Author Topic: From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS] (Read 7323 times)

bmwman91 · « **on:** August 28, 2006, 01:21:06 AM »

As I am sure some of you are aware, my oil pan got in a fight with a rock a little while back. Aside from that, I was getting tired of rough, noisy rides with my renewed interest in road-tripping. So, I traded my Bilstein Sport's & H&R Sport's for some new Boge TurboGas shocks & stock springs. Visually, it is a world of difference (I definitely liked the lowered look better). Handling...well it really is not THAT much different, but I am keeping the beefy sways and all the poly bushings I have in there. The car just feels a lot higher and there is a bit more body roll. A couple HPDE's should have me going just as quick as before, maybe faster. I miss my lowered suspension for sure...until I get on a crappy bit of road! So, pics.....pairs of before & after.

The after pics might be a few mm higher than they will be in like 3 months. With the performance stuff I had removed the rubber spring pads from all 4 corners. I bought brand new ones for this, and they will settle a little.

FL318is · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2006, 08:21:48 AM »

I too like the lowered look better but, scraping the bottom is no alternative. In Florida the city roads have deeper dips for rain water run off. As much as I would like to lower the car its still not worth the risk.

Your ride looks great!

bmwman91 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2006, 09:59:07 AM »

Thank you. As goofy as it looks all high up again, I still like to run a tight ship. Still gets the wash & wax treatment!

I also pulled the front seats and did a thorough interior cleaning this weekend. Actually I HAD to pull the seats as I was removing the 4 point harnesses for good. I do not know why I had such a hard time appreciating a nice, stock car back in the day. There is definitely something to be said for it. I think I always felt it sucked because 1) both 318iS's I have had had totally blown stock shocks when I bought them and 2) all the bushings & crap i have replaced were also blown when I got the cars. Now that I have replaced virtually EVERYTHING on this car, it rides better than new (well, the beefy sways & all poly bushings help with that).

asubimmer · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2006, 12:46:34 PM »

up and in lol. I do like the dropped look but now you can have a rally machine

D. Clay · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2006, 12:48:10 PM »

I forget sometimes what initially attracted me to these cars. After the honeymoon, I started to notice little stuff that needed a bit of improvement ........ wait - this sounds too much like a relationship!
You fall in love with someone because they are the way they are and immediately go about trying to change them.
My priority list of mods starts with quicker steering and better sway bars. I'm really tired of cars that ride like go-karts!

dude8383 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2006, 04:19:49 PM »

Have you considered H&R O.E.'s? I have them on my car and the drop was about an inch. You'll clear everything...i haven't had any issues and i drive into the city several times a month. Also factor in that most roads suck here in the NYC area.

Berlin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2006, 02:22:17 AM »

i agree, i too, will someday have a stock e30... it will most likely be a touring however.... but modifying is fun too. anyway i think that if you just dropped the front maybe half an inch it would look perfect... thinner spring pads or somethin

Euro Nation · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2006, 02:50:37 AM »

I also suggest H&R OEs if you get around to different springs. Can't wait for my new stuff... hehe

dude8383 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2006, 10:21:38 AM »

OR...get yourself some M3 springs! The drop will be minimal.

FL318is · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2006, 04:49:23 PM »

Quote from: dude8383

Have you considered H&R O.E.'s? I have them on my car and the drop was about an inch. You'll clear everything...i haven't had any issues and i drive into the city several times a month. Also factor in that most roads suck here in the NYC area.

OK, I am listening. Sounds like a reasonable compromise. Where did you get them?

dude8383 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2006, 07:32:05 PM »

Quote from: FL318is

OK, I am listening. Sounds like a reasonable compromise. Where did you get them?

I was lucky enough to score a full set with 100 miles on em, from ebay.

Check if ebay has any listings...otherwise craigslist is a good source. You can try finding them new also...price is the same as any other spring set, around $200

bmwman91 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2006, 02:44:08 PM »

$200 for the 1 inch drop is not bad at all. How is the stiffness comapred to stock?

haledj · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2006, 08:32:02 PM »

The pictures are painful to look at, taking such a big aesthetic step backwards, but I applaud you for making a prudent decision

m42 fan · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2006, 09:55:41 PM »

No question, you've got to do what you've got to do. The car is no good if you can't drive it anywhere, or are in fear the whole time.

Just another sign responsibility is taking over. Just watch Old School a couple of times, you'll feel better. I always do!

Brian

dude8383 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2006, 10:04:53 PM »

Quote from: bmwman91

$200 for the 1 inch drop is not bad at all. How is the stiffness comapred to stock?

The stiffness is the same as H&R Sport springs

Author Topic: From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS] (Read 7323 times)

bmwman91

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

FL318is

Big Diff!

bmwman91

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

asubimmer

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

D. Clay

When we were young, I loved you more!

dude8383

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

Berlin

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

Euro Nation

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

dude8383

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

FL318is

HRs

dude8383

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

bmwman91

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

haledj

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

m42 fan

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]

dude8383

From Lowered, Back to Stock [PICS]