Digressive valved coilovers, PSS9 or BC Racing DS series?

[Browsky]

I know everyone that has reviewed the pss9 have loved them but hear my out for a second. I autoX my car quite frequently and looking for a set of digressive coilovers with linear springs. This is what brought me to the BC racing DS series, particularly with the swift springs. It appears that the pss9 comes with progressive springs by the looks of the pictures on tire rack, but ecstuning has two sets of bilstein coilovers, one looks like the ones on tirerack with progressive springs and the other is the pss9 with what look to be linear springs, would love if someone could confirm as other sites say the pss9 comes with progressive springs.

The DS series with swift spring comes out to just under $1600 and from what I have seen pss9 seem to be around $1800-1900 depending on site.

Would love some reviews of people that have gone with BCs

[mcraej1]

Well this may help your decision but the pss9 is backordered for at least 3-4 months. I had my heart set on getting them and know distributors that had orders since January that haven’t been filled as of last week.


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[funkypterodacty]

The DS series is their latest offering, I'm willing to bet no one here even has a set yet so don't expect much if any feedback on those with these chassis. However, a few people have the BR series and have had nothing but positive things to say regarding them, myself included. I don't personally have BC coils on my car but I helped a friend install some recently on his EVO X and must say, I'm thoroughly impressed by how they perform. His didn't even come with the Swift Spring upgrade, which would undoubtedly increase the level of performance. For their entry level coilover system, I think the price/performance is incredible. When I'm in a position to afford to upgrade I too will be looking at the DS series.

Not too many people in general run BC racing coilovers for this platform or Audis in general, they are typically found on EVOs and M3s.

[Browsky]

Ok well with that back order issue and wanting to get something on for this autoX season I'm going to go with the DS, I'll be sure to post a review as more info only helps the the community


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[Matt Devo]

I currently have the BC Racing DS series installed on my RS4, with 12k/14k Swift springs. I think this comment from another vendor/distributor sums up my feelings about them:

I'm actually kind of surprised to hear that you're running the BC DS (formerly DR) series coilover on the street - this is an extremely bold choice as the DR series is not forgiving on the street - it actually rides, well, poorly if I'm being blunt about the matter. Seeing as that I have had a BC Racing account for years, and am well versed in shock technology, this setup is really a track based coilover - the piston is double digressive with a tight shim stack which just means it's going to ride really firmly / borderline harsh.

so I think for a street driven / daily driver setup, I'd recommend sticking with the BR series.

[Browsky]

12k/12k is default from BC correct? What made you go with 14k for the rears? And that is definitely some information to consider as some roads around me aren't always the best (Ohio), so we see snow as well.


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[Matt Devo]

12k/12k is default from BC correct? What made you go with 14k for the rears? And that is definitely some information to consider as some roads around me aren't always the best (Ohio), so we see snow as well.

it's what BC recommended (the whole setup is). It's way too harsh for a daily driver, even set to full soft, even on decent roads. I'd switch your order to the BR's

[Browsky]

Are they just not digressive enough? The way I understand it is that a large force input (pothole) would cause the shock to act soft and a small or gradual force will maintain the stiffer valve ratio. In what why are they harsh? Did you try setting it at the highest height adjustment to allow for more travel?


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[Matt Devo]

Are they just not digressive enough? The way I understand it is that a large force input (pothole) would cause the shock to act soft and a small or gradual force will maintain the stiffer valve ratio. In what why are they harsh? Did you try setting it at the highest height adjustment to allow for more travel?

every minor imperfection in the road surface is amplified / felt through the chassis, making it feel incredibly unstable / not at all planted. Without a dyno graph of the shocks I can't point to the exact issue, just relaying my experience. Ride height is 25.75"F/25.5"R -- pretty much an inch below stock -- so shock travel isn't an issue.