Tractive Suspension Review

[Jims M3]

I wanted to give a review of the Tractive coilover suspension, because I had a difficult time finding information when I purchased mine.

First off, the reason I was looking to upgrade my suspension was that I have owned every version of the M3 less the E30, and my personal feeling was that the F80 was without a doubt the worst handling version of this car. I largely blamed that on the previous owners suspension set up of having the HAS KW kit paired with stock dampers. I tried also adding the CS EDC suspension tune but it still was crashing over bumps all the time.

My goals I wanted a street/track set up that wouldn't compromise one for the other and still utlized the factory dampening settings. That left me with a few choices and my first thought was to go with the same Bilstien B6 Damptronics with Swift springs that I had on my E92 M3. Bilstiens un-ending delays in getting that product to the US though had me looking to other alternatives. That is when I found Tractive. The dealer was right in DFW where I live and my local shop Texas Track Works had great things to say about them.

I went ahead and ordered them, originally I believed the suspension wouldn't be height adjustable in the back but this is fully height adjustable on all corners. I purchased the touring version of the kit that utilizes the factory rubber bushings and didn't install camber plates.

Here is my review.

Street - This set up is incredible, you can run this car in Sport all day long and they won't beat you up. We just drove the car 1k miles to Wisconsin for a track event at Road America and I couldn't believe how comfortable the car was. We drove it in Sport the whole way. This suspension incredibly improves the traction as well. Before the car would hop and had a terrible time putting down the power. It now is hooking up fantastically I have to say I am incredibly impressed with how compliant these are. The crashiness is gone in the suspenion and the traction is incredible. Moving it to comfort makes it even more compliant. The suspension transforms the car into a great street car that doesn't compromise traction for a stiff ride. The responsiveness of the dampers is incredible. To call them magic is not an over statement. I have had virtually every type of suspension made for M3's this is by far the best.

Track - As mentioned I had a track event at Road America. I drove in the group 1 Advanced/Instructor group with a very fast group of cars. For the track I bolt on 200 TW Falken Azenis tires (by the way they are great). I used Sport Plus, Road America is due to be re-paved next year and has a lot of spots that are rough along with some very severe curbs. I have to tell you the car performed flawlessly. All of the bad traits of the M3 were gone, turn in is great, excellent control on exit putting down the power and incredible traction. I turned a personal best of 2:34 at the track and after looking at my tires after the weekend had excellent wear. I was running 1.7 degrees of negative camber in the front and about 1.4 in the rear. In Sport Plus the car handled the curbs fantastically, again I'll use the word magic to describe how great it performed.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a great street/track set up this is a fantastic way to go. No compromises and no harsh ride. I am very pleased with the results. I think this suspension transforms the car and makes the power so much more usable. It also tames the beast that wants to swap ends on you. I completely trusted the car at the track and never felt like I didn't know what it was going to do, which is what I expect in M3's. It fixed my problems with the stock suspension and I couldn't be happier.

[spidy512]

Heya,

Thanks for the review. These look like really nice CO's.

What did you pay for this kit?

Thanks!
josh

[Jims M3]

They were $4k all in. Most I have ever paid for a suspension but it did transform the car dramatically. It is the best modification I could do for the money.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Which kit exactly did you go with? Have a P/N?

[Jims M3]

No but Ineteria Labs would have it, it is the touring suspension.

[Intensemojo]

2:34 at RA. that's moving.

[OldPueblo]

I've been interested in upgrading to Tractive and appreciate the review! Are you sure you were quoted $4k? Was that with or w/o springs? I was quoted $6,750 by DSC Sport with custom spring rates and tax…I would've jumped on that price a while ago!

[dvq]

Inertial quoted me $6125 for the tractive r&t and $4600 for the touring.

[FreeDarko]

Congrats OP. If I kept my m3 the plan was to drive to Dallas and get these installed by interia.

What was the cost to install? How many hours did they quote?

I remember Dinan running the tractive damper setup on their shops M4 and everyone thought it transformed their vehicle using the Dinan HAS kit only. Came to find out it was the tractive dampers that made most of the difference but wished they informed that fm the beginning instead of running thru hoops to determine.

[Banksy27]

nice review!

[TR930]

I just bought this kit too, I'll post a review when they come in.

[TheMaster1971NL]

Originally Posted by TR930

I just bought this kit too, I'll post a review when they come in.

Any news? Can you give a review?

[phefner]

@Jims M3 , Road America is one of my favorites. Did you run Road America before the upgrade? Wondering what differences you felt with an elevation transition, like uphill into turn 6, and coming out of Canada Corner into 13.

Got a lap-time before the upgrade to compare?

[Vertix]

Originally Posted by Jims M3

The suspension transforms the car into a great street car that doesn't compromise traction for a stiff ride. The responsiveness of the dampers is incredible. To call them magic is not an over statement.

Just had a set installed on my m4 and couldnt agree more. The suspension really has made the car a much much better street car when used in sport & sport+ over the stock shocks.

[E92inSG]

anyone had problems with their Tractive after all this time?

[njavier03]

Bump

[Vertix]

I'll add after a few thousand KM with the tractive touring setup, its made the sport & sport plus much better, but comfort has taken a hit in some areas.

Not sure if its the spring rate increase (significantly stiffer than stock) or the dampers themselves, but there is a decent increase in NVH and it does not ride over small sharp surface changes as well. It definitely chucks you around more inside the car.

Working with local supplier (DNA autosports) to see what we can do here. Just wanted to give a clear image for those interested in purchashing them, so they know what to expect.

Once at speed, it rides over things like potholes etc way better, especially in sport/sport+ its soooo much better than stock its not funny.


BUT if you have a fussy Mrs, she will not appreciate the less comfort that comfort mode gives with the tractive shocks. After the first drive she was already asking wtf changed hahaha

[TheMaster1971NL]

Originally Posted by Vertix

BUT if you have a fussy Mrs, she will not appreciate the less comfort that comfort mode gives with the tractive shocks. After the first drive she was already asking wtf changed hahaha

[njavier03]

Originally Posted by Vertix

I'll add after a few thousand KM with the tractive touring setup, its made the sport & sport plus much better, but comfort has taken a hit in some areas.

Not sure if its the spring rate increase (significantly stiffer than stock) or the dampers themselves, but there is a decent increase in NVH and it does not ride over small sharp surface changes as well. It definitely chucks you around more inside the car.

Working with local supplier (DNA autosports) to see what we can do here. Just wanted to give a clear image for those interested in purchashing them, so they know what to expect.

Once at speed, it rides over things like potholes etc way better, especially in sport/sport+ its soooo much better than stock its not funny.


BUT if you have a fussy Mrs, she will not appreciate the less comfort that comfort mode gives with the tractive shocks. After the first drive she was already asking wtf changed hahaha

extremely helpful review. i've been debating on either just getting the MP HAS or Swift Springs vs a full Tractive coilover setup. i don't track, so i'm really just looking for better fitment without ride quality suffering too much. these might not be worth it for me anymore.

[dpgfunk]

Originally Posted by njavier03

extremely helpful review. i've been debating on either just getting the MP HAS or Swift Springs vs a full Tractive coilover setup. i don't track, so i'm really just looking for better fitment without ride quality suffering too much. these might not be worth it for me anymore.

After going back and forth on Tractive Touring and KW DDC, I ultimately went with KW DDC and couldn't be happier. It has improved ride comfort in all settings - you should consider them. I ran Bilstein Damptronics for over a year and those were unbearably stiff.

[CruzM3]

I'm still going with the tractive touring set. Vertix I would check the install as no reviews I've seen describe anything but positive stuff to say. My install is this Thursday and Ill let you all know how it is afterwards.

[Vertix]

Originally Posted by CruzM3

I'm still going with the tractive touring set. Vertix I would check the install as no reviews I've seen describe anything but positive stuff to say. My install is this Thursday and Ill let you all know how it is afterwards.

3 of us here locally are running the tractive touring setup, all 3 have the same outcome. 2 different shops installing them and both are very reputable.

The spring rate alone is stiffer than stock, which is contributing to alot of this. The dampers themselves in comfort run at a much softer rate than stock however you can't get around stiffer springs making this change. Stiffer springs make things stiffer..

The dampening however is wayyyy wayyyyyy better. So big potholes at speed, it just handles them sooo well.