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Suspension Springs, sway bars, shocks.

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Old 06-07-2008, 02:46 PM   #1
marko
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Thumbs down FCUK BavAuto! rant

holly crap, I do not remember being this disappointed, like ever!

just about a couple years ago I purchased Bavarian Autosport springs & Billstein shocks for my car - and have had them on since then.

Though it looks ok (lowered & all), I always thought the ride generally sucked.. too soft & 'wavy' on some occasions & bottoming out harshly over potholes on other occasions - but I just attributed it to BMWs being tempermental when it came to aftermarket parts (having owned a WV Gti before).

anyway, out of boredom, I called Bav Auto today just to find what other suspension set ups they have for sale (as I'm contemplating coils) - and while on the phone with some clown I asked if their Bav Auto springs are PROGRESSIVE RATE (which is really a 101 of ANY suspension upgrades - and basically a MUST for lowered vehicles).
Well, guess what, they are NOT! And why, well 'I dont know' says the expert technical advisor, 'thats just how they come from the factory'?!

WTF? How the fcuk do you sell non-progressive rate performance LOWERING springs & get away with it?? F-ing TOOLS!
FCUK Bav Auto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bunch of amateurs...

Silver linning - now, after 2 years of a s*it ride (mostly due to my my pre-assumtion that ALL lowering 'performance' springs are progressive rate - VWs spoiled me) - I FINALLY know why my car fels like S*IT.

DON'T BUY Bavarian Autosport springs for your ti (or anything else, if you can help it)!

end of rant...
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Old 06-07-2008, 03:31 PM   #2
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Default Made in Taiwan

Unfortunately, they are generic "sport/lowering" springs outsourced from Taiwan. I worked at Racing Dynamics and saw the shipments came in and they repainted them to match RD colors. Bavauto also sources some of their products from the same manufacturer in Taiwan..........so.....
When it comes to parts like that, I always try to spend the extra $$ for well known brands.
Sorry to hear about your suspension issues. I also cheaped out in the beginning and ended up spending more. I have H&R sport springs and currently Konis up front and Bils in the back. Originally, I got KYB shocks all around............they sucked and the rears blew after 6 months, so spent more on Konis and Bils afterwards.
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Old 06-07-2008, 03:49 PM   #3
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Progressive rate springs are usually used on street cars. True performance springs are not progressive rate. Progressive rate springs give a better ride, not better handling. Linear springs give better/more consistent handling, but may not be the best choice for a daily driver. Of course, cheap linear springs are not going to be as good as a properly engineered suspension using good linear rate springs(vogtland, penske, H&R.)

You can easily look at the springs and tell if they are progressive as the distance between the coils will change..

These fronts are progressive rates springs-

These fronts do not look like progressive rate springs-


The most important thing about a suspension is that it must all work together as a system. For that reason I would recommend buying from a vendor that really knows what they are doing with suspensions. For our cars, that is ground control, or TcKline.

These are tckline, linear rate springs(made by vogtland.)
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Old 06-07-2008, 04:08 PM   #4
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When I first bought my I made a couple purchases from BAVAUTO. I was unhappy with them from the start and never went back. They sell a lot of cheap crap and their prices aren't very good either.

I strictly buy from PelicanParts, AutohausAZ, and TischerBMW, although that's for replacement parts not "upgrades"
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Old 06-07-2008, 04:09 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marko View Post
... VWs spoiled me ...
Amen to that!
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Old 06-07-2008, 04:29 PM   #6
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point taken - you live & you learn, I guess...



[QUOTE=mohaughn;177714]The most important thing about a suspension is that it must all work together as a system. For that reason I would recommend buying from a vendor that really knows what they are doing with suspensions. For our cars, that is ground control, or TcKline.
[QUOTE]
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Old 06-07-2008, 05:22 PM   #7
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I'm glad this thread popped up. I'm looking for some suspension tips, I need new stuff BADLY. Car still can takes turns at 80 though 8D
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Old 06-07-2008, 09:02 PM   #8
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quality products usually cost a it more but really its worth it sometimes!
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Old 06-07-2008, 09:40 PM   #9
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Nearly without exception, it will be cheaper to do it right the first time.

I've not had the best experience with BavAuto either. I know one of the guys is a ti owner (and maybe he's on these boards) but I found his tone both condescending and elitist. Half the reason I buy from a vendor is for their experience and know-how; if I have to fight to get it, or take some snippy tone while receiving that information, I'm taking my money elsewhere.
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Old 06-07-2008, 09:48 PM   #10
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I've actually never had any problems with bavauto either of the times I went down there, I thought the guys behind the counter were pretty polite and helpful, maybe I just got lucky?
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Old 06-07-2008, 10:15 PM   #11
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Marko will get you yet bavauto!


on a side note, Hey Fariz (weezer) - Long time no see dude.
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Old 06-07-2008, 10:27 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiFreak View Post
I've actually never had any problems with bavauto either of the times I went down there, I thought the guys behind the counter were pretty polite and helpful, maybe I just got lucky?
Maybe your wife is sexy as heck
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Old 06-08-2008, 12:51 AM   #13
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Pauly doesn't have enough money to buy a wife just yet...

russianbrides.com - theres some cheap ones on there for ya buddy, as long as you don't mind a little upper lip hair .... beggers can't be choosers.
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Old 06-08-2008, 01:49 AM   #14
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Quote:
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russianbrides.com
holy crap! it's a real site! oooh... Natalia, I like her
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Old 06-08-2008, 01:54 AM   #15
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I boycotted BavAuto when they started selling a breath analyzer.
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