Ground Control Spring Coilover Kit REVIEW

Had the ground control kit installed yesterday at Group 2 Motorsports which is a fantastic shop. I opted for the 440 lb/in front and 600 lb/in rear springs. Watched the entire installation. I have only driven it for about 30 minutes but I'm very pleased. This, in my opinion, is a better daily driver than the H&R springs I replaced. It is firmer but in no way is it uncomfortable or jarring. And there is significant decrease in body roll and this car really feels planted now. I kept the ride height essentially the same as I had with the H&R springs. This setup will go really low if that is what you want but I see no advantage to that. So far I am very pleased and can't wait until next week when I get to try it out at Pacific Raceways with the Alfa club.

Is the ride "bouncy" at all?

STALKER wrote

Is the ride "bouncy" at all?

Not at all. It was somewhat with H&R springs, but this is not at all. Now have a ton of camber in front and turn in is amazing.

I have yet to see a price for this...anywhere! Can someone PM me or post the price?

Approx $900.

do you know how it compares to eibach, and how is the edc adjustability, totally gone, pretty much gone, barely gone, not gone? 900 seems like a pretty good price. is my dd, and live in city, with a few trackdays a city, worth it? want to maintain as much stock (more edc than comfort) as possible. and earlier was mentioned they make the setup cater to the customer, ie. different ride for different needs? any help would be appreciative...

I wouldn't recommend it for dd -- unless u are used to stiffer cars
My experience is with the stiffer spring'd kit -- but I think GC has a softer version which would probably be as comfy as the Eibachs

If u want to lower the car but stay comfort -- go with the Eibachs or talk to GC about the softer spring'd kit

If you want performance while keeping the EDC go with this GC kit.

Anyone with the GC 440 lb/in front and 600 lb/in rear spring kit ever driven or rode in a Z4M? If so, how would you compare the ride to that (not handling, but harshness, noise, vibration, bumpiness, etc.)?

I got to drive Dawgdog's car yesterday for an extended time. It was mainly to get a feel for the Akrapovic exhaust in various conditions since I am seriously considering it. My car is also my kid carrier so I want to make sure it's livable.

With that said, I was most impressed with the GC kit on Dawgdog's car. It is firm but very well controlled. And actually not that uncomfortable. The car felt very planted. I liked it. They only drawback to me is the fact that although the EDC remains fully functional, it's hard to tell any difference between the 3 settings.

Everyone still happy with their kits?
Any new reviews/comments to add?

I'm still happy. But I would like the front to drop more. I have it at the lowest setting and it's not low enough. I'm going to get a hold of Jay and see if he has shorter springs.

4 pages and still no pics?

A, before install (pics 1, 2, 3)

B, after install / ride height adjustment / corner balancing... (pics 4, 5)

C, after ride height adjustment, again... (pics 6, 7, 8)

D, some crappy 'under the skin' shots (pics 9, 10)

^TWS eh? I am in H town too and I will let you know next time we go out to TWS/MSRH.

^ Yes, Sir! That would be awesome

Nice thread. I'm considering the GC kit too. Thanks for all of the info guys!

spoke with Jay today....pretty sweet kit.

snook wrote

spoke with Jay today....pretty sweet kit.

Damm snook - been a long time....
This kit is awesome for the money and if you want to keep EDC

mastek, i've been considering this kit of late... do you know how much lower i'd be able to get my zcp suspension using this kit?

truth be told i'd be buying the c/o kit primarily for its aesthetics, and the fact that it retains edc, but since i live in LA i can't always keep my car that low. i like that i'd be able to retain EDC while having the adjustability of a coilover kit.

do you have any thoughts on whether this GC kit would serve my purpose well and what kind of a drop I could get out of this kit as compared to a stock zcp suspension? also what are your thoughts about this suspension now all these months later?

thanks in advance,
-esquire

Had this setup on my '11 zcp and liked it a lot especially in the sport/firm setting on track. The revised programming for the firm setting works really well imo. Normal setting allowed for too much body motion imo on track and was good for normal street use. I used comfort sparingly (mainly on bad pavement) as it was too much body motion for my tastes.

As far as lowering, the usual spring combo you get will go as low as you want in the rear and not a lot more in the front. You can spec shorter front springs and again, go as low as you want. Best thing to do is call GC and talk to Jay about any questions. He won't steer you wrong....

Bottom line is this is the best bang for the buck suspension for the e90/92 M3 IMO.

GL!
BC

esquire wrote

mastek, i've been considering this kit of late... do you know how much lower i'd be able to get my zcp suspension using this kit?

truth be told i'd be buying the c/o kit primarily for its aesthetics, and the fact that it retains edc, but since i live in LA i can't always keep my car that low. i like that i'd be able to retain EDC while having the adjustability of a coilover kit.

do you have any thoughts on whether this GC kit would serve my purpose well and what kind of a drop I could get out of this kit as compared to a stock zcp suspension? also what are your thoughts about this suspension now all these months later?

thanks in advance,
-esquire

There is a point with this car where you go too low and your handling characteristics suffer.
The beauty of the GC Kit is adjustability - if your wanting to accomplish slightly lower then ZCP height ....then this kit can do that.
Its when you get into the "dumped" look that your car's handling will suffer.
I have been very happy with this kit for over 8 months now ... and I plan on keeping it for my daily driving.
IMHO, if you want to lower the car, and improve handling, yet retain daily usable comfort -- get the GC Kit --
If you are looking for better handling, then the KW Clubsport Kit .... after that you are building a race suspension.

Let me know if you need this kit installed in SoCal - I would highly recommend a shop in Arcadia that works very close with GC and they installed my kit + after install support.
EUROPEAN MOTORWORKS
626-445-6600
Ask for JOHN - tell him mastek sent you.

Any idea as to whether the KW CS in a lowered setting (say 1" lower than ZCP height in the front) would ride better? I'm guessing it would perform better because it has a better shock?

I was set on springs as it keeps things simple - but the info is so all over the place.
Some people find H&R's too harsh. Some love Eibachs... others don't like Eibachs.....

I don't want a race suspension. I just want a good look and a good ride on 20's and Ideally, I don't want to compromise performance.

So far, I think I'm leaning towards the KW Clubsport. All opinions welcome. I'm ready to make a decision asap. And I will report results, etc