suspension question

[91318isfoundation]

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]

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]

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]

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]

whats the rates on the stock 318i's?

[mikesjo]

Less than the m3.

[Bunta]

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]

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]

i like # 3

[Noel Higa]

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

[Febi Guibo]

patrick at bmaparts.com

[///Motorsport]

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]

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]

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]

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

[silverblades181]

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.

I meant theres not a big difference in ride quality, both will be harsher. The other guy was saying H&R Race are not for street use but H&R Race are...theres not that big a difference.

Edit: I have driven in cars with both and no they're not all that different in regular driving, you'll notice it a lot more on the track as the Race will have less body roll.

[mike85-325e]

will M3 springs fit right onto the 318 suspension?

[jajou318]

will M3 springs fit right onto the 318 suspension?

Yea, might be stiffer. Not sure if it would give you much of a drop if that's what you were looking for.

As for H&R Kit, I would stay away from that. My friend has that on his 325 (although the 17" might play a factor into this) and it scrapes hard he has to SLOOOOWWW down way bad just so he doesn't scrape over bumps int he road and whatnot. Imagine that with the m42 oilpan =/

[mike85-325e]

i dont care about a drop i just need something stiffer for now. im on a real tight budget but i will be upgrading later on. just looking for the cheaping thing that will stiffen her up. so its a direct fit?