Question for those w/e30 M3 Springs

[John W]

I have been slowly collecting parts for some suspension work. Although, I don't quite have everything I need yet for the front, I did for the rear, so I decided to install that stuff today.

Included with these parts are springs from an e30 M3. I thought the rear springs were about the same height, but when I pulled my stock springs, they were in fact about an inch taller. I went ahead and put the M3 springs on (with Bilstein Sports) and it looks like about the same height as before, but I'm betting it will settle lower.

So (finally), my question: To those of you who have also done this, is there really this much of a difference between 318is springs and e30 M3 springs in terms of height?

Thanks.

[318kid]

I think that the M3 springs are a little shorter, but they are stiffer. You will notice a difference in handling, but when it comes to appearance, chances are you will barley notice it. With and m20 up front, I think it drops the car about 1/2 inch, but with the m42 you'd be lucky with that. Install it all and then see if it settles out, and if you like it keep it, if you don't you can decide where you want to go from there.

[nomad]

Did you take out spring pads?

[John W]

Left the spring pads in when I installed the M3 springs. Today, it does appear to sit a bit lower in the back.

Also, just to clarify, as I understood it, the front M3 springs should lower the car about 1/2 inch, but the back should not lower at all. Maybe the springs I ended up with were aftermarket springs of some sort??

[John W]

I think that the M3 springs are a little shorter, but they are stiffer. You will notice a difference in handling, but when it comes to appearance, chances are you will barley notice it. With and m20 up front, I think it drops the car about 1/2 inch, but with the m42 you'd be lucky with that. Install it all and then see if it settles out, and if you like it keep it, if you don't you can decide where you want to go from there.

The e30 M3 has a 4-cylinder S14, so it should have similar balance to an e30 M42. I believe the front springs are about 1/2 inch lower, but not from extra weight of the engine.

I was really hoping to avoid lowering the car much. Don't really care about appearance too much, just wanted a more aggressive, but not lower (we have some crappy roads here) set-up for mostly street use.

[tony92ic]

I was really hoping to avoid lowering the car much. Don't really care about appearance too much, just wanted a more aggressive, but not lower (we have some crappy roads here) set-up for mostly street use.

I've got the E30 M3 suspension in my convertible. I pulled the spring pads so mine is lower, but as far as spring rates go I think the M3 set up is the perfect balance of more aggressive handling, but very streetable.

Get the fronts on, you'll love it.

[Sam Cogley]

I've got the E30 M3 suspension in my convertible. I pulled the spring pads so mine is lower, but as far as spring rates go I think the M3 set up is the perfect balance of more aggressive handling, but very streetable.

Get the fronts on, you'll love it.

How did it change the stance of your car?  My cabrio is sitting with a gap of less than 1" over the rear tires, but just over 2" over the fronts.  It gives it something of a chin-up look.

[John W]

Thanks all. The post with the white 325i on page 2 of this thread has a picture of stock vs. stock M3 springs that is very similar to what I saw. So I guess I'm in the right ballpark.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=110218&page=2

Also, just driving around so far everything feels great -- and I haven't even done the front yet. I think this is going to work out well when everything is all said and done.

[gearheadE30]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the 318is and the M3 have the same front spring rates, but the M3 ones are a half inch shorter. The rear M3 springs are a lot stiffer, though, and that does help balance the car. Still hella soft for autox work, though

[John W]

Still hella soft for autox work, though

Not if you cheat and run 'er in G-Stock. Not that I would do anything like that. Haha. :rolleyes:

But you're right, the springs are very soft compared to aftermarket springs. And I do think that the front rates are very similar or only slightly higher than the standard is springs.

[nomad]

[gasp] Cut the stock springs one coil [/gasp]

[tony92ic]

How did it change the stance of your car?  My cabrio is sitting with a gap of less than 1" over the rear tires, but just over 2" over the fronts.  It gives it something of a chin-up look.

I finally posted an intro page. Check out the photo here:

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6053

I think you can see the stance there. Not as low as some of the cars here, but usable. I scrape on the curb going into my driveway if i am not careful, so this is about as low as I want to go.

[John W]

Tony, your car looks great! And I really like the stance. All in all, you've done some upgrades that accentuate the original character of the car very well. I can also tell by your signature that you have impeccable taste!

I finally posted an intro page. Check out the photo here:

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6053

I think you can see the stance there. Not as low as some of the cars here, but usable. I scrape on the curb going into my driveway if i am not careful, so this is about as low as I want to go.

[tony92ic]

I can also tell by your signature that you have impeccable taste!

Thanks!  My wife calls it an addiction. :-)


I'm really pretty happy with the handling on the car.  I put 15" wheels on it thinking the extra sidewall would help the chassis. Cabby chassis are pretty loose. I had 16" MMIIs with 225/45s on it, but the ride was brutal and the tires just wouldn't stay planted. On a rough road it felt like the front end was becoming detached from the car.  I switched to the 15"s with Khumo ASX 205/55 (original M3 size). I also added the strut brace and switched the control arm bushings from poly back to rubber at the same time. The ride and handling are perfect for daily driver duty. A tin top could take a more aggresive suspension.

However:
A buddy put 17" wheels on his 318is and the look is killer. I think if I could find a set of those 17" e36 turbine wheels I'd have to bite and maybe try to find some tires with a forgiving sidewall.