hondaguy2582
New member
Yeah, my car is all stock. Dont plan on doing any mods, just use it for a dd for college. I do enjoy redling occasionally 
Suspension drives me crazy!
- Thread starter imported_kgb
- Start date
Lowejackson
New member
The OE shocks are designed to dampen the OE springs ie they are mechanically matched. When lowered springs are installed the shocks can only work through a smaller distance and more importantly they will not be as effective in dampening the new spring.
This is something I learnt by swapping different suspension components many years ago. It was to easy to fool myself that the harsh ride gave me more feel and better handling. My biggest surprise was went I went back to a OE setup on the advice of a knowledgeable tuner. His view was that many people upgrade to harder springs etc because the old suspension is worn and therefore sloppy. He explained to me that the springs are only one part in the suspension equation and to consider the tyres, shocks, springs, wheels, bushes etc as one system, once one part is altered it can diminish the overall balance.
Once I had the original manufactures setup installed, I had more grip and feel than I did with the upgraded springs. It seems the BMW engineers did know what they were doing when the car was designed.
Dont get me wrong, I am not against upgraded cars but suspension like many things is complicated and should be done with care and consideration. Engine modifications are similar, simply added a high lift cam is not going to yield meaningful results unless it is done with other changes to the engine system.
This is something I learnt by swapping different suspension components many years ago. It was to easy to fool myself that the harsh ride gave me more feel and better handling. My biggest surprise was went I went back to a OE setup on the advice of a knowledgeable tuner. His view was that many people upgrade to harder springs etc because the old suspension is worn and therefore sloppy. He explained to me that the springs are only one part in the suspension equation and to consider the tyres, shocks, springs, wheels, bushes etc as one system, once one part is altered it can diminish the overall balance.
Once I had the original manufactures setup installed, I had more grip and feel than I did with the upgraded springs. It seems the BMW engineers did know what they were doing when the car was designed.
Dont get me wrong, I am not against upgraded cars but suspension like many things is complicated and should be done with care and consideration. Engine modifications are similar, simply added a high lift cam is not going to yield meaningful results unless it is done with other changes to the engine system.