What Coilover Kit for Under 3000 Dollars

[John Dempsey]

Hi title pretty much sums it up. I dont care about comfort whatsoever, max performance is the goal, so what would be the best coilover for under 3000 dollars. Thanks

[pixelblue]

TC Kline double adjustable, Ohlins DFV, AST 4200 or Bilstein PSS9's get my vote

[pixelblue]

I meant PSS10's

[mike the snake]

I'm super happy with my Ohlins Coilovers. Perfect for my DD/occasional AX intentions.

I got my Ohlins coilovers, and Ground Control camber plates for $3000.

[John Dempsey]

how stiff are the ohlins, im looking for something pretty agressive. and thanks for the suggestions pixelblue. How do you think ast 4100 would be compared to 4200 because 4200 are special order

[pixelblue]

I think the 4100 is single adjustable. So you loose that extra adjustability. Personally I am eyeing the Ohlins for my next set.

[Snertz]

Yup you lose the compression adjustability with the 4100's, but it's nice that you can spec out spring rates when ordering. Not sure if the others will allow you to do so.

What kind of driving are you looking to do?

[mike the snake]

The Ohlins are single adjustable, meaning one knob adjusts both compression and rebound together. Nice and easy for me, soft-to-stiff.

The kit comes with 342 front and 400 rear springs, quite a bit stiffer than stock. I went with 700 pound springs after researching and asking around. My car is stiff, for sure, but the ride is greatly improved.

For 3K I got the custom rear springs, GC camber plates, and the Ohlins kit from PSI.

[John Dempsey]

I will be doing a lot of tracking the car and auto x. Still will be driving around town but where I love there are a ton of fun twisty roads. And they are generally pretty smooth.

[ModBargains III]

KW Clubsports are also an option as well to consider. There's a good amount of performance coilovers out there that are around that price point, let me know if there's anything I can do to help

[John Dempsey]

So i have narrowed it down to the ast 4100 or the Ohlins and im really struggling to decide. Any personal opinions or reviews or anything to throw out there. Thanks

[John Dempsey]

im just worried about the 4100 only being single adjustable

[pixelblue]

Single adjustable means you can only adjust ride height. Bump and rebound is pre set. If your planning on tracking I strongly suggest double adjustable. KW clubsports are very nice if you can get one under $3k.

[mike the snake]

If I'm not mistaken, all the nicer coilovers have ride height adjustment.

Single adjustable to me means usually you can only adjust either rebound, or compression with the adjustment knob/screw.
Double adjustable would mean there's 2 adjustment screws/knobs, one for compression, and another for rebound.

The Ohlins have only one knob/screw, but both compression and rebound are adjusted with that knob.
I believe they can also be custom valved if one chooses. PSI or HPA can explain things better.

One of the reasons I got the Ohlins, is that most of the other available options were simply glorified Konis, whereas the Ohlins are supposed to be much higher quality. I know they make THE best stuff available for motorcycles.

[John Dempsey]

Originally Posted by mike the snake

If I'm not mistaken, all the nicer coilovers have ride height adjustment.

Single adjustable to me means usually you can only adjust either rebound, or compression with the adjustment knob/screw.
Double adjustable would mean there's 2 adjustment screws/knobs, one for compression, and another for rebound.

The Ohlins have only one knob/screw, but both compression and rebound are adjusted with that knob.
I believe they can also be custom valved if one chooses. PSI or HPA can explain things better.

I read your review on the ohlins. You seem to really like them. The only thing im afraid of with those is that they won't be stiff enough.

[SkinnyVT]

Originally Posted by John Dempsey

I read your review on the ohlins. You seem to really like them. The only thing im afraid of with those is that they won't be stiff enough.

So buy stiffer springs, that is one of the benefits of coilovers is that you can pick the spring rate that you want.

[pixelblue]

Also keep in mind you don't want super stiff. Not going to help with sliding around. Also it's going to kill your daily drive

[John Dempsey]

Originally Posted by pixelblue

Also keep in mind you don't want super stiff. Not going to help with sliding around. Also it's going to kill your daily drive

Yeah im thinking im going to get ohlins with swift springs.

[mike the snake]

It was Harold at HPA that recomended using the Ohlins kit-supplied 342 front springs, and he recomended using 675 rears for my street/AX intentions. I wouldn't worry about not being stiff enough, my car is pretty darn stiff, and my shock settings are somewhere in the middle.

In reading about spring rates, it seems most like around a 2 to one ratio, so 350/700, 400/800, so the 342/700 I chose was very close to that.

As I said, my car is very stiff now, but I also haven't played around with the adjustments yet either, I can go either way.

I will begin adjusting the rear settings and report back. I'm going to start out by going softer.

I would also call and talk with Harold at HPA, and also Beau at PSI. They can tell you much more about the different kits.

[madmaxhk]

Originally Posted by John Dempsey

So i have narrowed it down to the ast 4100 or the Ohlins and im really struggling to decide. Any personal opinions or reviews or anything to throw out there. Thanks

I have tried, coilsover made in Taiwan, Bilstein PSS10 and AST4100 on my 135i. I also have Ohlins R/T DFV single adjustable on my EVO X, I know they are two different cars. Hereunder is a list of feelings that I have for those coilsover.

1. Coilsover made in Taiwan, front and rear shocks are too soft.
2. Bilstein PSS10, little bit harsh ride and not comfortable, but definitely better than the Taiwanese coilsover.
3. AST4100 with F400lb and R800lb spring, best ride quality among the above two shocks and very comfortable. The rear shocks is a little bit soft, but best for street, so so for track purpose.
4. Ohlins R/T DFV for EVO X (F10K, R10K spring), very good damping force, the rebound is very sharp. Ride is little bit harsh if compared to AST4100 and ride is also better than PSS10. 32 adjustments on rebound.

I will highly recommend Ohlins R/T track coilsover which is truly the best dual purpose coilsover system that you can get for $3000.

[RedTRex]

I have AST 4100s and they are very nice (most people will never be able to adjust double adjustable correctly). It has taken me a whole year to figure out the best setting for the 4100's, which included loosing the Hotchkis FSB. Back to stock sways and I can actually control the car with 4100 settings.
Coilovers will have more NVH on the street but the ride is still nice. I would recommend Vorshlag as a Vendor - Good prices and excellent customer service.

[bogart]

Get KW V2's, vorshlag camber plates, M3 control arms, M3 sway bars, and rear bushings.