My M5 has been fitted with a new Dinan/JRZ suspension with the camber plates. My local independent, All German Auto (AGA), performed the install over the last day and a half. Truly top notch work. Pete treated my car very well. I have to thank Troy
One board member, Dan, aka DRM, offered me some comments, a long while ago, about the JRZ suspension that really stuck with me. Knowing that Dan invested a bit in driver training, I took his comments to heart. He said to me that he felt the JRZ suspension far and away exceeded in capability than the Koni product, for the M5. His comments were base on actual ownership of both products on his car.
While Dan’s comments were something I considered, what really sold me was not one, but two rides with Martin in his M5 S3. For those who don’t know, Martin Christensen owns AGA and is a professional race car driver. His S3 is serial number 1, prior owner Steve Dinan. Both rides in his S3 impressed me so much that I was willing to wait as long as necessary in order to get that suspension. I’m glad I waited.
My drive home this morning from AGA was fantastic. The car feels much more agile and controlled all while maintaining the civil characteristics of the factory suspension. This weekend I plan to take her out on some twisties in local mountains and really see what she can do.
Along with the new dampeners and springs, I replaced all the usual consumables and the car has ~72,000.
Mike
Last edited by sportmodeON; 1st August 2008 at 20:56.
My M5 has been fitted with a new Dinan/JRZ suspension with the camber plates. My local independent, All German Auto (AGA), performed the install over the last day and a half. Truly top notch work. Pete treated my car very well. I have to thank Troy
One board member, Dan, aka DRM, offered me some comments, a long while ago, about the JRZ suspension that really stuck with me. Knowing that Dan invested a bit in driver training, I took his comments to heart. He said to me that he felt the JRZ suspension far and away exceeded in capability than the Koni product, for the M5. His comments were base on actual ownership of both products on his car.
While Dan’s comments were something I considered, what really sold me was not one, but two rides with Martin in his M5 S3. For those who don’t know, Martin Christensen owns AGA and is a professional race car driver. His S3 is serial number 1, prior owner Steve Dinan. Both rides in his S3 impressed me so much that I was willing to wait as long as necessary in order to get that suspension. I’m glad I waited.
My drive home this morning from AGA was fantastic. The car feels much more agile and controlled all while maintaining the civil characteristics of the factory suspension. This weekend I plan to take her out on some twisties in local mountains and really see what she can do.
Along with the new dampeners and springs, I replaced all the usual consumables and the car has ~72,000.
Mike
Congrats!! You got a hellava set-up. A couple of questions:
1) How long did it take to get JRZ's from Dinan?? I know they're special order now, as opposed to kept in routine stock.
2) Did you also get the rear adjustable sway bar??
3) Is your car otherwise stock?? Do you still have stock, staggered wheel set-up??
4) Enjoy!! Sign up for a track DE day when you can. Several companies organize events at "Big Willow" throughout the year. Great track for our cars; and you'll really be able to appreciate your upgraded suspensions' capabilities.
'Glad to read you had AGA go through and handle all usual consumables. 'Always best to proactively maintain these cars, rather than wait for warning lights and issues to occur.
'Look forward to seeing you @ our local meet/drives.
__________________
Dan
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Daily Driver
'02 M5 (Chiaretto Red Metallic w/black napa full heritage leather/wood trim/leather Euro cntr console/BSW speakers and sub) Sig series Dinan S/C'd S3 package/ Dinan S3 clutch-flywheel/Dinan high capacity oil cooler /Dinan forged aluminum wheels/Dinan SSK/Dinan - Brembo BBK/Stg 3 Dinan - JRZ suspension/monoballs/275-35-18 RA 1's all around
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The "Predator"
'02 996TT w/X50 (slate grey metallic w/full natural grey leather, small carbon package, aluminum trim pieces, exterior color painted wheels, etc, etc).
EVOMS Stage 4 (640hp/615tq)
PSS9 w/F&R H&R sways and EVOMS F&R shock tower braces
Sachs clutch and Porsche SSK
Toyo RA-1's 245/18 fronts; 305/18 rears
1) How long did it take to get JRZ's from Dinan?? I know they're special order now, as opposed to kept in routine stock.
I've been working with Troy since last October. Since I was sponsoring my wife through her graduate program, I couldn't dustify a purchase until she graduated. Gradution was in May. I placed the order at the beginning of the month and the product arrived this last Tuesday. Dinan had four sets in stock, which was a shock to me, but they couldn't get a full set to pass spec. Another shipment arrived from Holland and with that shipment Dinan was able to ship a complete set.
2) Did you also get the rear adjustable sway bar??
I have the rear sway bar already installed. Plus the front strut brace and rear shock brace. I have the short shifter too and today bought the pedal covers as they were priced before the new pricing went into effect.
3) Is your car otherwise stock?? Do you still have stock, staggered wheel set-up??
I still have the factory staggered wheel set-up. I know I can add rear wheels up front without any wheel/suspension interferences, so I have that on my list.
I missed the last DE. I'm very involed with my son's Boy Scout troop and that seems to take a lot of my free time. I will make a point of going to the next one, provided the boss will let me loose for a weekend.
I really am picky with who touches my car. I have been going to Brecht for everything since my SA and I have an understanding and we worked every loophole in the warranty plan and maintenence plan. I know personally the techs, only two of them, who wrench on my car. After visiting AGA over two Dinan days, and reading your post on the construction of your S3, along with all the other glowing AGA posts, I felt confident that I was leaving my car in capable, professional hands.
We'll have to get DJ out allong with the others, to hit Stone Brewery again and cruise Grand. That was a fun evening.
There are upcoming track events next weekend (8/9-10) at Willow Springs (protrackracing.com on Saturday and Grandprixwest.com on Sunday) and Buttonwillow (with Speedventures), and also at Cal Speedway 9/20-21 (Speedventures) and 9/27-28 (LA Chapter BMW CCA).
I'll have the race car at BW & Cal Speedway, but have had my M5 on each of them in the past. Of them, Cal Speedway gets my vote for the E39 - it's big, fun, and close! I highly recommend a set of race pads, though.
Congrats! I know I really like my Dinan/Koni suspension, so the JRZ must be super. Can you describe for us the differences you feel, since you've now had both? JRZs are out of my price range but those who haven't yet pulled the trigger (and have the money) could find the info very useful. Also, given that you kept the staggered wheel setup for now, what is your rear bar set at? Middle holes?
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Need4Spd
'01 M5/UUC SSK + Rogue WSR/RE Tranny Mounts+Royal Purple Synchromax/Axxis ULT Pads/StopTech SS Lines/TC Design from BeastPower Anti-roll Bar Brackets/Dinan LtWtFlywheel and Stage 3 suspension/Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics/Vines thrust arms/IATS relocation/10w-60 oil/hardwired Escort 9500i/Euro Armrest/TEC Cupholder/IceLink/PowerChip 91 Gold/TUBIs!/Strong Strut/BSW Stage 1/BT/Angel iBrights 3.0
'05 M3 Imola Cabrio 6MT, Nav, HK
"Is it the sounds that make a BMW a BMW? A BMW is designed to be heard, felt, experienced. So our engines sing. Our steering talks back. And we insist on offering manual transmissions in nearly all our models for drivers who crave them. The result is an almost telepathic oneness with the car. Just as surely as you can hear a BMW, a BMW hears you."
I too have the JRZ stage 3 step up on my car. I ordered the JRZs in February of 08 and did not get them until May of 08. I really like the feel of the car it really transformed its behavior when cornering. I also pulled the trigger on the rear wheels up front with the 3mm spacers and longer lug bolts.
The rear wheels up front really made a difference you will not believe it!!!! above and beyond the JRZ with stage 3.... and I have rear wheels for sale....haha just joking!
Dinan had some trouble with getting the JRZs and I was told by my Indy shop in Tucson that Dinan assembled the shocks instead of the manufacturer...? and that Steve was involved in the process.
I want to thank Dan and everyone else on the board who recommended the JRZs. I don't have strut braces, but perhaps I should get those.
Need4Spd,
I went from factory suspension to the JRZ. I can't comment on the differences between Koni and JRZ, but maybe DRM can.
I've got the rear sway bar set to the middle holes at the moment. I need to drive the car around for a bit to determine if I need to make an adjustment.
The few spirited miles I've driven this weekend have revealed that my tires are my limiting factor. I purchased long wearing tires last go around and also tried to keep my costs down. Big mistake. Now that I'm not driving the M5 as my daily, I can justify fitting RA1, or the like, and get some time between new sets of tires. Also, I would be enjoying the new suspension at its limit.
So far I don't have a single regret. My wife was impressed with how the car felt as we went through the turns. Smooth is what she said I think.
Hey Mike!!
and that Steve was involved in the process.
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