Suspension - what do i need ?
Discussion
Hi, basically i am definatly going to change my suspension in the CSL, i am fed up of rear camber arms bending and bushes wearing out @ less than 3/4000mile intervals.
I was thinking of KW V3's but am now considering Intrax 1k2s. I am mainly going to use it for fast road use and the odd trackday.
question 1, What i want to know is the advantages and disadvantages of each ?
I have heard that the intrax may not be suitable because i do not have a full/semi rollcage ? ?
"the springs and shock absorber (a proper coilover set up), the rear top shock mounting area is designed to take the force of a compressing damper. The weight of the car is supported by the the spring that is sandwiched between the rear upper wishbone and rear frame.
With this set up, you'll be putting a lot of stress on an area that is not designed to take the weight of the car. Unless BMW designed the E46 with this in mind already for their racing chassis (which all have heavily reinforced rear suspension turrets with the use of a roll cage.)"
Secondly what are a list of the things i will need buy/order while getting the suspension changed over ?
1) say i get Intrax 1k2 will i need the below ?
2) Fresh OEM bushes all around, or Powerflex ones or Simpsons bushes ( Rear and fronts )
3) Turner Motorsport bush limiting kit.)
4) Turner rear camber adjustable arms )
5) DO i need adjustable camber/castor plates or do they come with the kit ?)
6) reinforced top mounts ( DO i need just rears or all round, and where do i get them from ))
Lastly if i wanted to run rear rims on this setup, would i need spacers ?
I would like to thank you in advance for your help, i find this suspension lark a nightmare !
Ps. what setups do you guys run ? and who would you recommend to do this work ?
I was thinking of KW V3's but am now considering Intrax 1k2s. I am mainly going to use it for fast road use and the odd trackday.
question 1, What i want to know is the advantages and disadvantages of each ?
I have heard that the intrax may not be suitable because i do not have a full/semi rollcage ? ?
"the springs and shock absorber (a proper coilover set up), the rear top shock mounting area is designed to take the force of a compressing damper. The weight of the car is supported by the the spring that is sandwiched between the rear upper wishbone and rear frame.
With this set up, you'll be putting a lot of stress on an area that is not designed to take the weight of the car. Unless BMW designed the E46 with this in mind already for their racing chassis (which all have heavily reinforced rear suspension turrets with the use of a roll cage.)"
Secondly what are a list of the things i will need buy/order while getting the suspension changed over ?
1) say i get Intrax 1k2 will i need the below ?
2) Fresh OEM bushes all around, or Powerflex ones or Simpsons bushes ( Rear and fronts )
3) Turner Motorsport bush limiting kit.)
4) Turner rear camber adjustable arms )
5) DO i need adjustable camber/castor plates or do they come with the kit ?)
6) reinforced top mounts ( DO i need just rears or all round, and where do i get them from ))
Lastly if i wanted to run rear rims on this setup, would i need spacers ?
I would like to thank you in advance for your help, i find this suspension lark a nightmare !
Ps. what setups do you guys run ? and who would you recommend to do this work ?
Edited by C5L on Monday 2nd June 15:20
C5L said:
"the springs and shock absorber (a proper coilover set up), the rear top shock mounting area is designed to take the force of a compressing damper. The weight of the car is supported by the the spring that is sandwiched between the rear upper wishbone and rear frame.
With this set up, you'll be putting a lot of stress on an area that is not designed to take the weight of the car. Unless BMW designed the E46 with this in mind already for their racing chassis (which all have heavily reinforced rear suspension turrets with the use of a roll cage.)"
Where did you hear this then... With this set up, you'll be putting a lot of stress on an area that is not designed to take the weight of the car. Unless BMW designed the E46 with this in mind already for their racing chassis (which all have heavily reinforced rear suspension turrets with the use of a roll cage.)"
There haven't been any cases of chassis issues caused by Intrax that I am aware of and I asked the direct question to the supplier who confirmed the same.
The benefits are that it allows much easier corner weighting of the car.
I considered both Intrax and KW clubsports and in the end went for Intrax due to their philosophy of softer spring rates and better quality damping rather than just mega hard springs.
I have a friend who had a damper start leaking, Intrax sent out a new one the next day and got it all sorted for him with minimal inconvinience which swayed my descision too.
I'm running 1k2 with 100kg front, 50kg rear springs and solid rear bushes, the car feels awesome.
1K2 come with adjustable top mounts as standard and top mounts. No need for a limiting kit with the solid rear bushes. When they wear out you just replace the bearing race rather than the whole thing too.
The benefits are that it allows much easier corner weighting of the car.
I considered both Intrax and KW clubsports and in the end went for Intrax due to their philosophy of softer spring rates and better quality damping rather than just mega hard springs.
I have a friend who had a damper start leaking, Intrax sent out a new one the next day and got it all sorted for him with minimal inconvinience which swayed my descision too.
I'm running 1k2 with 100kg front, 50kg rear springs and solid rear bushes, the car feels awesome.
1K2 come with adjustable top mounts as standard and top mounts. No need for a limiting kit with the solid rear bushes. When they wear out you just replace the bearing race rather than the whole thing too.
Edited by m12_nathan on Monday 2nd June 16:30
I would agree with some of the comments posted... I'm personally very happy with Intrax kit and think it offeres pretty excellent value for money. There are a few who have switched from KW's to Intrax, not sure I know anyone who has made the jump the other way 
Simpsons are good if you are in the South West. Bexley Motorsport if you are in the South East or around London.
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Simpsons are good if you are in the South West. Bexley Motorsport if you are in the South East or around London.
I'm happy with my KW3's.. good value for £1600 quid on the car, recently finding that rebound really does make a difference when you get it near to where it should be..!
I looked @ Intrax, and made a call on the £2500 vs £1600.. but mines only CS ..
for more track work Intrax may be the way forward.. maybe someone can take me round and i can sample the difference to make a more informed opinion..!
I can say that the KW's are pretty good tho' fairly straight forward to adjust with 2 allen keys, but crawling under the car with a low ride height is no substitute for pressing a button in the car.. like on an GT3RS..
Do any kits come with screw top adjustments for bump / rebound all adjustable from the turret top end..?
I looked @ Intrax, and made a call on the £2500 vs £1600.. but mines only CS ..
for more track work Intrax may be the way forward.. maybe someone can take me round and i can sample the difference to make a more informed opinion..!I can say that the KW's are pretty good tho' fairly straight forward to adjust with 2 allen keys, but crawling under the car with a low ride height is no substitute for pressing a button in the car.. like on an GT3RS..
Do any kits come with screw top adjustments for bump / rebound all adjustable from the turret top end..?
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