Author Topic: Cabrio suspension... what works?*UPDATED (Read 5137 times)

bimmerlover · « **on:** September 27, 2006, 09:43:06 PM »

Alright guys.. now that my 318 cabrio is back on the road.. I've got to take care of the suspension. I shouldn't be getting "sea-sick" in my car...

I can't find anywhere that specifically lists lowering springs for the 318 convertible. So help me out here.. what have you guys used that works, and where is a good place to buy it from?

Rachel

D. Clay · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2006, 02:21:54 PM »

The cabrio is slightly heavier but almost all aftermarket springs are stiffer than OEM. I've heard good things about the ground control coilover kit for street cars. It's $400 and you pick any rate Eibach springs you want.
http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=121/CA=98
Front what I understand you need slightly stiffer rear springs for the cabrio. I may be wrong on that.
You also can check the for sale forums here and on R3VLimited.com for a used set. The regular sedan springs (rear) for a 325 may be OK. They have 50# of tar and insulation in the trunk and may drop the car level.
If you're not going to track the car, I would stay away from anything over 250# fronts and whatever the corresponding rears rate would be. That's an opinion. I don't like super stiff street cars.
Glad you're back on the road. Awaiting write up and/or pics of the E36 M42 install!

bimmerlover · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2006, 09:42:21 PM »

Hmm thanks. I think the ground control coil over kit is a little overboard for what I need. I had an H&R setup on my last e30.. and I was really happy with it. I don't autox or anything so the springs part of the suspension is really an aesthetic thing for me. I'm planning to do bilstein shocks.. I really just need to find a source for lowering springs that work; I'm gathering that there aren't a whole lot of cabrios on this forum.. I may have to try some other places.

Oh and you may be waiting a looong time on that write-up. I really didn't take any progress pictures and the swap was pretty straight forward, I guess I don't have much to share about it.

Thanks for the input.

tampa e30 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2006, 02:05:49 AM »

bimmerlover,

Check my thread "pls help with finding springs." I added a post listing the springs that were made specifically for the 318ic.

Hope this helps.

bimmerlover · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2006, 07:50:53 AM »

Thanks Tampa e30. I think I've settled on stock m3 springs actually... the pictures i'm finding of 318ics with lowering springs are a bit too low for my taste. Now I'm just struggling with which shocks to use with the m3 springs.. If I go with Bilsteins I wonder if I need hds or sports? Any ideas would be great.

tampa e30 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2006, 08:32:31 AM »

bimmerlover,

Well the 318ic weighs about 125lb more than the M3 so your drop will be a bit lower than the drop on a 325is with M3 springs. What are you going to use the car for daily driver, track etc. Then reason I ask is I would be concerned about how the weight distribution on the 318ic differs from the M3. If there is a significant difference your may run into handling issues.

That is why I bought the Sach sporting-set . There is only a 20mm drop and the shocks are designed for the springs and car. I got them whole kit from BAV-AUTO for 400 on clearance.

Anyways to answer your question, I don't know which shocks to use. I a would call turnermotor sports and a few other shops and get their opinion.

D. Clay · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2006, 10:45:53 AM »

Shocks are pretty subjective and the Bilsteins are recommended for everything from 250# to 600# front springs. They can't be right for that wide a range of springs. For M3 springs you can use almost any quality shock/strut. Tokico lowering springs and shock/strut insert kits are $335.00. As to the weight question, are you going to have serious handling issues with a 125# friend in the back seat. If you remove the 50# block of weight it's like a 75# kid.
To raise the rear you can put a metal spacer on the spring seat. The rubber pieces still flatten a bit. The rear spring/wheel ratio is .64/1. To raise the car 1" put in a .64" spacer.
I am on my third setup - stock, coilovers and now lowering springs with stiffer bars.

bimmerlover · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2006, 12:43:50 PM »

Quote from: tampa e30

bimmerlover,

Well the 318ic weighs about 125lb more than the M3 so your drop will be a bit lower than the drop on a 325is with M3 springs. What are you going to use the car for daily driver, track etc. Then reason I ask is I would be concerned about how the weight distribution on the 318ic differs from the M3. If there is a significant difference your may run into handling issues.

That is why I bought the Sach sporting-set . There is only a 20mm drop and the shocks are designed for the springs and car. I got them whole kit from BAV-AUTO for 400 on clearance.

Anyways to answer your question, I don't know which shocks to use. I a would call turnermotor sports and a few other shops and get their opinion.

The car is going to be my daily driver. I've seen a 318ic with m3 springs.. and I really like the stance. It is not as low as most of the other setups I've seen. I can't really speak for the handling.. but absolutely anything would be better than what i've got at the moment!! I'll letcha know how it turns out.

tampa e30 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2006, 10:47:18 PM »

bimmerlover, sorry about the delayed response but with the site going down and all. You get the picture. Yes, pls let me know how it turns out, thx

bimmerlover · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2006, 09:21:18 PM »

Hey Guys
Now that we're back up and running.. I did get me a new suspension. I went with Bilstein sports and e30 m3 springs. It didn't change the appearance of the car a whole lot, but it definitely drives like a completely different car. It's sweeeet! Pics below.. please excuse the dirtiness.

Comments/questions welcome.

Rachel

D. Clay · « **Reply #10 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:40:52 AM »

I like it. The stance is perfect - just the right amount of rake. I feel too much rake makes the car look small and shorter. Just a bit brings out the best elements of the styling. I've become a believer in conservative setups for a daily driver. They're a lot of fun and remind me why I bought the car in the first place.
Were there any problems with the E36 swap? If you don't mind, what did it end up costing. I know just rebuilding the timing case is a hefty parts bill.
Now all you have to do is resist the temptation to spend huge sums of money on a 15 year old car.

bimmerlover · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2006, 12:14:57 PM »

Quote from: D. Clay

I like it. The stance is perfect - just the right amount of rake. I feel too much rake makes the car look small and shorter. Just a bit brings out the best elements of the styling. I've become a believer in conservative setups for a daily driver. They're a lot of fun and remind me why I bought the car in the first place.
Were there any problems with the E36 swap? If you don't mind, what did it end up costing. I know just rebuilding the timing case is a hefty parts bill.
Now all you have to do is resist the temptation to spend huge sums of money on a 15 year old car.

Thanks. I'd have to go back and look at my receipts to get the exact cost of the motor swap. There were not any real issues with the swap; the e36 was an auto so that required a few extra steps and of course the belt setup had to be switched over too.

I paid $500 for the E36 parts car. I spent roughly $400 on parts at BMA. I replaced pretty much ALL of the gaskets and seals including head gasket (therefore bolts), profile gasket, oil pan, and of course the chain, tensioner and all of the guide rails. I'm very happy with the result.