Yup.. another springs thread

[cagedbunny]

So, I'm having a really difficult time deciding which springs to go with.  '91 318is.  Used primarily as a daily, occasionally may be auto-x'd, but I have a Miata to do that more seriously.  Using Bilstein Sport dampers.

I love the look of the Vogtland springs, and the fact that they are 318 specific.  The H&R Sports are the tried and true set-up, but higher in the front end.  The spring rates between the two aren't terribly far off; If I recall correctly, Vogtlands are ~40lbs stiffer in the front, and ~20lbs softer in the rear than the H&R Sports.

I'm concerned with comfort, but don't want the car to handle like crap either.  The oil pan doesn't seem terribly low on these cars, but I'm coming from a VR6 VW, so maybe I'm just used to worse.  

Here's the current daily, so you can see what I'm used to as far as a low daily goes..

[roundel318]

I have a 91 318i and Bilstein sports too, I installed Eibach (Eibach Pro Kit) springs, they drop 1.5" in the front and 1" in the back, PM me and I will email you pix of wheel gap.
I have 205x50x16's installed, after a bit of looking around I opted for the Eibach springs due to the lower front and taller back. With just 1" in the back, the back tire is already hiding under the fender pretty well, and the front looks great too.
Most people reported that they were a bit on the softer side when tracked compared to the H&R's, I wanted to retain as much ride quality as I could, I am pretty satisified.
I think VAC Motorsports had them for 265 or thereabouts.

[JP 91iS]

PM me and I will email you pix of wheel gap.

Why not post a picture to share with the rest of us?

[roundel318]

Here we go, I had to get them upped to a host.


These pix were just hours after installation, they have settled a little since installation, I will get some updated ones tomorrow when its light out.
205x50x16's on there.
No rubbing, etc anywhere.
Borbet Type T's, two are slightly out of balance, two are good.
The only reason I say is I may sell them soon :rolleyes:

[Danny707]

h&r RACE

[roundel318]

As promised, daylight pix.  Sorry about the dirt, its been raining here a lot.

[tjts1]

For anybody has installed springs: Did you reinstall the rubber spring seats or leave them out? If you left them out, did you notice any difference in noise or vibration? My 318i has stock springs and sway bars but I installed Bilstein HDs a few months back which i love. After my first autoX this weekend (see signature) I realized my car is in desperate need of springs and sway bars. I picked up a set of E30 M3 springs locally for $80 and plan to install them this coming weekend. After that I'll check the JYs for a convertible front sway bar (21mm) and a 325ix rear bar (14.5mm) unless I find something aftermarket. The plan is to keep this cheap and comfortable enough for a daily driver.

[roundel318]

Not sure here, my shop installed the Eibach springs, I got Bilstein Sport dampers, they are FAB.
:rolleyes:

[Spec 2]

So, I'm having a really difficult time deciding which springs to go with.  '91 318is.  Used primarily as a daily, occasionally may be auto-x'd, but I have a Miata to do that more seriously.  Using Bilstein Sport dampers.

I love the look of the Vogtland springs, and the fact that they are 318 specific.  The H&R Sports are the tried and true set-up, but higher in the front end.  The spring rates between the two aren't terribly far off; If I recall correctly, Vogtlands are ~40lbs stiffer in the front, and ~20lbs softer in the rear than the H&R Sports.

I'm concerned with comfort, but don't want the car to handle like crap either.  The oil pan doesn't seem terribly low on these cars, but I'm coming from a VR6 VW, so maybe I'm just used to worse.  

I drive similarly to you and I have the Vogtlands and would HIGHLY recommend them.  They're nice because the drop is slightly raked which helps even out the fender gaps due to the lower rear on E30's, and the sprign rate is progressive so they're comfortable enough to drive around in DD but are also stiff enough for tracking.  1.7" (43mm) front and 1.3" (33mm) rear.

[cagedbunny]

Yeah, I've decided to try out the Vogtlands.  Seem to best fit what I'm looking for.  If I decide I want to go more aggressive later, I'll either run the H&R Races, or go for a GC set-up.

I'll post up some pics when I get everything together.  Thanks for the replies!

[Spec 2]

Yeah, I've decided to try out the Vogtlands.  Seem to best fit what I'm looking for.  If I decide I want to go more aggressive later, I'll either run the H&R Races, or go for a GC set-up.

I'll post up some pics when I get everything together.  Thanks for the replies!

Great choice, you'll be very happy with it!  I will let you know that these springs will settle of course.  After it was first dropped I thought the rear was perfect and the front was just a hair high.  It took about 3 months for them to fully settle and now the front has 0 gap between tire and fender and the rear is tucked a bit. I'll have to post some pics for you later.