So, the Model S has been out 5 years now and there are well over 100,000 on the road. Yet still there are no aftermarket coilover kits AFAIK from any of the typical players. Many of us feel the ride is rough with the coils - yet there are solutions in the aftermarket. I know it does not take air springs to have a magically smooth ride and also good handling - fond memories of the legendary E39 5 series BMW remind me of that frequently. And that car had not an air spring in sight.
To tame the rough ride over small, high frequency hits should simply require a combination of two things:
1 - A progressive rate spring which is softer in its first portion of travel than what we have now.
2 - A digressive valved shock absorber (available in kits for certain cars - such as the Bilstein PSS9). Digressive valving allows a shock to be softer over small, quick hits (expansion joints, pavement cracks, frost heaves, etc.) while retaining firmer damping for larger motions
Would this set-up give up some road feel and perhaps make steering turn-in slightly less crisp. Perhaps a bit more body roll in corners? Maybe - but for those of us using autopilot to travel long distances in comfort on bombed out freeways (California) - the trade-off could certainly be worth it. And a few thousand dollars for a coilover kit is a lot less money than trading in your higher mileage Tesla just to get one with air springs from the factory.
So I'm hoping to gather an interest list, then make contact with some major manufacturers like Bilstein or Moton and be able to say "TMC has this list of a zillion Model S owners who want to buy a coilover kit - please help us." Both of these companies make off-the-shelf kits for many mainstream cars. I keep hoping Tesla will show up on their list but it's been 5 years - no dice. Let's take matters into our own hands.
If you have any feedback please contribute. If you're interested in putting your name down please contribute or PM me. If you have contacts with a suspension designer let us know.
If I'm an idiot with this plan - let me know.
To tame the rough ride over small, high frequency hits should simply require a combination of two things:
1 - A progressive rate spring which is softer in its first portion of travel than what we have now.
2 - A digressive valved shock absorber (available in kits for certain cars - such as the Bilstein PSS9). Digressive valving allows a shock to be softer over small, quick hits (expansion joints, pavement cracks, frost heaves, etc.) while retaining firmer damping for larger motions
Would this set-up give up some road feel and perhaps make steering turn-in slightly less crisp. Perhaps a bit more body roll in corners? Maybe - but for those of us using autopilot to travel long distances in comfort on bombed out freeways (California) - the trade-off could certainly be worth it. And a few thousand dollars for a coilover kit is a lot less money than trading in your higher mileage Tesla just to get one with air springs from the factory.
So I'm hoping to gather an interest list, then make contact with some major manufacturers like Bilstein or Moton and be able to say "TMC has this list of a zillion Model S owners who want to buy a coilover kit - please help us." Both of these companies make off-the-shelf kits for many mainstream cars. I keep hoping Tesla will show up on their list but it's been 5 years - no dice. Let's take matters into our own hands.
If you have any feedback please contribute. If you're interested in putting your name down please contribute or PM me. If you have contacts with a suspension designer let us know.
If I'm an idiot with this plan - let me know.
