[Shortgamer]

I couldn't find a lot of info on these so I started asking for quotes in the sponsor section and Pat answered first so that's what I went with. Lol It was really between these and the kW's but I liked the adjustable dampening feature of the sonic tuning and the simple fact that he actually replied led me to the decision. I still can't figure out why some sponsors won't respond or take days to respond on a simple quote?!?!?!
Ok I received the coilovers but no instructions so messaged Pat and he emailed them over. To be honest they were pretty generic without a whole lot of actual instruction so I watched the ecs video on coilover installation. Install went pretty smooth after going along with the video, think it took 6 hours including putting on the new m3 bumper. I wasn't going to do the bumper at the same time but since you have to take out the inner front fender panel to get to the control arm thought I might as well. I had no idea where to set the front strut or the rear perch for height so I just guessed. Turns out I was really close and went back today to make some adjustments.
Funny thing about adjusting the front, make sure you remember to loosen the carrier that the strut sits in. I watched another vid on making adjustments but on the honda the strut doesn't sit in the carrier so to make a long story short the strut will not thread down when it's locked in....duh... Also, I put the adjusting perch in the rear on top so it would be easier to get to. My instructions said to put it on the top but I was reading some other threads where they recommended the bottom. Anyway, seems to work fine up there. Only thing I'm not sure about is how to set the anti roll bar connecting rod. I didn't think you would need to preload it but with the suspension compressed the connecting rod won't quite reach the strut brace without practically unscrewing it out of the turnbuckle. I just put the bolt through at a angle, tightened it up and then twisted the turnbuckle until l knew there was a solid inch of threads inside the turnbuckle. It turns easy by hand when hooked up so there didn't seem to be much resistance from the anti roll bar. Maybe Pat or Ray will chime in and tell how to adjust it.
Ok now to the first spin on my new suspension....holy crap this is stiff, reminds me of lowering my first honda...I thought something is just not right.....I could not figure out what could be wrong, decided to check the dampening and discovered they came at their stiffest setting, instructions said they came at 6 so I never thought to check but oh well. Second spin....oh yeah now we're cooking, I set front and back on 4 and I'll play around with it some more but I'm pretty happy where it's at. First time in my life I've actually looked for bumps and dips but I wanted to test it out. All I can say is for being lowered prolly a inch and a half the thing rides pretty damn good! With the old setup it would bounce on dips but this baby stays planted now and still gives a good ride. Don't get me wrong, it's stiffer than stock but it should be so don't think you're going to slam your car and have it ride the same. Overall I'm very happy with my sonic tuning coilovers and glad they have the adjustability!
Here's my build thread to see the car http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=951914

[Drock28]

great review.. glad to see more users of the Sonic S1 kit..

if you have pics etc.. of the install would be great..

as you said, Ive seen and read about installing the rear perches on top and bottom..
intially I understood it was supposed to be on bottom.. but if it works out fine on top, I will also do that..

would be good.. if you can update after more usage..

thanks..!

[Shortgamer]

I've spent a little more time playing and adjusting. I went down to two on the dampers and although it felt softer, when I went through a stretch of bumps it felt "loose". Not sure how to describe the feeling but almost like it was too soft. I traded that feeling in for a stiffer more connected feeling. I have the fronts on 4 and the rears on 5 now. I don't track the car and won't but I just like the feeling better. Had some friends ride in it and one said yep it rides like aftermarket coilovers and the other 3 couldn't tell it rode any different than stock so I guess everyone has their own feeling on how suspension is supposed to feel. Anyway, loving my coilovers!

[Pat@sonictuning]

Originally Posted by Shortgamer

I've spent a little more time playing and adjusting. I went down to two on the dampers and although it felt softer, when I went through a stretch of bumps it felt "loose". Not sure how to describe the feeling but almost like it was too soft. I traded that feeling in for a stiffer more connected feeling. I have the fronts on 4 and the rears on 5 now. I don't track the car and won't but I just like the feeling better. Had some friends ride in it and one said yep it rides like aftermarket coilovers and the other 3 couldn't tell it rode any different than stock so I guess everyone has their own feeling on how suspension is supposed to feel. Anyway, loving my coilovers!

I will look into the anti-roll bar issue.

[jose_sonictuning]

Originally Posted by Shortgamer

I couldn't find a lot of info on these so I started asking for quotes in the sponsor section and Pat answered first so that's what I went with. Lol It was really between these and the kW's but I liked the adjustable dampening feature of the sonic tuning and the simple fact that he actually replied led me to the decision. I still can't figure out why some sponsors won't respond or take days to respond on a simple quote?!?!?!
Ok I received the coilovers but no instructions so messaged Pat and he emailed them over. To be honest they were pretty generic without a whole lot of actual instruction so I watched the ecs video on coilover installation. Install went pretty smooth after going along with the video, think it took 6 hours including putting on the new m3 bumper. I wasn't going to do the bumper at the same time but since you have to take out the inner front fender panel to get to the control arm thought I might as well. I had no idea where to set the front strut or the rear perch for height so I just guessed. Turns out I was really close and went back today to make some adjustments.
Funny thing about adjusting the front, make sure you remember to loosen the carrier that the strut sits in. I watched another vid on making adjustments but on the honda the strut doesn't sit in the carrier so to make a long story short the strut will not thread down when it's locked in....duh... Also, I put the adjusting perch in the rear on top so it would be easier to get to. My instructions said to put it on the top but I was reading some other threads where they recommended the bottom. Anyway, seems to work fine up there. Only thing I'm not sure about is how to set the anti roll bar connecting rod. I didn't think you would need to preload it but with the suspension compressed the connecting rod won't quite reach the strut brace without practically unscrewing it out of the turnbuckle. I just put the bolt through at a angle, tightened it up and then twisted the turnbuckle until l knew there was a solid inch of threads inside the turnbuckle. It turns easy by hand when hooked up so there didn't seem to be much resistance from the anti roll bar. Maybe Pat or Ray will chime in and tell how to adjust it.
Ok now to the first spin on my new suspension....holy crap this is stiff, reminds me of lowering my first honda...I thought something is just not right.....I could not figure out what could be wrong, decided to check the dampening and discovered they came at their stiffest setting, instructions said they came at 6 so I never thought to check but oh well. Second spin....oh yeah now we're cooking, I set front and back on 4 and I'll play around with it some more but I'm pretty happy where it's at. First time in my life I've actually looked for bumps and dips but I wanted to test it out. All I can say is for being lowered prolly a inch and a half the thing rides pretty damn good! With the old setup it would bounce on dips but this baby stays planted now and still gives a good ride. Don't get me wrong, it's stiffer than stock but it should be so don't think you're going to slam your car and have it ride the same. Overall I'm very happy with my sonic tuning coilovers and glad they have the adjustability!
Here's my build thread to see the car http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=951914

Thanks for the review.

The endlinks should be adjusted while the car is loaded.

I sent you a PM with some of the details.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Originally Posted by Drock28

great review.. glad to see more users of the Sonic S1 kit..

if you have pics etc.. of the install would be great..

as you said, Ive seen and read about installing the rear perches on top and bottom..
intially I understood it was supposed to be on bottom.. but if it works out fine on top, I will also do that..

would be good.. if you can update after more usage..

thanks..!

Just to clarify the spring perch in the rear should be on TOP.

Shoot me a PM if you have any other questions.