I just picked up my car tonight from StreetImage and those guys are definitely into customer service. Eric and Mando took care of my G. After many hours of research and asking questions to people at meets and here on the forums, I made my suspension purchases. Thanks to those who helped me, Kenchan and Wingnut, your input was very helpful. Here is what I had installed today:
Tein CS Coilovers w/EDFC, Stillen Sways, A-arms, and rear camber kit.

My goal for the suspension was:
A) Improved handling as compared to Sport Tuned Suspension and must be comfortable enough to drive daily if I choose to drive the G. Spring rates above 450lbs/in. would be too stiff for my preference.
B) Lowered stance that was mild enough to fit my 10.5" wheels in the rear and 9.5" wheels in the front without rubbing issues. By the way I am running 285/35/19 and 245/35/19. My ideal drop height would leave approx. .5" in the front and just less than 1" in the rear.
C) Adjustable ride height so that I could get the height to stay exactly where I wanted once the springs settle.

When I picked up the car this evening I could immediately feel the difference in the suspension. It now more closely resembles my M3. I drove it on the freeway and the freeway bounce is much improved at softest setting and somewhat noticeable at stiffest setting. This is exactly what I wanted since this car is not going to be seen at the track any time in the near future. I have another car for track.

The biggest improvement was on med speed turns. I have several of those circle turns in my neighborhood. Here are my comparisons. In stock form w/sport tuned suspension, speeds between 35-45 going into/through a circle turn resulted in squeal and VDC would blink when on if I hammered on the pedal when exiting the circle turn. Now, with new suspension, speeds of 35-45 going into/through a circle turn resulted in little to no squeal and VDC did not turn on when I hammered on the pedal on exit. This makes going through the circle turn less exciting at the same speed, but now I can take it faster and with added control.

By the way, even with my 285's on 10.5 rear wheels, there is no rubbing. I was almost mentally prepared to roll fenders because everybody kept telling me that rolling the G's fender lip was not a big deal, but I was really hoping to avoid it.

I do not recommend the CS for people that will be tracking thier G's often as the suspension leaves much to be desired if you are seeking maximum speed in turns. The Basic's would have been a less expensive route, but they were too stiff for my liking after I took a ride in a G with Basics at soft settings.

Thanks again to those of you on this forum that helped me reach my goals with the suspension on my G.

 

I think you have the exact same goals for your G as I have for mine. I want something that is close to stock in ride quality, yet still able to handle better, and the CS's with the EDFC seem to be the right choice.

If you don't mind, can you send me a PM with the approx price you paid for all your mods, plus what you paid for install? I understand if you don't want to disclose that, I am just trying to get an idea of the cost.

Also, if you have any other tips or things you would do differently, or advice, or more reviews, let me know.

Thanks
Dave

 

Congrats. That's a very nice setup you've got. Post some pics when you get a chance, I wanna see it.

 

Here are some pics.

 

Very nice...now you just need a big brake kit to show off through those rims!

Seriously, now that you have had a chance, or a couple of months to enjoy it, what are your thoughts now?

Dave

 

Thanks again for your help when I was choosing suspension set up a couple months back. I finally got around to posting some pics.

 

looks great...btw how much did you drop your car? I also bought the same setup (tien cs w/edfc). Since im **** with this stuff; I also picked up a set of 350evo a-arms, sbc rear toe & camber kit. that being said how long did the shop reccomend to wait for the coilovers to settle before you mess with the ride height & camber adjustments... Good luck with everything.

 

I have owned a couple of performance cars: GT2, GT3, M3, and soon I will have my Z06 in the garage. My G is intended to be a daily driver and I like the subtleness of the TEIN CS suspension - not too harsh for guests, but just enough to get a bit more edge out of the suspension. The EDFC is nice and both my passengers and I can tell a difference in the settings when compared from high to low. If someone wanted more performance from the suspension upgrade because they will be tracking the car, I would highly recommend the other TEIN FLEX's or TANABE SEVEN'S. Also, IMO, the EDFC does not adjust as much - the valving on the TEIN's is not as impressive as I would have hoped, but there is adjustability. By the way, when I am by myself, I drive with the stiffest settings that I programmed - I think 1 in front and 4or5 in rear.

The car does sit lower and looks a bit more aggressive. I am happy with the height change and would also recommend the coilovers over just changing out the springs. I like knowing that I can get my car to level properly and adjust the height.

The arms and camber/toe kit were not cheap, but my alignment is at factory spec and they should help me keep my tires in better shape.

Even after several months of having the car back and playing with the suspension, I am pleased because it accomplished the goals set out to achieve. I have not been in an M3 for awhile, but rode in a 330ci the other day and would say that the suspension set up on my G compares with that car. My buddy who drove my G immediately after his 330ci agreed, as well. He thought my car felt lighter and easier to turn - it might have been my sway bar settings that helped too. His 330ci is stock except for the BBS wheels and tires.

Keep in mind that I think you can tell that my comments would be very different if I was going to be tracking this car.

I think you are right - my brakes look tiny now that I can see them. I have considered the BBK for a slight performance upgrade and a huge upgrade in the appearance, but can't figure out which color to go with. I like the Stoptech Silver - but don't want to have the caliper get lost in the background, Gold Greddy's - but they are hard to get, Stoptech Red - but don't know if the color will clash, and the Rotora Blue - but don't want my car to look like I am trying to hard with the Blue on Blue thing. I guess these are good problems to have. All opinions are welcome.

 

Guys at StreetImage said it really depended on my driving. They said after 500 miles of city/aggressive driving or 1,000 miles of highway driving. Some people say 2-3 weeks. I do not know for sure what the answer is, but I did buy a lifetime alignment at Firestone for $150.

 

That is a really nice and clean car. For brakes how about a set of Brembo Gold? Or ask to see as see if anyone has red with that blue on the calipers or if someone can ps it.

 

hey congrats on the new setup. looks good too.

i suggest you take her out in the wet to do your final suspension setup.
you'll be surprised how much rear neg camber the car really needs to make
it stick well through the turns.

 

I thought Tein basics didn't have soft/hard ride adjustability?

 

They don't. The poster said he installed the CS which does have adjustability.

 

If you read the last part of the first post, he states that he rode in a car with Tein Basics set on the soft settings.

 

"The Basic's would have been a less expensive route, but they were too stiff for my liking after I took a ride in a G with Basics at soft settings."

They don't have "soft or hard settings", likely it's simply a misunderstanding that came courtesy of the person he took the ride along with or a miss speak on his part in the text, either way I'd be the last person to hammer him on it.

This reveiw does confirm everything I've ever said about the CS, though I think their's more under the surface to say about valving, and plus 1Kg and plus 2Kg higher rates.