[mike the snake]

The kit i believe is supposed to drop the ride height by 20mm or so, I am assuming by way of slightly shorter struts and shocks, so going a little below that I think would still be OK, but i will check that. My goal is 1' to 1.5" lower than stock.

I asked the mechanic, and he said he set the shocks at "10", as per the literature recomendations that came with the kit, and I believe there's 16 clicks. It feels really good.

The new spring rates really seem to transform how the car behaves over bumps, the frequency, and the way the bumps resonate through the car are so much better, the car is much more enjoyable to drive now.

[mike the snake]

Wow! What a day.

After the shop installed the shocks and struts, and the car wasn't low enough, I asked them to make the car safe alignment-wise so I wouldn't scrub my new tires away. They left it safe, but seriously crabbing down the road. This in turn triggered a few codes and warnings in my dash. I got them cleared but they came back, then the shop called and said once the car is going straight that the codes should not reappear, although I now still need to get them cleared, hopefully for the last time.

I got my Ohlins kit at PSI, and I am SO happy I got it from them, they are a top-notch outfit for sure.

When I informed them that the car was still too high, they told me to come in and they'd fix things up. It turns out, the original shop that installed the kit did not install the front struts correctly. The struts when properly fitted, slipped another 3" down in the hub, and Voila! Front ride height is perfect.

On the rear, they did swap the 10" springs for 8", and now my car sits exactly how i want it, and I can go lower, or higher from here.

I then raced back into town to get an alignment, and now my car is now perfect, save for the codes needing to be cleared.

SO, for future purchasers, I can say that the rear springs should be swapped for 8" springs, whatever the rate. With 8" springs there's plenty of adjustment in either direction.
When installing the front struts, the hub clamps need to be pried open, and the strut inserted fully until the tab properly keys into the slot, this is where the first shop did not do this, so the strut was basically 3" too high.

The DVF shocks feel amazing along with the new spring rates. Even with twice the spring rates, the car rides better everywhere, road inputs are sharper, but shorter lived, which seems to make ALL the difference to my back. I no longer need to swerve around the potholes and bumps in my daily drive, the car is 1000% more enjoyable to drive. It turns much flatter with way less lean. It is a totally different car.
The Ground Control hybrid camber plates run about as quiet as stock, no noises, no knocking.

Now that I have the proper alignment, I'm going to hit my twisty backraods and see how the car feels at speed, which I expect to be wonderful.

I really appreciate PSI (Performance Shock Inc.) with selling, and helping me out with this Ohlins kit, I am super happy with it now that my car is sorted out. They really stand behind their products.

The Ohlins products are not as well-known in the street world. I have been told though that they compare to the higher dollar coilovers like Moton and JRZ, and i believe it. The DFV is the real deal.

I'll post again and give a report after I have some miles on the car, and play with the settings.

I'm happy to report that the warnings on my dash have now gone away. I am now officially totally happy with the mods I have done. The car is transformed. I'll post pics tomorrow.

[tscdennab]

^ Great to hear everything is now perfect ! You are so privileged to live close to a good shop that can sell you high-end stuff and has parts in stock ready if you encounter problems. I could only dream of this here in my country.

It seems that you are the second person on this forum documenting using 8" springs for the rear on Ohlins Road & Track for e90. Please post pics of your car as soon as you can Also, can you post a picture of the rear spring in it's position near the spring perch, in order to see how much height adjustment room is left (front and rear) ?

[mike the snake]

I'll post pics later today when there's enough light.

If one were to choose the kit-supplied 400lb rear springs, then I'm sure that either 8" or 9" would work just fine, but I chose 700lb rear springs, which coupled with the kit-supplied front 343lb springs I think is more appropriate.

Even though the rear rates are high, the effective rates end up being normal, so no revalving is necessary, what the rear shocks feel is normal.

It seems for the E8x and E9x that a 1-2 ratio for spring rates is what works, so something like 350/700, 400/800, 450/900. Harold was nice enough to give me suggestions and I went with rates very close to what he suggested, and I'm very happy.

Not sure what the stock rates are, but over bumps, the back end dipped moreso over bumps, and potholes and such would cause a shudder through the car that was just plain uncomfortable, even smaller bumps and potholes. I went way out of my way to avoid anything I knew about on my daily drives. Now, the car hits bumps and potholes with a sharper feeling with no shudder, the rear doesn't dip, and the rear doesn't squat under hard excelleration. It's a joy!

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by mike the snake

I'll post pics later today when there's enough light.

If one were to choose the kit-supplied 400lb rear springs, then I'm sure that either 8" or 9" would work just fine, but I chose 700lb rear springs, which coupled with the kit-supplied front 343lb springs I think is more appropriate.

Even though the rear rates are high, the effective rates end up being normal, so no revalving is necessary, what the rear shocks feel is normal.

It seems for the E8x and E9x that a 1-2 ratio for spring rates is what works, so something like 350/700, 400/800, 450/900. Harold was nice enough to give me suggestions and I went with rates very close to what he suggested, and I'm very happy.

Not sure what the stock rates are, but over bumps, the back end dipped moreso over bumps, and potholes and such would cause a shudder through the car that was just plain uncomfortable, even smaller bumps and potholes. I went way out of my way to avoid anything I knew about on my daily drives. Now, the car hits bumps and potholes with a sharper feeling with no shudder, the rear doesn't dip, and the rear doesn't squat under hard excelleration. It's a joy!

Where are those promised photos?

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by mike the snake

The Ground Control hybrid camber plates run about as quiet as stock, no noises, no knocking.

Which camber plates are these? I've got the street version - see here: Ground Control streeet camber plates for BMW E9x / E8x. However, my mechanic said they don't fit with the Öhlins and therefor he couldn't install them.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

Which camber plates are these? I've got the street version - see here: Ground Control streeet camber plates for BMW E9x / E8x. However, my mechanic said they don't fit with the Öhlins and therefor he couldn't install them.

Alpina_B3_Lux

We will be happy to supply Vorshlag ones that will fit.

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

We will be happy to supply Vorshlag ones that will fit.

Uniball or not? Because I already fit some uniball camber plates and they were far too noisy for a daily driver. If they're rubber ones like the GC ones I'd be quite happy to order them.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

Uniball or not? Because I already fit some uniball camber plates and they were far too noisy for a daily driver. If they're rubber ones like the GC ones I'd be quite happy to order them.

Alpina_B3_Lux

Vorshlag camber plates are not noisy when installed properly. Once in a while one may get one with a defective bearing and make noise, but that is very rare.

I invite you to drive our 1M, just as I have with our 135i and 335i, noise free camber plates. Not only that, you would think the car is on stock mounts.

[HP Autosport]

Another set of Ohlins Road & Track kit going to a customer.

This one with Swift 65mm 336 front and 672 rear spring rates and Vorshlag camber plates.

[swifty]

Harold,
Are you installing the 8 inch or 10 inch springs at the back?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by swifty

Harold,
Are you installing the 8 inch or 10 inch springs at the back?

We only use the 8" with a helper in our "quick change" rear spring kit for the 1M and M3 guys.

10" is never used because it is simply too tall. We use 9" rears instead.

[E90335iflyer]

Looks like many of you are running these Ohlins. Any long term reviews? How are they holding up? Any suggestions on the best place to get these? Price is not a concern, but customer service is.

[swifty]

Is anyone running the standard springs that come with this Ohlins kit - 342lb/in Front and 400lb/in Rear?

[nitehawk]

I find it odd that Ohlins does not offer more aggressive spring rates for those with m3 bars and subframe bushings (what brand springs are they using anyway?) A large portion of the people buying these would have these m3 upgrades already. It's counterproductive to buy a $2600+ kit and spend another 500+ for changing the springs. You could get the basic JRZ RS1s for that much...

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

I find it odd that Ohlins does not offer more aggressive spring rates for those with m3 bars and subframe bushings (what brand springs are they using anyway?) A large portion of the people buying these would have these m3 upgrades already. It's counterproductive to buy a $2600+ kit and spend another 500+ for changing the springs. You could get the basic JRZ RS1s for that much...

350 front and 400 rear, Eibach ERS springs.

We are looking at the possibility of Ohlins offering just dampers only. Call Ohlins and put in your request would help this along.

Ohlins R&T and JRZ RS1 could be head to head here, but I have yet to try to RS1 to give a comparison.

[nitehawk]

Here's what Ohlins USA had to say.

Originally Posted by Ohlins USA

Thanks for the inquiry.

1- At this time there are no plans to make a secondary kit for that chassis. Our dealers will typically work with customers to find the right spring rate for their application.
{What HPA has been doing}

2- We are working with Sweden to get access to the suspension kits without springs. This is not an option at the moment, but we hope to have a “springless” option for customers in the near future.

I hope this answers your questions.

Please let me know what else I can do for you.

Regards,

Jeff B.

Hopefully sooner than later for just the damper option.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Here's what Ohlins USA had to say.



Hopefully sooner than later for just the damper option.

We are pushing really hard for that option.

It doesn't hurt for the community to call up Ohlins USA and make that request as well.

[e679]

Can anyone compare Ohlins with pss10? what are their pros and cons?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by e679

Can anyone compare Ohlins with pss10? what are their pros and cons?

The name Ohlins says it all! Better ride quality and performance on the street and on the track.

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

The name Ohlins says it all! Better ride quality and performance on the street and on the track.

+1

I had the Bilstein B16 RC (which is a PSS10 but with the possibility to set the dampers in two positions electronically) and the Öhlins is far superior in both ride quality and performance.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

+1

I had the Bilstein B16 RC (which is a PSS10 but with the possibility to set the dampers in two positions electronically) and the Öhlins is far superior in both ride quality and performance.

Alpina_B3_Lux

Have you installed a set of Ohlins R&T on your ride?