Megan vs Godspeed vs BC Racing vs KW Coilovers

[mikew2069]

I ordered B6 shocks to go with my H&R springs but the shocks have been on backorder for the last 2 months and I'm ready to ditch that idea and just move on to coilovers.

These are the only coilovers I've been able to find for the F15 standard suspension. I personally view Megan and Godspeed and cheap crap and KW obviously the best and therefore $$$. I have had KWs on a past vehicle so I know their quality and comfort.

What's the consensus on BC Racing? I do not have personal experience with them but on other platforms, they seem to be the middle of the road value coilover as long as you aren't tracking which I will never do. I just want to feel planted and comfortable in my day to day driving and my teeth to stay in my mouth if I hit a pothole.

Thoughts? BC Racing for about a grand or KW for 2.5X that.

[daytonaviolet]

another option if you have DHP are the H&R VTF. they are not coilovers but these offer adjustable lowering springs. i'm not familiar with BC Racing but i would spend the extra $$ for the KW. there's a used set in the owners classified section currently for $1800.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

another option if you have DHP are the H&R VTF. they are not coilovers but these offer adjustable lowering springs. i'm not familiar with BC Racing but i would spend the extra $$ for the KW. there's a used set in the owners classified section currently for $1800.

I don't have DHP, I have standard suspension with 4 springs. I saw that set but he just has the links for the rear

And I get it, I've spent up in the past. Just don't really want to if I don't have to on this rig. I just want low and a firm comfy ride that gives me confidence if I ever want to lay into it. Which isn't often to be honest with you.

[Silververtu]

What's your goal for changing suspension? I may have read it at a different thread before but can't recall. Are you looking for lower ride height, handling, or both?

I also have standard suspension with 4 springs, I really do think KW3 is overkilled for my purpose: lower rise height, similar to stock ride comfort (ok to be firmer but not harsh), improve handling. I had 3 way coilover in my previous cars, thought I would adjust the rebound, compress and height whenever I want, which of course, I never did after the initial set up. One of my friends put B6 strut / H&R spring combo on a ML 350 (I know, it's a different platform) and I was very impressed with the ride quality while not breaking the bank.

[daytonaviolet]

only HR option is this

Sport Spring w/o self-leveling, not 2WD 1.5 1.6 28817-3 $549.00 Kit

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

only HR option is this

Sport Spring w/o self-leveling, not 2WD 1.5 1.6 28817-3 $549.00 Kit

That's what I currently have on. I've been waiting for two months for the B6 shocks to come in and they're still backordered so I'm losing patience and confidence.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

What's your goal for changing suspension? I may have read it at a different thread before but can't recall. Are you looking for lower ride height, handling, or both?

I also have standard suspension with 4 springs, I really do think KW3 is overkilled for my purpose: lower rise height, similar to stock ride comfort (ok to be firmer but not harsh), improve handling. I had 3 way coilover in my previous cars, thought I would adjust the rebound, compress and height whenever I want, which of course, I never did after the initial set up. One of my friends put B6 strut / H&R spring combo on a ML 350 (I know, it's a different platform) and I was very impressed with the ride quality while not breaking the bank.

I know I would definitely just set it and forget it. I currently have the H&R springs on there and the height is ok. I could stand to go a little bit lower for sure.

My goal is to be low-ish with a firm, comfy ride that gives me confidence if I ever want to lay into it. Which isn't often to be honest with you. Currently with the H&R springs and stock shocks, I have zero confidence to push this rig. It's a bit bumpy which I can live with but there is no dampening from the stock shocks so certain imperfections in the road are harsh.

A good example is I was on the freeway a couple weeks ago doing about 80mph. Came up to a dip in the road and the car should have dipped in and then replanted itself. Instead, it dipped, then rebounded up, and back down and back up again, all while I was trying to manage the loose ass steering wheel. Hard to explain but just super sloppy.

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

I know I would definitely just set it and forget it. I currently have the H&R springs on there and the height is ok. I could stand to go a little bit lower for sure.

My goal is to be low-ish with a firm, comfy ride that gives me confidence if I ever want to lay into it. Which isn't often to be honest with you. Currently with the H&R springs and stock shocks, I have zero confidence to push this rig. It's a bit bumpy which I can live with but there is no dampening from the stock shocks so certain imperfections in the road are harsh.

A good example is I was on the freeway a couple weeks ago doing about 80mph. Came up to a dip in the road and the car should have dipped in and then replanted itself. Instead, it dipped, then rebounded up, and back down and back up again, all while I was trying to manage the loose ass steering wheel. Hard to explain but just super sloppy.

I understand. Without DHP you don't have much options except lowered springs only. Next option is the KW V3. I'm almost in the same situation as well. I opted for the VTF first. If it does not work out, I'll update to the KW V3 😩

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

I understand. Without DHP you don't have much options except lowered springs only. Next option is the KW V3. I'm almost in the same situation as well. I opted for the VTF first. If it does not work out, I'll update to the KW V3 😩

Yea that's why I started this thread. Was hoping a few members could sway me towards BC Racing based on past experiences. I might end up with KW unless my B6s magically ship in the next couple of days.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

Yea that's why I started this thread. Was hoping a few members could sway me towards BC Racing based on past experiences. I might end up with KW unless my B6s magically ship in the next couple of days.

Doubt the BC will Be bad by any means. Probably be perfect for what you want.

[MizikeTSK]

I had BC's on my Lexus GS350 and have no complaints. I knew my car was not going to be a show or track car though my suspension setup was track as I like to push it on turns and off/on ramps from time to time. You can also choose different spring rates or even upgrade the springs to Sprint springs. I probably put close to 100K on them with no issues at all. Looking at the BC site it only list up to the E70 model though.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

I had BC's on my Lexus GS350 and have no complaints. I knew my car was not going to be a show or track car though my suspension setup was track as I like to push it on turns and off/on ramps from time to time. You can also choose different spring rates or even upgrade the springs to Sprint springs. I probably put close to 100K on them with no issues at all. Looking at the BC site it only list up to the E70 model though.

They have them listed for the F16 and since the F15/F16 have same shock and spring OEM PNs, I'm sure they would work.

[mikew2069]

The fact that the BC have linear springs worries me a bit. I've actually never had linear springs on any ride.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

The fact that the BC have linear springs worries me a bit. I've actually never had linear springs on any ride.

AFAIK linear springs are better at controlling body roll.

[r33_RGSport]

If you are ready to spend more money down the line, then you have picked your medicine.
You are driving a BMW afterall.
A friend and a few customers bitch and moan using the cheaper product.
Even though they have a good customer support, a friend of mine got it replaced after some issues. Just be ready to open up your wallet for labor, or muscle up in cranking up those nuts and bolts.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

The fact that the BC have linear springs worries me a bit. I've actually never had linear springs on any ride.

Haha I've actually never had progressive springs until these eibachs. And as Dush said the miners are more predictable and what's used for many if not most track setups etc. progressive is an attempt to get the best of both worlds. Comfort and stiffness.

[Road Carnage]

Interested to see which way you end up going on this. The KW’s will definitely give you what you are after but the pricing on the BC’s sure is appealing.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by Road Carnage

Interested to see which way you end up going on this. The KW’s will definitely give you what you are after but the pricing on the BC’s sure is appealing.

Exactly. If it was a couple hundred bucks and I was unsure, I'd pay up in a heartbeat. But $1500 makes me pause and consider options.

[splitsensetam]

I had BC on my infinity m35 back in the day and they were great for the price IMO.

[Road Carnage]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

Exactly. If it was a couple hundred bucks and I was unsure, I'd pay up in a heartbeat. But $1500 makes me pause and consider options.

The only thing that gives me pause on the BC’s is that the price seems almost TOO good. Springs alone from H&R, eibach, etc. seem to run about $350-500 a set, so how can they make a set of coil overs for $1000? I looked at their website to see if they are made offshore but found nothing. I’m assuming for those prices these are made in China. Not saying that necessarily a bad thing, just something too be aware of. KW’s are made in Germany which certainly adds to the cost.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by Road Carnage

The only thing that gives me pause on the BC’s is that the price seems almost TOO good. Springs alone from H&R, eibach, etc. seem to run about $350-500 a set, so how can they make a set of coil overs for $1000? I looked at their website to see if they are made offshore but found nothing. I’m assuming for those prices these are made in China. Not saying that necessarily a bad thing, just something too be aware of. KW’s are made in Germany which certainly adds to the cost.

I want to say BC are made in Taiwan. To compare, H&R springs are about $300, a set of Bilstein B6 shocks are about $1k, so a set of quality coilovers in the $1k range isn't too far out of the question.

But yea comparing $1k to $2500 for KW makes you scratch your head doesn't it? It seems like a lot of folks have had a positive experience with them so who knows.

[Silververtu]

$1k coilover isn't out of ordinary. Lots of well known Japanese brands coilovers, made in Japan, are less than $1k. Of course those are most likely for Japanese cars. JRZ makes custom track-ready/autocross suspension starting at around $1.5k. KW1 is around $1.3-1.5k for 3 series/Audi A4 application. The only issue is the size of aftermarket X5 suspension is too small, so each set of suspension carries a higher R&D cost for X5 application, which in terms driving the price up. Also lack of competition in the marketplace.