Ground Control Coilovers Installed

[DKSF]

Since Agent 99 has defected from Roadfly, I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks. Thought that some of you guys would be interested to know that Ground Control is currently finalizing an E39 Coilover application.

I had a "pre-production" set installed last week, they are still doing some final development and will be available in the next few weeks.

The kit consists of Ground Control threaded spring perches, Eibach Race Springs and Koni Adjustable Sport struts. Not sure what the final pricing will be, but it should be very competitive compared to H&R and KW.

I've put a couple of hundred miles on it since last week, probably the most I've driven in a couple of months :p, and here are some initial thoughts:

* Ride is good, but obviously stiffer than stock, may switch to a softer spring
* Handling is much improved, turn in is very very quick now
* Very stable at speed, not bumpy, does not get upset by bumps during high speed turns
* A bit choppy at very low speeds, perhaps because there are no spring pads?
* No noise at all, some coilovers are known to clunk and rattle
* Kit is very well engineered
* Springs can be swapped out for different rates very easily since it uses a standard Eibach spring

Big thanks and props to Jay Morris and his crew at Ground Control, http://www.ground-control.com, they really know their stuff and make some kick a$$ suspension components.

Here are some pics:

Rear coilover
<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/dksf/GC3.JPG">

Side view, just testing to see how low it would go and check clearances. Note, the front currently will not adjust this low, we will be putting on a longer thread for the spring perch, in the picture we were trying to figure out how much longer it needed to be, before it hit the bump stops. It's about 3 1/4" lower in the rear and 4" in the front. SICK!!!!!
<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/dksf/side_slammed_3.JPG">

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/dksf/side_slammed_4.JPG">

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/dksf/r_corner_slammed_p.JPG">

The final ride height is not this low, unfortunately a 4" drop in the front doesn't allow enough clearance to turn the front wheels :D .

[Ågent99]

I am slowly but surely moving over...still getting used to this style of forum.

Glad to see you guys over here posting! :) It warms my heart! : puke:

Chris :D

[DKSF]

Yeah, not really used to the setup over here, perhaps it's a little too new school for me.

Let's get Viet over here too!

See ya Friday!!!!

[vietsb]

Yeah, if Jon ever decides to split off an E39 board, I'll be looking forward to my 1K post avatar (or take Agent99's shortcut :) ).

Like I said DKSF, who cares about turning? Slam that puppy back down!

I'll bow to you since I could never reach such heights (or lows in this case) as you! :thumbup:

A pic of my 4x4 :eek: :

http://forced5.home.attbi.com/pics/dropped-01-lg.jpg

(no longer a Bimmerfest Forum virgin...)

[Ågent99]

:thumbup: Welcome, Viet! :thumbup:

Jon says that when the traffic warrants more specialized boards, he'll consider doing it so we need to "pump up the volume" in here and it'll happen! :)

Chris :D

[Patrick]

Damn! :yikes:

I am getting my Touring lowered Thursday (Eibach Pro Kit) but the drop is only 35mm in front/10mm in back. 4" is about 95mm! I would not be able to drive in to my garage!! :eek:

Awesome Breytons, and a beautiful Titan Silver E39! :thumbup:

BTW, I also hope that there would be more E39 contributors/agitators etc. over here. I am a relatively new 5er owner that never posted at that other place - bimmerfest.com is my home!

[PropellerHead]

Originally posted by Patrick 520iAT
Awesome Breytons, and a beautiful Titan Silver E39! :thumbup: Them are Hartge Classics, I believe. And they do look good.:thumbup:

[Patrick]

Originally posted by PropellerHead
Them are Hartge Classics, I believe. And they do look good.:thumbup:

Really? You are right ... I mistook them for Magics!

http://www.onlinetires.com/Wheels/images/Breyton/Thumbs/magic.jpg

My bad ... :(

Which would be the same wheels that you have, correct? :dunno:

And as fun to clean as my Style 32's ... :eek:

[DKSF]

Originally posted by Patrick 520iAT

Awesome Breytons, and a beautiful Titan Silver E39! :thumbup:



0 for 2 buddy!!!!!:thumbdwn:

Hartge Classics and Arctic Silver ;)

Take Care, DK.

[PropellerHead]

Originally posted by Patrick 520iAT
Which would be the same wheels that you have, correct? :dunno:

And as fun to clean as my Style 32's ... :eek: Same wheels I had. Sold 'em this week to make room for the BBS RKII's I bought a few weeks ago. I have been running (and cleaning) the 32's for a year or so, now.

Can't wait to get some tires for the BBS wheels so I can start to clean them instead.

[Patrick]

Originally posted by DKSF
0 for 2 buddy!!!!!:thumbdwn:

Hartge Classics and Arctic Silver ;)

Take Care, DK.

Must not be my day ... :slap:

[jacksprat]

I was just planning on buying some FK Highsports for my 97 528 for $975. Will the ground control setup be less expensive when it's released? and when will it be released? Can I get on a pre-production waiting list that might get me an introductory price? thanks.:)

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Originally posted by jacksprat
I was just planning on buying some FK Highsports for my 97 528 for $975. Will the ground control setup be less expensive when it's released? and when will it be released? Can I get on a pre-production waiting list that might get me an introductory price? thanks.:)

Short answer is: DEFINITELY NOT cheaper.

[DKSF]

Yeah, GC won't be cheaper than that. You're going to have to decide on what you want as far as features, and how much you are willing to pay.

The GC's will probably cost about the same, but you'll be getting Koni Adjustables so that you can adjust the rebound. You won't have that on the FK's. A better comparison is probably between KW and GC....and the KW's will cost you around $1,800.

[DanB]

Looks great!!! No rubbing???

-DanB

[DKSF]

Nah, doesn't rub at all.......really :rofl:

We were just checking to see how much clearance there would be at full drop. Unfortunately, we didn't think we would be able to turn the front wheels, so we didn't even roll it out of the garage.

The final height that I set it at is much higher than the pics, obviously, but still having some rubbing issues on the passenger rear. I'll have to resort to pulling out the fender a little bit, they are already rolled to the max so no more clearance to be had there.

[vietsb]

Just do it! :thumbup:

Write-up available on my E39 DIY site (http://www.bmwdiy.info) (as you know).

http://bmwdiy.info/fender-pull/fender-pull-01.jpg

[Ågent99]

Originally posted by vietsb
Just do it! :thumbup:

Write-up available on my E39 DIY site (http://www.bmwdiy.info) (as you know).



Hey Viet...I was thinking to nominate you to moderate the DIY page we have here. You up for it? I could send JS a little note about it. You're a 'net nut...interested?

Chris :tsk:

[vietsb]

I'd be honored, but they already have one good mod there and you can see by this post (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26386) that there might not be much interest in my E39 knowledge. I'm definitely a 'net nut, so if you and/or JS think there's a need for another E30/E39-centric mod over there, I might take the plunge and join the ranks of the famous, such as DanB and yourself. :D

No hurry since I somehow find a way to keep myself busy regardless. ;) Now if there ends up being an E39 DIY forum...

[Ågent99]

I have a proposal in for an E39 DIY...we'll see where it goes.

Chris :D

[jvr826]

Originally posted by DKSF
Nah, doesn't rub at all.......really :rofl:
<snip>
I'll have to resort to pulling out the fender a little bit, they are already rolled to the max so no more clearance to be had there.

I had rubbing on mine, rolled fenders and it still didn't go away in certain situations. Service writer recommended max negative camber and that did the trick. You may already be there, don't know, but thought I'd throw it out there...

[vietsb]

E39 DIY would be great. Since the car will be a "classic" soon, we'll need a good DIY info source. Tell JS I'll happily tell people to check BMWTips.com and BMWdiy.info. :thumbup:

[DKSF]

Originally posted by jvr530i
I had rubbing on mine, rolled fenders and it still didn't go away in certain situations. Service writer recommended max negative camber and that did the trick. You may already be there, don't know, but thought I'd throw it out there...

Thanks Jeff....actually, it wasn't as bad until I had the camber adjusted more positive. Kind of a trade off I guess. Trying to preserve my $275 tires :eeps: .

BTW, what's interesting about the rear, is that the passenger side has a slightly wider track. I measured it today, and visually you can see the tire sticking out beyond the corner of the fender. Not sure why it's designed this way :dunno:

Viet, I'm just going to let H8LUUZN at it, don't even want to watch that being done to my car. I'll be lounging on the sofa with a beer in hand. :thumbup:

[vietsb]

Originally posted by DKSF
BTW, what's interesting about the rear, is that the passenger side has a slightly wider track. I measured it today, and visually you can see the tire sticking out beyond the corner of the fender. Not sure why it's designed this way :dunno:

H8LUUZN was swearing by that as well. After hearing zillions of other's experiences on the right rear rub, I agree.

Viet, I'm just going to let H8LUUZN at it, don't even want to watch that being done to my car. I'll be lounging on the sofa with a beer in hand. :thumbup:

It's definitely a little nerve-racking, so a beer in one hand and touch-up paint in another is a good idea. Don't forget the handkerchief in case your fender creases or buckles... :cry:

http://bmwdiy.info/fender-pull/fender-pull-01.jpg

[PropellerHead]

If you're interested in a few missing posts, I sparked a lil flame and split it (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=334051#post334051) to the appropriate forum

[jacksprat]

Originally posted by DKSF
Thanks Jeff....actually, it wasn't as bad until I had the camber adjusted more positive. Kind of a trade off I guess. Trying to preserve my $275 tires :eeps: .

BTW, what's interesting about the rear, is that the passenger side has a slightly wider track. I measured it today, and visually you can see the tire sticking out beyond the corner of the fender. Not sure why it's designed this way :dunno:

Viet, I'm just going to let H8LUUZN at it, don't even want to watch that being done to my car. I'll be lounging on the sofa with a beer in hand. :thumbup:



BMW allows tolerance of around +/- 8mm on the rear subframe. I remember something about the rear subframes on some of the BMW models (e36 M3 and e39 for sure) are "floating" and so when they are assembeled they can never be exactly lined up perfect on each side. Sucks if you end up with the car that has +6mm on one side and you put on rims that already have a wide offset that pushes the limits of clearance.

[KEVlN]

WOW im very interested. CAn you tell me around how much it will be and what i twoudl come with and what else i would need? Thanks alot. Im a total nooby to e39 stuff thanks