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Bilstein PSS9 Coilover Suspension

Author : team.BAR Posted on : 28/10/2004
Model : BMW, 3 - Series (E36) 1991-99 Category : Suspension - Shocks/struts
Source : http://www.team-bar.com/
 
My car came equipped with the optional Sport Package which included an M Technic suspension (stiffer springs, stiffer shocks, and thicker sway bars (front: 25.5mm vs 24mm, rear: 18mm vs 15mm). A flatter and more responsive ride than the non-sport, but still not an M3 suspension. Brand new, this was a very nice suspension-compliant and comfortable at low speeds, but when you needed it, the car gripped very well. However all good things came to an end as the suspension wore out. I had soon switched it to a 1995 M3 suspension setup, but that too wore out. After having the sport suspension and an M3 suspension, I wanted something even more sporting. I looked at various options: the H&R Cup Kit, a Bilstein Sport Shock/H&R Sport Spring combo, the H&R coilover, and the Bilstein PSS9.

The Cup Kit was a relatively inexpensive kit, plus the springs are perfectly matched to the shocks-just like a coilover. However, the drop was too extreme for daily driving. The drop of the kit would have also necessitated camber plates from the greater negative camber. Someone I know has the Cup Kit, and had problems getting over speed bumps. Not what I was looking for.

The Bilstein Sport Shock/H&R Sport Spring combo is a popular set up, and without the extreme drop of the H&R Cup Kit or H&R Race Springs. However, it seemed like the ride was a bit harsh.

Why not look at coilovers? I looked at the H&R and the Bilstein PSS9. Honestly, it wasn't much of a choice-for a couple hundred dollars more, I went with the PSS9. Like the H&R it has ride height adjustability, but with damper control for the shocks. With 9 damper settings, I could dial in what I needed. The dials are easily accessible and does not take long to adjust. I rode in Pete's car (dialed in at 9, the softest setting) and it was quite comfortable, less harsh than even his Lux suspension and definitely less harsh than my sport suspension or my M3 suspension. Not saying that any BMW suspension is harsh, but I was amazed at how comfortable the ride was. My suspension is dialed in at 7 (again, 9 being the softest and 1 being the stiffest setting) and again, there is really no harshness. The only time I do notice a harsher ride is going over a very rough surface, making my CD player skip. But not really bone-jarring. The handling is great. The car is very flat-flatter than either suspension that I had on my car, and it is more responsive. I can't really say that I had a true back to back comparison, as new control arms and a UUC Strut Barbarian were installed with the PSS9. As with any aftermarket performance suspension for the E36, you should seriously consider upgrading the rear shock mounts as a stiffer shock may tear a stock RSM. I went with a set of E46 M3 RSMs and Z3 reinforcement plates.

The PSS9 is a bit more costly than an aftermarket shock/spring combo, but it is worth every penny. You get a lot for your money, ride height adjustability, damper adjustability, great handling and a comfortable ride. Although not a real hardcore race suspension like a Ground Control, TC Kline, JRZ or Moton coilover, it is a great suspension for the street and autocross. I am just starting to explore the full capability of the suspension at autocross, but for some real in-depth perspective, please check out Harris Yong's site: http://www.stanford.edu/~hccyong and Matthew C Smith's site: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~smithm3/. So far, I am amazed at the capability of the car and the limit of its handling, which I know I have not come to close to even exploring yet. Anyone looking for an aftermarket suspension should seriously take a look at this coilover.

Price: $1299 from Turner Motorsports

-Jed

Pete's Review
BMW's are excellent cars and are famed with some of the most sorted out suspension systems in the automotive industry. Very few automobile companies manage to engineer their suspension to be so supple yet firm enough for sporting driving. This is not to say that the BMW's do not have room for improvement. I experienced this First hand on my first autox where my car displayed a high degree of body roll, which allowed for more snap oversteer.

My car is a 98BMW 323is with luxury package suspension. I originally bought my car with no intention for racing but after a while, I started to enjoy the performance aspect of my car and wanted to challenge my car and myself more and more. As mentioned before, my car has the luxury suspension, which offers a soft ride and fairly controlled role characteristics for sporting driving. But clearly it was not suitable for high performance venues such as autox and drivers schools that I intended to do in the future. This led me to decide that I need to upgrade my suspension. But which suspension kit should I go with? As mentioned before, I wanted to learn how to drive my car better and improve my skills, and I identified that autox and drivers schools are where I want to do that. One of my other concerns was in the DC metropolitan area, the roads are rather poor and I wanted something that had a soft ride but had the flexibility to take on a more performance nature if needed.

The choices:
I debated over many choices initially before making my final decision but narrowed it down to the Bav Auto springs where were designed to offer a slight drop, and slightly better handling for more spirited driving. My next option was the M3 suspension system as many people try to sell them when they upgrade their M3?s. Another option was the H&R Sport springs with Bilstein sport shocks. This option would give me a more aggressive drop and firmer ride and a higher level performance (evidently, a very popular option for 3 series owners). Finally, at the higher end of the pool the Bilstein PSS9 coilover system. Originally, wasn't really looking at the PSS9's that seriously because of their higher price point but that soon changed. All of the previously mentioned suspensions will offer a performance upgrade but some will sacrifice ride quality. I drive clients to dinners and meetings with my car and this would not be an option. After riding in an example of each system, I found that the Bav auto was a very nice option as well as the PSS9. The M3 suspension tended to be a bit too harsh, as did the H&R system. I opted for the PSS9s because the final cost was only a few hundred dollars over the complete Bav auto with shocks and struts. The PSS9 Suspension also offered adjustability options both in ride height and ride quality (9 settings, from full soft to aggressive). The Bav auto springs are not adjustable. I felt more secure in the fact that I could adjust the height because my parking garage is very steep and I could not afford not to get my car to work everyday. In my decision making process I wanted to have the ability to drive my car aggressively on track but not sacrifice any of the everyday comfort and convenience that I had when I bought the car. When I purchased the suspension, I also choose to buy the E46 M3 rear shock mounts and Z3 reinforcement plates. I highly recommend this if you are upgrading your suspension as E36s have a tendency to tear the shock towers when you put stiffer suspensions on. It is very inexpensive insurance that prevents you from pay over $1800 for your shock towers to be cut off and new ones welded in their place.

The Differences/Ride:
When I got my car back from the shop who installed the PSS9s, I was shocked (no pun intended) at how smooth the car rode. My car is currently set a 9 (full soft). I would drive over bumps and hit them and flinch expecting a great thud, as I have ridden in modified cars with aftermarket suspensions, but the car just soaked up the bumps. My car now rides better than a stock 3 series with sport package. The primary reason that the car has such a soft ride is the matched shock rates for the springs. Although the spring rates are much stiffer than my original springs, the shocks are designed to control the movement of the springs precisely. The result is a much more controlled ride, which is still comfortable. Some of the differences that the PSS9s have provided are the virtual elimination of body roll, acceleration squat and brake dive. In high-speed turns the car is wonderfully composed and begs for more. On the track, the limits have been greatly extended. The only characteristic that I can attribute as a semi-negative of the suspension is that the car is able to come out from you quicker at the limit. This is not to say that it is dangerous or uncontrollable. BMW has engineered a great deal of feedback from the suspension to communicate when it will slide. With the PSS9s there is less time to identify the limits. You just need to learn the new way the car communicates with you. With the PSS9s the suspension is still just as forgiving and the car is every bit as tractable if not more than before. Turn in response was greatly improved. In the past you did have to turn the wheel a bit and then the car would turn. Now the car responds to very minute inputs, almost intuitively.

The Bottom Line:
If you are in the market for a suspension system, analyze what you are trying to accomplish and what your limitations are. If you are looking for a flexible suspension that can provide you with everyday drive-ability, that can have fun on the track, I would highly recommend spending the extra cash to get the PSS9s.

For more information, please visit:

www.bilstein.com
 

References

  • http://www.team-bar.com/
    •  


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