BC Racing Coilovers (fitted on page 3)

[Gustavo7]

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!

 

[Fishy Dave]

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.

 

[tjlazer]

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.

 

[Beedub]

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.

 

[Gustavo7]

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.

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.



The coilovers are set to arrive on December 5th.

 

[stijohnny]

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.

 

[Gustavo7]

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.

 

[wspohn]

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.

 

[beanie]

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.

 

[MrPT]

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.

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.

 

[Gustavo7]

Well, tomorrow is the big day. I’m going to fit these bastards!

 

[Beedub]

well they look the business no doubt!

 

[tjlazer]

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!

 

[Gustavo7]

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

Yes I will give you a shout in a couple of weeks!

 

[MrPT]

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

 

[Gustavo7]

So Today I have installed... the fronts only :lol: :lol:

Front coilovers, ARB bushes and end links. Replaced all bolts too with new items that BMW kindly provided in exchange of £54

Only started at 12 and it took me six hours. Mind it was the first time I did this sort of job.

Well, having only done half a job gave me the opportunity to compare the front coilovers vs the original rear suspension. Adjusted the damper to 14 out of 30 settings to start with (0 being soft, 30 being hard).

The car rode very well in the front, not bumpy, not crashy. Reacted well to road imperfections, pot holes and speed humps. Better than the rear suspension (which is tired to be fair) and better than I ever thought it would. Did hear two very shy clunks going over two deep potholes. (Intentionally ran ober them) Also noticed what people refer to as NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) due to the solid mounts, but nothing really invasive or disturbing! Some of it might even go away once I get the geometry right and an alignment done.

On the way home, near my local town (Brentwood) I pulled over to turn the knobs to full soft before entering the high street (which is partially cobbled). I was positively surprised with:

1. How the feedback through the steering wheel was so much nicer and smooth than before.
2. How soft the suspension was! It absorbed those cobblestones so well it reminded me of my 320d SE :lol: Don’t think I will ever set it to zero again, but nice to know the adjustment knobs really do their job ahah

Did not try full hard, think it will be stupidly stiff for the road anyway :lol:

So there you go, this is my non-conclusive front-suspension-only First Impression.

It’s promising, now I need to find time to fit the rears...

 

[wspohn]

I found that only about 5 clicks off soft worked on my Solstice (10 clicks on the rear).

 

[Theivz]

look awesome - cant wait to hear feedback

i have run these on last 2 cars owned including my e89 and i loved them. easy to dial to firm for track and easy to put back. just need a jack for rear. 1 small bit of feedback if u dont mind ... ask installer to make sure H <--> S sign visible once installed (rear)

 

[BMWZ4MC]

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.

Beedub, do you know what is the approximate turn around time? I’m considering having mine serviced before I ship my car to Aus, simply because it’s going to be ball ache from the other side of the world.

 

[wspohn]

I’m considering having mine serviced before I ship my car to Aus, simply because it’s going to be ball ache from the other side of the world.

You are closer to the factory (Taiwan) and it would probably be quicker and easier to deal direct from Oz. I bought direct from Taiwan to Canada.