Ground control interest gauge

[Robert]

I talked to a rep at Ground Control and he said he's willing to make a deal if we can buy in bulk. I am on the fence right now but would like to know who else are interested.

http://www.ground-control-store.com/.../II=807/CA=102

1. robert
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[pheller]

I'm potentially interested, though I'd like to know the spring rates and I'd like to hear someone's opinion on their application on the e82 before making a financial commitment.

[Robert]

^ Same boat as you. I remember Ground Control used to have a huge following especially in the E46 M3 community over at Roadfly. Seem not to be the case now, KW and H&R are the dominate brand, no doubt carried over from E90/E92

[Mark M]

I own a 97 M3 sedan with a Ground Control street / track schoo kit. It is a very good kit. They use special Koni tuned dampers and Eibach linear rate springs. You can select what spring rates you prefer from Eibach's extensive selection. On my e36 i have 375F/450R spring rates to keep it driveable on the street too. With this setup the car has always felt very composed and predictable, solid, firm, and flat as a rail in the corners. Tradeoff, because it has linear rate springs, you will feel potholes, pavement transitions, road variations much easier than with a progressive spring. By nature, a progressive spring is intended to be soft on the outer windings so as to 'soak' up road variations. Whereas a Linear spring is just that, the same rate through the entire winding. Linear is ideal for the track as the driver will always feel and know the car's response (i.e. rate does not vary and catch the driver out) To me, Ground control kits are better suited for track applications, but can work on the street just fine.

Now on my 135, I have the KW V2 setup. (bought it before Ground Control had a kit on the market) The V2 setup is great on the 135, however in my opinion it is not a true track setup and they don't market it as such. To me, the V2 is a perfect sport street setup for the driver who wants daily comfort with the option to turn a few track days a year.

So....question....think the newborn boy will be ok bouncing around in the baby seat in the back of the e36? LOL?

[pheller]

So I have Ground Control Coilover sleeves + Koni shocks / Struts + Eibach custom rate (550f/450r) springs on my other car. That was a full custom application.

However, given that the order link does not give an option to specify or otherwise choose spring rates, I'd suspect this is a package deal with specified spring rates.

Also, curious why the front and rear shock bodies are different colors? Would also be nice if they came with dust sleeves.

[Mark M]

Originally Posted by pheller

However, given that the order link does not give an option to specify or otherwise choose spring rates, I'd suspect this is a package deal with specified spring rates.

Also, curious why the front and rear shock bodies are different colors? Would also be nice if they came with dust sleeves.

I would expect Ground Control to allow you to select spring rates from their selection of Eibach springs. Just a hunch here....no facts to back that up

Also, regarding shock bodies of different colors. Believe the red body is the front strut tube assembly, the yellow Koni strut is inside the red tube assembly. The rear is just the Yellow Koni shock. My e36 GC kit was the same.

[SV Concepts II]

Originally Posted by Mark M

I own a 97 M3 sedan with a Ground Control street / track schoo kit. It is a very good kit. They use special Koni tuned dampers and Eibach linear rate springs. You can select what spring rates you prefer from Eibach's extensive selection. On my e36 i have 375F/450R spring rates to keep it driveable on the street too. With this setup the car has always felt very composed and predictable, solid, firm, and flat as a rail in the corners. Tradeoff, because it has linear rate springs, you will feel potholes, pavement transitions, road variations much easier than with a progressive spring. By nature, a progressive spring is intended to be soft on the outer windings so as to 'soak' up road variations. Whereas a Linear spring is just that, the same rate through the entire winding. Linear is ideal for the track as the driver will always feel and know the car's response (i.e. rate does not vary and catch the driver out) To me, Ground control kits are better suited for track applications, but can work on the street just fine.

Now on my 135, I have the KW V2 setup. (bought it before Ground Control had a kit on the market) The V2 setup is great on the 135, however in my opinion it is not a true track setup and they don't market it as such. To me, the V2 is a perfect sport street setup for the driver who wants daily comfort with the option to turn a few track days a year.

So....question....think the newborn boy will be ok bouncing around in the baby seat in the back of the e36? LOL?

Pretty much, the V2's are a great street/track setup for those looking for solid handling, yet need to retain some level of comfort. KW also offers their high end V3 and Clubsport setups which are geared toward dedicated track and race cars.

I have the GC Track/School kit on my E36 with 450/550# 6'' springs and race camber plates. These rates are good for the street but no where near stiff enough for me. The setup is also a bit noisy with the race camber plates and no spring pads, but that's how I like it. Definitely a solid setup.