What springs for Clubman Bilsteins?

deez · Postby **deez** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 5:56 pm

Hi guys. Interested to get some opinions on what springs to use for Clubman Bilsteins. I bought the car with Clubman Bilsteins installed. The ride is quite firm, however it feels progressive and handles very well in the twisties. After putting in 15s the back end is sitting wayyyy too high, and so I am thinking of lowering the car.

The seller included a set of rear Performance King springs as well when I bought the car. However from what I've read through these forums, I'm somewhat wary of installing them for fear of destroying the handling the Bilstein springs provide.

Has anybody lowered a Clubman but kept the Bilstein shocks?
What springs should I use to replicate or even further improve the current handling?
Would only lowering the back end screw up the handling? (the front currently sits at a nice height)

Thanks in advance

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:17 pm

Get the rear shocks regroved to lower the spring seat. You can keep the standard springs then.

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:20 pm

I ran the Clubman Bilsteins for a while with King lowered springs and I didn't like it very much, if anything it was a lot harsher and bouncier. The King springs suited Konis much better.

deez · Postby **deez** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:27 pm

Garry wrote:Get the rear shocks regroved to lower the spring seat. You can keep the standard springs then.

Excuse my inept/lack of mechanical knowledge

That's a great idea, thanks Garry! I'll look into it :mrgreen:

the roadster · Postby **the roadster** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:07 pm

Mine stock springs sag at the front and the car nose dive (apparently this is very common).
Recently a had K-mac 40mm lowered 20% stiffer progressive fitted (the front height is the same as the sag springs) and the ride feel and handle better but I guess mostly due to the drop at the back to balance with the front.
Just a note my 1.6 NA feel harsh and rattle before the BD roll-bar were fitted with the Bilsteins, the car also had a front shocks brace fitted Roadster factory version.
According tho the Clubroadster.net e-Bay el cheapo Bomz(?) adjustable sleeves and springs kit is perfectly match with Bilsteins,the only problem with this option is legal issue for street register.

JSE · Postby **JSE** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 10:38 pm

Babalouie wrote:I ran the Clubman Bilsteins for a while with King lowered springs and I didn't like it very much, if anything it was a lot harsher and bouncier.

Same. I second that. Very bouncy and pot holes really really felt like they hurt the car

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:28 pm

I don't mind mine with Kings, but I think it was definitely nicer with the standard springs apart from the 4wd ride height

deez · Postby **deez** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 4:56 pm

So apart from Kings being no good, what springs are suited to the Clubman Bilsteins?

I called Mania today...only got to speak with Simone cos the guys were busy. She suggested against regrooving the shock to keep the original sprnigs as there is less shock travel, which leads to bottoming out on humps etc :?:

JSE · Postby **JSE** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:32 pm

Yeah they will bottom out like crazy. Even when I had my bilsteins with kings they bottomed out every now and then over bumps.

deez · Postby **deez** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:12 am

So King's aren't good with the Bilstein shocks....any ideas guys on what springs are good then?

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:41 am

Dude I have had kings and bilsteins in my car for nearly 2 years now, and they are fine. My car holds the road great, and i have never had a problem with them.

Just dont drive like a stooge on sh*t roads..

deez · Postby **deez** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:37 am

green_comet wrote:Dude I have had kings and bilsteins in my car for nearly 2 years now, and they are fine. My car holds the road great, and i have never had a problem with them.

Just dont drive like a stooge on sh*t roads..

Are they low's or superlow's?

How does it compare in terms of rebound, stiffness, and handling compared to the original setup?

JSE · Postby **JSE** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:27 am

green_comet wrote:Just dont drive like a stooge on sh*t roads..

It's pretty hard up here in Sydney. ALL roads are crap! The only smooth ones are motorways!

tk421 · Postby **tk421** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:22 pm

I use eibachs with my bilsteins (although I have later ones that aren't as hard as yours I think). The eibachs are real nice, they ride very well compared to the RS spec factory springs (similar to clubman) that I had on it before. They just take away that sharp WTF WAS THAT! jolt over a good sized bump that the factory springs had. The car is pretty low now though, but doesn't scrape that much. They were pretty good at the mania track day.

Steve

deez · Postby **deez** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:39 pm

Thanks for that Steve! I'll look into Eibach's too then. Was that the Eibach Pro Kit that you used?

It might be the angle at which the photo was taken....is your car still sitting rather high on the rear end?