Author Topic: what shocks and struts do you suggest? (Read 15511 times)

dude8383 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2007, 01:05:28 PM »

Wow, the HD's are more expensive!

I paid $400 shipped for my Bilstein HD's from Patrick @ BMA

christophbmw · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2007, 03:16:26 PM »

just a quick question while we are on the subject. What springs will get me a stiffer ride, and ride hieght that is equvilent to stock in the rear, and about .5" lower in the front? I was thinking E30 M3 springs with one coil cut off in the front. I dont want to lower the car but the rear springs are to soft for my driving. anybody here running M3 springs?

ps, i have bilistien sport shocks.

silverblades181 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2007, 05:01:58 PM »

I wouldn't recommend cutting the spring.

KenC · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2007, 05:53:13 PM »

Quote from: christophbmw;35129

just a quick question while we are on the subject. What springs will get me a stiffer ride, and ride hieght that is equvilent to stock in the rear, and about .5" lower in the front? I was thinking E30 M3 springs with one coil cut off in the front. I dont want to lower the car but the rear springs are to soft for my driving. anybody here running M3 springs?

ps, i have bilistien sport shocks.

H&R OE Sports

christophbmw · « **Reply #19 on:** October 07, 2007, 07:27:17 PM »

Quote from: silverblades181;35135

I wouldn't recommend cutting the spring.

why? it would just be one coil.

christophbmw · « **Reply #20 on:** October 07, 2007, 07:28:07 PM »

Quote from: KenCopperwheat;35140

H&R OE Sports

i heard the H&R's where soft (are the sports different).

dude8383 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2007, 10:34:38 AM »

Quote from: christophbmw;35212

i heard the H&R's where soft (are the sports different).

Same spring rates as the H&R Sports springs...I have these mated to my Bilstein HD's and love em!

christophbmw · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2007, 07:30:09 PM »

Quote from: dude8383;35240

Same spring rates as the H&R Sports springs...I have these mated to my Bilstein HD's and love em!

how low does it drop the car? i drive on alot of roads that require high ground clearance (about the hieght it you where to drive up onto a curb......just to give an example).

eric ^__^ · « **Reply #23 on:** October 10, 2007, 05:11:17 PM »

Quote from: silverblades181;34812

Shocks will not raise or lower the car, that's the springs.

I think stiffer shocks do have an effect on ride height, actually.

christophbmw · « **Reply #24 on:** October 10, 2007, 07:26:03 PM »

Quote from: eric ^__^;35435

I think stiffer shocks do have an effect on ride height, actually.

if you go from blown shocks to new ones, maybe, very slightly though 1/8" or so difference.

silverblades181 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 10, 2007, 09:49:56 PM »

Quote from: eric ^__^;35435

I think stiffer shocks do have an effect on ride height, actually.

No they don't. Unless your old shocks are blown like stated previously. The stiffness of a shock is for the bound and rebound, not the height. The springs are what support the vehicule and therefore give it it's height.

1991 318is · « **Reply #26 on:** October 10, 2007, 09:52:39 PM »

Quote from: christophbmw;35266

how low does it drop the car? i drive on alot of roads that require high ground clearance (about the hieght it you where to drive up onto a curb......just to give an example).

well lowering a 318is with the m42 is going to put you close to the ground. if i am going down the road and a can of pop is on its side i think i can can clear it, if its standing up my oil pan is going to hit it. its very close i have bav auto springs and it definitely dropped it more then what they told me it was going to do. BUT it looks Bomb! and when i get the new sports its going to handle so nice. i had a bad scare one night coming how from work. there was a raised man hole thing in the middle of my lane, just seen it at the last second i couldn't get around it or stop so i was just like O shat, went over it expecting to have to stop and walk back to get my oil pan but i some how made it over it. i also cant go close to speed humps. i say look under your car and think how close are some things going to be when its like 2inch lower. i was not expecting it to be that close.

eric ^__^ · « **Reply #27 on:** October 11, 2007, 03:49:27 PM »

I don't think I want to lower the car any time soon, but I certainly need different shocks.

The shocks that are on the car are the cheapest possible US made shocks available. They are TERRIBLE.

I'm thinking of upgrading to some Koni yellows and buying some new factory IS springs. New factory springs can do wonders for an old car.

The reason I'm going with Koni is because I've owned two cars with Bilsteins, and most BMW fans upgrade with them. I've heard nothing but good things about Konis, and I'd like to find out for myself. Besides, anything will be better than what's on the car now!

silverblades181 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 12, 2007, 10:20:55 AM »

the H&R Sport springs lower the car about 1.25inch...it's not bad at all on the street. Just be careful of which speed bumps you go over, the longer they are the most chance you have of hitting something but in my case all that scratched was the cat and resonator and it wasn't that bad either. I live in terrible road conditions...Quebec roads warrant the use of a rally car as a DD...The secret is to be careful and keep in mind your a bit lower and it is very liveable.

eric ^__^ · « **Reply #29 on:** October 12, 2007, 02:57:23 PM »

yeah I had H&R's and billy HD's on my 2002

good compromise for the street