Hi All,

I have been running Bilstein PSS9 coilovers on my 03 MCS JCW since this Summer. The ride quality is amazing, and I like the ability to adjust dampening.

As it is setup ride now, I feel that the rear of the car is more bouncy than I would like it to be. Seeing as how Bilstein uses progressive rate springs, I am assuming the rear springs are compressed more than the front because of my current ride height settings (rear is sitting lower than front). Since the rear springs are compressed more, this is probably why the rear of the car feels so bouncy.

I'm wondering if I raise the ride height on the rear coilovers, will this decrease the compression on the rear springs, and thus make the rear of car a little more civil and less bouncy? This seems like a silly question, but for some reason I'm having a major brain fart.

 

You need to adjust the dampers not the springs.

 

Well, it's not the dampening setting. I frequently adjust the dampening between auto/x and daily driving.

I think the fact that the rear spring is more compressed due to my ride height setting in the rear is causing this.. Just wanted to get thoughts on this.

 

You change the center of gravity with ride height too, so really what anyone should do with coilovers is to get 4 scales and get the weight even, then start from there.

 

What are do you have the damping set to when daily driving (front and rear)?

With my own set, I had to do quite a bit of fiddling to find a setting that gave the most comfortable ride. It actually got better after I swapped the front springs for linear rate 350lbs/in, which was not what I was expecting. Not suggesting that for you, as I did it for autocross purposes (personally hate the progressive rate springs).

Anyway, the point is that I had better results running them at something other than full soft on the street for comfort. Also, the "best" rear setting will change if you change the front setting. I found that having the front slightly stiffer than the rear worked best for my car (the front is heavier of course). I wouldn't focus on the preload yet, as playing with the damping some more will be far easier.

Good luck.
Scott
90SM

 

Thanks Scott,

I usually have the front on 6 and the rear on 7 for daily driving. I found that this was the best instead of just 9 all the way.

I was considering linear springs too, but I don't autocross enough to justify them, and I guess I like progressive rate for a daily driver.