Author Topic: suspension question (Read 7752 times)

91318isfoundation · « **on:** January 11, 2007, 12:04:35 AM »

i was looking into upgrading my suspension i have 91 318is turner says this kit http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=SPECE30SK fits e30 325i/e i was under the impression most e30 parts were interchangable will this fit my car ? any other cheaper options any one knows?
trying to figure out what i need to save up for any help would be great THX

m42 fan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2007, 05:42:29 AM »

Yeah, that kit will bolt right up to your car.

BUT

If you are planning on driving the car semi-regularly on the street, then I would strongly advise you to go with something else. For example, lots of people go with http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=E30SPORT
and have had great results. hth

Brian

silverblades181 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2007, 12:03:22 PM »

Theres not a big difference between the H&R Race and the H&R Sport...many people use the H&R Race in the street. If comfort is what you want then stick with OEM suspension parts.

D. Clay · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2007, 12:27:46 PM »

The plus for the Spec E30 kit is a ready resale market. You can buy the springs and shocks and add the bars later. With the bigger bars you will need the other reinforcements.
For the street I'd go with Bilstein Touring shocks and pick up a set of lowering springs on the forums. Tourings are Bilstein quality and just a little stiffer than OEM.
An E30 is really good for the street with new rubber parts and OEM suspension as silverblades181 noted. Even if you go for a stiffer setup you will still need those parts.
I'm running 165 pound front/265 rear springs and Touring shocks with a "Wally Bar". Named after Wally Dallenbach who liked the biggest bars he could get for the track. It's plenty stiff for the street and doesn't bang and bounce over the bumps.
I have the feeling that a lot of folks upgrade suspensions because they mistake the worn out OEM for how the car actually is. E30's have always been known for handling without mods.
As you can guess, I am a soft spring stiff bar advocate. If you can, try to ride and drive as many E30's as you can before deciding.
Spring Rates (close)
Stock M3 -> 140 -> 250
Dinan Sport -> 172 -> 300
H&R Race -> 315 -> 570
H&R Sport -> 185 -> 380
Eibach Pro-kit -> 102 -> 277
Eibach Race -> 160 -> 445
Ireland Stage 3 -> 315 -> 570
Tokico Kit - > 165 - > 265
Landshark Coil Over - > 350 - > 450
Cosmo Coil Over - > 275 - > 375

mike85-325e · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2007, 09:49:34 PM »

whats the rates on the stock 318i's?

mikesjo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2007, 01:10:00 AM »

Less than the m3.

Bunta · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2007, 09:35:04 PM »

IE Stage 3s are very streetable if the roads allow it. Ride quality isnt bad at all(I have all polly bushings to + bilstein sports which give a rougher ride than konis). Id opt for H&R races if I had the money but for that J Stocks are good too. Its all what you want, smooth ride,looks,performance I feel the IEs are great all around. Good price too.
Just my 0.02

Hunter

DZick · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2007, 07:11:20 PM »

If you are looking for:

Comfort
-Stock/M3 Springs
-New Bushings

Comfort/Lowest Drop
-H&R Cup Kit
-New Bushings

Good Street/Trackable/Moderate Drop
-H&R Race/IE stg. III
-New Bushings
-Anti-Roll Bars

Track/Adjustable Drop Height/ Adjustable Dampning
-Coilovers/JStock
-New Bushings
-Anti-Roll Bars
-Stressbars
-Etc.

That is kind of what i use to guage what people are looking for.

91318isfoundation · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2007, 10:46:09 PM »

i like # 3

Noel Higa · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2007, 08:02:58 AM »

What's the best place to buy stock rubber bushings? Anyone have full, don't have to think, kits? Thanks, Noel

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2007, 10:27:06 AM »

patrick at bmaparts.com

///Motorsport · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2007, 07:34:46 PM »

Quote from: silverblades181;17416

Theres not a big difference between the H&R Race and the H&R Sport...many people use the H&R Race in the street. If comfort is what you want then stick with OEM suspension parts.

Okay I disagree. I haven't ridden Sports but all youhave to do is read the given chart ^^^ to see they are fairly different, enough to mention I would say. I use H&R Race on the street and wouldnt go back. You have to be careful where you drive but its a BMW, so you should be anyways. Might try coilovers or other methods down the road, but there is a ver noticeable ride height and handling difference between the two.

Since you liked option 3, your'e probably like me, I have Billies with Races, Azenis, and then f/r sways, poly bushings and control arms are all next.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2007, 07:57:14 PM »

Quote from: m42 fan;17404

Yeah, that kit will bolt right up to your car.

BUT

If you are planning on driving the car semi-regularly on the street, then I would strongly advise you to go with something else. For example, lots of people go with http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=E30SPORT
and have had great results. hth

Brian

I don't think that's the right kit for a 318is
I think you mean this

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=50404

Plus shocks .................but I may be wrong ......................

dude8383 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2007, 08:07:52 PM »

Quote from: Febi Guibo;17715

patrick at bmaparts.com

call patrick.

he knows his shit about e30's and you can ask him for a recommendation based on your application, and walk away paying less than usual!

1-888-262-3911

Thats of MEMORY there, I talk this dude at least once a week, great guy.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2007, 08:12:56 PM »

Quote from: dude8383;17748

call patrick.

he knows his shit about e30's and you can ask him for a recommendation based on your application, and walk away paying less than usual!

1-888-262-3911

Thats of MEMORY there, I talk this dude at least once a week, great guy.

+1

Author Topic: suspension question (Read 7752 times)

mike85-325e

///Motorsport