M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Suspension => Topic started by: gravyface on December 07, 2009, 09:28:55 PM

Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: gravyface on December 07, 2009, 09:28:55 PM
With pics, details on springs/shocks/pads/wheels, etc. please.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: gravyface on December 09, 2009, 10:25:33 AM
Stock suspension all around, people?  C'mon, let's see your rides!
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Jorgeconrico on December 09, 2009, 11:42:16 AM
Yep, stock.......until I get some $$ for the suspension I want. My car is sleeping for the winter. Winter blows!!!

Edit: SALT BLOWS
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: ck_carnut on December 09, 2009, 11:59:57 AM
For me, at the moment, yes, still stock. Still putting my plans together....
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: DesktopDave on December 09, 2009, 12:34:13 PM
Stock front, worn out CABs, needs a new rack.  The rear has BMW OEM M-Tech Bilsteins.  I'll be replacing some parts after Xmas, hope Santa brings what I asked for!
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: P. Kennedy on December 09, 2009, 12:38:38 PM
If you do a little search, this has been done before on this forum.  A huge listing of suspension setups.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Jorgeconrico on December 09, 2009, 01:08:03 PM
Can't find this list you speak of...unless I can't use the search button right. Most likely thats the case.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: gravyface on December 09, 2009, 02:49:52 PM
Quote from: P. Kennedy;82705
If you do a little search, this has been done before on this forum.  A huge listing of suspension setups.


Should be stickied then.  I'll see if I can find it, but vbulletin searching in general is pretty poor, IMO.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: DesktopDave on December 09, 2009, 06:38:28 PM
Quote from: gravyface;82709
Should be stickied then.  I'll see if I can find it, but vbulletin searching in general is pretty poor, IMO.


I agree.  I always have to search the entire site to find what I'm looking for.  There is so much great info here that it can be difficult to sort it out.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Jorgeconrico on December 09, 2009, 08:03:17 PM
Still waiting to see this "list". If in fact there is a previous thread that's great, but If not it needs to be done. I will be doing my suspension soon and a thread dedicated to everyone's setups would help make my decision, and the decisions of others easier. Until then I guess there's always r3vlimited. They have a sick suspension setup thread.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: ak96ss on December 10, 2009, 04:49:43 AM
Eibach springs with Koni adjustables and Treehouse Racing CABs. Don't particularly care for the Eibachs, but they aren't horrible. A little too soft initially, I guess that whole progressive spring rate thing is to blame. I ended up putting thicker spring pads in the back as well, just to boost it up a tad. Oh, a front strut bar.

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GVjhH8d20fE/Rso_QjXs7eI/AAAAAAAACIw/8CyALd_rl3s/s800/pa193703.jpg)
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: fazerfreak on December 10, 2009, 05:03:51 AM
k-sport coilovers, full adjustable :D rock hard kit.
(http://media.shozu.com/cache/portal/media/6008e16/16777220)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QX5ak6pecwg/Sk5a2hVYxzI/AAAAAAAABto/Y-a84sJWgWE/s640/IMG_0523.JPG)
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Jorgeconrico on December 10, 2009, 07:30:03 AM
Quote from: ak96ss;82723
Eibach springs with Koni adjustables and Treehouse Racing CABs. Don't particularly care for the Eibachs, but they aren't horrible. A little too soft initially, I guess that whole progressive spring rate thing is to blame. I ended up putting thicker spring pads in the back as well, just to boost it up a tad. Oh, a front strut bar.

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GVjhH8d20fE/Rso_QjXs7eI/AAAAAAAACIw/8CyALd_rl3s/s800/pa193703.jpg)


Thats sweet. Im on the fence about what springs to get. IE stage 3s, Eibachs or H&R race springs, and then theres GC coilovers...I dunno
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Andy_Casey on December 10, 2009, 10:34:10 AM
Bilstein B12 kit, full rebush using OE parts except for front offset poly control arm bushes. Car drives and rides really well, springs are a little soft for track use though.

Stock BBS crossposkes with 205/55R15 Michelin PE2s, needs 205/50s really IMO.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: John W on December 18, 2009, 10:02:52 PM
stock e30 m3 springs, bilstein sports, new front strut mounts, e46 rear shock mounts, new control arms with e30 m3 offset LCABs. ... and a lot of snow.

(http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq46/jtwall_photos/Picture1092.jpg)
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Boosted E30 on December 19, 2009, 12:15:08 AM
5 lug e36 m3 fronts with e30 m3 rear and e36 m3 bilstien pss9 coilovers.
(http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp24/E30318is/IMG_0032.jpg)
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: carlos318is on December 19, 2009, 03:42:47 AM
How hard was the 5lug conversion to do:cool:
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: visionracingdevelopments on December 19, 2009, 04:48:37 AM
SPAX PSX bump/rebound adjustable suspension on -40 springs and 4pot Wilwood Dynalites and 280mm discs.

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rix313/BMW/IMG_3548.jpg)

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rix313/BMW/IMG_3522.jpg)
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Boosted E30 on December 19, 2009, 02:14:29 PM
Quote from: carlos318is;83239
How hard was the 5lug conversion to do:cool:


If you can change your shocks, springs brakes&bleed, its easy the hardest part is the rears. I just changed the wheel bearing&hub (E30 M3) and put e30 m3 brakes on in the back.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: quinn11m20 on December 19, 2009, 03:35:15 PM
I would love to do pics but never took any of my set up. And never figured out how to load them through this site. Any how, I have H&R 1" and 1/2 springs with Tokico's. She squats just nice.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: carlos318is on December 19, 2009, 03:43:19 PM
Quote from: Boosted E30;83253
If you can change your shocks, springs brakes&bleed, its easy the hardest part is the rears. I just changed the wheel bearing&hub (E30 M3) and put e30 m3 brakes on in the back.



The prob with this is here in the UK there are no E30 M3 going up for breaking so it means you have to buy new from BMW and I havent got that much money :mad:
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Boosted E30 on December 19, 2009, 04:29:09 PM
Yup its fricken expensive for the hub and caliper carrier. the caliper itself you can use from a e32 735i. you could also swap the whole rear end with one from a z3 or 318ti.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: P. Kennedy on December 19, 2009, 09:42:31 PM
Hey...look what I found:  http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147&highlight=suspension+setup

took me all of 5 seconds after doing a search.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Chalino on December 19, 2009, 11:27:16 PM
Monroe Sensatrac inserts on stock springs in the fornt
Gabriel Ultra's on stock springs in the back....rides like shit
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Vladi on December 21, 2009, 07:53:26 AM
Koni 1210Sport Short (-20mm) front shocks
Koni 1196Sport rear
H&R Spezial Federn front springs
H&R 19.03 rear springs.
Very stiff but not bouncy and still comfortable with 205/55/15.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: bmwman91 on December 21, 2009, 01:47:12 PM
I used to run with:
H&R Sport Springs
Bilstein Sport Shocks
Suspension Techniques Anti-Sway Bars (22mm F, 19mm R) + welded reinforcements
Poly CAB's
Poly RTAB's
Poly Subfrane Mounts
Poly Diff Mount
NO Spring Pads

I currently run with:
Stock Springs
Boge TurboGas Shocks (stock height, stiffer)
Suspension Techniques Anti-Sway Bars (22mm F, 19mm R) + welded reinforcements
E36 M3 Rubber CAB's (centered)
Stock Rubber RTAB's
Stock Rubber Sbframe Mounts
Stock Rubber Diff Mount
Stock Rubber Spring Pads

My old setup was fun in high school & through college.  However, once I was mostly done with school, my interests changed.  A setup like that is totally impractical for street driving, and I really hated taking the car on long trips.  Climbing has become my new main hobby, and a car that could drive on crappy dirt roads started to be important.  After busting an oil pan 10 miles from phone service (LINK (http://bmw.e30tuner.com/my318is_pic_panbreak.php)), I ditched the lower springs/shocks.  A couple years later after a 1000 mile drive to go climb, I stuck stock rubber back in.  Holy crap, what a difference!  The car still handles really well (people think stock stuff sucks, but it is because it is totally blown out when they buy the car...new stockers are impressive), and if anything I would say it is better.  Having a little extra "give" in the system is advantageous on the street where pavement is not perfect...you need to be able to absorb the bumps, not bounce off of them.

I DID keep the sway bars though.  Those are the most bang for the $ of anything I put on, and they don't hurt the ride quality much at all.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: visionracingdevelopments on December 22, 2009, 08:17:00 AM
Quote from: P. Kennedy;83278
Hey...look what I found:  http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147&highlight=suspension+setup

took me all of 5 seconds after doing a search.


That thread is 3 years old and less than a page long... hardly 'up to date'
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: P. Kennedy on December 22, 2009, 09:20:14 AM
Thank you for your input.  Very nice of you.  The original post wasn't asking for up to date, just suspension setups.  Do you think suspension pieces have changed a great deal in the past 3 years for the E30 318is?  The point being, people can find a great deal of information on this forum by searching, instead of asking the same questions over and over.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: BlueBMW on January 15, 2010, 08:29:08 PM
On the note of suspension setups...  my car's ride height doesn't seem to be very even.  The right side just seems lower (and actually measures about 10mm or so lower)  My shocks / springs / struts etc are all original (200K miles???)  

My questions are...

Is the uneven ride height more likely caused by the worn out shocks / struts or sagging springs?

Second, if I were to replace the springs (while doing shocks and struts) what is the best spring set that doesn't lower the car significantly (roads in east Tennessee aren't friendly to low cars)  I'm sure factory OEM springs would work, but is there a good aftermarket spring that someone would recommend?
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Fair! on February 10, 2010, 11:03:01 AM
(http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshlag-Test-Pilots/McCalls-formerly-Vorshlags-E30/e30-318is-weight-112709/728744766_KbxRZ-S.jpg) (http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshlag-Test-Pilots/McCalls-formerly-Vorshlags-E30/DSC5183/610801393_9weAN-S.jpg)


(http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshlag-Test-Pilots/McCalls-formerly-Vorshlags-E30/DSC7697/398444406_yphEX-S.jpg) (http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshlag-Test-Pilots/McCalls-formerly-Vorshlags-E30/DSC5538/366110214_tgiCt-S.jpg)

A good friend of mine located our old 318is that we sold over a year ago and bought it for a song. He's already upgraded the wheels and tires, added a 4-point Kirk roll bar, and is about to install a full length header. He's building it for running in the SCCA Street Touring "ST" class, dominated by much lighter Honda Civics. He's found some more weight and its prepping it to the extreme this year. He's also going to run it in NASA Time Trials, which should be fun (I've tracked the car a couple of times - its a blast!).

The rear shocks are a bit extreme, but using 4100s all around are doable, and VERY effective. With a real LSD in the car it wouldn't need these funky rear shocks, but ST class rules prohibit that. The E30 rides and handles so well with these shocks and spring rates that it has single handedly sold more ASTs than any other demo/test car we've built, before or since. We'd give someone a ride at an event and they'd want to buy shocks. We even let a few of our competitors drive it at events, and each one since has bought (or are in the process of buying) similar suspension pieces. Seeing is believing. :D
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: dvmotorsports on February 10, 2010, 11:35:04 AM
^That is dope. You have the AST setup similar to what I want.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Massimo on February 25, 2010, 12:07:50 AM
^^ Dam i wished I had more time to track my car and had vorshlag 4100 series on my beast.

Even better i wish i was a vorshlag dealer for Australia. Lol
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: deekay on February 25, 2010, 12:26:06 AM
tokico blue shocks (e36 non-M front, e30 rear), with vorshlag camber plates in the front
h&r sport springs for Z3 1.9
stock swaybars with TMS reinforcement front & rear
e36-s52 control arms with treehouse lollipops
e36 non-M knuckles and brakes front
z3 1.9 trailing arms and brakes rear
AKG bushings everywhere except the rear shock mounts, which are e46-cabrio
no spring pads in the front, 10mm pads in the rear and removed the cabrio trunk anvil to reduce rubbing
e38 style5 16x8's with KDW 225/45-16

i think that's everything... have spent more money on suspension for this car than anything else.

even with the fenders pulled very aggressively, it rubs in the rear when i hit a bump on the freeway at 80mph+; if i had used 318ti trailing arms i wouldn't have this problem, but i love how the wider rear track looks. if i could do it over i would use vorshlag e30 318is springs and billy sports for an e36M in the front and e30 in the rear, rather than the non-M stuff... but honestly the handling is fantastic considering how daily-drivable the ride quality is and i don't regret it, especially since i've gone top-shelf with everything else, if i decide i want to swap the shocks and springs out someday i don't have to touch anything else.

if you do follow my advice and go with vorshlag springs, /get a skid plate from peerless/ - not optional. my car is not that low in the front and i have kissed the reiger lip a couple times, and live in fear of the day that i gronch the oil pan.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: dvmotorsports on February 25, 2010, 03:00:06 PM
I have a custom D2 setup when spun all the way up is -2" in the Front and -1.5" in the rear. When completely dumped, i can lay pan.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: longtallsally on April 04, 2010, 02:11:07 PM
Just the typical H&R Sport and Bilstein sport setup.  The green version of rear subframe bushings and I think the same for the trailing arms (PO installed all the bushings).

I personally think the ride is very acceptable for the street and the crappy (yes I said crappy) German roads I'm currently navigating daily on with it.  This is also with the stock basket weaves with something or other all season tires.

In my other E30s (325is) in the past I had Ground Controls with Koni one way adjustable shocks.  The spring rates I had were a bit extreme at 450F and 600R and then I went back to 375F and 450R.  It rode like a RACK.  However, the handling was absolutely ridiculous.  The only thing they needed was the camber correction kit to be just about perfect.  I'm older and less inclined to be that uncomfortable now and think I have just about the perfect compromise now.

I have to disagree mildly with Godfather on the bigger sway bars, though.  I learned a long time ago from some very serious autocrossers (I just did it for fun) that you should tune with the springs and not the sway bars.  It does make sense if you want to keep all 4 paws on the ground.  I do agree on the stock rubber for the bushings, though.  Remember that you live in CA where the weather makes changing them easy.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: tony92ic on April 09, 2010, 10:55:20 PM
Hey, I've got the same suspension as John W.

Stock M3 springs, Bilstein Sports, Offset CABs and e46 rear mounts. I removed the spring pads and, like BMWMAN, went with all rubber bushings. Huge ride quality improvement and no noticable loss of handling on the street. Actually may be better. The poly/delrin often lost traction on the crappy street surfaces. Needless to say I love it. If I was autocrossing the stiffer springs and bushings would be worthwhile, but on the street, not so much.

Photos here:

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6053&highlight=tony92ic
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: ///digitalme on June 13, 2010, 12:15:02 AM
im running, front tokicos for now, back stock shocks
h&r (might be sport oe)
here are some pictures...and tokico shocks arent that bad...ive been running them for 5 months and no problems yet, they have  not blown like they are known to do...
i love my setup not too low not too high since the oil pan gets all the beating i like how it sits now...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/ooinreverieoo/DSC00395.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/ooinreverieoo/DSC00404.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/ooinreverieoo/DSC02285.jpg)
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: supadave on September 19, 2010, 05:53:45 PM
Blistein sport shocks. Ireland engineering stage 3 springs, and esm 002 16x9 16x7.5

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5005872148_0f76264c14_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/supa_dave/5005872148/)
100_1713 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/supa_dave/5005872148/) by davidkhan82 (http://www.flickr.com/people/supa_dave/), on Flickr

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5005907360_6de1e49c3e_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/supa_dave/5005907360/)
100_1723 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/supa_dave/5005907360/) by davidkhan82 (http://www.flickr.com/people/supa_dave/), on Flickr
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5005903682_1edcddb1c5_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/supa_dave/5005903682/)
100_1726 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/supa_dave/5005903682/) by davidkhan82 (http://www.flickr.com/people/supa_dave/), on Flickr
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Gerta318is on September 19, 2010, 06:43:47 PM
SupaDave ... very nice.  Old Skool for sure.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: KenC on September 19, 2010, 07:02:34 PM
Bilstein Sports
H&R Sports
OMP Alum strut brace
IE 25/22 sway
M3 CABs
IE urethane RSBs and TABs
Solid aluminum diff bushing
20mm H&R spacers
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: colin86325 on September 19, 2010, 08:18:22 PM
Bilstein HD dampers
stock 318iS springs
sway bars--E30 M3 rear/E30 cabrio front
E30 M3 control arm bushings
new E30 stock rubber subframe and trailing arm bushings

I wanted to keep stock ground clearance and have a firm but compliant ride because this is my daily driver.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: gundy318 on September 19, 2010, 11:56:13 PM
inexpensive option:
kyb shocks/struts, vogtland springs
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/gundysaurus/DSCN0207.jpg)
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: seadog on September 20, 2010, 10:28:22 AM
I've installed a set of adjustable height FK coilovers, but only lowered the ride height about 1.5 inches.  I did this to keep tires on it with some sidewall to them.  In my experience with rough roads, this helps quite a bit, I live on a gravel dead end road; great for privacy, but summer equals a car wash every few days.  With this ride height I was able to keep the tire size at 225-45 r17.  I wish I had gone for the adjustable rate shocks but ahh well.

IMO spending money on the suspension dollar for dollar gives the most payback in a fun daily drive, but thats just me.  

I need to replace the bushings next time its on a rack, which should be soon.  I plan on replacing the sway bars and installing a strut tower.  Any suggestions on the sway bars, should I go with stock M3 equipment or something aftermarket?
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: supadave on September 20, 2010, 11:20:51 AM
Lets see some pics people
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: fulghumj on January 05, 2011, 07:13:57 PM
1991 318I. vogtland springs, KYB shocks and struts, 205/50-15 Toyo R888 tires.
It sits pretty low to the ground, but its real nice on the track.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: rjcaptsean on January 28, 2011, 01:40:42 PM
The only Vert in here has an M3 setup.  Just talked to H&R and they say that the reg 318is sports will sag lower in the back and look bad.  What are people using in the verts for lowering?
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: JakeP on February 02, 2011, 07:45:42 PM
Why don't we try using this format and include part numbers/spring rates if you have them:

Year:
Model:
Wheels (##x## et:##):
Tires:
Spacers (if any):

Front Springs:
Front Shocks:
Front Sway Bar:
Other Front Suspension Mods:

Rear springs:
Rear Shocks:
Rear Sway Bar:
Other Rear Suspension Mods:

Pictures:
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: bwawuz02 on February 07, 2011, 03:07:28 PM
This weekend I installed...

New control arms and M3 CABs
H&R 29664 springs
Bilstein Sports
E90 drop hats

I'm pretty pleased with the looks and very pleased with the comfortable ride, yet much improved handling.

Next weekend...
Z3 rack swap :D
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: JakeP on February 09, 2011, 06:04:18 PM
Quote from: bwawuz02;101232
This weekend I installed...

New control arms and M3 CABs
H&R 29664 springs
Bilstein Sports
E90 drop hats

I'm pretty pleased with the looks and very pleased with the comfortable ride, yet much improved handling.

Next weekend...
Z3 rack swap :D


And yet you don't post pictures or measurements.... :confused:
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: bwawuz02 on February 10, 2011, 08:01:00 PM
i will soon, when it's all done. I gotta finish up and swap in the rear subframe i'm building (refreshed 3.91 LSD w/MZ3 bushing, AKG 80A subframe bushings/75D TA bushings, weld-in camber/toe kit, re-inforced TAs, and new rear wheel bearings... just waiting on the bushings/bearings to get here so I can put it all together) Still waiting for my backordered General Exclaim UHP tires to come so i can mount my kosei K1s that are almost refinished.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: mr.vang on February 11, 2011, 01:06:15 AM
cosmo coil, cosmo adjustable top mount, sport billy
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: bwawuz02 on March 13, 2011, 12:49:53 PM
the rear end isn't finished yet, but I can email you some teasers. She's no beauty queen, but my fav E30 to drive having own 2 325is in the past.

95 318ti M42 is on the stand with M44 crank inside. Engine will be at Rebello Racing later this month getting the bottom end put together/balanced, just waiting on pistons to show up.
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: Nick_318is on March 13, 2011, 03:28:58 PM
I'm running the following:

Dinan Springs
Bilstien Sports
M3 CAB
Ireland Engineering 22/19 adjustable bars
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e171/nick_318is/DSC00615.jpg)
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e171/nick_318is/DSC00611.jpg)
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e171/nick_318is/DSC00610.jpg)

The stance before and after:
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e171/nick_318is/IMG_0030.jpg)
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e171/nick_318is/IMG_0007.jpg)
Title: Post your suspension setup
Post by: bwawuz02 on May 22, 2011, 03:10:14 PM
H&R 29664 / Bill Sports
GC Touring plates
10mm rear spring pads
ST Sways

Still haven't had time to swap my rebuilt rear-end in, or put on the RX-7 brakes.

White lower valence will be here on Tuesday. Then I'll be ordering an IS lip/skirts and hitting the body shop.

Kosei K1 15x7 et27 205/50/15 Dunlops
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy249/bwawuz02/car%20stuff/IMG_1241.jpg)
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy249/bwawuz02/car%20stuff/IMG_1245.jpg)
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy249/bwawuz02/car%20stuff/IMG_1250.jpg)