instead of just the dampers there and the springs holding the car up from the K-member.

 

[Therian]

It's not MM that really dictates which spring you use. I think for bilstein they use some SSR spring, they also use H&R. H&R is a really good company. From what I've read, the advantage for the MM coil-over kit, is in the fact that they use custom-valved bilsteins, which better fit our car and the way it reacts, weighs, etc. Another thing is that you really should get 4 bolt CC plates, since the entire weight of the front end now lies on the CC plates instead of just the dampers there and the springs holding the car up from the K-member.

I do indeed have CC plates ready to go on the car, They're necessary for aftermarket K members as well as bilstein struts in general. My concern was not the springs, rather the coil over kit itself (sans springs). Most aftermarket kits do not accomodate bilstein struts, as they have a larger diameter - I believe it's not the springs which dictate whether or not the struts will fit

I found a kit at stangsuspension.com . Has anyone used this kit?

 

[bimmertech]

Thanks for the information Ben, I appreciate it. Aren't Koni's typically more expensive than bilsteins? any comments on the ride difference (compared to either bilsteins or tokicos)...and lastly, are you referring to adjustable Koni's?

edit: new design is interesting

price wise it differs, i think they are about the same for us.

i am referring to adj koni's. and they typically ride a little smoother--in my experiences.

i went the tockico route cuz the coil-over kit is the same, as i plan on doing koni's down the road with the rear coil-overs.

but seriously, if you don't have a panhard bar then you really should get one.

 

[TheRedBlur]

the price isn't bad, but if you use coil-overs up front, and normal stuff in the rear, it can really mess up your handling.

 

[Therian]

price wise it differs, i think they are about the same for us.

i am referring to adj koni's. and they typically ride a little smoother--in my experiences.

i went the tockico route cuz the coil-over kit is the same, as i plan on doing koni's down the road with the rear coil-overs.

but seriously, if you don't have a panhard bar then you really should get one.

What do you recommend brand-wise?

 

[bimmertech]

What do you recommend brand-wise?

for the panhard bar? if so then i would buy a mm bar. i have a hp motorsports bar and have been happy with it, but i don't know if they still make them.

 

[bimmertech]

the price isn't bad, but if you use coil-overs up front, and normal stuff in the rear, it can really mess up your handling.

please explain in great technical detail how.

 

[TheRedBlur]

unmatched spring rates between the front and rear. do not mistake that with a statement like "unequal spring rates between the front and rear."

 

[Therian]

Ben,

how do you feel about the tokicos vs. stock? both ride wise and tightness of the overall suspension. Also what spring rates do you use on the front. I was thinking I would want something between 300-350. I like to be able to feel the road, a bump here and there is fine, I just don't want the suspension to be making awful noises when it happens

 

[swingline]

I have 325# front and 225# rear Bilstein coil-overs to go along with the whole "Maximum Grip Box" from MM. The car handles like it is on rails.

 

[bimmertech]

unmatched spring rates between the front and rear. do not mistake that with a statement like "unequal spring rates between the front and rear."

first off when you are talking coil-overs you should be talking about wheel rate since that is what becomes unmatched when mixing it up.


therian,

i have 300# springs with illimuna 5-ways set on 3--i also have the mm control arms, cc plates, full length sfc's, suspension techniques sway bar. i have a very smooth ride, especially for a vert. on top of the smooth ride it stays very planted with little to no body roll. it is still no M3, but i can fill up their mirrors pretty good.


oh btw i roll on 17x9 w/ 255/40/17 all the way around. before i had staggard 18's and the ride was so awful i sold them, now i wish i had them back.