Ground Control C/O Kit

[TripleM]

Here I am again with some newly infected disease, my new Double Adjustable coilover kit from Ground Control. It took me awhile to think bout which coilover to go with after using PSS9 for slightly more than a year. I shortlisted 3 kits, KW VarII , TCKline or GC.
I decided to go with GC as it's more value for money and it's currently one of the best kits out there for E46 M3 application. It's also the number one choice amongst M3 enthusiasts in the US.

It comes complete pre-assembled. Together with the coilover kit, I also ordered Rear Lower Control Arm and Front Control Arm Bushing.

What makes GC special vs PSS9 or KW is that you can specify the spring rates you like and best of all, the springs are linear as opposed to progressive springs in PSS9 and KW. The kit comes with specially designed GC Adjustable Camber Plate and GC Rear Shock Mount. PSS9 and KW kits do not include these and you need to source elsewhere by mixing and matching.

For those who don't know bout GC, the shocks are made by KONI (of Holland ) to GC specs and the springs are made by Eibach.

Here are some pics

Cheers lads

 

[louis]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

TripleM,

you need help....



















joking....haha, congrats on yet another first-in-singapore purchase! GC-07, HP filter and now your GC coilovers.

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Damn! Looks very well-made!

Are GC kits available for non M's?

*edit* I just did a search and they are. Jack, why linear over progressive?

 

[hetraa]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

congrats! r they very stiff?

 

[louis]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Damn! Looks very well-made!

Are GC kits available for non M's?

*edit* I just did a search and they are. Jack, why linear over progressive?

because he can't decide if the M or the Z should be his track car.....muahaha

if i remember Prof. TripleM's tut #16 on suspension set up, he once said that linear is preferred for track use because it is more predictable in its behaviour.

 

[TripleM]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Damn! Looks very well-made!

Are GC kits available for non M's?

*edit* I just did a search and they are. Jack, why linear over progressive?

Linear springs are constant in their compression, flatter and far better for track use than progressive type. The latter is more biased towards comfort. That's why after using the PSS9 for awhile, I actually found the springs are too soft. And second of all, my KW Var2 on Z is using linear springs and they perform very well on track the last time I took her to Sepang. Hence, I chose GC

 

[eddie]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

wow, congrats... they look superb.... i am drooling already as i type....

 

[TripleM]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

congrats! r they very stiff?

The spring rates I got this time are stiffer for sure (525lbs front 600lbs rear)
If I want stiffer next time, I can always buy just the springs again.

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

You are a man of steel...............backside.

I remember driving your Z4 and it really cornered as if on rails. But you said it was pretty comfortable to you. I didn't remember it as being too cushy, haha... Steelbackside vs chickenbackside.

I was asking cos Bernard took my car for a very spirited drive today at a twisty and secluded location while I was in the passenger seat. Man! He can really drive and it was then that I knew right away that my setup is really not condusive for track sessions.

Rolly polly, like a ship. I've never rubbed before but in the 2-minute drive, he manage to rub a hole right through my rear wheel arch inner liner! Haha...

But Bernard did remark that my car was the most comfortable lowered E46 with 19"s he has ever sat in.

So now, quite itchy... Problem is, my car is an everyday car and I cannot afford to lose too much comfort.

Suggestions?

 

[FiftyFive]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Pak...

nice looking coilovers.... bet they will handle like a beauty too... gotta give me a ride one soon if that is ok with you... personally toying a couple of ideas myself...

Adam aka Chickenbackside should change name to Itchychickenbackside soon... given the understanding of your requirements for a more comfy ride... you could try KW Variant II... I quote from Jack.... "KWs Variant II... A magic carpet ride"...

Sigh.. why do I find myself heading for the dark side?? Darth 55.... : P

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Started to read up every coilover related thing on the internet.

All I get is conflicting conclusions. Some people say GC has magic carpet ride but the Koni shocks are very easy to blow. Some say PSS9's are harsh while others say KW's are.

Anyone with PSS9's and KW's wanna help a chickenbackside out? I just need to feel them, preferably on their most comfortable settings...

 

[TripleM]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Adam
Quite a few guys are using PSS9 like BlackStealth, SL2 so next time u c them, ask for a taxi ride. As for KW, so far I know 2 E46 guys are using em but Var1 and one E90 on Var2.

 

[T6]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Started to read up every coilover related thing on the internet.

All I get is conflicting conclusions. Some people say GC has magic carpet ride but the Koni shocks are very easy to blow. Some say PSS9's are harsh while others say KW's are.

Anyone with PSS9's and KW's wanna help a chickenbackside out? I just need to feel them, preferably on their most comfortable settings...

Adam,

I had the PSS9 in my previous E39 525i and KW Var 3 on my current GTI. Though probably not fair to compare 2 very different rides, I have to confess that my Var 3 is damn comfortable. But then, it is due to my compression/rebound settings which would have to be adjusted to a firmer setting if going track. But for daily use, no horse run.

 

[Gonzo]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Hi CBS,

My E46 is currently on KW V2. But my settings are set to 3/4 hard. A in-between setting between daily driving and track. Not very comfortable for daily driving if i must say. But i'm used to it.

The damping settings for the fronts are easy to adjust. But the rear is a real pain in the ass to set.

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Thanks for your insights guys!

So the bitching all over the internet about the adjustment of KW's rears are true after all. I read that the rear shocks have to come out for damping adjustment. Not very practical man.

Will try to get these guys with PSS9's to gimme a ride next time.

BTW, I just came back from the seafood drive up north. My current setup is simply perfect for fast road use. Car handles well over most situations and is really comfy. It was really fun tailing toto-titanium-balls-seow. He's someone who ain't afraid to abuse his car...

Why can't I have the best of both worlds? Sigh...

 

[Puny]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

Jack

Heard about your GC coilovers yesterday - congratulations! When are they going in?

Adam

I've had the KW Var2 on my car for abt a month now - and the last rear height correction last sat helped alot as I found it was slightly uneven. Progressive springs are perhaps more comfort biased as I do note initial roll (but much less than stock for sure) - good for a comfort oriented setup while still giving reasonable amount of cornering confidence. Race springs are also available. Either way, you can't go very wrong as suspension setups are pretty personal and the options to adjust are there for you regardless of which way you go - unless you are as hardcore as Jack!. hehehee.

In short, I've tried soft to medium-hard settings for the fronts and the soft setting is almost stock like. Currently using medium for daily driving and it's noticably flatter. As for rears, I'm still on medium hard and I may adjust it softer by a tad bit - but after I change tyres. Current tyres have hardened considerably since they are due for replacement.

Cheers.

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

So do you have to take out the rear shocks everytime you adjust the dampin settings?

How long does it take? Is it a troublesome thing to do?

 

[wilman2772]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

CBS : I thot u sat in my car b4 I export?? Quite a few bros have taxi-ed in my car be it old upper thomson road or at Sepang.....

I luv my PSS9 & UUC Gen2 swaybars. Very easy to adjust damping for both front & rear.

Every other day u can adjust yourself to see what you like.

Happi hunting!

'The Great White'

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

I have never sat in your E46 before lah bro.

I must say, that is the beauty of the PSS9's. Tweak anytime you like...

Getting damn itchy liao...

 

[wilman2772]

Re: Ground Control C/O Kit

I have never sat in your E46 before lah bro.

I must say, that is the beauty of the PSS9's. Tweak anytime you like...

Getting damn itchy liao...

Aiya, wat a waste.......should have let u test out my car last time....or u should have bought over my entire suspension setup.....kekekeke

Here's an old review by some of the bros......

http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bazaar-bmw-parts-accessories/3996-fs-brand-new-uuc-genii-swaybar-3.html?highlight=gen2

Happi reading

'The Great White'