E30 Sport suspension

[lion_yo]

Hi,

In the middle of restoring my Tech II 325i Sport and next on the list is the suspension...

Seen as I'm going new was thinking maybe upgrading them would be a nice option anyone recommend a setup thats worth doing or should I stick with the original M Sport suspension?

Have seen many members going for Gaz coilovers and seen H&R cup kits? these a good option to go for or what would you guys recommend?

Many thanks!

[anothere21323i]

Depends what you want to use the car for. If its a road car, forget coil overs. I'm a big fan of Bilstein B6 dampers and Eibach springs and anti roll bars, but the H and R equivalents are just as good.

Whatever you do, avoid cheap gash parts like spax etc - the car will feel and drive awful. Plus, it's important to stick to quality 205/55 tyres too.

Hope that helps!

[Morat]

+1
although I have B8s but it seems that the -35mm Eibach springs are on the crossover point for B6 and B8 because people have fitted either option with success.

[ajay]

Upgrading the arb,s,new top mounts,drop links, lollipop bushes will all aid the handling!

[pnd]

uprated arb's and a strut brace are the finishing touches and well worth doing.

[Andyboy]

Bilstein B6's are okay, but they're rather stiff and you may tire of the ride. I'd use new standard Sport Boge shocks, good 30mm lowering springs such as Eibach or H&R, (or retain the originals) and invest in Eibach anti roll bars. Coilovers are a bit crap for a road car.

[lion_yo]

I'll invest in Eibach anti roll bars kit. Which brand top mounts, drop links you recommend?

Am I right in saying the original 325i sport shocks are Boge?

I'm thinking of Blistein B6 and maybe H&R springs? But then again I always thought that coilovers were the best thing as you can adjust them? Are the Gaz coilovers the best for the E30?

Many thanks!

[Andyboy]

Coilovers are pretty stiff and again, you'll probably get fed up with them. Tech 2 Sports had Boge gas shocks - not as siff as the Billies but the ride is better. Slightly lower with stronger ARB's will result in a nice driving car.

[ross_jsy]

You have to think why will you need to adjust your suspension? If it is height wise, pick an appropriate drop spring that you like and go with some quality dampners to match.

If it is dampening settings you want to adjust, ask yourself are you ever going to be fiddling with it on a road car? Again, a nice dampner like a B6 or B8 will be set up very well for fast road use and general driving.

Also, Gaz Golds aren't particularly great. They are many times better than the likes of JOM's etc but that's not difficult. For a good coilover you are going to need to spend a fair bit more, and they will be wasted on a road car and not give a pleasant ride

[Morat]

Bilstein B6's are okay, but they're rather stiff and you may tire of the ride. I'd use new standard Sport Boge shocks, good 30mm lowering springs such as Eibach or H&R, (or retain the originals) and invest in Eibach anti roll bars. Coilovers are a bit crap for a road car.

I don't know what B6 are like but I'm very happy with my B8s on potholed county roads. Maybe it's the extra mass of the touring, or the 55 profile tyres.

[anothere21323i]

Im pretty sure the damping rate of the B6 and B8 is the same, it's just the B8 is shorter, therefore providing a slight reduction in ride height.

[anothere21323i]

[quote="lion_yo"]I'll invest in Eibach anti roll bars kit. Which brand top mounts, drop links you recommend?

Genuine BMW - without any hesitation!

[Andyboy]

Or Lemforder.

[Morat]

Im pretty sure the damping rate of the B6 and B8 is the same, it's just the B8 is shorter, therefore providing a slight reduction in ride height.

B8s are longer, but the ride height is affected by springs not shocks.
I have also heard that the damping rates are the same, but I have no data. I guess it's also possible that the valving is different on different B8s - I bought mine as part of the B12 (Eibach) Spring and Shock kit.