Installed TC Kline Coilovers today :)

[Charles1]

I arrived at TC Kline in Santa Barbra today at 9:00AM and was welcomed by a fleet of new M3s, M5s, and other high priced cars. The shop was clean, organized and inviting. Inside large posters of magazine articles covered the walls. Most notably the Carbon Coupe, which you can pick up for just shy of 100K.

I had the opportunity to meet TC (who happened to be in SB) in person for the first time as he pulled my 135i into the installation bay. TC and Mark are both fist class personable guys. Without hesitation Mark had the wheels off the car and started removing suspension bits.

TC and I took this time to confirm the shop notes on stock spring rates for the 135 and new M3. Note there was a +/-20 lbs variance through the spring’s range of motion.

135i
Front 120 lbs
Rear 340 lbs

Shorty after my photo session the car was reassembled and final adjustments began. The car was set up aprox 1.25” below stock with a .75” rake. The alignment was set and we went out for a test drive.

TC was driving and I had an ear-to-ear grin when we pulled out onto Garden St. We quickly approached a large dip in the road. Nervous I clinched in anticipation of harsh jolt. TC laughed as we calmly cleared the obstacle. I was shocked how well the car handled the rough Santa Barbra city streets. No matter what dip or pothole we hit the car remained calm composed and free of overly harsh jarring upsets.

We returned to the shop to check the alignment and complete the final tuning before lunch. 30 min or so pasted as TC and Mark tweaked and tuned the setup. The car was complete around 12:00, well this part anyway. After lunch I headed back home.

The drive from Santa Barbra to Ventura has one of the worst stretches of poorly maintained highway in Sothern California. I was about to find out how good the TC Kline DA setup really was. Again to my surprise no jarring, no bouncing, no harsh movements just smooth sailing. It’s hard to describe the car is noticeably stiff and solid but seems to have a better ride than before.

I hit some local back roads and large empty parking lots to get a feel for any performance improvement. The car seems to have a neutral balance with crazy turn-in. Unfortunately I don’t think I will have an idea of the real increase until I hit the next autox and get tires on the car.

If anyone has questions please ask…

[professor]

good show! but what are the stock spring rates? can't wait to see more of your posts here!!

[Charles1]

From our tests...

Front 120-125 lbs.
Rear Progressive 300 - 350 lbs.

M3

Front 160 lbs
Rear around 550 lbs

Cheers,

Charles

[Charles1]

Review & stance photos to follow...

[ekim952522000]

Looks Very nice!

[adam135aoc]

wow! yes those are nice!

[Charles1]

Stance...

[larryn]

Looks good Charles! I hope you post up a review, when you get some decent seat time in it. It's looking good though.. about the studs pic.. those are some HUGE studs. I assume you are setting up for spacers.

[professor]

ditto, really nice stance. how much lower is it compared to stock, charles?

[Charles1]

Larryn, they are a bit big and ugly. Went with long studs until I figure wheels and spacer requirements. I will adjust later if needed.

I will post a review soon.

[coolguy]

Originally Posted by Charles1

Larryn, they are a bit big and ugly. Went with long studs until I figure wheels and spacer requirements. I will adjust later if needed.

I will post a review soon.

How much does it cost for the parts n labor? Thx

[Charles1]

I arrived at TC Kline in Santa Barbra today at 9:00AM and was welcomed by a fleet of new M3s, M5s, and other high priced cars. The shop was clean, organized and inviting. Inside large posters of magazine articles covered the walls. Most notably the Carbon Coupe, which you can pick up for just shy of 100K.

I had the opportunity to meet TC (who happened to be in SB) in person for the first time as he pulled my 135i into the installation bay. TC and Mark are both fist class personable guys. Without hesitation Mark had the wheels off the car and started removing suspension bits.

TC and I took this time to confirm the shop notes on stock spring rates for the 135 and new M3. Note there was a +/-20 lbs variance through the spring’s range of motion.

135i
Front 120 lbs
Rear 340 lbs

Shorty after my photo session the car was reassembled and final adjustments began. The car was set up aprox 1.25” below stock with a .75” rake. The alignment was set and we went out for a test drive.

TC was driving and I had an ear-to-ear grin when we pulled out onto Garden St. We quickly approached a large dip in the road. Nervous I clinched in anticipation of harsh jolt. TC laughed as we calmly cleared the obstacle. I was shocked how well the car handled the rough Santa Barbra city streets. No matter what dip or pothole we hit the car remained calm composed and free of overly harsh jarring upsets.

We returned to the shop to check the alignment and complete the final tuning before lunch. 30 min or so pasted as TC and Mark tweaked and tuned the setup. The car was complete around 12:00, well this part anyway. After lunch I headed back home.

The drive from Santa Barbra to Ventura has one of the worst stretches of poorly maintained highway in Sothern California. I was about to find out how good the TC Kline DA setup really was. Again to my surprise no jarring, no bouncing, no harsh movements just smooth sailing. It’s hard to describe the car is noticeably stiff and solid but seems to have a better ride than before.

I hit some local back roads and large empty parking lots to get a feel for any performance improvement. The car seems to have a neutral balance with crazy turn-in. Unfortunately I don’t think I will have an idea of the real increase until I hit the next autox and get tires on the car.

If anyone has questions please ask…

[professor]

thanks for that review charles and for the very vivid description. just to confirm, you have the tc camber plates as well, right? also, what is the lowering range that the coilover's ride-height adjustment feature allows? is what you went for the lowest, highest or somewhere in between?

[Charles1]

Originally Posted by professor

thanks for that review charles and for the very vivid description. just to confirm, you have the tc camber plates as well, right? also, what is the lowering range that the coilover's ride-height adjustment feature allows? is what you went for the lowest, highest or somewhere in between?

Professor, We did install the TC camber plates. The current ride is somewhere in the middle of the adjustment range. I would say you could go up or down +1"

[blackbubblebum]

So what about shocks?

[professor]

charles, i have no compunction in admitting that your posts have put serious doubts in my head. i was so sure on kw v3s (for their speed-dependent compression damping) and now this gives me serious reason for pause! choices, choices!

[Charles1]

Originally Posted by professor

charles, i have no compunction in admitting that your posts have put serious doubts in my head. i was so sure on kw v3s (for their speed-dependent compression damping) and now this gives me serious reason for pause! choices, choices!

I can’t speak in regards to KW. My brother and I put serious cash into other suspension systems and always went back to Koni (TC runs a custom Koni).

I would recommend calling TC Kline and speaking with TC directly.

[Charles1]

Originally Posted by jzhang1013

So what about shocks?

I am not sure what you asking? The TC Kline DA is build on a mod Koni.

[blackbubblebum]

ahhh ahh i see now..

[MINI135i]

Awsome stuff!

What were the alignment specs they used (camber and toe especially, front and rear)?

Where did they start you on compression and rebound settings?

Still running stock sway bars correct? Did they speculate on what size sways they might suggest front and rear?

Thanks for blazing the trail!

[Charles1]

Mini135i - I am traveling a don't remember the spec off the top of my head. The car is currently in a street config.

I am planning on upgrading sway bars when adjustable models are available I thing my brother and I are going to rent a local track and test for the day.

Sent via an iPhone.

[FreeBMW.net]

Cost???