hottuning suspension synopsis, new pics

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stevotheevo
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:38 pm

today i fitted the shocks and springs from hottuning in belgium, i bought them via the zone for £139 inc postage.
i decided to go for the -60 all round kit, more for the looks than anything as i dont use the car as a daily drive, a 1987 325i.

the kit took 6 working days to arrive, which i thought was good, it came well packaged and delivered by ups signed.

first thing was to remove the standard shocks and springs, now im not a mechanic but fairly handy with a spanner, so wheels off, callipers off, brake discs off (replaced them today aswell) lower arm off, track arm off, remove abs sensor, remove the 3 nuts on the top mount and out she pops.

put the leg into a static spring compressor, undone the central nut with waterpump pliers, was very rusty but with some WD40 and brut force came away nicely, removed the shock and spring and replaced with the new set.

put that leg back on the car and did the same the other side, that took about 2.5 hours, so not bad for my first time.

moved on to the rears, removed the bolt on the bottom of the shock and also the drop link, pulled the arm down and the old spring just fell out, which was nice.
then into the boot to undo the top mounts, bit of a tight squese but no problems, shock is straight out,i replaced the mounts also.

so new springs in place, new shocks in place, lever the arm back up, do the drop links then the shocks, job done.

so the kit from a mechanical point of view seems very good, no misshaps or missing parts.

went for a 10 mile drive and the handling felt good, a bit bouncy but not crashy at all, obviously only time will tell if the quality is there but for now im very happy with it all.

anyways i took a few snaps, phone camera sorry.
how it came delivered
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the springs
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the shocks
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spring difference
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all fitted
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the before shot
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the after shot, need to settle, this was taken 2 minutes after fitting
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after shot 2
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Last edited by stevotheevo on Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jhonno
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:41 pm

:lol:

A -60mm kit that didn't lower at all!! Are you sure you haven't used the same pic twice?!
Got cable ties? Get diffin..

Arch roller for hire.

www.zeroexhausts.co.uk

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stevotheevo
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:42 pm

Jhonno wrote::lol:

A -60mm kit that didn't lower at all!! Are you sure you haven't used the same pic twice?!
already edited matey :D :wink:
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Jhonno
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:47 pm

:lol:

Have to say, not keen on how that sits.. Has it settled any differently now?
Got cable ties? Get diffin..

Arch roller for hire.

www.zeroexhausts.co.uk

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capri_rob
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:47 pm

Bloody hell mate I hope there's no speedbumps near you !

Looks good :cool:
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e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
stevotheevo
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:50 pm

Jhonno wrote::lol:

Have to say, not keen on how that sits.. Has it settled any differently now?
i totally agree mate, thankfully the front has dropped about an inch.
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bodger
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:56 pm

stevotheevo wrote:
Jhonno wrote::lol:

Have to say, not keen on how that sits.. Has it settled any differently now?
i totally agree mate, thankfully the front has dropped about an inch.
any pics of it now its settled a bit :P
stevotheevo
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:58 pm

bodger wrote:
stevotheevo wrote:
Jhonno wrote::lol:

Have to say, not keen on how that sits.. Has it settled any differently now?
i totally agree mate, thankfully the front has dropped about an inch.
any pics of it now its settled a bit :P
its raining dude, dont wanna mess my hair up :wink:

i'l get some more tomorrow.
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Jhonno
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:11 pm

stevotheevo wrote:its raining dude, dont wanna mess my hair up :wink:

i'l get some more tomorrow.
:gay:

Let me guess, your camera is in your "man bag"? winkeye
Got cable ties? Get diffin..

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www.zeroexhausts.co.uk

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RotE30
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:15 pm

£139 for shocks and springs??? how much were the new top mounts etc??

what did it cost you in total - wow thats cheap :mad:
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stevotheevo
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:24 pm

Jhonno wrote:
stevotheevo wrote:its raining dude, dont wanna mess my hair up :wink:

i'l get some more tomorrow.
:gay:

Let me guess, your camera is in your "man bag"? winkeye
no, its in my jeans pocket, as is everything else, coz i is a man :wink:
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stevotheevo
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:28 pm

RotE30 wrote:£139 for shocks and springs??? how much were the new top mounts etc??

what did it cost you in total - wow thats cheap :mad:
i know, a very good price, rear top mounts were £8.95 from 'gsfparts' on the bay.
so total price for the suspension was £147.95, i fitted it myself so no labour.
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zaust
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:43 pm

Wait till it's setteled completely fella, 1000 mile's plus. And will drop bit after that too.
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magpie
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:20 pm

i fitted jamex on mine 60mm my front is down more,but so will yours,.
stevotheevo
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:24 pm

just got back from the pub and had a quick look, looks to be lower again, although might just be me eyes :beer:
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ric325i
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Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:29 am

i fitted jamex stuff about 2 years ago and it sat too high and was a very harsh ride at first. give it time it will settle and also will drop down too 8)

just like zaust said it will only get better
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E30_Aza
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Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:08 pm

i got jamex 60mm on mine, but i dont think its gone that low. not too happy with it to be honest
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robbo86
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:15 am

i am thinking of trying this hottuning set so will keep an interested eye!!!
stevotheevo
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:42 am

been out again today for a blast, dry roads so gave it a bit more round the twisties and have to say im very pleased with it, as i said before its a touch bouncy on the rough stuff but other than that feels firm with plenty of grip, no understeer at all.
my driving style tends to be loose at the back and this is suiting me very well, need to put more miles on it yet but so far so good.
will keep updating as time goes on.
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robbo86
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:50 am

hows it feel, is a lot firmer than previously, some, not much????

wow stevo, i thought i was the only sad eough to still be on here at 250am.... sh** im off to bed
cliffybabe
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:19 am

E30_Aza wrote:i got jamex 60mm on mine, but i dont think its gone that low. not too happy with it to be honest
yeah cos u have the wrong ones, my cab is dropped 40mm and it looks lower than urs, but would the width of ur 9js at the front affect this??
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stevotheevo
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:36 pm

robbo86 wrote:hows it feel, is a lot firmer than previously, some, not much????

wow stevo, i thought i was the only sad eough to still be on here at 250am.... sh** im off to bed
steering feels more direct, where as before i had no confidence in the corners as it lunged around.
its does feel firmer, if i had to guess i'd say at least 40%-50%, but then i think my originals from the front where totaly shot.
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robbo86
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:38 pm

robbo86 wrote:hows it feel, is a lot firmer than previously, some, not much????

wow stevo, i thought i was the only sad eough to still be on here at 250am.... sh** im off to bed
no offence meant by that mate
stevotheevo
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:42 pm

robbo86 wrote:
robbo86 wrote:hows it feel, is a lot firmer than previously, some, not much????

wow stevo, i thought i was the only sad eough to still be on here at 250am.... sh** im off to bed
no offence meant by that mate
none taken mate, i work nights so am always up at stupid 'o' clock :D
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robbo86
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:44 pm

none taken mate, i work nights so am always up at stupid 'o' clock

really? Im just lazy!!!
Andyboy
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:34 pm

Those springs must have gone on without using compressors?
stevotheevo
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:46 pm

Andyboy wrote:Those springs must have gone on without using compressors?
i did try without but needed compressing about 30mm.
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ric325i
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:25 pm

back go in without compression :D its great to be able to do it when you need to but the front always takes some messign about with those nasty spring compressors.

the spring compressors are very scary!!! lots of tension when they are compressed 8O
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DavieP
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:58 pm

Thanks for that feedback Steve, it would seem that for a daily driver, this suspension system works. I strongly suspect that your mention of your driving style, closely matches mine, especially since I tend to think the same way when going around corners. I'm never going to do track days let along contemplate the ring and I simply can't be bothered to indulge in mono brain-celled, chavtastic traffic-light gladiatorials either. Seems as though these may be the right ones to fit.
Dave in Torquay

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stevotheevo
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Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:21 am

DavieP wrote:Thanks for that feedback Steve, it would seem that for a daily driver, this suspension system works. I strongly suspect that your mention of your driving style, closely matches mine, especially since I tend to think the same way when going around corners. I'm never going to do track days let along contemplate the ring and I simply can't be bothered to indulge in mono brain-celled, chavtastic traffic-light gladiatorials either. Seems as though these may be the right ones to fit.
no probs dave, i think as long as the majority of the roads down your way are in a decent condition you should be fine mate.
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pugboy
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Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:38 am

Anyone tried the kit that doesn't lower as much? I think its the 40mm kit?

I would hope it would be similar, but not quite as bouncy (bouncy does not sound cool!).
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aj_mckay
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Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:51 am

pugboy wrote:Anyone tried the kit that doesn't lower as much? I think its the 40mm kit?

I would hope it would be similar, but not quite as bouncy (bouncy does not sound cool!).
I think I'm gonna go for that one for my 318iS so can let you know how it is when I get it unless anyone else has already tried it...? :D
Andyboy
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Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:16 pm

stevotheevo wrote:
Andyboy wrote:Those springs must have gone on without using compressors?
i did try without but needed compressing about 30mm.
That's okay then - the springs much be quite well tensioned in there. Sounds like a good deal for the money!
stevotheevo
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Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:29 pm

the kit is still going strong and is bedding in nicely, will do some more pics in the next few days.
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chu346
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Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:58 am

pugboy wrote:Anyone tried the kit that doesn't lower as much? I think its the 40mm kit?

I would hope it would be similar, but not quite as bouncy (bouncy does not sound cool!).
I've fitted the kit to my 318i (M40 :( )

My verdict is its firm, firm, firm. Feel every thing, every bump in the road, but what do you expect for that kind of money? I wouldn't say the handling was very good, just not bad.

My motorsport had the H&R kit on it and that had progressively wound springs which gave a much nicer ride. I have the H&R antiroll bars, and new suspension bushes on each car so feel its a fair comparison, apart from the price.
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