I'm considering the PSS9 or some other coilover suspension. Do you guys know if it is necessary to perform a re-alignment after every ride-height adjustment?

Short answer: Yes. You have to ... even when you change your ride height, you have to re-align the car. I would suggest against the PSS9 ... look at either GC or TCK/DA.

Short answer: Yes. You have to ... even when you change your ride height, you have to re-align the car. I would suggest against the PSS9 ... look at either GC or TCK/DA.

What about KW?
Nope, I don't have 'em, I was just wondering how they fell into the mix.

What is wrong with the PSS9's for the E46 M3? :hmm:

I had them on my 330ci and they were amazing!!!!

linear vs. progressive spring rates. The PSS9 system is great for a majority of people, I'll agree. But, if you autocross or track the car in any manner, or drive spiritedly in any manner, they are not worth the costs considering the TCK/DA or GC ones, for the same price, are twice as good as the PSS9's.

You have to trust me on this :peace: ... ask any of the track/autocross guys. They will ALL agree PSS9's are at the very bottom of the list. It would be better to get eibach springs and just add Koni SA's, IMO.

I do not like KW's either. Just my preference. I've never experienced them on the ///M. But, on the C32 AMG, I had the KW V2's on there. They work; but, again, for the price, not worth it. I would spend the few bucks more and get something specific. Remember, when you talk to Jay at GC or TC Kline, they specifically ask you your driving style.

The ones you are mentioning are generic ... they are better than OE; but, maybe not necessarily great for your driving style. The C32 -- I just did not like them. They were not firm enough for me ... to progressive in response. I hate that ... progressive responses ... but then again, just my 2 cents.

PSS9s **** for a few reasons:

1) Rebound and compression are not separately adjustable. This is ridiculous. It'd be better not to have compression adjustment at all.
2) The springs are too soft.
3) I'm told they have poor tire clearance.

Given how much they cost, there is no justifiable reason whatsoever to buy them.

TCK D/A :peace:

PSS9's are good for street...KW's are slightly better but still not fully spec'able. GC or TCK are the best for real tracking

I have PSS9s. For the big track, the PSS9 are a tad too soft (for me). They bounce a bit too much. For autocross, the PSS9s are good. As a daily driver, the PSS9 are great.

In my case, the PSS9 are perfect. I use the M as a daily driver and I participate in autocrosses as much as I time for. I go to the big track twice maybe three times a year. I plan on installing some sway bars, hoping the sways will lessen or hopefully eliminate the bounce on big tracks.

Having to reach under the car to make adjustments is annoying though.

I would take the majority's advice unless you just want to lower your car but for the money why not get something better. People were even using the GC upgrade kits for the PSS9's but GC stopped making them.

I have PSS9s. For the big track, the PSS9 are a tad too soft (for me). They bounce a bit too much. For autocross, the PSS9s are good. As a daily driver, the PSS9 are great.

In my case, the PSS9 are perfect. I use the M as a daily driver and I participate in autocrosses as much as I time for. I go to the big track twice maybe three times a year. I plan on installing some sway bars, hoping the sways will lessen or hopefully eliminate the bounce on big tracks.

Having to reach under the car to make adjustments is annoying though.

Do you change ride height for autocross/track days and then back for daily driving? If so, I assume that you get a re-alignment each time.

What one could do is purchase a used set of PSS9's .. .which should be about $800-900. Then, purchase eibach springs. That makes a world of difference with the PSS9 system. Thus, saving you some money. I believe GC still will provide this upgrade.

safetypurchase-- I think you would REALLY like the upgrade to eibach springs. I think that would eliminate the softness at track and still not be too harsh to DD.

If it's a street driven car, probably 500# f/r springs would be sufficient. Nick325xit knows a lot about suspension and has been sort of the guinea pig around our region for tweaking and finding a good configuration. I would trust his advice, even though he is kind of a slow driver since he the lowers still beat his times :tongue:

Cardiac --

You don't need to re-align when you adjust the settings. I would align the car to your normal street setting and then you can change it, which should add more negative camber when you lower it, w/o need for re-alignment. It's just the fact you need to align the car if you are going from OE equipment to aftermarket.

:*******: :D

Given that I was unaligned, hadn't walked the course and had to get up at 5AM, I'm pretty pleased.

I'm giving serious thought to selling my 600lbs. springs to Ken, though.

Oh yeah, and fighting some big time front wheel lifting combined with a stroke of genius when I spaced out and turned the rebound adjusters the wrong way.

Yep.

Go me.

Nosoup: I believe Jay didn't want to deal with the hassle of retrofitting the PSS9's with the eibach's anymore and they stopped selling the springs.

Do you change ride height for autocross/track days and then back for daily driving? If so, I assume that you get a re-alignment each time.

No, I do not change ride heights for autocross/track days and daily driving. I simply change the dampening setting.

What one could do is purchase a used set of PSS9's .. .which should be about $800-900. Then, purchase eibach springs. That makes a world of difference with the PSS9 system. Thus, saving you some money. I believe GC still will provide this upgrade.

safetypurchase-- I think you would REALLY like the upgrade to eibach springs. I think that would eliminate the softness at track and still not be too harsh to DD.

If it's a street driven car, probably 500# f/r springs would be sufficient. Nick325xit knows a lot about suspension and has been sort of the guinea pig around our region for tweaking and finding a good configuration. I would trust his advice, even though he is kind of a slow driver since he the lowers still beat his times :tongue:

Cardiac --

You don't need to re-align when you adjust the settings. I would align the car to your normal street setting and then you can change it, which should add more negative camber when you lower it, w/o need for re-alignment. It's just the fact you need to align the car if you are going from OE equipment to aftermarket.

Hrmm.... I had heard something about changing out the springs but didn't look into it. Now that you mentioned it, I'll have to ask around. Thanks for the suggestion/advice.

does anybody have the GC setup with the top adjustment on the rear shocks?? TIA :peace:

does anybody have the GC setup with the top adjustment on the rear shocks?? TIA :peace:

I do, what is your question?

Hrmm.... I had heard something about changing out the springs but didn't look into it. Now that you mentioned it, I'll have to ask around. Thanks for the suggestion/advice.

I'll say it one more time for those that are hard of hearing. GC no longer deals with the PSS9 spring upgrade.

I'll say it one more time for those that are hard of hearing. GC no longer deals with the PSS9 spring upgrade.

I checked this out today..... I thought it was Eibach that made the springs, not GC.

I checked this out today..... I thought it was Eibach that made the springs, not GC.
GC put together the kit using eibach springs. Since they don't sell them anymore, I don't know where you can get them.

I do, what is your question?


since you have the GC, I would like to know your opinion of the kit...how well it "balances" the car, and how different it feels from the oem suspension. also, how was the install? for the top adjustable shocks- did you cut the interior of the trunk or how did you deal with that?

sorry for all the questions, but i'm considering getting this once i get back from deployment and just want to know someone's opinion. would you recommend this as one of the first upgrades to an M? Thanks! :thumbsup: :peace:

The GC kit is probbably the best upgrade you can do on the M. If you think it handles well now, you have to see what a GC setup with Sways can do for you. How far you go depends on what you want the car to do. I have 2 sets of springs; 450/375 and 550/500. You can swap them but you have to get another alignment. Be honest with Jay about what your purpose is and he will give you the appropriate rates. Also consider the set with the camber plates beacuse a proper alignment can do wonders for the car and you are limited on camber without the plates.

I did not cut the trunk because the adjustment is set to match the springs and you don't have to go messing with it every 2 minutes like the PSS9's. With the RSM, it is easy to remove the shock from the bottom if you ever need to change the setting.

I may be wrong but I think GC replaced the SA shocks to the bottom adjustable kind to make life easier. :???:

I have 2 sets of springs; 450/375 and 550/500. You can swap them but you have to get another alignment.

Changes in alignment are a function of a change in ride height. If your springs are all 6" then you should have a probably swapping springs.