BC BH-RA 6 years on

[1979scotte]

I think for a daily driver, the stock suspension is perfect. Lowering springs make it look better but slightly harsher ride.

Modified coil overs ok on smooth roads or a weekend car. The average B road today is a crater filled moonscape does it's hard to get the best out of stiffer suspension.

I KW now do a kit. That would be interesting. Pricey I imagine.

£1700 ish last time I looked.

[1979scotte]

Good write up, as others say not often you get long term reviews of this sort of kit.

The current version appears to the BC-BR-RA which is ~£900 for the 4/6kg springs or ~£800 for the 5/7kgs. Still decent value compared to a new KYB/Eibach kit + OE top mounts.

Good value if you like them.
Not so good if 6 months later you return to stock.

[shnazzle]

Good write up, as others say not often you get long term reviews of this sort of kit.

The current version appears to the BC-BR-RA which is ~£900 for the 4/6kg springs or ~£800 for the 5/7kgs. Still decent value compared to a new KYB/Eibach kit + OE top mounts.

Good value if you like them.
Not so good if 6 months later you return to stock.

Was just going to write that. 

It's still 800gbp. That's a lot of mula

[Roj]

Good write up, as others say not often you get long term reviews of this sort of kit.

The current version appears to the BC-BR-RA which is ~£900 for the 4/6kg springs or ~£800 for the 5/7kgs. Still decent value compared to a new KYB/Eibach kit + OE top mounts.

Good value if you like them.
Not so good if 6 months later you return to stock.

That's the kicker isn't it, you don't know until you try.

My car's use is primarily as a track slag but with highland hoons every now and then, when time allows. It's a 5hr round trip to the track, on dual carriageways so I can handle a wee bit of a rough ride but I don't want to be knackered and grumpy when I arrive, or dread the drive home with something set up totally solid. Adjustability to set up the way I like it would be nice. The BCs with 4/6kg springs seem like a good compromise for my needs, without breaking the bank.

[1979scotte]

Good write up, as others say not often you get long term reviews of this sort of kit.

The current version appears to the BC-BR-RA which is ~£900 for the 4/6kg springs or ~£800 for the 5/7kgs. Still decent value compared to a new KYB/Eibach kit + OE top mounts.

Good value if you like them.
Not so good if 6 months later you return to stock.

That's the kicker isn't it, you don't know until you try.

My car's use is primarily as a track slag but with highland hoons, as and when time allows. It's a 5hr round trip to the track, on dual carriageways so I can handle a wee bit of a rough ride but I don't want to be knackered and grumpy when I arrive, or dread the drive home with something set up totally solid. Adjustability to set up the way I like it would be nice. The BCs with 4/6kg springs seem like a good compromise for my needs, without breaking the bank.

They'll be great on track but slow you down on those bumpy Highland back roads.
At the very least try before you buy. Must be members near you that could help out.

[Two's Company]

I think for a daily driver, the stock suspension is perfect. Lowering springs make it look better but slightly harsher ride.

Modified coil overs ok on smooth roads or a weekend car. The average B road today is a crater filled moonscape does it's hard to get the best out of stiffer suspension.

I KW now do a kit. That would be interesting. Pricey I imagine.

£1700 ish last time I looked.

Ouch. I prefer the balance between handling and comfort on my 23k mile stock car to the inverted BCs on my other one.

[BahnStormer]

Don't ignore the tyre combo.

I always found my old sable "go kart #1" on BC racing's (same spec) a bit too firm, even on the softest "floaty" damper settings... it certainly felt like it compared to Jvan's Teins or the two sets of MeisterR's I've tried (one as a driver), but then those others were all on Toyo's and my car was on AD08R's.

Go kart #2 and I opted for Tein springs + Koni inserts and these are definitely a bit more compliant, but still fairly firm (on AD08RS's)... but they are decently compliant on my regular (Premium Contact 2) summer tyresa and overall very good "tight stock" feel and plenty taught enough for a bit of light track work.

If I was tracking mine more often, I'd consider coilovers again, but I'd probably be searching for tyres with a softer sidewall too... I think Koni inserts are the right option for my use-case and I'll accept the slight compromise for a more compliant ride the other 95% of the time I'm driving it... easier to swap the wheels than the shocks+springs!

edit: also note that I managed to get the identical custom suspension geometry to my old BC Racing setup with some Eibach EZ-cams and WIM@Chesham...