New stock suspension for auto tranny owners only
10-10-2005, 06:36 AM
#1
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New stock suspension for auto tranny owners only
I've found a new suspension set up that makes the car sit perfectly even. The stock ride height is a little on the high side, especially the front end. The wheel well gaps up front seem huge with a set of 17" rims on. I've always wanted to just lower the front slightly to match the rear, giving the car a clean even stance without sacraficing any ride comfort.
I've been riding on the H&R/Illumina set up for a while now and although the car does ride good on this set up, larger bumps and bad roads toss you around a bit. I want that smooth, luxury, sports car ride back so I started thinking. We've all seen that 5 speed owners who lower their cars don't get the same drop up front as us auto tranny owners. Some call it rear end sag, but in reality it's the front causing the illusion.
I started looking around for different springs and thought that there might be a differance between the stock front springs on 5 speeds, ~vrs~ autos. Sure enough, (credit goes to JSutter) the FSM does spec out a different front spring for 5 speeds. JSutter also had a set of 5 speed springs and sent me pics of the different spings side by side. They are definately different, the 5 speed has one less coil winding on it, but they both stand about the same height.
Friday afternoon I put my car up on the lift and began my suspension overhaul once again. A little over an hour later the car was back down on the ground looking like a 4x4.
The front gaps were bigger then the rear and honestly I thought I made a mistake. I went for a ride and discovered how awsome the ride on Illuminas really is. WOW, very smooth, yet nice firm controlled ride. I was extreamly happy wth that! 
But that gap, OK I'll get used to it.
I got the car aligned Saturday, it was pouring rain really hard all day long. I never really got a chance to look things over. Sunday came and I went out to wash the car. Much to my suprise the front seemed to have settled a bit over the past 2 days. Got out my trusty finger measuring system and discovered I was right. Front and rear gaps are exactly the same, and thats with a full tank of gas too! The car actually looks good even with the 17" rims on it. The best part is the ride, it feels like I just baught a new car once again. I think this might be the last time I ever touch my car's suspension.
I've been riding on the H&R/Illumina set up for a while now and although the car does ride good on this set up, larger bumps and bad roads toss you around a bit. I want that smooth, luxury, sports car ride back so I started thinking. We've all seen that 5 speed owners who lower their cars don't get the same drop up front as us auto tranny owners. Some call it rear end sag, but in reality it's the front causing the illusion.
I started looking around for different springs and thought that there might be a differance between the stock front springs on 5 speeds, ~vrs~ autos. Sure enough, (credit goes to JSutter) the FSM does spec out a different front spring for 5 speeds. JSutter also had a set of 5 speed springs and sent me pics of the different spings side by side. They are definately different, the 5 speed has one less coil winding on it, but they both stand about the same height.
Friday afternoon I put my car up on the lift and began my suspension overhaul once again. A little over an hour later the car was back down on the ground looking like a 4x4.
The front gaps were bigger then the rear and honestly I thought I made a mistake. I went for a ride and discovered how awsome the ride on Illuminas really is. WOW, very smooth, yet nice firm controlled ride. I was extreamly happy wth that! But that gap, OK I'll get used to it. I got the car aligned Saturday, it was pouring rain really hard all day long. I never really got a chance to look things over. Sunday came and I went out to wash the car. Much to my suprise the front seemed to have settled a bit over the past 2 days. Got out my trusty finger measuring system and discovered I was right. Front and rear gaps are exactly the same, and thats with a full tank of gas too! The car actually looks good even with the 17" rims on it. The best part is the ride, it feels like I just baught a new car once again. I think this might be the last time I ever touch my car's suspension.
10-10-2005, 08:24 AM
#6
Originally Posted by gtr_rider
Enough of this suspension non-sense.. where did you get that dash kit?
I believe he got it custom made by one of the dash kit companies(same price but you get no warrenty). I was looking to get it when I saw the smoke wood in the 2002 Q45 but realized nothing looks good with tan interior
10-10-2005, 12:32 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by sky jumper
so how does your ride compare to the stock SE auto setup? are the 5sp springs softer?
10-10-2005, 01:45 PM
#8
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wait, so you have H&R's on the rears?
My H&R with Illumina's look much lower in the rear!
I know what you mean about wanting that smooth ride again, i want it too.. but i think any higher then H&R's on 18" would look 4x4.
My H&R with Illumina's look much lower in the rear!
I know what you mean about wanting that smooth ride again, i want it too.. but i think any higher then H&R's on 18" would look 4x4.
10-10-2005, 02:30 PM
#9
I believe he went back to stock springs all around except for the 5 speed OEM springs for the front. Less the 5 speed springs, he has the same setup I may be going for by next year. No more racing for this car.
10-10-2005, 03:06 PM
#10
all front springs are the same through out the models gxe/se/gle. but they differ between transmissions.
all rear springs are the same between transmissions, but differ between gxe/gle vs. se.
the se has stiffer rear springs (that accutally lower the car by 2mm) and stiffer valved struts. thats all.
its nice to see the difference on an auto.
i am thinking about using rear gxe springs to raise my car and make it more level.
all rear springs are the same between transmissions, but differ between gxe/gle vs. se.
the se has stiffer rear springs (that accutally lower the car by 2mm) and stiffer valved struts. thats all.
its nice to see the difference on an auto.
i am thinking about using rear gxe springs to raise my car and make it more level.
10-10-2005, 06:38 PM
#11
Nice. Comfort rules.
I am curious though, are you planning on putting your RSB back on due to the re-emergence of body roll from the stock springs? (is there a huge difference between the body rolls?) Or are you perfectly happy with what you have going on now?
I've been trying to figure out what to do with my suspension, but trying to find a happy medium between stance, comfort & handling has been tough. I do like what you have going on now (stance & comfort wise and wheel gap is no biggie for me) but am curious to know how the body roll feels to you now.
thanx for your input.
I am curious though, are you planning on putting your RSB back on due to the re-emergence of body roll from the stock springs? (is there a huge difference between the body rolls?) Or are you perfectly happy with what you have going on now?
I've been trying to figure out what to do with my suspension, but trying to find a happy medium between stance, comfort & handling has been tough. I do like what you have going on now (stance & comfort wise and wheel gap is no biggie for me) but am curious to know how the body roll feels to you now.
thanx for your input.
10-11-2005, 05:36 AM
#14
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I don't notice any excessive body roll, I think the Illuminas do a great job in the ride and handling department. Last night was the first time I was able to really cruise at high speeds on the highway. The car rides a lot like my 330i now, maybe just a little firmer.
The switch on my dash is for the Traction Control.
The switch on my dash is for the Traction Control.
10-11-2005, 05:54 AM
#15
Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
I don't notice any excessive body roll, I think the Illuminas do a great job in the ride and handling department.
................
10-11-2005, 07:23 PM
#21
Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
I don't notice any excessive body roll, I think the Illuminas do a great job in the ride and handling department. Last night was the first time I was able to really cruise at high speeds on the highway. The car rides a lot like my 330i now, maybe just a little firmer.
Just to be sure, the rears are as is, the fronts 5 spd SE stockies (year specific? 97-99 for my 99) with the Illumina's being the X-factor.
If I may, I want to thank you for the revelation, the money I can now shave off my the bottom line (thus putting me closer to actually doing something with my suspension) and most importantly, putting an end to my agonizing search for the perfect aftermartket spring.
Thank you sir.
10-12-2005, 05:03 AM
#22
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Originally Posted by VTonmymind
Just to be sure, the rears are as is, the fronts 5 spd SE stockies (year specific? 97-99 for my 99) with the Illumina's being the X-factor.
10-12-2005, 01:26 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
I've found a new suspension set up that makes the car sit perfectly even. The stock ride height is a little on the high side, especially the front end. The wheel well gaps up front seem huge with a set of 17" rims on. I've always wanted to just lower the front slightly to match the rear, giving the car a clean even stance without sacraficing any ride comfort.
I've been riding on the H&R/Illumina set up for a while now and although the car does ride good on this set up, larger bumps and bad roads toss you around a bit. I want that smooth, luxury, sports car ride back so I started thinking. We've all seen that 5 speed owners who lower their cars don't get the same drop up front as us auto tranny owners. Some call it rear end sag, but in reality it's the front causing the illusion.
I started looking around for different springs and thought that there might be a differance between the stock front springs on 5 speeds, ~vrs~ autos. Sure enough, (credit goes to JSutter) the FSM does spec out a different front spring for 5 speeds. JSutter also had a set of 5 speed springs and sent me pics of the different spings side by side. They are definately different, the 5 speed has one less coil winding on it, but they both stand about the same height.
Friday afternoon I put my car up on the lift and began my suspension overhaul once again. A little over an hour later the car was back down on the ground looking like a 4x4. The front gaps were bigger then the rear and honestly I thought I made a mistake. I went for a ride and discovered how awsome the ride on Illuminas really is. WOW, very smooth, yet nice firm controlled ride. I was extreamly happy wth that! But that gap, OK I'll get used to it.
I got the car aligned Saturday, it was pouring rain really hard all day long. I never really got a chance to look things over. Sunday came and I went out to wash the car. Much to my suprise the front seemed to have settled a bit over the past 2 days. Got out my trusty finger measuring system and discovered I was right. Front and rear gaps are exactly the same, and thats with a full tank of gas too! The car actually looks good even with the 17" rims on it. The best part is the ride, it feels like I just baught a new car once again. I think this might be the last time I ever touch my car's suspension.
I've been riding on the H&R/Illumina set up for a while now and although the car does ride good on this set up, larger bumps and bad roads toss you around a bit. I want that smooth, luxury, sports car ride back so I started thinking. We've all seen that 5 speed owners who lower their cars don't get the same drop up front as us auto tranny owners. Some call it rear end sag, but in reality it's the front causing the illusion.
I started looking around for different springs and thought that there might be a differance between the stock front springs on 5 speeds, ~vrs~ autos. Sure enough, (credit goes to JSutter) the FSM does spec out a different front spring for 5 speeds. JSutter also had a set of 5 speed springs and sent me pics of the different spings side by side. They are definately different, the 5 speed has one less coil winding on it, but they both stand about the same height.
Friday afternoon I put my car up on the lift and began my suspension overhaul once again. A little over an hour later the car was back down on the ground looking like a 4x4.
The front gaps were bigger then the rear and honestly I thought I made a mistake. I went for a ride and discovered how awsome the ride on Illuminas really is. WOW, very smooth, yet nice firm controlled ride. I was extreamly happy wth that! But that gap, OK I'll get used to it. I got the car aligned Saturday, it was pouring rain really hard all day long. I never really got a chance to look things over. Sunday came and I went out to wash the car. Much to my suprise the front seemed to have settled a bit over the past 2 days. Got out my trusty finger measuring system and discovered I was right. Front and rear gaps are exactly the same, and thats with a full tank of gas too! The car actually looks good even with the 17" rims on it. The best part is the ride, it feels like I just baught a new car once again. I think this might be the last time I ever touch my car's suspension.
10-12-2005, 01:28 PM
#27
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Join Date: Mar 2002
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
I've found a new suspension set up that makes the car sit perfectly even. The stock ride height is a little on the high side, especially the front end. The wheel well gaps up front seem huge with a set of 17" rims on. I've always wanted to just lower the front slightly to match the rear, giving the car a clean even stance without sacraficing any ride comfort.
I've been riding on the H&R/Illumina set up for a while now and although the car does ride good on this set up, larger bumps and bad roads toss you around a bit. I want that smooth, luxury, sports car ride back so I started thinking. We've all seen that 5 speed owners who lower their cars don't get the same drop up front as us auto tranny owners. Some call it rear end sag, but in reality it's the front causing the illusion.
I started looking around for different springs and thought that there might be a differance between the stock front springs on 5 speeds, ~vrs~ autos. Sure enough, (credit goes to JSutter) the FSM does spec out a different front spring for 5 speeds. JSutter also had a set of 5 speed springs and sent me pics of the different spings side by side. They are definately different, the 5 speed has one less coil winding on it, but they both stand about the same height.
Friday afternoon I put my car up on the lift and began my suspension overhaul once again. A little over an hour later the car was back down on the ground looking like a 4x4. The front gaps were bigger then the rear and honestly I thought I made a mistake. I went for a ride and discovered how awsome the ride on Illuminas really is. WOW, very smooth, yet nice firm controlled ride. I was extreamly happy wth that! But that gap, OK I'll get used to it.
I got the car aligned Saturday, it was pouring rain really hard all day long. I never really got a chance to look things over. Sunday came and I went out to wash the car. Much to my suprise the front seemed to have settled a bit over the past 2 days. Got out my trusty finger measuring system and discovered I was right. Front and rear gaps are exactly the same, and thats with a full tank of gas too! The car actually looks good even with the 17" rims on it. The best part is the ride, it feels like I just baught a new car once again. I think this might be the last time I ever touch my car's suspension.
I've been riding on the H&R/Illumina set up for a while now and although the car does ride good on this set up, larger bumps and bad roads toss you around a bit. I want that smooth, luxury, sports car ride back so I started thinking. We've all seen that 5 speed owners who lower their cars don't get the same drop up front as us auto tranny owners. Some call it rear end sag, but in reality it's the front causing the illusion.
I started looking around for different springs and thought that there might be a differance between the stock front springs on 5 speeds, ~vrs~ autos. Sure enough, (credit goes to JSutter) the FSM does spec out a different front spring for 5 speeds. JSutter also had a set of 5 speed springs and sent me pics of the different spings side by side. They are definately different, the 5 speed has one less coil winding on it, but they both stand about the same height.
Friday afternoon I put my car up on the lift and began my suspension overhaul once again. A little over an hour later the car was back down on the ground looking like a 4x4.
The front gaps were bigger then the rear and honestly I thought I made a mistake. I went for a ride and discovered how awsome the ride on Illuminas really is. WOW, very smooth, yet nice firm controlled ride. I was extreamly happy wth that! But that gap, OK I'll get used to it. I got the car aligned Saturday, it was pouring rain really hard all day long. I never really got a chance to look things over. Sunday came and I went out to wash the car. Much to my suprise the front seemed to have settled a bit over the past 2 days. Got out my trusty finger measuring system and discovered I was right. Front and rear gaps are exactly the same, and thats with a full tank of gas too! The car actually looks good even with the 17" rims on it. The best part is the ride, it feels like I just baught a new car once again. I think this might be the last time I ever touch my car's suspension.
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