Bilstein PSS or KW Var3?
 

hey guys, I understand that those two set ups are not in the same price category but please hear me out. so I have a friend that works at Bilstein who can get me a set of the new PSS for really really cheap (similar to ST coilvers price). I always swore by Variant 3s as a lot of my friends run them, but recently that love is slowly diminishing as i find their low speed setting a bit bouncy... actually the whole thing a bit too bouncy for my liking.

the goal for this car is that it is 90% daily driven, 10% track or auto cross (4-5 times auto-x and 2-3 track event per year). I have run RE01r`s, RS2s, extreme performance tires before. I would like to run either conti extreme contact or hankook v12 evo... performance tires with enough grip and comfort. I think these tires will give me more oomph yet still retain the idea of "not too much grip" concept of our cars. I would like extreme performance tires if my car was a track car, but for everyday driving the noise level and stiff tirewall is not worth the extra few seconds of a lap time in my daily commute.

for these reasons, I think the Bilstein PSS will be perfect for my application as I dont need bazillion adjustments or the high spring rate; I just want a nice quality dampening system. I am not going to go any lower than the stock ride height either... maybe half an inch or so.. getting out of gas stations is already very hard at a stock ride height in California.

After riding along in a few different set ups, i think somewhere in the region of 350/400 is a good rate for me, but maybe those rates are a bit too stiff to be matched up with the tires I mentioned above. i`m just afraid that I might find the Bilsteins too soft and if I do want to upgrade to something like Swift springs with a bit more oomph, I`m stuck with the dampers pre set from the Bilstein engineers instead of an adjustable set up like the Var 3s.

I am also keeping an eye on the Swift Spec R springs that will be released soon. I think the BRZ is overdamped from the factory and maybe all it really needs is just a bit more spring rate. but then the dampening quality will be OEM which i dont really like.. hmm..

one ride in the bilstein set up would make this decision a bit easier...

also, I`m just an average joe that believe too much in one`s butt dyno, so please feel free to correct/share any knowledge you guys may have on this matter.

Thanks.

You can always get the bilsteins devalved if you find them too soft and higher springs should come out as well.

I was in the same boat I wanted R2s or Tarmac 2s but I don't think I need the adjustable features. I got tarmac 0s and im going to get the LCAs and other suspension goodies, get the 350 springs and a good alignment and never touch the suspension again.

I just wanted something I could wake up and drive to the track, have fun and drive back without spending track time in the pits missing with knobs and settings.

yup. I`m thinking the same thing. I always wanted to be the "track guy" but I noticed that that is not the type of driving I do with my car. one spring rate for track and street driving is probably very hopeful, especially for the amount of money I am going to spend, but something that is street-oriented that can be tracked is something that I`m looking for.

Plus, a track is usually made up of very smooth road. I would imagine a fast track car with high spring rate doesnt necessarily translate as a fast street car where there`s bumps and crevices on the road.

i saw this... i dont think i need something that fancy/expensive

Realistically, for what you are describing you should go with the Bilsteins. They usually put out fantastic stuff and their pre-set damping should be tuned with a sporty ride in mind but also be civil for street use everyday. I haven't ridden in a BRZ with the PSS kits but I have ridden in other cars and these kits are very nice.

I wouldn't worry about it being too soft, Bilsteins tend to be a little on the firmer side compared to other companies offerings.

If you really needed just a little extra stiffness you should be able to go up slightly in springrate both front and rear and still be within the damping range on the dampers. Swift is the choice I would make for that.

We sell a lot of Bilstein stuff to our Euro customers!

I'd love to offer you a sale but you'll be getting these for a steal apparently haha, so have fun with them!


-Tristan

Seconding this. I've never ridden on them but have heard Bilsteins are on the firmer (and in some subjective cases, less comfortable) than most coils.

YMMV.

Thanks for the input guys.

I understand the attraction to not having to play but what if you're finding out rides too harsh now you can't do anything about it right? Being mostly DD as well you would be wanting comfort yes? I was in same boat went adjustable and glad I did it's not that hard and once you find your two happy spots it takes only minutes to change. Each to their own for sure. If you're getting them cheap try em out and if not your bag sell em and cut even. Let us know impressions. Last bit advice day b4 swapping drive specific roads you are familiar with and note speeds taken, once new stuff on take those same exact roads drive same manner and speed this way it's all fresh in mind and you'll know.