Some help with coilovers / lowering please!! (HELP!):o

[78gizmo]

Corrected Thought what I had been told was correct, glad it was spotted! Luckily didn't need to measure mine to get the right shocks as its a touring and they are all the same size.

[Andyboy]

If you go for coiloverzz (I wouldn't -they're shite), you need to grease ip the threaded adjusting rings and coat the springs in spray grease. The cheaper ones are very poorly made and one decent winter will render them scrap.
As ever, a set of quality springs such as the Eibach prokit and a new set of standard gas shocks will do the job properly. A set of good coilovers work well, but they cost as much as the car.

[pacerpete]

If you go for coiloverzz (I wouldn't -they're shite), you need to grease ip the threaded adjusting rings and coat the springs in spray grease. The cheaper ones are very poorly made and one decent winter will render them scrap.
As ever, a set of quality springs such as the Eibach prokit and a new set of standard gas shocks will do the job properly. A set of good coilovers work well, but they cost THREE TIMES as much as the car.

Fixed. It's a 320 quattroporte

[Coops90]

I was a yoof a few years ago when I bought my E30. I found myself with some sketchy DIY made coilovers. Whacked them on and immediately wished i had aids instead. Forked out and got some FK konigsports which are excellent and do go pretty low if you want them to.

I'd go for decent springs and shocks unless you're prepared to part with the paper. Sounds an old fart thing to say but you will 100000% enjoy your E30 more with a proper ride rather than decked on the cheap. Took me a while and a lot of wasted money to realise this. It will also more likely keep its value if prospective buyers know its not been 'slammed'.

[Duke137]

I was a yoof a few years ago when I bought my E30. I found myself with some sketchy DIY made coilovers. Whacked them on and immediately wished i had aids instead. Forked out and got some FK konigsports which are excellent and do go pretty low if you want them to.

I'd go for decent springs and shocks unless you're prepared to part with the paper. Sounds an old fart thing to say but you will 100000% enjoy your E30 more with a proper ride rather than decked on the cheap. Took me a while and a lot of wasted money to realise this. It will also more likely keep its value if prospective buyers know its not been 'slammed'.

Well said

[Mechagran]

I don't know if 32 makes a a "yoof" or not.

Hopefully.

But as I said right at the start whilst I appreciate i'm canvassing opinion i'm doing so in relation to "how" not "why" or "whether".

It's not that I don't appreciate the effort but let's face it we all do things that someone somewhere will not agree with. The ride height on this car is pretty lame, even with the 15" lenzos (non- chav minor mod) and I much prefer e30s which sit lower.

Personal choice and all that.

Money is not really an issue for me (within reason) - I could go and splurge £1500 on some coilovers if I wanted to but a friend is going to make me some that are frankly, superb, for about £400. This is fairly small change, I have always wanted an e30 despite owning various sports cars and classics. It's my 5th vehicle and I plan to restore it slowly in my own way.

And no, I don't plan on doing burnouts or donuts or sitting in maccies carpark listening to rap. I just want a slightly lower "stanced" (yes, I know) e30.

Any more help greatly appreciated as I am more confused than ever!

[Mechagran]

I was a yoof a few years ago when I bought my E30. I found myself with some sketchy DIY made coilovers. Whacked them on and immediately wished i had aids instead. Forked out and got some FK konigsports which are excellent and do go pretty low if you want them to.

I'd go for decent springs and shocks unless you're prepared to part with the paper. Sounds an old fart thing to say but you will 100000% enjoy your E30 more with a proper ride rather than decked on the cheap. Took me a while and a lot of wasted money to realise this. It will also more likely keep its value if prospective buyers know its not been 'slammed'.

Appreciate the headsup on the make there. I have looked at konigsports. Im buying some 51mm struts so that if needs be the car can be relatively easily returned to standard.

[Mechagran]

If you go for coiloverzz (I wouldn't -they're shite), you need to grease ip the threaded adjusting rings and coat the springs in spray grease. The cheaper ones are very poorly made and one decent winter will render them scrap.
As ever, a set of quality springs such as the Eibach prokit and a new set of standard gas shocks will do the job properly. A set of good coilovers work well, but they cost THREE TIMES as much as the car.

Fixed. It's a 320 quattroporte

Bit harsh, its a fairly rare good condition more-door in malachite green with green jade interior. It has every single receipt of its history since the original sales receipt in 1986 and it was owned by the same guy since 1986-2011 when he passed away. I am the third owner.

It needs a bit of tlc, but its still a lovely motor and whilst the 2.0 6cyl is a bit weak, it will make a delightful sleeper next year when I do an M50 conversion.

In the meantime I have got hold of the original dealer's window sticker and the son of the original owner is posting me the original handbook and service record books

[Mechagran]

The 51mm or 45mm is the diameter of the strut insert that fits down inside the suspension leg where you have tried to measure, hence the confusion measuring the outside dia of the suspension leg.

Extremely helpful thank you for your reply!

Would be, if not for the fact that it's totally incorrect!
45mm and 51mm are the OUTSIDE diameters of the strut tubes, all the way from the spring perch to the hub.

Are you sure this is 100% if that is the case then as per my original picture it is 51mm - wahoo!

[Grrrmachine]

But as I said right at the start whilst I appreciate i'm canvassing opinion i'm doing so in relation to "how" not "why" or "whether".

The Zone is a very supportive place for people who mod their E30s; probably every other car on the Member's section has a mod of some sort.

But you seem to be confusing the "coilovers" issue with that of lowering itself. Plenty of people lower their cars, with most going for about 30mm drop. The point is, coilovers are not the only way to achieve this, which is why you are being questioned on as to why you're so hell-bent on the coillie route when a decent spring/shock combo will achieve the same drop at a cheaper price without buggering up the ride, which cheap home-made coilovers will (no matter what your mate says).

And don't listen to pete; he's got an odd fetish for four-doors...

[jmc330i]

Extremely helpful thank you for your reply!

Would be, if not for the fact that it's totally incorrect!
45mm and 51mm are the OUTSIDE diameters of the strut tubes, all the way from the spring perch to the hub.

Are you sure this is 100% if that is the case then as per my original picture it is 51mm - wahoo!

100%.

[Mechagran]

But as I said right at the start whilst I appreciate i'm canvassing opinion i'm doing so in relation to "how" not "why" or "whether".

The Zone is a very supportive place for people who mod their E30s; probably every other car on the Member's section has a mod of some sort.

But you seem to be confusing the "coilovers" issue with that of lowering itself. Plenty of people lower their cars, with most going for about 30mm drop. The point is, coilovers are not the only way to achieve this, which is why you are being questioned on as to why you're so hell-bent on the coillie route when a decent spring/shock combo will achieve the same drop at a cheaper price without buggering up the ride, which cheap home-made coilovers will (no matter what your mate says).

And don't listen to pete; he's got an odd fetish for four-doors...

Yeah I guessed about Pete! I like the 4 door too though....so at least that makes two of us!

Im not "hell bent on coilies" but I have heard various suggestions about ride height and therefore cannot make my mind up. The ones my friend is willing to create for me are not your usual bodge, however, I am open to suggestions in terms of springs.

[Mechagran]

But as I said right at the start whilst I appreciate i'm canvassing opinion i'm doing so in relation to "how" not "why" or "whether".

The Zone is a very supportive place for people who mod their E30s; probably every other car on the Member's section has a mod of some sort.

But you seem to be confusing the "coilovers" issue with that of lowering itself. Plenty of people lower their cars, with most going for about 30mm drop. The point is, coilovers are not the only way to achieve this, which is why you are being questioned on as to why you're so hell-bent on the coillie route when a decent spring/shock combo will achieve the same drop at a cheaper price without buggering up the ride, which cheap home-made coilovers will (no matter what your mate says).

And don't listen to pete; he's got an odd fetish for four-doors...

Yeah I guessed about Pete! I like the 4 door too though....so at least that makes two of us!

Im not "hell bent on coilies" but I have heard various suggestions about ride height and therefore cannot make my mind up. The ones my friend is willing to create for me are not your usual bodge, however, I am open to suggestions in terms of springs.

[Mechagran]

btw for those interested, how she sits at the moment.

[Blitz]

This is lowered on H&R 35/40mm springs.

[Mechagran]

Thats a lovely height thank you for that pic! Not tempted by 40-60?

What size are those wheels please?

[Morat]

You'd want 60/40 F/R unless you like the reverse rake "speedboat" look.
At 60 mm your sump starts to be in real danger on an m20, and it's worse for an m50.
A sump guard is possible of course....
15" wheels never really fill the arches on an E30 unless you run a really ridiculous drop, especially if you run skinny tyres. The eibach pro springs and stock tyres are a good compromise for looks and handling. The only downside is the negative camber which you can only get rid of with custom camber plates and a bit of welding but at 35mm it's not too bad.
If you have the cash, go for the full B12 spring/shock combo and add the matching eibach rollbars.
Enjoy

[Andyboy]

btw for those interested, how she sits at the moment.

All that needs is a set of decent springs. I would swap to 51mm struts as well because the original 45mm struts are limited on damper choice.

[Mechagran]

Cheers

[Andyboy]

No probs. Are you sure it's Malachite green? Agate green is virtually identical and ran well into 1987.

[Duke137]

Nice car, again Eibach or H&R and a 51mm strut upgrade

Interior pics? Come on lets be seeing it

[Mechagran]

No probs. Are you sure it's Malachite green? Agate green is virtually identical and ran well into 1987.

As per some pics I'll upload tonight if I get to it it's defo mala green. Quite funny how we are chatting away on this topic and popping away at each other on another one! Hehe

[Mechagran]

Nice car, again Eibach or H&R and a 51mm strut upgrade

Interior pics? Come on lets be seeing it

Yessir! See below!

[Mechagran]

So, picked up Rudi a few weeks ago. Spent about £100 to get her through the MOT (4 feb) - mainly ball joint and a few other bits nothing too major (phew,). Always wanted an e30 and because this is going to be "the ultimate sleeper project" I wanted something fairly innocuous; a four door mala green 320i with jade upholstery seemed perfect.

Here are a few of her as she sits now







This is the worst panel. A poor ish repair from a shunt. However, it's not that obvious and I like the bent rear bumper which adds a bit of character!



As far as the interior goes, it's a light pine green one (nicer than it sounds!) but I could not resist the retro beaded seat covers! Looks great IMO...




Tape holders! It's even got one of those weird little mini dash board tester thingies by the rear view mirror so you can see what bulb / light isn't working with a "test" button!



Need to find an original stereo from somewhere! Had a neat little original dealer sticker made up by a pal who does race liveries...



Perhaps the best thing about it is the history file.... Everything since it was born.



Original sales invoice including extras sheet! (Note the colour)



And then, having contacted the original owner (86-2011)'s son he sent me all his father's original handbook / service books! Chuffed to bits that he did it too!




Future plans are to sympathetically restore it slowly ('pov spec') gently lower it and add a set of 15" Leno BSX wheels which are being painted next week to resemble this....




And in the winter do the engine conversion so that it becomes " The Ultimate Sleeper!"

[Andyboy]

I used to buy a lot of parts from North Oxford Garage between 1988 and 1995 - the parts bloke (Derek) is still there but they moved from Banbury Road to what used to be the City Motors Vauxhall garage on the Woodstock roundabout (A40). The original dealership building is still owned by Robert Buckingham who ownes North Oxford and it's currently a Majestic Wine warehouse. I went to the E34 launch there in June 1988.

I love the - 15% bit........Superintendant Daff obviously went to the same Golf club as Bob Buckingham.

[darkchild]

Nice original car with very comprehensive paperwork.

[Mechagran]

I used to buy a lot of parts from North Oxford Garage between 1988 and 1995 - the parts bloke (Derek) is still there but they moved from Banbury Road to what used to be the City Motors Vauxhall garage on the Woodstock roundabout (A40). The original dealership building is still owned by Robert Buckingham who ownes North Oxford and it's currently a Majestic Wine warehouse. I went to the E34 launch there in June 1988.


I love the - 15% bit........Superintendant Daff obviously went to the same Golf club as Bob Buckingham.

Really? I bet this takes you back then! Love your point about the golf club discount haha!

Interestingly the car had an issue with the head gasket and the po had to go to the Oxford School of Engineering to get an independent assessment! I've even got the report and all the correspondence with BMW trying to wiggle out of it!

Quite poignant too considering the po is now passed that he went in a tour of the BMW factory in hamburg in 1980 and wrote to the owner thanking him. Seven years later he achieved his dream!

Awesome stuff...

[Mechagran]

Anyone think this will work with my 320i?

BMW 3 SERIES 320I H&R 310032 Suspension Cup Sport Lowering Kit (F: 60 R: 40mm)

http://bit.ly/1gQDeBE

And... If i buy 51mm struts will this kit still work or would I need to get a different set that would work with 51mm struts?

[Brianmoooore]

If you have 51mm front struts (which aren't the norm. on a 320 saloon, but IIRC yours has) it will fit, but won't be correct for your car, since this kit is for a cab. which is heavier at the rear, and uses stronger springs.

[G-Bear]

I'm sure you could get the correct H&R Cup Kit for your car at around that ebay price..

[Mechagran]

Cheers chaps so hard to find ones for 45mm struts (which mine has now I've got it up & wheel off!) so figured a better bet was to get the 51s anyway so when I do the conversion it will all be transferable

Thanks again!

[G-Bear]

Here you go. Double check before you order but I think these look to be the ones.. A touch cheaper too.

I've bought springs before of DC Performance and all seemed fine.

http://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap/24 ... 003-1.html

[Mechagran]

Thanks dude appreciate that

[Mechagran]

Just a quick update, a nice chap from here called James is giving me some bits for Rudi this weekend including a complete set of 51mm struts. Very much looking forward to installing them and then deciding on ride height!