Restore 1991 318is to stock height - Much confusion, PLEASE ADVISE

[bht2109]

Hey everybody!  Got a (long-winded) question regarding shocks and springs, and I really need some advice.  I know that this sort of topic has been covered before in other areas, but I really can't seem to find any up-to-date, definitive answers.  Here's the dilemma:

I need to refurb the suspension on my '91 318is in order to better suit the NYC roads that I'm commuting on.  It is currently lowered on Vogtland springs and Bilstein B4s (by previous owners), and both the ride height and stiffness are intolerable on these Brooklyn streets.  WAY too many potholes and speedbumps around here - the roads are really just awful.  I want to raise the car up as much as possible (which I guess means "stock"), and also soften up the ride a bit.  Every time I go over even the slightest imperfection in the road, it reverberates throughout the entire frame and shatters my teeth.  Additionally, I'll be rehabing lots of spring pads/end links/bushings/etc, so no real issues there.

Problem is, most of the information online seems to be aimed at lowering springs; these discussions are only minimally useful to me. And all the info that pertains to my specific needs is either out of date or contradictory.

Also, parts availability seems to be an issue.  Springs-wise, the only options that I've found seem to be new OEM BMW springs from ECS ($$$, and only fronts available), used BMW stock from Ebay (but I'd rather buy new), or H&R "OE Sport" (rather than the straight-up "Sport").  Everything else seems geared toward lowering.  Anyone have any other ideas for "stock" springs?

As far as shocks, Sachs/Boge seem like the option I'm hunting for, correct?  BavAuto/Pelican/ECS still appear to have these in stock.  Adjustible Konis seem intriguing, but pricey.  Any other suggestions (remember, my old man bones are looking for a softer ride)?  Haven't read great things about KYB or Meyle...

So I guess what I need from you guys is this: 

1.  Will the H&R "OE Sports" fit on the 318is?  ECS says No, Turner says Yes, and the guy on the phone at H&R said that part# 50404 ("Sport Springs") and part# 50404-55 ("OE Sport Springs") are essentially the same thing, and that they will fit.  Confused?  I am!  Does anyone have experience putting these "OE" springs under an E30 318is?

2.  As far as matching springs and shocks, what should I watch out for?  Will the H&Rs and the Sachs/Boge play well together?  Do I need to pay close attention to spring rate and load weight and whatnot?

Any advice is most appreciated.  I'm pretty new to the E30 game (just bought my baby a few months ago), so I hope you'll forgive rookie mistakes.  If the answers I'm looking for are already published, kindly direct me there.

Here's a photo of the current ride height for reference:



Thanks all!

[av8drvr]

I have the H&R OE sport springs (5040-55) and they fit perfect. I replaced stock springs and I did have a slight drop. I also installed Billy sport shocks at the same time which I find a little stiff (my battery bounces over big bumps, need to find a hold down). This was almost 7 years age but my car is a weekend/summer warrior so only a few thousand miles. I will say the Koni's seem the best option lately. Also, the biggest improvement I have seen in the overall ride was a full bushing refresh front and back using OE rubber. Huge difference for what it's worth.

[DesktopDave]

Any updates on this? I'd recommend 325iS stock springs, they'll give you decent roadholding as well as a little more ride height. IMHO that's what the 318i (sedan) had installed when new. They do look a little goofy, but they have protected that vulnerable M42 oil pan for 25 years on our potholed suburban roads.

I was looking into KYB GR2 struts up front, along with a set of OEM 325i or standard H&R springs (50404). Still collecting parts, so I can't give you an answer yet.

[mcfir7]

Any updates on this? I'd recommend 325iS stock springs, they'll give you decent roadholding as well as a little more ride height. IMHO that's what the 318i (sedan) had installed when new. They do look a little goofy, but they have protected that vulnerable M42 oil pan for 25 years on our potholed suburban roads.

I was looking into KYB GR2 struts up front, along with a set of OEM 325i or standard H&R springs (50404). Still collecting parts, so I can't give you an answer yet.

I did the same on my E36 318is coupe. I swap in e36 325i coupe spring in with boge oem absorber. I think the sat bit higher then oem 318is spring plus more firmer. I just try out a run during midnight. Seems comfy and nice firm rate. My only concern now is that I start to feel like flying during above 120kmh. I start to think maybe the height is too high even is like only 1 or 2 finger higher. Or  maybe the 325 spring keep pushing the car up since the engine is not heavy enough to hold it down.

Should I go back to my 318is spring? Or a 328i apex lowered spring? I do have 318is omp lowered spring. But I feel is too low. Keep scraping some area. Please advice.

[Warsteiner]

Here is some info for the E30 that I researched and got directly from H&R about 8.5 years ago. HTH

I checked into it a little more and the 29664 would be the option to use if you wanted to be a little lower than the standard 50404 kit.
Rates between the two kits are comparable with the 29964 being just a little softer in the rear.
I hope that helps.
 

Cheers,
~Ralph

[bmwman91]

Old thread, but here is my 2 cents since I went through something similar over a decade ago.

The car had been on Bilstein Sport shocks + H&R Sport springs for around 5 years, and compared to stock it sat close to 1.75" lower in the front and maybe 1.25" lower in the rear. There was an oops with the oil pan, the front lip was constantly getting caught on bad pavement in parking lots, etc. That and the ride was just not that much fun outside of autoX.

So I went back to stock springs and shocks. The springs were just used OEM ones, and initially I used Boge TurboGas shocks which crapped out a couple of years later. At that point I put in Bilstein HD shocks (~2013), and am still running those (along with all OEM rubber bushings...I had been running all-poly and it was awful lol). The Bilstein HD's lifted the car close to an inch over stock since their internal springs are stiffer than the ones in OEM shocks, and it settled a little over the following year (I had also replaced all of the rubber spring perches, which was probably 0.25" of that). Honestly, I like having the ground clearance, and the fact that it does not look like a "sporty" stance kind of appeals to me since it handles a hell of a lot better than you would expect when looking at it. The Bilstein HDs are a fantastic little upgrade for any stock suspension. Compared to the stiff lowered setup it actually handles better on the street because it can absorb the bumps, whereas it would end up "jumping off of" them with the stiff setup. Ride quality is a lot better too.