Which coilover kit? Ground Control, AST or TCKline?

donoman · 01-18-2013, 03:27 PM

Budget: $2000
Requirements: 1-3 trackdays per year, DAILY DRIVER, Cross-Country roadtrip capable (cannot be deafening)
Intention: Replace stock suspension and wheels mostly for looks and handling.

Looks like I have 2 options:

1) Ground Control "E46-like" kit with Touring (non-race) camber plates: $1650:
(http://www.ground-control-store.com/...ion.php/II=693)

2) TC Kline True Match S/A kit: $1776
(http://www.tcklineracing.com/webdocs...Details149.cfm)

3) AST 4100: $2045
(http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...-struts-shocks)

Honestly they all look the same to me, except the GC kit comes with camber plates which makes it the best bang for the buck. Any comments? Thanks, y'all!!!

Beedub · 01-18-2013, 03:30 PM

i simply cant recommend GC.... when i was looking at them, i came across soooo many failed parts, incorrect parts shipped, and imo their customer service BLOWs ASS!! i emailed them many times and never once got a response back, their products do the business when working and dialed but i feel their support is severly lacking...

ASTs are right up their with the best imo!! lovely stuff!!

donoman · 01-18-2013, 03:44 PM

Hey Beedub, I also have been e-mailing GC with no response but did reach a nice gent on the phone, who directed me to the "non-race" camber plates. However I am a little worried based on all the info I have been reading here about poor quality control. Last thing I want is to have my car in the air with all 4 struts off to figure out the stuff they gave me doesn't fit!!!

With that said, I've run GC coilovers on my Miata and they were made well.

DTL

Beedub · 01-18-2013, 04:16 PM

HOLD ON!!!!!! check this out........

Tell him B-dub sent you!!

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=44766

get on these, choice of springs, brand new and STILL even shipped will be a massive saving!!! GOD has been good to you!!

game OVEr.

donoman · 01-18-2013, 06:40 PM

Shoot! Would be great if he was in the USA!

Beedub · 01-19-2013, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donoman

Shoot! Would be great if he was in the USA!

ive traded loads of stuff with USA members...... its really not that bad now-days!!!! declare a nice low price, job done!! never failed me so far.

itdnwiwbp · 01-19-2013, 09:22 AM

I was trying to decide what suspension to go with for quite awhile and was considering everything from H&R (originally because all I wanted was ride height adjustability) to KWs and everything in between. I avoided GC for the reasons Beedub has mentioned, ended up passing on H&R because of lack of adjustability, and passed on Bilstein because they come with variable rate springs. I bought TCK D/As (thought S/As would have been perfectly adequate) with TCK camber plates in the end. Just got them installed last month but they're not dialed in yet. I just drove it home from the shop and stored it cause I've been out of town for a couple of weeks. My first impression was some noise from the rears as I expected but ride comfort was surprisingly nice (400/500 springs). Of course all of this will most likely change in a week after everything is corner balanced and aligned. Just my brief .02 from making the same decisions it sounds like you're working on.

itdnwiwbp · 01-19-2013, 09:24 AM

These are outside of the price range you mentioned but they're a hell of a deal. I'd have snapped them up if I hadn't bought my parts a few weeks before: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781238.

TSM330i · 01-19-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp

I was trying to decide what suspension to go with for quite awhile and was considering everything from H&R (originally because all I wanted was ride height adjustability) to KWs and everything in between. I avoided GC for the reasons Beedub has mentioned, ended up passing on H&R because of lack of adjustability, and passed on Bilstein because they come with variable rate springs. I bought TCK D/As (thought S/As would have been perfectly adequate) with TCK camber plates in the end. Just got them installed last month but they're not dialed in yet. I just drove it home from the shop and stored it cause I've been out of town for a couple of weeks. My first impression was some noise from the rears as I expected but ride comfort was surprisingly nice (400/500 springs). Of course all of this will most likely change in a week after everything is corner balanced and aligned. Just my brief .02 from making the same decisions it sounds like you're working on.

I'm curious why you would waste the money for corner balancing. You have to be sitting in the car to properly corner balance the car. If you're not, the second you sit in the car, it's no longer corner balanced.
That being said, if you are in the car, NONE of the fender gaps will be the same, so for a street car it will look funny. Also, if you have a passenger, it's no longer corner balanced.
In order to properly corner balance it typically takes hours and lots of money to do. Think about it. You need to adjust the suspension so all four wheels have the same weight. It's adjusting and then reweighing over and over again till it's balanced.

itdnwiwbp · 01-19-2013, 11:02 AM

I'm corner balancing because it's asinine to buy an expensive adjustable suspension and not do it. I'm not corner balancing for looks, I'm corner balancing for performance. If totally bangin' street looks were my only goal I would have gone with H&Rs (but don't take that as a knock, anyone running them. Just stating fact.) Of course I will be in the passenger seat or it will be properly weighted for the corner balance. When it truely matters during autocross I won't have a passenger. I'm paying $150 to have the car corner balanced after it is aligned. Any other concerns?

donoman · 01-19-2013, 12:22 PM

Part of the reason to have coil overs is to corner balance. If you've ever had it done, you'd realize it's not a very drastic change from corner to corner to get the right balance. Mostly it helps with even transitions from left to right. The front to back balancing we usually compensate with our feet and those pedals!!!

Thanks for the suggestions on the TCKlines. What kind of noise do you mean? I can't stand clunking in my daily driver.

itdnwiwbp · 01-19-2013, 01:40 PM

It's a light clunk. If you go with S/As you should be fine in that regard. I can't vouch for them personally but I've never heard anyone have any complaints about noise from them.

Kgolf31 · 01-19-2013, 02:18 PM

I've drove a TCK car fitted with DAs and clunks only happen at parking lot speeds. When properly corner balanced, the adjustments with rebound and compression make the car so much more powerful and adjustable.

Caddyshk · 01-19-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beedub

i simply cant recommend GC.... when i was looking at them, i came across soooo many failed parts, incorrect parts shipped, and imo their customer service BLOWs ASS!! i emailed them many times and never once got a response back, their products do the business when working and dialed but i feel their support is severly lacking...

ASTs are right up their with the best imo!! lovely stuff!!

Jay at GC helped me immensely. Called me at home and spent 30 minutes walking me through setups that would suit what I was looking for. Fast shipping too. No complaints here...

seank · 01-20-2013, 12:15 AM

My DA tckline's are very noisy all the time, and worse when cold. Annoying.

My 2 cents

Beedub · 01-20-2013, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddyshk

Jay at GC helped me immensely. Called me at home and spent 30 minutes walking me through setups that would suit what I was looking for. Fast shipping too. No complaints here...

JAY at GC emailed me to tell me he'd email me a detailed repsonse to my questions....... never did he return that email even after repeated emails... GC are a Joke imo.... but i can see when their products are on and working, they are very very good!

i the end i splashed more and went with the clubsports, awesome product, the quality is truly wonderful, not a single noise from this setup no rattles, no creaks......

Noisey coilovers are soooo annoying, i have a set on my TT s and i can honestly say its embarrassing having people in my car, even my date last week said " why is your car rattling like that" i looked at her and said.... its broken!! lol!!

Coenz4 · 01-21-2013, 03:52 AM

Hi Guys,

the AST set Beedub is talking about is mine.. and I am willing to ship them to the US but no idea yet what the price of shipping is yet.

IF you want me to find out, drop me a message with your full adres.

Or mail me at coendekorte (at) hot mail (dot) com

Thanks!

Coen

donoman · 01-21-2013, 12:25 PM

Clunking, squeaking, creaking, bitching and complaining are not allowed in my Z4!!!!!

With that said, are all TC Kline setups noisy/clunky? WHat causes the clunk? Maybe installation error?

mickfo · 01-21-2013, 12:45 PM

I have TCK S/A's on order and will be getting them installed hopefully in the next few weeks. It is my understanding that only the D/A's clunk and especially the fronts in our car. I am told the S/A's do not make noise, but will find out for sure soon enough.

seank · 01-21-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donoman

Clunking, squeaking, creaking, bitching and complaining are not allowed in my Z4!!!!!

With that said, are all TC Kline setups noisy/clunky? WHat causes the clunk? Maybe installation error?

They said it was a design flaw of the koni for DA's only that makes the noise.

Kgolf31 · 01-21-2013, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donoman

Clunking, squeaking, creaking, bitching and complaining are not allowed in my Z4!!!!!

With that said, are all TC Kline setups noisy/clunky? WHat causes the clunk? Maybe installation error?

It is the way they are valved.

Personally, I didn't find it annoying at all.

Spreadsheet · 01-23-2013, 11:13 PM

For slightly more, you can get AST product from Vorshlag at http://www.vorshlag.com
AST 4100 Monotube Coilover Struts & Shocks (BMW E46 & E46 M3)
- Camber Plates Vorshlag Front Plates and Perches
- Car Model Z4M
- Front Springs 550 lbs/in
- Rear Shock Mounts AST Rear Shock Mounts
- Rear Springs 650 lbs/in
- RSM Reinforcement Yes Please!
-You want their GTS package
For a price at about $2,427.

I have this kit installed, very quiet and to me rides as good or better than stock other than over sharp edges.

Hope this helps.

01-18-2013, 03:27 PM	#1
donoman Rookie 33 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i 5MT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (1)	Which coilover kit? Ground Control, AST or TCKline? Budget: $2000 Requirements: 1-3 trackdays per year, DAILY DRIVER, Cross-Country roadtrip capable (cannot be deafening) Intention: Replace stock suspension and wheels mostly for looks and handling. Looks like I have 2 options: 1) Ground Control "E46-like" kit with Touring (non-race) camber plates: $1650: (http://www.ground-control-store.com/...ion.php/II=693) 2) TC Kline True Match S/A kit: $1776 (http://www.tcklineracing.com/webdocs...Details149.cfm) 3) AST 4100: $2045 (http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...-struts-shocks) Honestly they all look the same to me, except the GC kit comes with camber plates which makes it the best bang for the buck. Any comments? Thanks, y'all!!! __________________ 2003 Z4 2.5i 2013 FR-S 1990 911 C2 1983 Wife
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01-18-2013, 03:30 PM	#2
Beedub Major General 423 Rep 5,328 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	i simply cant recommend GC.... when i was looking at them, i came across soooo many failed parts, incorrect parts shipped, and imo their customer service BLOWs ASS!! i emailed them many times and never once got a response back, their products do the business when working and dialed but i feel their support is severly lacking... ASTs are right up their with the best imo!! lovely stuff!! __________________ Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build. Multi award winning Detailing \| Wrap \| PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
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01-18-2013, 03:44 PM	#3
donoman Rookie 33 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i 5MT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (1)	Hey Beedub, I also have been e-mailing GC with no response but did reach a nice gent on the phone, who directed me to the "non-race" camber plates. However I am a little worried based on all the info I have been reading here about poor quality control. Last thing I want is to have my car in the air with all 4 struts off to figure out the stuff they gave me doesn't fit!!! With that said, I've run GC coilovers on my Miata and they were made well. DTL __________________ 2003 Z4 2.5i 2013 FR-S 1990 911 C2 1983 Wife
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01-18-2013, 04:16 PM	#4
Beedub Major General 423 Rep 5,328 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	HOLD ON!!!!!! check this out........ Tell him B-dub sent you!! http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=44766 get on these, choice of springs, brand new and STILL even shipped will be a massive saving!!! GOD has been good to you!! game OVEr. __________________ Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build. Multi award winning Detailing \| Wrap \| PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-18-2013, 06:40 PM	#5
donoman Rookie 33 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i 5MT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (1)	Shoot! Would be great if he was in the USA! __________________ 2003 Z4 2.5i 2013 FR-S 1990 911 C2 1983 Wife
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01-19-2013, 09:22 AM	#7
itdnwiwbp Major 80 Rep 1,443 Posts Drives: 330iZHP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	I was trying to decide what suspension to go with for quite awhile and was considering everything from H&R (originally because all I wanted was ride height adjustability) to KWs and everything in between. I avoided GC for the reasons Beedub has mentioned, ended up passing on H&R because of lack of adjustability, and passed on Bilstein because they come with variable rate springs. I bought TCK D/As (thought S/As would have been perfectly adequate) with TCK camber plates in the end. Just got them installed last month but they're not dialed in yet. I just drove it home from the shop and stored it cause I've been out of town for a couple of weeks. My first impression was some noise from the rears as I expected but ride comfort was surprisingly nice (400/500 springs). Of course all of this will most likely change in a week after everything is corner balanced and aligned. Just my brief .02 from making the same decisions it sounds like you're working on. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2013, 09:24 AM	#8
itdnwiwbp Major 80 Rep 1,443 Posts Drives: 330iZHP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	These are outside of the price range you mentioned but they're a hell of a deal. I'd have snapped them up if I hadn't bought my parts a few weeks before: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781238. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2013, 11:02 AM	#10
itdnwiwbp Major 80 Rep 1,443 Posts Drives: 330iZHP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	I'm corner balancing because it's asinine to buy an expensive adjustable suspension and not do it. I'm not corner balancing for looks, I'm corner balancing for performance. If totally bangin' street looks were my only goal I would have gone with H&Rs (but don't take that as a knock, anyone running them. Just stating fact.) Of course I will be in the passenger seat or it will be properly weighted for the corner balance. When it truely matters during autocross I won't have a passenger. I'm paying $150 to have the car corner balanced after it is aligned. Any other concerns? __________________ Last edited by itdnwiwbp; 01-19-2013 at 11:32 AM..
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01-19-2013, 12:22 PM	#11
donoman Rookie 33 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i 5MT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (1)	Part of the reason to have coil overs is to corner balance. If you've ever had it done, you'd realize it's not a very drastic change from corner to corner to get the right balance. Mostly it helps with even transitions from left to right. The front to back balancing we usually compensate with our feet and those pedals!!! Thanks for the suggestions on the TCKlines. What kind of noise do you mean? I can't stand clunking in my daily driver. __________________ 2003 Z4 2.5i 2013 FR-S 1990 911 C2 1983 Wife
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2013, 01:40 PM	#12
itdnwiwbp Major 80 Rep 1,443 Posts Drives: 330iZHP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	It's a light clunk. If you go with S/As you should be fine in that regard. I can't vouch for them personally but I've never heard anyone have any complaints about noise from them. __________________
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01-19-2013, 02:18 PM	#13
Kgolf31 Brigadier General 460 Rep 4,531 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (4)	I've drove a TCK car fitted with DAs and clunks only happen at parking lot speeds. When properly corner balanced, the adjustments with rebound and compression make the car so much more powerful and adjustable.
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01-20-2013, 12:15 AM	#15
seank enthusiast 48 Rep 1,695 Posts Drives: e30 m3,e90 wagon,sprinter,z4m Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: sacramento, ca iTrader: (4)	My DA tckline's are very noisy all the time, and worse when cold. Annoying. My 2 cents
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01-21-2013, 03:52 AM	#17
Coenz4 New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Nederland iTrader: (0)	Hi Guys, the AST set Beedub is talking about is mine.. and I am willing to ship them to the US but no idea yet what the price of shipping is yet. IF you want me to find out, drop me a message with your full adres. Or mail me at coendekorte (at) hot mail (dot) com Thanks! Coen Last edited by Coenz4; 01-21-2013 at 05:15 AM..
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01-21-2013, 12:25 PM	#18
donoman Rookie 33 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i 5MT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (1)	Clunking, squeaking, creaking, bitching and complaining are not allowed in my Z4!!!!! With that said, are all TC Kline setups noisy/clunky? WHat causes the clunk? Maybe installation error? __________________ 2003 Z4 2.5i 2013 FR-S 1990 911 C2 1983 Wife
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-21-2013, 12:45 PM	#19
mickfo Private 4 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SE Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	I have TCK S/A's on order and will be getting them installed hopefully in the next few weeks. It is my understanding that only the D/A's clunk and especially the fronts in our car. I am told the S/A's do not make noise, but will find out for sure soon enough.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2013, 11:13 PM	#22
Spreadsheet Enlisted Member 5 Rep 48 Posts Drives: Black 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK iTrader: (0)	For slightly more, you can get AST product from Vorshlag at http://www.vorshlag.com AST 4100 Monotube Coilover Struts & Shocks (BMW E46 & E46 M3) - Camber Plates Vorshlag Front Plates and Perches - Car Model Z4M - Front Springs 550 lbs/in - Rear Shock Mounts AST Rear Shock Mounts - Rear Springs 650 lbs/in - RSM Reinforcement Yes Please! -You want their GTS package For a price at about $2,427. I have this kit installed, very quiet and to me rides as good or better than stock other than over sharp edges. Hope this helps.
	Appreciate 0 Quote