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BC Racing Coilovers (fitted on page 3)

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Gustavo7
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BC Racing Coilovers (fitted on page 3)

Post by Gustavo7 » Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:59 pm

That's it, after much research and having considered going the KW V3 route I have just pulled the trigger on a set of BC Racing coilovers. Went for the BR's with custom spring rates - 7.5kg front / 10 kg rear.

I have talked to and read many reviews online from people running both systems (Beedub you are everywhere! eheh), the conclusion I reached was that if I would track the car I would be better suited with the KW's, but I don't and I won't.

BC Racing coilovers are regarded as more comfortable for street use than the Kw's, but inferior on track against a timewatch. On the street, to be truly honest I don't think the difference is quantifiable unless we put everyone lives in danger.

Adjust-ability/flexibility is better on the Kw as you can adjust compression and rebound independently, but to me the possibility of adjusting ride height without affecting the springs pre-load and suspension travel was more important. I honestly think the BC have a smarter design, albeit compromise on material nobility on the body of the struts ( zinc plated carbon steel vs Kw's stainless steel) and degree of adjustability. (1 way vs 2 way)
Springs are both made of equivalent chrome silicon steel, the collars are anodized aluminium alloy versus polyamide with stainless steel inserts on the Kw which supposedly will go through many more ride height adjustments without perishing. (how many times am i going to change the ride height....once, twice?)

You can see why the Kw's are more expensive, they are more expensive to make! They will also most certainly last longer...but how long do you run your coilovers for? You should expect the BC's to be corrosion free for at least 5 years driving through UK winters.

Following advice of a Z4MC owner running BC's with standard spring rates (6kg/8kg) which deemed them slightly too "soft", and a review from someone who ran both systems for a year claiming the higher high speed slalom stability of the KW due to their higher spring rates, I've decided to go for 25% stiffer springs which shall be better suited for me coming from Eibach Pro-Kit.

I'm fully aware of the saying "get the best you can", but I'm not expecting the BC Racings to last forever. For me, they seemed "best suited". Rave reviews form people running them on M3 and M5's have to mean something.

I will report back - with total honesty - once I get them fitted!

Watch this space!
Last edited by Gustavo7 on Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by Fishy Dave » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:30 pm

Good for you, I will watch this thread with interest. I have read about them many times and plenty of E39 M5 owners seem to rate them. Hoping they are something similar to what Nankang are to track tyres: under rated and good value, with performance not much lower than their well established, more expensive cousins. :thumbsup:
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by tjlazer » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:55 pm

Really interested to hear how you get on, looks like a good option and like you say if you're not tracking this does all you could want at a sensible price.
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by Beedub » Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:00 pm

Gustavo7 wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:59 pm That's it, after much research and having considered going the KW V3 route I have just pulled the trigger on a set of BC Racing coilovers. Went for the BR's with custom spring rates - 7.5kg front / 10 kg rear.

I have talked to and read many reviews online from people running both systems (Beedub you are everywhere! eheh), the conclusion I reached was that if I would track the car I would be better suited with the KW's, but I don't and I won't.

BC Racing coilovers are regarded as more comfortable for street use than the Kw's, but inferior on track against a timewatch. On the street, to be truly honest I don't think the difference is quantifiable unless we put everyone lives in danger.

Adjust-ability/flexibility is better on the Kw as you can adjust compression and rebound independently, but to me the possibility of adjusting ride height without affecting the springs pre-load and suspension travel was more important. I honestly think the BC have a smarter design, albeit compromise on material nobility on the body of the struts ( zinc plated carbon steel vs Kw's stainless steel) and degree of adjustability. (1 way vs 2 way)
Springs are both made of equivalent chrome silicon steel, the collars are anodized aluminium alloy versus polyamide with stainless steel inserts on the Kw which supposedly will go through many more ride height adjustments without perishing. (how many times am i going to change the ride height....once, twice?)

You can see why the Kw's are more expensive, they are more expensive to make! They will also most certainly last longer...but how long do you run your coilovers for? You should expect the BC's to be corrosion free for at least 5 years driving through UK winters.

Following advice of a Z4MC owner running BC's with standard spring rates (6kg/8kg) which deemed them slightly too "soft", and a review from someone who ran both systems for a year claiming the higher high speed slalom stability of the KW due to their higher spring rates, I've decided to go for 25% stiffer springs which shall be better suited for me coming from Eibach Pro-Kit.

I'm fully aware of the saying "get the best you can", but I'm not expecting the BC Racings to last forever. For me, they seemed "best suited". Rave reviews form people running them on M3 and M5's have to mean something.

I will report back - with total honesty - once I get them fitted!

Watch this space!
ive been around for a long time now!! lol!!

great reasoning, and understand, dropping 2.5k on coilovers is not sensible at any time really so i think you've made the right choice for you, dave gives an excellent analogy with the nankangs which IMO are incredible value for money and definitely have made a huge mark in the budget track day tyre market.

My kWs still look brand new, which id expect as they dont see much use, they have been used in anger many many times however, kw offer great rebuild service with quick turn arounds.

Really look forward to seeing these bad bois on, from experience of the lower end coilover market on other cars, the uk winter is not kind to them , grease them up well, particularly the threads and keep them as clean as possible, alittle care should make them last abit longer.
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by Gustavo7 » Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:58 pm

Beedub wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:00 pmReally look forward to seeing these bad bois on, from experience of the lower end coilover market on other cars, the uk winter is not kind to them , grease them up well, particularly the threads and keep them as clean as possible, alittle care should make them last abit longer.
Following your advice, I've ordered a set of neoprene coilover socks.

These and a generous amount of grease should keep them looking their best for longer.
socks_1_1.jpg
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The coilovers are set to arrive on December 5th.
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by stijohnny » Tue Nov 21, 2017 6:47 pm

Gustavo7 wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:59 pm That's it, after much research and having considered going the KW V3 route I have just pulled the trigger on a set of BC Racing coilovers. Went for the BR's with custom spring rates - 7.5kg front / 10 kg rear.

I have talked to and read many reviews online from people running both systems (Beedub you are everywhere! eheh), the conclusion I reached was that if I would track the car I would be better suited with the KW's, but I don't and I won't.

BC Racing coilovers are regarded as more comfortable for street use than the Kw's, but inferior on track against a timewatch. On the street, to be truly honest I don't think the difference is quantifiable unless we put everyone lives in danger.

Adjust-ability/flexibility is better on the Kw as you can adjust compression and rebound independently, but to me the possibility of adjusting ride height without affecting the springs pre-load and suspension travel was more important. I honestly think the BC have a smarter design, albeit compromise on material nobility on the body of the struts ( zinc plated carbon steel vs Kw's stainless steel) and degree of adjustability. (1 way vs 2 way)
Springs are both made of equivalent chrome silicon steel, the collars are anodized aluminium alloy versus polyamide with stainless steel inserts on the Kw which supposedly will go through many more ride height adjustments without perishing. (how many times am i going to change the ride height....once, twice?)

You can see why the Kw's are more expensive, they are more expensive to make! They will also most certainly last longer...but how long do you run your coilovers for? You should expect the BC's to be corrosion free for at least 5 years driving through UK winters.

Following advice of a Z4MC owner running BC's with standard spring rates (6kg/8kg) which deemed them slightly too "soft", and a review from someone who ran both systems for a year claiming the higher high speed slalom stability of the KW due to their higher spring rates, I've decided to go for 25% stiffer springs which shall be better suited for me coming from Eibach Pro-Kit.

I'm fully aware of the saying "get the best you can", but I'm not expecting the BC Racings to last forever. For me, they seemed "best suited". Rave reviews form people running them on M3 and M5's have to mean something.

I will report back - with total honesty - once I get them fitted!

Watch this space!
You say "coming from Eibach Pro-Kit". Why are you moving to coilovers if you're not tracking it? Have your shocks had it and so its more cost effective to buy a set of coilovers? I'm considering susp mods myself for my 35i and so far Eichbach 10 & 20mm drop pro-kit springs look like the way to go as far as I can see. I want to lower my car slightly, with a stiffer, more attached feel that's all. Maybe I should look at the coilover route too, so please let us know why you have made this choice, I might reconsider also.

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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by Gustavo7 » Tue Nov 21, 2017 7:10 pm

stijohnny wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 6:47 pm
You say "coming from Eibach Pro-Kit". Why are you moving to coilovers if you're not tracking it? Have your shocks had it and so its more cost effective to buy a set of coilovers? I'm considering susp mods myself for my 35i and so far Eichbach 10 & 20mm drop pro-kit springs look like the way to go as far as I can see. I want to lower my car slightly, with a stiffer, more attached feel that's all. Maybe I should look at the coilover route too, so please let us know why you have made this choice, I might reconsider also.
Yes my shocks had it, plus I was never too happy with the original shocks and eibach combination. I have a bit of rubbing in the front when driving hard and had a small issue a few months ago with a new rear Michelin PSS rubbing (99Y XL version, slightly fatter than the 95Y) which meant I had to remove the rear spacers.

I basically want to adjust the height slightly, raising it a tiny bit compared to Eibach pro kit, increase high speed stability and the ability to set the dampening to my mood.
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by wspohn » Thu Nov 23, 2017 4:24 am

Look forward to your impressions.

I run BC Racing shocks on my Solstice coupe and have been impressed with them. I've been pondering doing the same on my Z4MC.
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by beanie » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:25 pm

I used motocycle chain wax to protect the threads - doesn't wash off and seems to last forever. The coilovers i had (on another car) were not stainless and yet had no issues with corrosion or sticking. :)
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by MrPT » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:57 pm

Gustavo7 wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:59 pm Springs are both made of equivalent chrome silicon steel, the collars are anodized aluminium alloy versus polyamide with stainless steel inserts on the Kw which supposedly will go through many more ride height adjustments without perishing. (how many times am i going to change the ride height....once, twice?)
Err, about 10 times a year. :rofl:

Seriously though, one of the best things about aftermarket kits is the endless tweaking! Those alloy perches should definitely stand up to regular usage better than the KW ones. If you miss a tiny bit of grit in the threads it's very easy to seize the collar and damage the plastic knurls.

Interesting to hear how you get on - especially with the rears which are quite tricky to set up due to the short springs and fussy Z4 geo.
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by Gustavo7 » Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:33 pm

Well, tomorrow is the big day. I’m going to fit these bastards! :thumbsup:
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by Beedub » Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:26 pm

well they look the business no doubt!
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by tjlazer » Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:31 pm

Very interested to hear how you get on. If you're in the south east I'd be very keen for a lift one day ;) My car just hit 60k so I'm considering a suspension refresh with road driving a focus. I have a bike for track and honestly can't see the point in tracking my M, I love it but I'd rather be leaning around a bend and soaring past 13k any day! With this in mind I'm looking for the best UK friendly setup possible, whilst still retaining good fast road manners. This setup looks a good option!
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by Gustavo7 » Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:52 pm

tjlazer wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:31 pmVery interested to hear how you get on. If you're in the south east I'd be very keen for a lift one day ;)
Yes I will give you a shout in a couple of weeks!
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Pulled the trigger on a set of BC Coilovers

Post by MrPT » Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:08 am

Nice. What’s the rear height adjustment range? Looks loads more than the KWs.
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