We Put Some Miles on Our Newly Lowered BMW

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Update by David S. Wallens to the BMW M235i project car
May 12, 2015

We as enthusiasts have a pretty good track record of taking good cars and turning the ride into junk. The quest for lower lap times is going to take its toll on comfort, right?

Our BMW M235i recently received a track-ready MCS suspension courtesy of BimmerWorld plus Ground Control camber plates. A few days after the install we drove the car up to Pinehurst, North Carolina, for the Pinehurst Concours. Figure it’s a thousand-mile roundtrip.

Yes, there is some more NVH. The biggest noise comes from the front suspension during tight turns at low speeds—like when parking—as the front springs clank about. At slow speeds, and with the radio turned off, we can hear the rear shock absorbers compress and rebound.

Considering that this is a track setup, though, the ride isn’t too bad. The car doesn’t porpoise, tramline or do anything weird. We were never overcome with the desire to punch the person who valved the dampers.

If faced with taking that same trip next week, we’d again reach for the BMW.

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Comments
HiTempguy
HiTempguy UberDork
5/12/15 11:36 a.m.

Any particular reason you went with MCS? Honestly just curious

Swank Force One
Swank Force One MegaDork
5/12/15 11:50 a.m.

Why are the springs clanking about?

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/12/15 12:55 p.m.
Swank Force One wrote: Why are the springs clanking about?

Because race car.

Okay, let me get a better answer.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/12/15 12:55 p.m.
HiTempguy wrote: Any particular reason you went with MCS? Honestly just curious

Something different. We have been eying their products for a while, and this application looked good for us.

Swank Force One
Swank Force One MegaDork
5/12/15 12:57 p.m.
David S. Wallens wrote:
Swank Force One wrote: Why are the springs clanking about?
Because race car. Okay, let me get a better answer.

I mean, that would be an acceptable answer as far as i know. I've never had a suspension that pimp on a car before.

But then i've never had springs clank about, either.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/12/15 1:23 p.m.

It might be a bushing. I'm just the test driver. Let me get you a real answer.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/13/15 1:33 p.m.

Update: Jay at Ground Control wants us to recheck a few things on those camber plates.

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
5/13/15 2:43 p.m.

Every car I have lowered has not had clanking issues. I would get that checked ASAP you don't want something binding up or damaging the new parts. Never mind actually breaking something while in motion.

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
5/15/15 7:53 p.m.

Any updates????

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
5/15/15 8:33 p.m.

It's clunking around because there are no helper springs to help keep contact with the road under droop conditions.

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