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Leading Dutch suspension manufacturer Cobra has launched a range of uprated lowering spring kits to enhance the entire model line-up of BMW ‘Classic’ E21 and E30 variants, including all diesel, cabriolet and Touring versions of the later model. The spring range for the E21 covers all models from ’75-’82 and the E30 range suits everything from ’82-’91.

In all, the Dutch manufacturer has created some twelve different windings to account for the differing weights and characteristics of the entire range. Also, varying degrees of lowering are available, ranging from 40mm/40mm front/rear through to a more aggressive 70mm/60mm on certain models. The much vaunted M3 version has a unique 30/20mm application.

In each case, the springs have been fully TUV approved and are optimised to work perfectly with the OEM damper set-up. By lowering the car, the Cobra kit endows the recipient Beemer with a superb stance, accentuating its lines and enhancing the sporting nature of the car further still.

Handling is dramatically improved thanks to the lower centre of gravity, and thanks to a careful choice of spring rate, ride quality is hardly affected. In addition, the Cobra springs are shot peened pre-fatigued and heat-treated, before being zinc plated and powder-coated to protect them against the elements. This attention to detail is backed by Cobra’s class leading 5 year warranty.

Kits are available for all and petrol and diesel variants. Prices start from £114.29 + VAT for a set of 4 springs.

For more details please click to www.cobra-suspension.com or call the team on 01530 517920.

Respected suspension manufacturer BILSTEIN used its recent appearance at the Essen show in Germany to launch its ground-breaking new high-end coilover package; BILSTEIN CSC Clubsport.

This stunningly engineered suspension solution has been designed for both road and racing use and offers an unparalleled balance between track performance and road usability. Both bump and rebound settings can be finely adjusted by race-quality thumbwheels, distinctly, quickly and precisely with no need for specialist tools. Initial fitments will be available from spring 2012 and will cover the VW Golf 6, BMW M3 (E46), BMW M3 (E36) and Porsche 911 GT2/GT3 (997). Other fitments for core tuner and track cars are expected to follow throughout the year 2013.

The BILSTEIN CSC Clubsport coilover suspension incorporates high-grade, OEM and racing quality components and can lower the front and rear of the vehicle between 30 and 55 mm, to suit track conditions or personal preferences. The thumbwheels offer ten levels of rapid and precise bump and rebound, with positive detents to allow the user to ‘feel’ each stage of adjustment. BILSTEIN took the active decision to make these units with an internal reservoir design in order to further reduce the weight of the unit, as well as increasing under-arch clearance for aftermarket wheel and tyre combinations.

Don’t be fooled by the full TÜV approval however, this is a true race-ready kit, which can be ordered with the optional extras of ultra-lightweight aluminium support bearings from BILSTEIN. For those spending more time on track than on Her Majesty’s Highway, BILSTEIN Motorsport can also optimise the damper and spring characteristics to make the recipient vehicle podium-ready.

“The BILSTEIN CSC Clubsport is ideal for sports drivers who want to drive on normal roads but who are also interested in taking their car to its limits on the racing track. Aimed primarily at smaller racing teams taking part in the VLN or the 24 Hours Nürburgring, this suspension represents a cheaper alternative to the BILSTEIN MDS motor sports suspension,” explains Thorsten Schwippert, Director of Sales and Marketing at ThyssenKrupp BILSTEIN Tuning GmbH. “The outstanding performance of this exclusive Clubsport suspension unit stems from the intensive trials we carried out on the Nordschleife and from endurance tests performed at the Papenburg Test Centre.”

The Clubsport suspension will initially be available from spring 2012 for the VW Golf 6, BMW M3 (E46), BMW M3 (E36) and Porsche 911 GT2/GT3 (997). Applications for the BMW M3 (E92), BMW 1 and 3 Series (E87-92), Porsche 911 (1970 to 1989) and Mitsubishi EVO 8, 9 and 10 will then follow in spring 2013. Prices have yet to be confirmed.

For more information, please click to www.bilstein.de or call BILSTEIN UK on 0116 247 8930.

Respected German suspension manufacturer Eibach has released another superbly engineered adjustable upper arm kit onto the market. This time its Nissan’s capable 350Z that can benefit from improved handling, better stance and enhanced driver feedback.

The Eibach kit enjoys several benefits over its competitors, not least in the fact that it weighs in at a whopping 20% less than the part it replaces, whilst offering significantly improved clearance for wider aftermarket wheels and tyres, or when running a softer spring set-up. The parts also enjoy greater engineering integrity than the vast majority of aftermarket offerings, thanks to the brackets being formed from one single piece of high-quality steel, rather than being welded assemblies.

Due to its patented design, this is the only 350Z arm that offers a substantial amount of positive camber change combined with substantial degrees of castor adjustment. There is more than enough camber and caster change to correct cars that have been lowered, or for vehicles used in drifting and racing.

Installed by itself, the control arm provides ±1.5° of camber and ±1° of caster. On very heavily lowered vehicles, too much negative camber can actually reduce road-holding, so the Eibach kit can be fitted with the optional fixed shim (included) to provide up to +3.5° of positive camber. This wide degree of adjustment allows owners to fine tune both camber and castor to enhance tyre life whilst improving handling and increasing the tyre’s contact patch.

The kit includes everything you need, including the ABS sensor bracket, shims, and arms for both sides of the vehicle. The kit is priced at £410.00 + VAT.

For its 50 year motor sport anniversary, BILSTEIN has published an exclusive book that will appeal to all motor sport enthusiasts and BILSTEIN fans. Combined with spectacular pictures, “50 Years of BILSTEIN Motor Sport” tells exciting stories relating to the business and motor sport history of this famous brand that will provide petrolheads and race-fans with a riveting insight into the past history of this successful company. The perfect Christmas gift or a lasting reference work to enjoy for many years to come.

From the winning of the Monte Carlo Rally 1960 through to legendary victories in all important 24-hour races and the world title in the Formula 1 World Championship, BILSTEIN is an established name in motor sport. The list of drivers who have gone down into motorsport history on shock absorbers from Ennepetal is long and fascinating. Racing sports legends such as Klaus Ludwig, Hans-Joachim Stuck or Walter Röhrl remember their own personal relationship with BILSTEIN and guide us with anecdotes through five decades of motor sport. The 160 page book, which is published in a limited edition in German and English, is available for € 29.90 from the BILSTEIN fan shop on the company’s homepage at www.bilstein.de