Suspensions, am I insane, or are race suspensions really livable?

[Yargk]

I test drove an e30 M3 the other day that was equipped with the TMS J-stock suspension package. I've heard from people that it is absolutely terrible on the street. I found it to be incredible. The handling was simply amazing and I didn't get anywhere close to the limits of this car even though I was moving quite rapidly during an extended test drive through twisty roads with little traffic (only some sport bike guys and someone in some old British sports car were also enjoying the road). Sure it was stiff and I was convinced I'd get some air on a couple of bumps on the rough sections of road, but the damping was good and I didn't think of the stiffness as a nuisance at all. Even my girlfriend thought it was fun and not tiresome. I'd honestly drive with this suspension on my 500 mile a week commute.

I think I remember hearing that the J-stock suspension has progressive spring rates from 200-900 pounds/inch. I realize that real race cars use well over 1000 pounds/inch spring rates. However, isn't the J-stock much stiffer than almost all the production sports cars out there? Am I just weird because I'm not bothered by it? Why would someone want a sporty car with a soft ride?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I have very mild spring rates on my 325is equipped with Eibachs, and if you arent on a smooth road, (i.e. ANYWHERE in Los Angeles) you really understand why soft ride is good. Bottoming out on speed bumps is also not that fun. The genrally poor condition of the roads here transmit every pothole right up throguh the car. I cant imagine what 900lbs would feel like.

Once you get out into Ventrua County though, the roads are quite nice and you can just scream through the canyons.

[Rich911E]

I am putting H&R race springs on my 325 after riding in a similarly equipped car. I think they are about 550 lbs/in and they didn't feel that bad at all. I was tempted to go with the softer springs, but after taking a drive with the stiffer ones they seemed fine to me. The ride was about like my 911 -- a little stiffer but the BMW is heavier. I'll let you know after a few thousand miles. My only concern was whether or not the Bilstein sports are up to the task of the higher spring rates. One shop suggested Koni race shocks (which may be the way to go) but I am going to give the Bilstein sports a chance.

Rich