Springs Installed, Finally!! and Pics.
06-01-2003, 08:43 PM
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Springs Installed, Finally!! and Pics.
Yes, I finally installed my springs yesterday after having been sitting in the garage since late Feb. I went and had new tires put on yesterday morning (AVS ES100 in 235/45/17 on the stock rims) so I knew I had to complement them with the springs. The installation was fairly easy amounting to about three hour’s total. I was surprised how easy the rears were not to mention removing the seat.
So no more 4x4 jokes for me...
As for the feel, it is outstanding. The ride on normal roads is pretty much unchanged. There is a sense of less bounce and a more controlled feel but for the most part when cruising it is unchanged. But when pushed through a turns the change in characteristic is vastly different. There car feels so much more controlled with the obviously less body roll. This is all compounded with the new tires too. But in the entire feel is so much better. The balance is changed too to where I caught a hint of oversteer when taking a right hander hard and on the throttle. It feels like the HLSD is further complimented with this set up.
So today I did a quick clean up on the two and snapped a few pictures shown below. As you can see there is now an RX300 where the BMW previously would be. My wife and I had to come to a realization that a double stroller would not fit in the 3-Series trunk. I was pushing for a wagon; actually the 540i wagon but she would not hear that. Since this is her vehicle I wasn't going to argue plus with the discounts they were extending on the 2003 RX300 in March the decision was made easier. Once the girls are old enough to climb in and buckle themselves another BMW will be purchased; maybe a 2008 M3 Vert...
So no more 4x4 jokes for me...
As for the feel, it is outstanding. The ride on normal roads is pretty much unchanged. There is a sense of less bounce and a more controlled feel but for the most part when cruising it is unchanged. But when pushed through a turns the change in characteristic is vastly different. There car feels so much more controlled with the obviously less body roll. This is all compounded with the new tires too. But in the entire feel is so much better. The balance is changed too to where I caught a hint of oversteer when taking a right hander hard and on the throttle. It feels like the HLSD is further complimented with this set up.
So today I did a quick clean up on the two and snapped a few pictures shown below. As you can see there is now an RX300 where the BMW previously would be. My wife and I had to come to a realization that a double stroller would not fit in the 3-Series trunk. I was pushing for a wagon; actually the 540i wagon but she would not hear that. Since this is her vehicle I wasn't going to argue plus with the discounts they were extending on the 2003 RX300 in March the decision was made easier. Once the girls are old enough to climb in and buckle themselves another BMW will be purchased; maybe a 2008 M3 Vert...
06-01-2003, 08:55 PM
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Originally posted by Zapata
Get back to us in a while with an update on those tires. I'm cosidering a purchase.
Get back to us in a while with an update on those tires. I'm cosidering a purchase.
06-01-2003, 08:57 PM
#5
Cost Drivers!!!!
Originally posted by scalbert
Will do, I like to get a few thousand miles on them before making a full decision on them.
Will do, I like to get a few thousand miles on them before making a full decision on them.
06-01-2003, 08:59 PM
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Originally posted by Zapata
awesome, can you snap some close up pics?
awesome, can you snap some close up pics?
06-01-2003, 09:03 PM
#7
Cost Drivers!!!!
Originally posted by scalbert
Of the tread, sidewall or both?? Also, now as new tires or as they get some age??
Of the tread, sidewall or both?? Also, now as new tires or as they get some age??
Both right now would be cool.
I'll just rely on your evalution as the tires get older but if you can take pics and do a comparo would be cool! thanks a bunch
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06-01-2003, 09:06 PM
#8
Suzuka Master
Looks nice man, I'm assuming those are comptechs. It's funny though, your front drop looks higher than mine, which I'm sure will change when they settle. But your rear drop already looks lower than on my car... 
06-01-2003, 09:07 PM
#10
Cost Drivers!!!!
Originally posted by danny25
Looks nice man, I'm assuming those are comptechs. It's funny though, your front drop looks higher than mine, which I'm sure will change when they settle. But your rear drop already looks lower than on my car...
Looks nice man, I'm assuming those are comptechs. It's funny though, your front drop looks higher than mine, which I'm sure will change when they settle. But your rear drop already looks lower than on my car...
THe car is on a incline
06-01-2003, 09:08 PM
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Originally posted by danny25
Looks nice man, I'm assuming those are comptechs. It's funny though, your front drop looks higher than mine, which I'm sure will change when they settle. But your rear drop already looks lower than on my car...
Looks nice man, I'm assuming those are comptechs. It's funny though, your front drop looks higher than mine, which I'm sure will change when they settle. But your rear drop already looks lower than on my car...
06-01-2003, 09:12 PM
#12
an adult perspective
I noticed the same thing on the fronts ... when Jens installed fronts (only) on mine a couple of weeks ago, the 3" tire-fender gap was dramatically reduced ... almost 1/2 as much again as Scalbert's shows. This isn't the first time someone has commented on what appears to be different levels of drop from Comptech springs - even in side by side comparo's. Maybe there are different spring rates from the factory that we aren't aware of?
06-01-2003, 09:18 PM
#13
^^^ READ THE THREAD (or just look at the pics), THE CAR IS obviously ON AN INCLINE. ^^^
Dude, we need some video footage of the supercharged action with the smaller pulley you have/had on it. Now that you have the springs and tires it should be much more controllable while in action.
Dude, we need some video footage of the supercharged action with the smaller pulley you have/had on it. Now that you have the springs and tires it should be much more controllable while in action.
06-01-2003, 09:23 PM
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Originally posted by JRock
Dude, we need some video footage of the supercharged action with the smaller pulley you have/had on it. Now that you have the springs and tires it should be much more controllable while in action.
Dude, we need some video footage of the supercharged action with the smaller pulley you have/had on it. Now that you have the springs and tires it should be much more controllable while in action.
But the higher boost pulley is no longer installed; I just couldn't completely eliminate the knock.
06-01-2003, 09:29 PM
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Originally posted by scalbert
I'm planning on it as you are correct; it is much more controllable now with the tires. There is also less forward/back rocking so the front stays planted better.
But the higher boost pulley is no longer installed; I just couldn't completely eliminate the knock.
I'm planning on it as you are correct; it is much more controllable now with the tires. There is also less forward/back rocking so the front stays planted better.
But the higher boost pulley is no longer installed; I just couldn't completely eliminate the knock.
are there any drawbacks besides a couple of speeding tickets How is the torque steer with the increase in road grip?? Please inquiring minds what to know
06-01-2003, 09:29 PM
#17
I love my CL-S
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zapata, i had the es100 for 4 days. really sticky tires.
the road noise is LOUD, if that's fine with you, go for it. (they are not expensive anyway)
i will post some pictures sometime this week
the road noise is LOUD, if that's fine with you, go for it. (they are not expensive anyway)
i will post some pictures sometime this week
06-01-2003, 09:53 PM
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Originally posted by lou
Scalbert still happy with the S/C??? Need to know if I should start the S/C fund NOW are there any drawbacks besides a couple of speeding tickets
How is the torque steer with the increase in road grip??
Scalbert still happy with the S/C??? Need to know if I should start the S/C fund NOW
are there any drawbacks besides a couple of speeding tickets How is the torque steer with the increase in road grip??
Torque steer really hasn't been an issue which I mainly attributed to the HLSD doing its job.
06-02-2003, 04:39 AM
#24
Originally posted by Jayw/clS03
What springs did you use to lower your car and how much did it drop? i'm just trying to get ideas for my car.
What springs did you use to lower your car and how much did it drop? i'm just trying to get ideas for my car.
06-02-2003, 08:15 AM
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Originally posted by ModAddict
Let those springs settle in for a couple hundred miles, they will drop a bit more, before you get the allignment done.
Let those springs settle in for a couple hundred miles, they will drop a bit more, before you get the allignment done.
06-02-2003, 08:51 AM
#27
Where is my super sauce?
Originally posted by Jayw/clS03
What springs did you use to lower your car and how much did it drop? i'm just trying to get ideas for my car.
What springs did you use to lower your car and how much did it drop? i'm just trying to get ideas for my car.
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06-02-2003, 12:46 PM
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looks nice. omg what a sleeper, who would think that car is blown? i dont understand why the back seats have to come off for the install, do they just rip out or is there a whole bunch of things to unscrew??
06-02-2003, 01:33 PM
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Originally posted by darrinb
i dont understand why the back seats have to come off for the install, do they just rip out or is there a whole bunch of things to unscrew??
i dont understand why the back seats have to come off for the install, do they just rip out or is there a whole bunch of things to unscrew??
06-02-2003, 03:46 PM
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Watch out on waiting too long to do the alignment for two reasons:
1. When they first put my springs on they did not align the car (although they told me they did) and the insides of my stock tires were gone in 5k miles.
2. When I had 235/45's on stock rims, even with the alignment done at the time of install, the insides of the 235's wore prematurely. I think this might be due to the fact that 235s are wider than recommended for our rims.
Good luck.
1. When they first put my springs on they did not align the car (although they told me they did) and the insides of my stock tires were gone in 5k miles.
2. When I had 235/45's on stock rims, even with the alignment done at the time of install, the insides of the 235's wore prematurely. I think this might be due to the fact that 235s are wider than recommended for our rims.
Good luck.
06-02-2003, 07:57 PM
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That's a sweet tread pattern, looks like they'll be solid in the wet or dry. I'm looking forward to your review as they break in, those tires are high on my list.
When you say they're loud, is it only on some surfaces, or everywhere? Loud enough that it drowns out the radio at moderate volume?
When you say they're loud, is it only on some surfaces, or everywhere? Loud enough that it drowns out the radio at moderate volume?
06-03-2003, 01:16 AM
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4dr & I like it that way
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scalbert do you have sways yet? as much as tires/springs change the handling charecteristics, sways will make it an entirely different car when you turn the wheel...
06-03-2003, 06:36 AM
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Originally posted by Aegean_Blue6
When you say they're loud, is it only on some surfaces, or everywhere? Loud enough that it drowns out the radio at moderate volume?
When you say they're loud, is it only on some surfaces, or everywhere? Loud enough that it drowns out the radio at moderate volume?
Maybe the blower whine drowns it out...