Author Topic: pls help with locating springs (Read 4310 times)

tampa e30 · « **on:** September 06, 2006, 02:25:42 AM »

I cannot find springs for my 318ic. I have called Eibach and H&R directly and they both confirmed that springs for the 318i cabrio are no longer being produced.

I have called several of the major part stores and no one seems to have any more in stock. :eek:

Can anyone point me in the right direction or am I SOL.

Thx for any help,
Rich

D. Clay · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2006, 03:55:15 PM »

Do you need stock, lowering and/or performance, coilovers, etc. How does the cabrio diiffer in total weight and front/rear distribution from the sedans?

tampa e30 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2006, 01:13:27 AM »

I am looking for lowering and performance but would prefer not going with coilovers. I really don't have a need for adjustability nor do I want to spend the extra money.

Ground Control will make a custom set of springd for $400, but I would need to provide the spring rates. Honestly though, I don't know enough about suspension to provide that info.

The cabrio weighs a couple of hundred pounds more than the sedan/coupe due to the top and chassis bracing. I'll see if I cannot find an exact # and I�ll look for the #s that compare front/rear weight distribution.. When I spoke with H&R and Eibach they both discouraged using 318is springs because the addition weight of the cabrio would cause the springs to bottom out when going over bumps.

dude8383 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2006, 01:28:19 AM »

Ebay would be a nice place to look...i found my H&R O.E.'s there for $160 with 100 miles on em.

Did you try turnermotorsport? Have you tried pelican parts?

Keep searching...im sure somebody out there has a set of nice springs for ya!

tampa e30 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2006, 01:20:01 PM »

So will this work??? Pls, help because I am not sure about fitment.

After many phone calls this is what I have come up with. I spoke with a sales rep at Turner Motorsports who is willing to break up two H&R sport spring kits to make me one. He will sell me a front set of springs from a 318is kit (lowers 1.25) and rear springs from a 325ic kit (lowers .75) for $280.

The price is fine, but will the rear springs from a 1991 325ic work on a 1991 318ic.

Rich

dude8383 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2006, 02:08:24 PM »

Quote from: tampa e30

So will this work??? Pls, help because I am not sure about fitment.

After many phone calls this is what I have come up with. I spoke with a sales rep at Turner Motorsports who is willing to break up two H&R sport spring kits to make me one. He will sell me a front set of springs from a 318is kit (lowers 1.25) and rear springs from a 325ic kit (lowers .75) for $280.

The price is fine, but will the rear springs from a 1991 325ic work on a 1991 318ic.

Rich

they should..your car will just sit a little bit higher because the 325ic springs were designed for a heavier car. You have to realize that the ride height is gonna look weird ...you've got half an inch difference between the two, are you going for the raked look?

tampa e30 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2006, 03:50:29 PM »

The way it was explained to me is that the rear-end weight is the same in the 318ic as the 325ic except for the manual vs. power top weight difference. So there should be a very minimal increase in ride height if any from the stated .75" stated drop.

The weight difference is up front, 4cyl vs. 6 cyl, hence the use of the 318i springs up front.

NO, I am not looking for the raked look, but I thought it would be ok because the spring package for a 325ic shows a 1.4 " front and .75" rear drop.

Cut and pasted from the Tuner Motorsports web site:

E30 325 Cabrio H&R Sport Spring Set
325ic (E30) 1987-1992 E30 325 Cabrio H&R Sport Spring Set. 1.4" drop Front, .75" Rear.

What do you think??

D. Clay · « **Reply #7 on:** September 29, 2006, 03:40:14 AM »

If the rear springs are 400#, the wheel rate is 250# per inch. If the cabrio is 200# heavier in the rear you could also remove the 50# block of weight. That would be 150/250 = .6" additional drop in the rear. You could also double up on spring pads for less drop. If your present rake is Ok this may be the way to go, i'e. 1.25" front and rear.

tampa e30 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2006, 01:59:43 AM »

D. Clay, thx for the response.

So here is a summary of what lowering springs I have found specifically for the 318ic:

1) Sachs sporting-set (part# 118056) It�s a suspension kit including springs and struts/shocks. It lowers the car 20mm (~.75") in the front and rear and retails between $700-$800. The set is no longer in production but there are a few still floating around. I know because I ordered this set and it should be on my door step Tuesday morning.

2) Suspension Techniques sport lowering springs (part# 65267) these retail in the $200-$250 range and lower the front and rear by 1.4". They are still in production and are available.

3) Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs (part# 2010.240) these retail in the $200-$250 range and lower the car 1.25" in the front and .75" in the rear. Production on these springs was stopped in 2004 and I have not been able to find a set anywhere.

I have spoke with ZF Trading North America, Suspension Techniques, and Eibach directly and confirmed everything listed above.