What is the best suspension?

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:56 am

I've had this cheapo FK lowering kit on my E30 for about 2 years now. I fucking hate it. The roads are in such bad condition, and it just crashes through even the smallest bump. So I want to go for something a bit more comfortable. Now, I would put the standard suspension back on, but my memories of that are something akin to the QEII, in height and handling.

What I'm interested in, is how the Bilstein B12 kit compares to the dealer/factory M-tech kit? Is there much difference in spring rate and ride height? I ask this because it appears you can get, from ECP, a set of Bilstein shocks all around for roughly £170, which I assume are the replacement for a tech 1 setup (using a 1985 323i as the search car). Spring wise, ZF seem to think that 318is springs are the same as my standard 316 or any 4 pot. It just seems cheaper than the £650 Bilstein want for a B12 kit, although I do understand it is an uprated spring and shock kit.

If it helps, I have access to both 51mm and 46mm struts, I have a 4 cylinder engine, 23mm ARB on the front and a 12mm ARB on the rear, eccentric wishbone bushes and an E36 rack.

What is the best suspension for me? Is it worth getting a B12 kit rather than trying to emulate a tech 1 shock set up on say, IS springs?

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 6:35 pm

Anyone?

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 6:44 pm

what car? saloon or cab?

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:03 pm

Saloon.

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:14 pm

The bilstien suspen is excellent with eibach springs - I don't think u will get b12s all round for 170 as the fronts alone are more then that.

You can't use a 323 as a base car as 6 pot engines are heavier so springs are different

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:22 pm

Yeah, demontweeks have the B12 kit, which is the Bilstein B6 or 8 (whichever it is for these cars) shocks and the 'replica' eibach springs for about £650.

Would tech 1 shocks work with 4 pot springs though, or would it be a horrible mismatch?

Do you have the Bilstein/Eibach setup on your car?

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:32 pm

100% they are £150 each for the B8 fronts from ECP

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:14 pm

£650 is more like it / you said £170 earlier lol

I have them on a convertible and they are sublime - car glides over speed bumps and corners well -

I can't comment on your car as I've not experienced b8s in a 4 pot - although the 318is comes with the mtech 1 suspension so it must be ok for your car too

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:27 pm

E30's don't ride well tbh compared to the new stuff. Some bilstein B4 or boge turbo spec dampers will be best with either m-tech or 35mm eibach?H&R something decent springs is the best in terms of use UK roads and a bit of lowering.

The blisteins are great but tbh they ride hard

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:29 pm

I did think about b4s too but I personally found them too soft for my liking compares to the b8s I have now

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:59 pm

Tyre size also is a factor in which shocks.

B8's are ok with 205/55/15's but as simon says, a bit to firm for UK roads on something like 205/50/16's or lower profile.

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:01 pm

i have one 325i with b8's on-very harsh ride,and another with boge turbo's on-day to day driving the later is a lot more relaxed,b8s are fine if you want to drive like you stole it.

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:19 pm

Quaser wrote:£650 is more like it / you said £170 earlier lol

Sorry. You can buy all B4's for £170 from euro. What came on tech 1's? B6's?

Simon13 wrote:E30's don't ride well tbh compared to the new stuff. Some bilstein B4 or boge turbo spec dampers will be best with either m-tech or 35mm eibach?H&R something decent springs is the best in terms of use UK roads and a bit of lowering.

The blisteins are great but tbh they ride hard

So I take it the Eibach springs ride much like the standard mtech springs, which I imagine are quite compliant?

bss325i wrote:Tyre size also is a factor in which shocks.

B8's are ok with 205/55/15's but as simon says, a bit to firm for UK roads on something like 205/50/16's or lower profile.

I'm running 205/50/15's on Schnitzers. I think they should be 205/55 but I've never changed the tyres.

At the moment, the car goes around corners lovely, but the suspension is just too hard for the road. And if I go lane bashing, I just end up getting thrown off the road rather than going along it. Do you reckon the B4's will be fine with a set of 30mm Eibach springs?

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:27 pm

I'm in the process of changing my suspension to MTEC, springs were £311, shocks quote is £500 (from cotswolds) - not so much above the £650 people are quoting on for the different kits above unless I'm reading it wrong. Also Boge Turbos are supposed to be a fair bit cheaper and I've heard good things from those that have them. I'm not looking for much of a drop though and I specifically want it to remain drivable for everyday use.

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:37 pm

jas025 wrote:I'm in the process of changing my suspension to MTEC, springs were £311, shocks quote is £500 (from cotswolds) - not so much above the £650 people are quoting on for the different kits above unless I'm reading it wrong. Also Boge Turbos are supposed to be a fair bit cheaper and I've heard good things from those that have them. I'm not looking for much of a drop though and I specifically want it to remain drivable for everyday use.

£311 for springs!!!! your mad Never use main dealers.
H&R M3 Springs all in £135
front top mounts from bmw £60 each from the ECP OEM same people that make them for BMW £23 each!!!!

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:41 pm

capnmchl wrote:Yeah, demontweeks have the B12 kit, which is the Bilstein B6 or 8 (whichever it is for these cars) shocks and the 'replica' eibach springs for about £650.

Would tech 1 shocks work with 4 pot springs though, or would it be a horrible mismatch?

Do you have the Bilstein/Eibach setup on your car?

B8s and yes these and the eibach springs are the best set up for the e30.

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:30 pm

yes eibach ride very similar to m-tech. H&R -35mm are similar too

Tbh its more the shock used rather than the springs which determine the ride comfort.

H&R used to make the 60-40mm cupkit (do they still?!) which used boge turbo dampers and it put an e30 on the floor but didn't kill the ride either.

Fit some billys and it was better but alot more skitty, harsh in situations compared to the Boges

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:35 pm

Fair enough. It's starting to look like B4's and standard springs or an Eibach/H&R 30mm kit is the way to go for a nice mixture of comfort and handling.

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:37 pm

capnmchl wrote:
Simon13 wrote:yes eibach ride very similar to m-tech. H&R -35mm are similar too

Do you mean B4, 6 or 8's?

No he is talking about springs. Where as B4, B6 and B8s are bilstein dampers!

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:38 pm

Sorry my bad, editied. All this eibach and bilstein and boge and H&R is going through me!

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:40 pm

had H&R Sport from day one and they have progressive setup not sure about eibach. ill have my b8 front and rear b6 on end of the month ill let you know how they are

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:53 pm

I have fitted eibach 35mm springs with bilstein B4's to several zoners E30's now and for a road set up its just right, add some eibach or H&R roll bars and that will improve the handling even more without sacrificing ride.

Before any of the above, make sure all bushes and drop links are tip top.

An E30 with cheap springs and worn shocks/bushes compared to the above is like night and day!

Post Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:57 am

^^^ 100% got to go full out after all they are over 20+ years old

Post Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:10 pm

Simon13 wrote: .... H&R used to make the 60-40mm cupkit (do they still?!) which used boge turbo dampers and it put an e30 on the floor but didn't kill the ride either...

The cupkit is still available for either 35mm all round drop (about £430) or 60/40mm drop (about £460).

Have had the 60/40 cupkit on mine for 3 or 4 years and its an excellent set-up. Ride quality is very good (much less harsh and jittery than eibach+billie) and it is extremely composed around the twisties.

Post Fri Oct 25, 2013 6:09 pm

bss325i wrote:I have fitted eibach 35mm springs with bilstein B4's to several zoners E30's now and for a road set up its just right, add some eibach or H&R roll bars and that will improve the handling even more without sacrificing ride.

Before any of the above, make sure all bushes and drop links are tip top.

An E30 with cheap springs and worn shocks/bushes compared to the above is like night and day!

Turns out the ECP shocks are B2's. Any tips on where to get B4's from? Bilstein have them for £100 a shock, and there are some ebay shops doing all 4 for £180ish.

I did all the bushes and drop links last year, except for the diff (which I might do sometime) and the top mounts, which will probably get done at the same time as the shocks.

Post Sun Oct 27, 2013 4:55 pm

bss325i wrote:I have fitted eibach 35mm springs with bilstein B4's to several zoners E30's now and for a road set up its just right, add some eibach or H&R roll bars and that will improve the handling even more without sacrificing ride.

Before any of the above, make sure all bushes and drop links are tip top.

An E30 with cheap springs and worn shocks/bushes compared to the above is like night and day!

thats the set up i'd like you sort out on my sport Barry, e-mail me a quote when you get a chance please