Coilovers options for 172 cup

[Darryl_1983]

Looking to freshen up the suspension on my Cup, and with the cost of dampers these days I'm looking at potentially moving to Coilovers, so I'm reviewing options at the cheaper end of the spectrum (approx £750-£1k).

Initially, I just figured I'd throw a set of Bilstein B14's on it, as the car will be 99.9% road driven, and used alongside my Z4 for daily duties. The last thing I'd want is a super stiff track setup.

I understand that BC Racing is another option, and that the spring rates and damping can be changed to suit mainly road driving, along with the adjustability to stiffen and soften the damping once installed on the car, for when taking to track days. Would these be a better option and worth the extra £250 over the Bilsteins? Also, what spring rates would people recommend if moving away from the standard rates supplied?

Are they're any other decent options?

Thanks

 

[Advikaz]

I actually think that BC’s are better than b14’s

 

[Brigsy]

Stick to the bilstein b14, bang on for road use.

Damping adjustment on bc is sketchy at best. Usually bouncy/soft or hard as fcuk from experience.

 

[the_baron_von_richthofen]

I know this isnt what you asked, but there really isnt much wrong with Cup dampers and some lowering springs (grams or Cooksport).

They are very nice to use on track too.

That said, I think the BC's are just out of your budget and like Brigsy says, the B14's have a great reputation for being good on the road.

 

[plenty]

I haven't tried B14s but I am very happy with BC DS series on the Clio platform (and fwiw BC BR series on the E85 Z4 platform).

Having experimented with various spring-rate combinations I've settled on 7F/5R as being ideal (for me) on the road. Which happens to be exactly what Bilstein offers with the Clio B14 kit. BC provides 4.5F/6R by default which is closer to OEM, but this can be customised.

For track you ideally want stiffer at the rear. Easily done simply by fitting heavier springs (dampers valved for 5 kgs rear springs should accommodate up to 8-9 kgs springs without problem).

Note that BC offer different variants, all but one of which include solid top mounts whereas the B14s don't come with top mounts.

 

[Jamie86]

How much are cup dampers and some Eibachs these days? Still one of the best setups for a road car with a rear arb imo

 

[Mr Underhill]

How much are cup dampers and some Eibachs these days? Still one of the best setups for a road car with a rear arb imo

Around £570 vs £740 for Bilstein kit.

 

[16v_paddy]

How much are cup dampers and some Eibachs these days? Still one of the best setups for a road car with a rear arb imo

A set of Eibachs are about £275 but the shocks are unavailable from anywhere atm except 182 Cup items & they're the best part of £180 each

I need new shocks for my daily 172 but with what's available right now and the cost, it's not much of a jump in price to coilovers. I'm seriously considering getting some B14's on my 172 Cup and fitting the not very old stuff onto my daily

 

[npt]

Bilstein is all you'll need, I ordered mine direct from Germany years ago which was much cheaper, I guess you still can, I couldn't find the link I used though 🫣

 

[Darryl_1983]

I actually think that BC’s are better than b14’s

This for Road use or track, or both? I've seen some complaints about the Bilsteins being too soft on track, but also a thread or two about them also being too stiff. I know the setup and feel are subjective, so just gathering some opinions at this stage before committing.

Stick to the bilstein b14, bang on for road use.

Damping adjustment on bc is sketchy at best. Usually bouncy/soft or hard as fcuk from experience.

I've not seen too many bad reviews of the BC yet, though i guess the issue with these is that spring rates can be vastly different between two sets.

I know this isnt what you asked, but there really isnt much wrong with Cup dampers and some lowering springs (grams or Cooksport).

They are very nice to use on track too.

That said, I think the BC's are just out of your budget and like Brigsy says, the B14's have a great reputation for being good on the road.

I've had 11 mk2 RS Clio's now, and I've always fancied switching to coilovers, so it's more of a want than a need. But as mentioned, it's not such a big gap between going cup dampers and lowering springs to decent coilovers these days.

As with all car related purchases, the budget is loose. Though I need to consider that I've just sold a perfectly suitable 330d E91, to daily a 172 cup. I may regret that over the next few months. So don't want to overspend, and be massively out of pocket if I decide to go back down the sensible route.

I haven't tried B14s but I am very happy with BC DS series on the Clio platform (and fwiw BC BR series on the E85 Z4 platform).

Having experimented with various spring-rate combinations I've settled on 7F/5R as being ideal (for me) on the road. Which happens to be exactly what Bilstein offers with the Clio B14 kit. BC provides 4.5F/6R by default which is closer to OEM, but this can be customised.

For track you ideally want stiffer at the rear. Easily done simply by fitting heavier springs (dampers valved for 5 kgs rear springs should accommodate up to 8-9 kgs springs without problem).

Note that BC offer different variants, all but one of which include solid top mounts whereas the B14s don't come with top mounts.

My Z4 definitely needs to be a little stiffer, but I think I'm going to switch to a shorter ratio diff I've got in the garage to trial before installing a blackline diff (may go shorter). At least that's the plan. It's currently on Eibach springs, but seems a little too soft when spiritedly driving around Lincolnshire recently.

I assume you went with custom spring rates with the BC's , did you trial many other spring rates? Looking at KAM Racing website, it seems like the typical options are as you noted as standard, then a variety of track setup ratings.

Noted regarding the top mounts, i was actually thinking about going solid top mounts too, just because the standard Renault setup seems crap. I've just replaced mine for a new set of SNR items hoping this would cure my knocking, it definitely helped, but still seems to be knowing. and i can't fully rule out the top mounts still.



I guess the other option is to fit Koni dampers from Autodoc at a little over £500, plus the springs.

I'm leaning towards the Bilsteins currently, just as they're a fit and forget setup, along with being cheaper than the BC's

 

[Advikaz]

This for Road use or track, or both? I've seen some complaints about the Bilsteins being too soft on track, but also a thread or two about them also being too stiff. I know the setup and feel are subjective, so just gathering some opinions at this stage before committing.



I've not seen too many bad reviews of the BC yet, though i guess the issue with these is that spring rates can be vastly different between two sets.


I've had 11 mk2 RS Clio's now, and I've always fancied switching to coilovers, so it's more of a want than a need. But as mentioned, it's not such a big gap between going cup dampers and lowering springs to decent coilovers these days.

As with all car related purchases, the budget is loose. Though I need to consider that I've just sold a perfectly suitable 330d E91, to daily a 172 cup. I may regret that over the next few months. So don't want to overspend, and be massively out of pocket if I decide to go back down the sensible route.



My Z4 definitely needs to be a little stiffer, but I think I'm going to switch to a shorter ratio diff I've got in the garage to trial before installing a blackline diff (may go shorter). At least that's the plan. It's currently on Eibach springs, but seems a little too soft when spiritedly driving around Lincolnshire recently.

I assume you went with custom spring rates with the BC's , did you trial many other spring rates? Looking at KAM Racing website, it seems like the typical options are as you noted as standard, then a variety of track setup ratings.

Noted regarding the top mounts, i was actually thinking about going solid top mounts too, just because the standard Renault setup seems crap. I've just replaced mine for a new set of SNR items hoping this would cure my knocking, it definitely helped, but still seems to be knowing. and i can't fully rule out the top mounts still.



I guess the other option is to fit Koni dampers from Autodoc at a little over £500, plus the springs.

I'm leaning towards the Bilsteins currently, just as they're a fit and forget setup, along with being cheaper than the BC's

Both road and track.

The joy with the BC’s is you can wind on the preload and stiffen them up.

 

[Darryl_1983]

I've still not pulled the trigger on any of these, as I'm going back and forth.

I think either way, I want to upgrade the top mounts to fixed. So, pricing becomes pretty much the same for the two options.

Both road and track.

The joy with the BC’s is you can wind on the preload and stiffen them up.

Do you know what spring ratings you're using?


Looking at spring rates for lowering springs, Kam Racing notes that the Grams lowering springs are 3.57kg/mm (F) and 5.8kg/mm (R). So I'm thinking that the default BC option of 4.5kg (F) & 6kg (R), would actually be a good starting point. I'm not sure how this would translate on the road with the damping and adjustment available, but I'd guess slightly stiffer than running lowering springs.

 

[Advikaz]

I've still not pulled the trigger on any of these, as I'm going back and forth.

I think either way, I want to upgrade the top mounts to fixed. So, pricing becomes pretty much the same for the two options.


Do you know what spring ratings you're using?


Looking at spring rates for lowering springs, Kam Racing notes that the Grams lowering springs are 3.57kg/mm (F) and 5.8kg/mm (R). So I'm thinking that the default BC option of 4.5kg (F) & 6kg (R), would actually be a good starting point. I'm not sure how this would translate on the road with the damping and adjustment available, but I'd guess slightly stiffer than running lowering springs.

I’ll check mate