Got my Ohlin R/T

[mr_tofu]

6/27 Added additional pics with some notes. First things first, big thanks again to Alex, Matt, Tommy, and everyone else at Autocouture. They did an amazing job on my car and I couldn't be happier. Would not hesitate to recommend them. Definitely worth the drive up from Virginia.

Please be aware, I am coming from passive suspension, so the ride (from what I am told) was already a little more firm than sport for those that have adaptive. That being said, I actually enjoyed the firmness and I live and daily drive this car in DC, where we do not have the best of roads.

Install notes: For those that are looking for a dumped look or an aggressive drop, this is not the kit for you. I am almost at the lowest setting and the drop is pretty minimal, probably around 3/4" to 1". This is perfect for me, but if you want to be slammed look elsewhere. The rear, btw, is also approximately at a 1" drop. Also an important item to note, my kit was missing the front top nut. The install instructions said to re-use the stock nut, but it did not fit. Maybe since I had the first kit it was missing but went out to the hardware store and grabbed another nut so the install went on without incident. But for those of you that are getting the kit early I would check this. I attached a pic for reference.

Driving Impressions: Well I've only put 300ish miles on the suspension so far, and I need an alignment, so please take what I say with a grain of salt. So far the suspension feels great! All the usual things people say. There is noticeably less body roll and the car feels very well damped, stock the car felt more ... floaty? definitely not now, the car feels very planted almost like its being pushed into the ground. When I've installed coilovers on other cars, the ride was typically a bit more busy/jittery I am not getting those impressions now. I will be honest, the ride is firmer, maybe 10% more than stock but I'll play with adjustments a bit (I am on Ohlins recommended settings - can't remember what they are right now but will find out). On bumpy roads the ride is a bit more harsh, again I'll play with the settings a bit, but on smooth roads the ride is amazing and more comfortable than stock, I couldn't be happier. That's all I can think of for now. I'll put more miles on the system and update my thoughts.

6/25 Updated with pics. Super tired from driving but I'll update tomorrow. In short car feels very planted. Steering has changed too ... Almost heavier. Very happy so far.

I know there is skepticism on the Ohlin Kit actually being released and shipped so I thought I should let everyone know that I got mine today . I know, I know, its not true until you post a pic, but sadly, and even though I am an engineer, I do not know how to post pictures from my phone . I will however post some pics once I get home. Big thanks to Alex@AUTOcouture for making this happen. I'll be getting these put on this weekend and will report back.

[kitesurfer]

how are those 1300lb+ per inch rear springs treating you? or did they revise the spring rates from their publication

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by mr_tofu

I know there is skepticism on the Ohlin Kit actually being released and shipped so I thought I should let everyone know that I got mine today . I know, I know, its not true until you post a pic, but sadly, and even though I am an engineer, I do not know how to post pictures from my phone . I will however post some pics once I get home. Big thanks to Alex@AUTOcouture for making this happen. I'll be getting these put on this weekend and will report back.

They are indeed out.

I have my scheduled install for these on July10th.

I can't wait to get a proper suspension on this car, as BMW left WAAAY too much slop in the stock set-up.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

how are those 1300lb+ per inch rear springs treating you? or did they revise the spring rates from their publication

I don't think the spring rate will be an issue.

Two things to consider...

The relocation point of the springs requires a stiffer set-up

The shocks have dual flow valves.

Despite the spring rate, I'm betting they are smoother than KWV3 or Clubsports

[MovingChicane]

Looking forward to feedback from you all on these!

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I don't think the spring rate will be an issue.

Two things to consider...

The relocation point of the springs requires a stiffer set-up

The shocks have dual flow valves.

Despite the spring rate, I'm betting they are smoother than KWV3 or Clubsports

[Celestion]

I will be checking this thread daily for your hopefully detailed impressions!

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I don't think the spring rate will be an issue.

Two things to consider...

The relocation point of the springs requires a stiffer set-up

The shocks have dual flow valves.

Despite the spring rate, I'm betting they are smoother than KWV3 or Clubsports

What do you mean by "relocation point of the springs"? The Ohlins R&T rear setup is identical to the stock rear setup.

[slavearm]

No word on if mine have shipped yet. Eagerly awaiting...

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

What do you mean by "relocation point of the springs"? The Ohlins R&T rear setup is identical to the stock rear setup.

Stock...

Coilovers, the spring is over the shock, hence "coilover"

[tke743]

Pics of the kit?

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

Stock...

Coilovers, the spring is over the shock, hence "coilover"

Almost every off the shelf coilover kit available for this chassis isn't a true coilover in the rear; that hasn't stopped any manufacturer from still calling them coilovers. It is true that calling them "coilovers" as a whole is a misnomer. That being said, the Ohlins R/T rear spring/perch location is no different from the stock set up. Basically, the rear isn't a true coilover set up. Reference the product poster below.

You might be thinking of the Ohlins TTX kit. That one had the true coil-over-shock set up in the rear.

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

how are those 1300lb+ per inch rear springs treating you? or did they revise the spring rates from their publication

This is what I'm most interested in finding out as well. 24kg/mm is RIDICULOUSLY stiff.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by exo-shell

Almost every off the shelf coilover kit available for this chassis isn't a true coilover in the rear; that hasn't stopped any manufacturer from still calling them coilovers. It is true that calling them "coilovers" as a whole is a misnomer. That being said, the Ohlins R/T rear spring/perch location is no different from the stock set up. Basically, the rear isn't a true coilover set up. Reference the product poster below.

You might be thinking of the Ohlins TTX kit. That one had the true coil-over-shock set up in the rear.

Interesting. I wonder why that is?

Maybe because of the solid mounting to the frame??

Why wouldn't you do a true coilover in the rear on this platform?

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

Interesting. I wonder why that is?

Maybe because of the solid mounting to the frame??

Why wouldn't you do a true coilover in the rear on this platform?

Interesting. I wonder why that is?
- The term "coilover" in the aftermarket industry has come to mean a shock/spring replacement with a threaded adjustable spring perch. This is not just exclusive to the BMW aftermarket. Every automotive scene (even beyond) has adopted this meaning. While most OEM suspensions are "coil-over-shock" suspensions (yes, your neighbor's Volvo has coilovers), this is usually not what a person is referencing when they ask, "Did you get coilovers on your car?" What they really mean is, "Bro, did you get the thing that has the turning things that will lower the car bro?"

Maybe because of the solid mounting to the frame??
- Ask BMW. They've been designing their rear suspension like this since whooly mammoths were getting stuck in tar pits. But they must be doing something right as they have some of the best handling road cars right out of the box.

Why wouldn't you do a true coilover in the rear on this platform?
- Because it's easier not to. Designing around OEM is always easier to fine tune and easier to sell. Although the true coilover design for the rear may increase lap times (I'll leave that to the track guys to figure out), it's simply not worth it for most people to try some thing so different from OEM. At the very least, there is the concern that the rear strut point may not be able to handle all of the stress without being reinforced (the concern is anecdotal but legitimate). So far the Ohlins TTX and Motion Control offers a true "coil-over-shock" set up for the rear.


The point to all this was... why are the Ohlins R/T rear springs so stiff?

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by exo-shell

This is what I'm most interested in finding out as well. 24kg/mm is RIDICULOUSLY stiff.

Same here. Plus, with F/R 500/1300 lbf/in spring rates, it sounds like the balance is definitely biased toward oversteer.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

Stock...

Coilovers, the spring is over the shock, hence "coilover"

Ohlins R&T rear = stock rear setup

Also, if the rear is switched to a true coilover setup, the motion ratio increases and, therefore, the spring rate decreases, not increases. Front and rear spring rates will end up being very similar (e.g., F/R 500/450 lbf/in) for a rear coilover setup.

[mr_tofu]

Originally Posted by tke743

Pics of the kit?

Posted some pics.

[mr_tofu]

Springs

[mr_tofu]

On car

[mr_tofu]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

how are those 1300lb+ per inch rear springs treating you? or did they revise the spring rates from their publication

Originally Posted by exo-shell

This is what I'm most interested in finding out as well. 24kg/mm is RIDICULOUSLY stiff.

Rear springs are massive.

[kitesurfer]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I don't think the spring rate will be an issue.

Two things to consider...

The relocation point of the springs requires a stiffer set-up

The shocks have dual flow valves.

Despite the spring rate, I'm betting they are smoother than KWV3 or Clubsports

Rear spring is not a true coilover, its same set up as OEM. If it was a true coilover due to the folcrum point you would reduce the spring rate not increase it to achieve the same effect. Anything over 800-850# per inch for the street as a daily is gonna be rough. OEM springs are around 500 in the rear and all other CS kits are around 800....The good news is that springs swaps are cheap

[x.shell]

Jeez those look pretty. I want to get a set to hang on my wall and just stare at it.