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Ron Stygar Carl Buckland Dale Beuning Forums Help
From digest.v6.n297 Fri Feb 28 20:45:19 1997 To all you BMW fanatics: Jesse asked me for a frank appraisal of the H&R coilover system. This may sound a bit like an ad, but this is from the heart. I hasten to add that probably "any" coilover system is going to be superior to the stock system, but my experience is with the H&R, so that is what I can address. I thuroughly researched this purchase, as I research every purchase or decision that I make with respect to changes on my E36 M3. Stock, it is a beautiful car: I only want to make changes that are going to make it *better.* This post is not intended to be a detailed expose on the esoterics of BMW suspensions, but only an overview of what the H&R coilover suspension system is and how it works. Comments from others of you who have actual experience with either H&R coilovers, H&R spring sets, or other brand coilovers or springs would be, of course, most welcome. Jesse asked.....
> In your article you mention H&R coilover are installed on your M3. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sorry for the long delay. I just now saw your letter. The H&R coilovers are the single biggest improvement that I have made in my car! Their main quality is "flexibility." In their stock form, they are smooth as glass; with available mods, they can turn your car into a full blown racer! First, stock form....the struts and shocks are valved for spirited street driving. They are "firm," but by no means "harsh." You will feel every nuance in the road, but the valving is so balanced with the springs that the wheels seem to roll up, over, and then back down every little bump. Tires that "stay glued" to the ground will give you much better grip than tires that are floating over the bumps. The springs are 340 lbs front (stock is 115), and 380 rear (stock is 340). They are somewhat firmer, but mostly lower; the front by about .75" to 2+", the rear by about .75". The front springs are easily adjusted by turning the spring perch up or down. Be sure to buy the special tools for this (not expensive). The lower you go, the more negative camber you get. Way down, the car looks like a DTM racecar, but still rides nicely. The ability to adjust the car's ride height not only allows you to fine tune the looks and the handling, but also allows you to corner- balance the car. The more neutral the corners are weighted, the more balanced the car will handle. Also, the lower the center of gravity, the better your car will handle. ( The two major things that you can change on your car to make it handle better are 1)lowering the center of gravity, and 2)widening the track. The latter is another area where H&R can help, by providing hubcentric spacers. But that is another topic.) As you get used to the setup, you may be wanting to go stiffer. I have done so in stages. You can buy springs that are especially made for the coilover system. I have gone on the front from 340 to 380 to 456, then to 515 to 570! On the rear, from 380 to 515, to 680 to 800. The top springs are VERY firm, and may not be for everybody, but they have allowed me to have a street car that is VERY competitive against trailered race cars. You may want to combine the springs with "tender" springs as you go up the ladder. I highly recommend the H&R coilovers, and will put them on every car I own. I probably won't have time for any questions,but Roland Graef, at H&R, 1-805-388-8111, can answer them. I got my H&R's through BMP Design, in Tyler, Texas. They can be reached at 1-800-648-7278. The folks at BMP are also knowledegable about H&R coilovers and spring sets, and can answer most of your questions when you place your order. Ask them for their current mini catalog, which has a lot of trick stuff in it that wasn't out when they printed their annual catalogue. They sponsor a Super Touring Car in the North American Touring Series, and know a lot about setting up a BMW. Regards, Carl
Carl Buckland |
