Re: ///M6 DINAN Stage 1 Suspension ???

[Jerry Brown <jerbrown@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dennis,

Yes, Dinan's Stage 1 Load Level Leveling Replacement system is good. I
have it on my '88 635 CSi, with Konis up front and Bilsteins in the
back. However, as installed by Dinan (for the P.O.), I was not happy
with it, so I dropped the spring perch on the rear Bilsteins to their
lowest stop, and handling is greatly enhanced.

In addition, I've added larger, adjustable sway bars (25mm/19mm) and a
strut tower brace. Both were worth even more handling improvement.

A number of places offer similar setups for 6ers. Tire Rack or Turner
Motorsport (and others) should have H&R and Eibach, Korman has a
setup... and I'm sure there're others. 

FWIW, my opinion of Dinan's stuff of which I'm familiar, is that while
it appears to be well-engineered and quality-manufactured, it is *quite*
expensive; not usually your best value, as it were. For example, the
strut brace and sway bars I mentioned above cost me substantially less
than half of Dinan's prices. Don't take this as a knock on Dinan:
obviously I don't fall in their target market - plenty of people buy
their parts and services are quite happy with them. :-)

BTW, a few folks on the Big Coupe list race their 635 CSis and ///M6s
regularly. I run my car in SCCA Auto-Xs (ESP Class), and while I don't
usually embarrass myself too badly, I can tell you the car is a better
Auto-Xer than I. :-)

Good luck,
- -jerry

"DENNIS J. LOGAN" wrote:
> 
> I own a 1988 M6 with the hydraulic Load Leveling Suspension system.
> The Load Leveling system is going out in the car.
> The rear suspension, occasionally, for no reason goes up and down.
> This happens sometimes when the car sitting still and even sometimes
> when the car is in motion. It is very diving me CRAZY!
> 
> I understand to repair or replace the system is very expensive.
> I previously owned a 635csi that I had a Bilstein sport suspension
> installed, which I was very please with. The car handled better and
> looked better because it was lower.
> 
> I also understand that DINAN has a very good "Stage 1 (w/Bilstein),
> Load Level Eliminating Suspension System" for about $1200 for the M6.
> It has performance springs, Bilstein front struts inserts, shocks and
> the load leveling Elimination kit.
> 
> Does anyone have any information or comments about this system?
> 
> I have attended a couple of drivers schools with the car, but the M6 is
> really too big and heavy race seriously.
> I am more interested how it feels on normal roads and how
> much it lowers the car.
> 
> I have several questions:
> 
> - How does the suspension ride while driving normally?
> - How does the system handle while driving aggressively?
> - How much lower does the car sit?
> - How many hours of labor should I expect to pay to have it installed?
> - Are there any other better systems available?
> 
> I am wanting to do sometime real soon.
> Please e-mail ASAP with comments and advise.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Dennis Logan

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