Coilovers vs BMW MP HAS

[bimmerboyE92]

So many choices but looking for your input.

I have a 2016 F80 non-EDC non-ZCP. I like the way the car feels but want to upgrade for track days. First and foremost is the feel. If I go coil overs, will I lose that M-car feel? Or will I love it? Reviews of BMW HAS to me sound like "this is what the car should have been from the factory". I don't get that same sense from owners of TCK coil overs.


Pretty much torn between TC Kline DA's and the BMW MP HAS.

[f83woody]

Coilovers are going to stiffen the car up quite a bit, and will be the best track focused solution.

The reason people say that the m-perf HAS is "what the car should have been from factory" is because it still utilizes the EDC and stiffens/lowers the car at the same time. It doesn't mean that it will outperform coils, it's just stating that it is the best combination of both worlds (for now).

Personally, I plan to go with m-perf HAS b/c of warranty and I'm not going to be tracking my car more than 1 or 2 times a year.

At the end of the day though, just remember it's YOUR car and your opinion. So do what you want lol. Hope that helps!

[zcspec]

Taking under consideration your setup; non-EDC, if you choose to upgrade to coils, you're going to be quite happy. The principle of the HAS system, has been around for many years. I ran this setup on my E92 and absolutely loved it.
By moving your non-EDC setup over the coils, you'll have a firmer and much more complacent ride. Will you lose the "M-Feel?" Everyone will have their own opinion on an answer so that's very subjective. Should you go the coils route, make sure you pick a QUALITY product and go with a progressive setup as opposed to a linear setup. Track guys love linear setups due to their harshness and feel, but boy, can they beat you up on the street. Progressive coils such as PSS10/16s will offer you great street manner, while being able to provide your suspension a split personality on the track.
But again, as Woody had mentioned...it's ultimately your car, we can only give you advice.

[MadZarBMR]

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure the MP HAS is specifically for EDC only so you will probably not be able to get a BMW shop to install it for you (if its even possible). Not having EDC really opens the door to some great options since you are not limiting yourself to keeping EDC. Besides Bilstein PSS10, the Ohlins Road and Track also get rave reviews. The advantage of Ohlins is you can order them with custom spring rates which means you can keep them as close to stock feel as possible while significantly improving the dampers which most of us agree are the weakest point on the F8x with EDC. Not sure about non-EDC.

[CLEANM4]

Just went from springs to coilovers. Tracked with springs and it was not bad at all. Recently just did the coilover upgrade and having the ability to adjust your settings is the way to to as you can adjust for any track =)

[Maxis]

Originally Posted by MadZarBMR

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure the MP HAS is specifically for EDC only so you will probably not be able to get a BMW shop to install it for you (if its even possible). Not having EDC really opens the door to some great options since you are not limiting yourself to keeping EDC. Besides Bilstein PSS10, the Ohlins Road and Track also get rave reviews. The advantage of Ohlins is you can order them with custom spring rates which means you can keep them as close to stock feel as possible while significantly improving the dampers which most of us agree are the weakest point on the F8x with EDC. Not sure about non-EDC.

Yep you are wrong,,,,,;

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by CLEANM4

Just went from springs to coilovers. Tracked with springs and it was not bad at all. Recently just did the coilover upgrade and having the ability to adjust your settings is the way to to as you can adjust for any track =)

Which springs did you start with and which coil overs did you end up with?

How much different does the car feel with the coils compared to the springs? Still an M-car? Or is it a completely different car all together?

I wish someone had coilovers near me that coil just take me for a ride.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92

I have a 2016 F80 non-EDC non-ZCP. I like the way the car feels but want to upgrade for track days.

If you want to upgrade for track days, you need to also consider camber plates. Otherwise, you will prematurely wear the outside shoulder of your front tires. If you're going to install any spring, it makes the most sense to install the camber plates at the same time. I have Ground Control camber plates which were installed at the same time as the Dinan HAS ("coilover") suspension.

[MadZarBMR]

Originally Posted by Maxis

Yep you are wrong,,,,,;

Glad to know they released a version for non-EDC. Still, if I didn't need/want EDC, I'd go full coils. Patiently waiting on the Bilstein Damptronics. Maybe by the time its time to trade-in.

[Justin.AutoTalent]

I went from Swift to V3. The ride difference is pretty big. The most notable difference is the rebound. When the car would go through undulations, you can feel a bit more of a jarring response. Bumpy, stiff, little rough. Nothing crazy, but going to coil overs (KW Variant 3) the undulations were absorbed better. You could barely feel the road imperfections and undulations at low and high speeds, which is great for DD'ing

[theriz]

If my car didn't have EDC I would 110% go KWV3's.

Coils > Springs any day of the week.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by MadZarBMR

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure the MP HAS is specifically for EDC only so you will probably not be able to get a BMW shop to install it for you (if its even possible). Not having EDC really opens the door to some great options since you are not limiting yourself to keeping EDC. Besides Bilstein PSS10, the Ohlins Road and Track also get rave reviews. The advantage of Ohlins is you can order them with custom spring rates which means you can keep them as close to stock feel as possible while significantly improving the dampers which most of us agree are the weakest point on the F8x with EDC. Not sure about non-EDC.

^ This

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Maxis

Yep you are wrong,,,,,;

No he's not.

[Dippydo]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

No he's not.

He is wrong in the sense that the MP HAS was specifically designed for EDC and you won't find BMW shops to install them on non EDC. They are for both EDC and non-EDC.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Dippydo

He is wrong in the sense that the MP HAS was specifically designed for EDC and you won't find BMW shops to install them on non EDC. They are for both EDC and non-EDC.

You might be right. I am just wondering how the non-adaptive dampers will be able to cope with the increased spring rates.

[jim996]

I'm not sure why anyone goes for the MP HAS kit to be honest. It's just an adjustable spring kit. I was quoted nearly £2000 in the UK for the kit and fitting? An adjustable kit sounds great but surely you are just going to set the ride height once then leave it alone? Each time you change it you will need to get an alignment anyway.

I bought a spring kit instead than achieves an identical drop and improves the body control for £300.

£2000 IMO should be spent on a great coilover set. Warranty doesn't matter because the original struts will just be stored anyway for if you want to return the car at the end of the lease.

[phoenx]

I had the same debate as well but with swift springs in the mix. I have EDC because of the competition package but went for Bilsteins Pss10 and couldnt be happier.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by jim996

I'm not sure why anyone goes for the MP HAS kit to be honest. It's just an adjustable spring kit. I was quoted nearly £2000 in the UK for the kit and fitting? An adjustable kit sounds great but surely you are just going to set the ride height once then leave it alone? Each time you change it you will need to get an alignment anyway.

I bought a spring kit instead than achieves an identical drop and improves the body control for £300.

£2000 IMO should be spent on a great coilover set. Warranty doesn't matter because the original struts will just be stored anyway for if you want to return the car at the end of the lease.

There are several benefits to a HAS kit:

1. Ability to corner-balance the car for optimized handling
2. Fine tune the ride height to one's exact wishes
3. Ability to alter the ride height depending on season
4. For the MP-HAS, full factory warranty matched to the vehicle

[Maxis]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Yo might be right. I am just wondering how the non-adaptive dampers will be able to cope with the increased spring rates.

You might be wrong.

[Iceman1]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

There are several benefits to a HAS kit:

1. Ability to corner-balance the car for optimized handling
2. Fine tune the ride height to one's exact wishes
3. Ability to alter the ride height depending on season
4. For the MP-HAS, full factory warranty matched to the vehicle

Just as an observer, also seems the MP HAS specifically offers you great ride quality on the street (slightly firmer than stock, can be lowered within reason, maintain EDC, yet not have any of the negatives of some other spring/HAS kits on the market.)

[Modena NYC]

Can someone explain how bmw or Dinan even get away with a adj spring kit or has or whatever you call
It? Springs and shocks ALWAYS have to be matched. If you just add springs (like a lot of people do) it will ride like crap and blow out the shocks in minimal time...been there done that. Are the EDC shocks able to accommodate leas travel with supported rebound given that there is less spring?

I’m a little old school but general nothing beats quality matched coil overs. That said this is my street car and the comp pack ride is sublime with the edc. The gap is horrendous. I won’t sacrifice ride quality for looks but I’m confused how bmw is now offering a solution like this.

Please explain to me. Adding springs or just lowering a car on factory shocks does NOT work and is not a long term solution.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Modena NYC

Can someone explain how bmw or Dinan even get away with a adj spring kit or has or whatever you call
It? Springs and shocks ALWAYS have to be matched. If you just add springs (like a lot of people do) it will ride like crap and blow out the shocks in minimal time...been there done that. Are the EDC shocks able to accommodate leas travel with supported rebound given that there is less spring?

I’m a little old school but general nothing beats quality matched coil overs. That said this is my street car and the comp pack ride is sublime with the edc. The gap is horrendous. I won’t sacrifice ride quality for looks but I’m confused how bmw is now offering a solution like this.

Please explain to me. Adding springs or just lowering a car on factory shocks does NOT work and is not a long term solution.

Apparently the EDC dampers can deal with lowering springs such as the MP-HAS quite well. BMW have even tuned the EDC accordingly (as per BMW, earlier cars need to have the EDC module flashed when installing the MP-HAS). Further, the spring rates of the MP-HAS are not that far off the CP spring rates, which allow the dampers to remain within their optimal operating range.