jgsx

I've tried searching, but most threads about suspension were about track performance.

I think my stock shocks have seen their day after a couple years of Chicago potholes. I've come to accept that I don't use the c32 for track perfomance, and never put it through tough corners. The car is my commute mule, and the roads are rough. My car shakes pretty bad over all the bumps. It is difficult to keep a steady hand to the navi.

I need to replace my shocks, and am looking for something that will provide a smoother ride if possible. I am not going to put in coil overs. I was considering Konis.

I have Renntech springs. Any suggestions?

raymond g-

some input from a 210 owner. for the past months i have been experimenting
and adjusting for handling, ride height and ride comfort. i've tried Vogtland
lowering springs and found them harsh (with my 18" AMG rims). I've swapped
out Bilsteins, OEM, and Koni yellow bodied adjustables. my butt didn't like
the Konis as they were too soft, even when set on firmest setting. what
bothered me especially was the soft rebound dampening. I switched to the
Bilstein HD and Sports and found them just right. the rebound dampening
was noticeably firmer than Koni. this also helped to control body roll better
in slalom type transitions.

so though the answer may come down to personal preference. it sounds as
though your needs are the opposite of mine. my ride is designed for separate
shock vs spring units (ie no coilover design).

jgsx

How was the ride quality with the Konis? I know you said they were too soft for cornering, but how did they feel going over bumps?

c32used

Hi Joe!


How ya been?

I want shocks/springs more for track/dragging purposes yet very agreeable to the butt in suburban driving..I know how brutal those Chicago street are but even worse on those 19s we share. I want shock/springs that I can use to adjust mostly for my 17" OEM rims for Drag racing on closed course.

raymond g-

Seattle mayor campaigned on platform which spotlighted potholes and that
he would fill them. years later, we learned that his lard a$$ has been
creating them as he has been living extremely well off the tax base and perks.

the Konis I tried (for about 6 mos) seemed quite compliant to road undulations
around town. they were scootch firmer than OEM on my ride, but still allowed
a tad bit of wallowing if I pressed the car, ie spirited driving.

so if you drove the car sedately like I imagined a nice, non-AMG commercial
for a family of four, you might find them just right.

i'm trying to guess, of course, and to imagine how they would fit your needs,
your lowering springs....and presuming that the valving for the weight of your
car would be similar. the Renntech springs probably have a higher spring
rate, right? might they overwhelm the Konis similarly and make you wish they
were firmer? hard to tell, since we are trying to gauge and balance all this
subjectively and with no hard, measurable figures to compare.

Zeppelin

I would just stay with the stock C32 struts. Stiffer is not always faster on a track anyway. The H&R springs and stock C32 struts will make the ride slightly stiffer than stock, but not much.

TemjinX2

if your dragging, you'll get more traction with softer shocks. The tracking the car benefits more with the stiffer shocks.

racerxoffl

I was thinking of installing these soon.

http://www.raceinspired.com/pc-9588-...2003-2005.aspx

rockjock

Not a bad set up-see if you can get camber plates for the rear and front on that set up too!

Slater126

While we're on this topic, how long can one expect stock C32 shocks to last? I'm sure it varies depending on driving conditions of course but what's the general rule? The stock shocks, for example, were an issue on the E36 M3s. The OE Boge units typically cashed out in the 40k range.

My C32 has 53k on it now and dare I say that I've started to notice a slight wallow in the ride, especially after driving our RSX for awhile. It's not drastic but I still feel something's a little off. Granted, the RSX has very stiff shocks so maybe that's it, or maybe the shocks are starting to go downhill. Thoughts?

TemjinX2

i had 80k on my oem shocks before i swapped to coil overs, seemed fine to me. i thought most oem shocks will last 100k? it properly helps that the c32 springs are softer then the m3 springs.

FrankW

I put on the RENNtech springs at 20k or some miles and then at 50-60k miles I started noticing the shocks gradually cannot cope with the shorten travel anymore and started being too soft and then I went ahead with the coilovers at around 65k miles.

if you have stock springs your OE Sach shocks should last quite a while.