We present results from experiments at the GSI machines as well as computer simulation for space charge dominated coasting beams (below transition). It is found that for the high-current machines presently under discussion the actual challenge lies in the nonlinear regime. Experiments are in good agreement with theory and simulation in the linear regime; for the nonlinear regime and long-time evolution rsp. saturation our experimental results show good agreement in some aspects, like wave steepening. To analyze the final momentum distribution we still depend on simulation, which shows that the behavior differs substantially, depending on whether the working point in the impedance plane lies close to the real (resistive dominated) or imaginary (space charge dominated) axis, or in between. For the space-charge-dominated regime(Re&hthinsp;Z≪Im&hthinsp;Z)it is found by computer simulation that for currents far above the Keil-Schnell threshold self-stabilization occurs by formation of a momentum tail, hence linear instability criteria can be practically ignored. It is shown here that the global impedance distribution is of crucial importance. ©1999 American Institute of Physics.