The Aftermarket Suspension Thread

AMG ETR · 28th November 2006, 15:05

I know there area bunch of threads with suspension info and I have looked at them, but I would love some specific comparisions of the setups I am interested in purchasing if anyone has them! My goal is to lower the car (I really like the slammed look), but I do want to improve the handling (more specifically the body roll). I do not mind a little rougher ride, but I do mind rubbing on every little bump (keep in mind I have 20" ACS Wheels).

Setup 1:
RD Sport Lowering Springs and Sway Bars (Front and Rear)
Price: $1450+Shipping/Install

Setup 2:
Dinan Stage 2 Suspension: Lowering Springs, Bump Stops, Rear Sway Bar, Front Roll Control System
Price: $872.50 +Shipping/Install
(Does anyone know if a stage 3 suspension is going to be coming??)

Setup 3:
H&R/Eibach Lowering Springs
Price: ~$300-350 +Shipping/Instal

Those are the three setups I am considering, fell free to add another if you feel it is better and please tell me about it!!
Thanks guys,
Evan

MRichmond · 28th November 2006, 15:40

If your goal is the "slammed" look and don't mind a harsher ride, options 1 or 3 should be your frontrunners since the Dinan system does not lower the car as much as H&R (and, I believe, RD).

bonehead · 28th November 2006, 16:13

Rubbing shouldn't be a problem with any of your choices as long as you stay with stock widths. As a few RAC owners have demonstrated, problems arise not with 20 in diameter wheels (with or without lowering) but with wider rubber (305's in the rear). Not even sure ACS wheels can accomodate this fitment so the issue may be moot.

EBuyuk · 28th November 2006, 16:24

I have the RD Sport. And I decided to put the Dinan front roll control system and the rear anti roll bar. So that could be an option for you as well. And that would cost you $679 + shipping/install (and install should only be 5 hours maximum)

Member Cerberos has the H&R springs with the Dinan front roll control system and the rear anti roll bar. That could also me a option for you. It is easy to mix and match

The price for the Dinan front roll control system and the rear anti roll bar is $179. And the labor is 1.75 hours.

Ben from Wheels Boutique had the RD Sport 21" wheels with the RD Sport springs and he had told me that he had no rubbing issues. Just an FYI.

Wolverine · 28th November 2006, 16:38

I went with the H&R springs AND spacers. This gives the best look, handling, and ride combination IMO. The ride is slightly stiffer than stock, but by no means objectionable. In fact, I've received several compliments on the ride. The springs definitely lower the car significantly, combined with the spacers, the look is by far the best. The spacers improve the handling, without the disadvantages (heavier, slower, more prone to hydroplaning) of wider tires.

You may need to make a very slight modification (about $100) to the rear wheel well to avoid rubbing with a fully loaded car though.

AMG ETR · 28th November 2006, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBuyuk

I have the RD Sport. And I decided to put the Dinan front roll control system and the rear anti roll bar. So that could be an option for you as well. And that would cost you $679 + shipping/install (and install should only be 5 hours maximum)

Member Cerberos has the H&R springs with the Dinan front roll control system and the rear anti roll bar. That could also me a option for you. It is easy to mix and match

The price for the Dinan front roll control system and the rear anti roll bar is $179. And the labor is 1.75 hours.

Ben from Wheels Boutique had the RD Sport 21" wheels with the RD Sport springs and he had told me that he had no rubbing issues. Just an FYI.

That sounds like my ideal setup as it will give me the slammed look and the roll control of the Dinan components! Are you and your car in Palm Beach, or out of the country? I live in Downtown West Palm and would love to check out your setup before ordering if possible! If not, please let me know what you think of the setup in a bit more detail!

Did the Dinan components make a huge difference in addition to the springs?

What exactly is the Dinan Front Control system? Just want to be able to let my installer know exactly what it is he will be installing (not a Dinan dealer).

Also did you do anything with the bump stops??
Evan

AMG ETR · 28th November 2006, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolverine

I went with the H&R springs AND spacers. This gives the best look, handling, and ride combination IMO. The ride is slightly stiffer than stock, but by no means objectionable. In fact, I've received several compliments on the ride. The springs definitely lower the car significantly, combined with the spacers, the look is by far the best. The spacers improve the handling, without the disadvantages (heavier, slower, more prone to hydroplaning) of wider tires.

You may need to make a very slight modification (about $100) to the rear wheel well to avoid rubbing with a fully loaded car though.

The ACS wheels I installed actually have spacers and look great! The fronts are 8" and rears are 10" with 20mm spacers up front and 10mm spacers in the rear! Saved over 22lbs of unsprung weight over the stock 19's with this setup

(Crazy going from 19s>20's and saving weight

).
Evan

MRichmond · 28th November 2006, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG ETR

That sounds like my ideal setup as it will give me the slammed look and the roll control of the Dinan components! Are you and your car in Palm Beach, or out of the country? I live in Downtown West Palm and would love to check out your setup before ordering if possible! If not, please let me know what you think of the setup in a bit more detail!

Did the Dinan components make a huge difference in addition to the springs?

What exactly is the Dinan Front Control system? Just want to be able to let my installer know exactly what it is he will be installing (not a Dinan dealer).

Also did you do anything with the bump stops??
Evan

It may be worth a call to Dinan before you mix and match their parts since Dinan developed its system as a system and mixing with other manufacturers' parts may produce unintended results. I have no reason to believe that this would be the case, but it is worth investigating.

AMG ETR · 28th November 2006, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRichmond

It may be worth a call to Dinan before you mix and match their parts since Dinan developed its system as a system and mixing with other manufacturers' parts may produce unintended results. I have no reason to believe that this would be the case, but it is worth investigating.

I do agree and that is why I am looking for his opinion since he has done it. However, sway bars and the roll control shouldn't be effected by the springs... The only thing I am worrying about is the bumpstops as Dinan uses new ones and I do not believe RDSport does...
Evan

EBuyuk · 28th November 2006, 17:41

AMG ETR - I haven't gotten the Dinan installed yet but I am going to do them sometime next week. I am thinking about ordering them this week. My car is at Braman currently as I am waiting for them to get the second dinan differential. There were noises coming out of the first one. So hopefully I will have my car by the end of next week ready. But would love to get together once I get my car back.

Just so you know, I don't have bump stops from Dinan.