PSS9 on an M3. Oh NO or oh YES?

[sweet///Motion]

I did say I'd post my impressions after installing my PSS9's on my 96 M3.

Here it goes.

Okay, let me start off by telling you my last car was a 92 325is which I had installed the H&R/ Bilstein Sport set up. The car was nice and stiff at the track but it started to get to me after a while driving around town. I felt every crack on the pavement and really became a hassle on long trips. It wasn't totally teeth rattleing but on a long drive it got to me. I purchased my M3 2 years agao and it had the stock springs and Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks. As you can imaging the car was a little high for my taste but had great steering response and handled quite well becaus eit was a bit stiffer than stock. A friend has H&R coilovers in his M3 and I loved the way it drove on the street- I did not however tget to try it on the track. I attend both autocross and HPDE's and of course drive the car mainly on the street during the summer and select nice days during the winter. The roads up here in Boston and surrounding towns are usually wrecked with pot holes and such so I took all this in consideration when deciding which suspension I should buy.

I narrowed down my search to a fully adjustable coilover system.
I wanted the rebound adjustable absorbers and also height adjustability. We all know the options out there. I opted for the PSS9 system even though I knew very well I needed to change over my sway bar end links. I bought the 96-98 328 OEM links and hardware. It bolted right up to the stock M3 sway bar.

After installation I realized that my front driver's side wheel was rubbibg againt the coilover spring. WTF I thought because the right side was clear and not rubbing. This could be because no two sides are alike exactly (thats what I've ben told by others)
and its possible that the king pin angle on that side is slightly off or was it the alignment. No problem- I had 5mm wheel spacers from my track wheels which I used until I got my alignment. Well, the alignment was not far off according to the specs so I still needed the spacers to fit my OEM 17x8 LTW forged alloys in the front. No biggie, most people run spacers with coilovers.

The suspension. WOW! I put the setting on 6 all around (1 being full stiff 9 being full soft) it was like driving around in a 5 series it was so smooth and didn't notice any nose dive and took the corners like it was my friend's Porche. I did however noticed the loss of my steering input which most people said I would. I didn't believe it but its true. the steering crispiness is not as sharp as it used to be but lets wait till we get to the track and see how it performs there.

Watkins Glen New york- 2 day driving school. First day wet, second day nice and dry. I put the rears at 2 and fronts at 4 to start off. Honestly I didn't change the settings at all the whole two days. I did however had to raise the front up a 1/2 inch because my track wheels have a large offset and with the 15 mmm spacers, the wheel was right under the fender. So to avoid a rubbing issue I raised the car. Its real easy to do that at any time but you have to remember that any adjustment in height will change your alignment settings. I need new track wheels with a smaller offset so the wheel can be nice and tucked under the well so I can drop the car down another 1/2" next time I go.

I haven't autocrossed the car yet but I'm sure my times will drop from last year just because the car feels like its on rails and doesn't have any body roll (well not noticable) and it will be a matter of time before I can tweak the suspension for autocross as well as different race tracks.

All in all I like the set up but I need to tweak some things for optimal performance. I wouldn't recomend this set up if the person doesn't want to take the time to do this.

Looks wise- the car looks very very sweet. I get compliments from everyone I know. I have it set below stock but not too aggressive and has a slight rake to the front so it looks like it ready for business. The beauty of this is that you can have any look you want.

Would I use this for a dedicated track car- um maybe, I would go Gruppe N if that were the case.

For the street- this set up is very compromising and if you don't mind the slight loss in steering response, you can still walk away from that tailgater on the off ramps


edit- BTW, the front splitter in my sig has been taken off the car and is only installed at the track. It really works well but is too low for daily driving so don't think I'm cruising around with that on. I'll be looking to install the real LTW splitter when the time comes.

[AdrenalineRace]

good post. How noticeable is the steering loss, can you explain that a little more?

[Dado]

thanks for the informative post, I had the same kit on my Dakar.

[Scho]

Good info, thanks!!

[sweet///Motion]

Originally posted by Dado
thanks for the informative post, I had the same kit on my Dakar.

Dado-I heard about that. CMT and Vitolo told me


A-Race-
The steering loss is not really a loss. Its just the steering dynamic is more similar to the non M car. I honestly thought that this wouldn't be an issue. I mean, come on- I'm going from stock springs to a coilover set up. It has to be better in every way. But I did notice that it wasn't as crisp as it used to be. BUT- the previous set up as I stated above was complimented by other M3 owners. tehy kept asking why my car was so tight in the steering. It must have been the Bilsteins and the combo X-brace and RD strut brace too which made it so tight. The steering is still tight but input has increased slightly (it must be in the end links). My next upgrade will be RD adjustable sway bar and Turner Aluminum front control arms. This should balance out my steering input or come close.

[Dado]

Originally posted by sweet///Motion
Dado-I heard about that. CMT and Vitolo told me

I had a little problem with the stiffness, my quarter panels were bent inward and the top of the front fenders had like little dings in it. It is a little too tight for the streets

[sweet///Motion]

Originally posted by Dado
I had a little problem with the stiffness, my quarter panels were bent inward and the top of the front fenders had like little dings in it. It is a little too tight for the streets

did you have the PSS or PSS9? The rebound/compression adjustment is the nutz. I could seriously feel the difference between the settings. The spring rates are high-450 front 480 rear. Did you take out the tender spring? That would make it stiffer.

[Dado]

nope, nothing was removed from the kit. I had the PSS9 with the rebound adjustment.

check this article.
PSS9 Article