Hot Tunning vs H&R vs Bilstein

[jon-m42]

Hi All,

I am just in the thoughts of trying to keep the same level of comfort however with a slightly reduced ride height.

I think 30mm to 40mm all around would suit me. I know generally most adjust their ride height for looks and handling but for me im trying to focus on looks and comfort.

I do not go racing around but Id like something that handles acceptable nothing like a boat to which I have now (bog standard) .

Having a brows through the zone I have come across Hot Tuning.

Have any of you had any experience with their suspension kits and what are your thoughts on them?

Thanks
Jon.

[mcbonio]

If you're talking about coilovers then a cheap set will give you the harshest ride you can possibly imagine. When I say cheap I mean anything less then maybe £800 quid mark.

You'd be better putting some high quality lowering springs on it and new shocks. Bilstiens for example.

[jon-m42]

I would like to stay away from coilovers.

As you have mentioned a good set of springs and shocks. Bilstiens shocks and springs would do. Id imagine they cost an arm and a leg to right?

Where would I get them from?

[NoTurbo]

There is a creamy set of Bilstien coil overs in the forsake section at a VERY reasonable price.

Start there and don't complain

[Rtaylor2208]

Boge Turbos are very similar in ride to the Blistein B4's and come in at approx. £57 each from GSF. Add a set of eibach pro springs and you should be good. The billies are a similar price.

Last time I looked at the eibach springs they were about £200 for the set.

[jon-m42]

So nobody so far recommends Hot Tuning?

Id have thought allot of the zoners would have used them as they do get them at a discounted rate. I do not want to spend more then 500 pounds on springs and shocks.

Its just finding out which ones to go for. I have read up about the Bilstein's but do not know the difference between the b4's, b6's and b12's ?

which ones to go for and where to go to get them is what I need to know?

[DanThe]

ANYTHING hot-tuning related is complete and utter rubbish, made by the lowest form of citizens in sweat shop slums. Think of the worst made car part you have ever seen, its now decent quality compared to this shit

[NoTurbo]

ANYTHING hot-tuning related is complete and utter rubbish, made by the lowest form of citizens in sweat shop slums. Think of the worst made car part you have ever seen, its now decent quality compared to this shit

+1

Real bad quality

[Demlotcrew]

Really that bad? Never been exposed to their wares before.

[DanThe]

Yes, I just chucked a stainless +30hp exhaust manifold of theirs into the scrap as it had cracked in about 20 places

[pacerpete]

Yes, I just chucked a stainless +30hp exhaust manifold of theirs into the scrap as it had cracked in about 20 places

Really ? Barry swears by his

[Demlotcrew]

Yes, I just chucked a stainless +30hp exhaust manifold of theirs into the scrap as it had cracked in about 20 places

30hp is a lot!

[Andyboy]

HotTuning is the performance divison of Q Drive.

[Speedtouch]

I bought one of their £199 six-branch manifolds when they first came out, and it appeared to be good quality, certainly in terms of overall finish.

However, I never got around to fitting it, so can't comment on whether it gave any gains or not.

I think there is a rather snobbish tendency on here to slag off any 'budget' brands, regardless of whether or not there is a genuine reason to do so.

[jon-m42]

I assumed totally wrong then. I thought that many of the zoners would have had at least tried their suspension kits and or liked it for that matter as they are a zone trader.

Strange to see nobody as of yet rates them in any positive way. Reading all your comments I must steer away from looking more into them.

Are they really that bad? I am only going to use the car for regular everyday driving around town, A roads and motorways. I will not be doing track days at all and if they are still no good for this then I must stay away.


Guys my budget is £500 for my suspension set up I can spend more but to be honest I have bills to pay and the lights to keep on in the house.

Id ideally like to stick with springs and shocks maybe just a tad lower along with the same comfortability.

What are my options?

[NoTurbo]

I have a boge setup from my 318is and also a gmax setup. Both were good when on my car. You are welcome to come and take a look. If you are on a budget we could work something out.

[bss325i]

I bought one of their £199 six-branch manifolds when they first came out, and it appeared to be good quality, certainly in terms of overall finish.

However, I never got around to fitting it, so can't comment on whether it gave any gains or not.

I think there is a rather snobbish tendency on here to slag off any 'budget' brands, regardless of whether or not there is a genuine reason to do so.

Not being snobbish, just highlighting absolute scrap!

We all know they are a cheap bit of bling but come on, really?!

[Speedtouch]

Here was mine:

[DanThe]

Ever looked inside?

Hot-tuning -





Very different to a quality made exhaust

This is a BTB S50 -



And this is the Fritz 24v -

[jon-m42]

Its proving most here have had bad experience with the exhaust manifolds. The pictures shows their quality however I am in the market for some acceptable springs and shocks.

Has anybody had experience with their springs and shocks. ?

I ask this because if they were that bad Im sure the Mods would have taken action and stoped them from trading on here or maybe I have it wrong.

anybody had experience with their springs and shocks ?

[Grrrmachine]

I ask this because if they were that bad Im sure the Mods would have taken action and stoped them from trading on here or maybe I have it wrong.

If we banned everyone who sold bodged-up scrap then there wouldn't be any traders left.

You seem almost desperate to want to hear good things about Hot Tuning, despite the above reviews. Remember the old saying about a fool and his money...

[macas]

I ask this because if they were that bad Im sure the Mods would have taken action and stoped them from trading on here or maybe I have it wrong.

If we banned everyone who sold bodged-up scrap then there wouldn't be any traders left.

You seem almost desperate to want to hear good things about Hot Tuning, despite the above reviews. Remember the old saying about a fool and his money...

[Speedtouch]

I suspect all the budget suspension kits will be much of a muchness - probably OK at first, but will probably deteriorate rapidly after a fairly short period of time.

I had a 1987 320iSE fail the MOT because the el-cheapo lowering springs had sagged so much that they practically fell out of their carriers when the guy had it up on the ramp (although to be fair, it still drove fairly well). I had to put in a set of standard springs from my previous 320i.

[DanThe]

Why do you think the suspension will be any different? Building an exhaust with quality steel/welding is one thing, but designing/manufacturing a quality suspension kit is worlds apart!
Ive only seen pictures of the suspension but I can guarantee you it is cheap chinese shite made from inferior parts/materials and will last a couple of months at best

[Speedtouch]

Ant recommends them:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 77&start=0

[bss325i]

That was 5 years ago!!

[DanThe]

Ant recommends them:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 77&start=0

Are you blind?

well hot tuning a friend of mine has this kit and ill ask as he wont the front shocks gave up after about 2 weeks but he cant find the paper work for them im sure you will have a copy how does he go about getting new ones?

My front shocks are bollocksed now

they have 2 years warranty, but they make you jump through hoops to claim and then take ages sending them out. just buy a decent set and save the hassle

i bought a pair of 60/60 and they were nowhere near 60mm drop and both of my front shocks went i the first week, but i didn't keep my paper work

[jon-m42]

Right I am staying clear way from them.

I just would have thought that they were good as they are a trader here on the zone and that to would have built a good relationship with fellow zoners but this clearly is not the case.

I will be looking into bilstein shocks and springs. My understanding is that these guys are at the quality end of the market and not budget. I will be increasing my budget from 500 to whatever it costs for good quality shocks and springs with a 30mm all around.

Is there any other companies to look into for quality springs and shocks ?

[DanThe]

£500 is enough to buy a B12/cup kit I would have thought, I have B8 dampers and H&R springs, they were fine 6 or 7 years ago but the roads by me have got a hell of a lot worse since then and I now feel its a bit too harsh, more so due to the low profile tyres I expect.
I will be changing to a more forgiving profile tyre soon

Dont get me wrong its an excellent setup for fast driving on decent roads, but the potholed uneven gravel that is now replacing roads is a very different story

I would recommend you start with B4 dampers and Eibach springs -35mm

[capnmchl]

£400 should get you a set of Eibachs, Bilstein B4's and new top mounts to top it off. Personally that's all I think you need for the road in terms of springs and shocks.

[Morat]

B12 kit is great on OEM 55 profile tyres. If you're going with bigger wheels/lower profile tyres then you're probably going to thing it's all a bit stiff.

[Speedtouch]

That was 5 years ago!!

Are you blind?

I doubt the HT suspension will have changed that much in 5 years; if anything, they should have improved it if they value their reputation and sales...

And Ant's word is gospel on here.

But, point taken about the negative remarks too - they would certainly make me think twice before buying such a kit.

[NoTurbo]

This is quite typical for a web/bedroom retailer.

The first batch is usually quite good but then they try to improve profit by paying less for production and inevitably the quality becomes scrap.

Only buy branded stuff for your suspension / brakes. It is not worth the risk to go with an unknown company that probably has no insurance incase of comebacks.

Just look at the big performance parts suppliers and choose a 'budget' brand based on what they stock not some cheap and nasty ebay producer.

You can probably get a set of suspension from Demon Tweeks for that money and at least with them you will get some guarantee of sustainable quality

[NoTurbo]

That was 5 years ago!!

Are you blind?

I doubt the HT suspension will have changed that much in 5 years; if anything, they should have improved it if they value their reputation and sales...

And Ant's word is gospel on here.

But, point taken about the negative remarks too - they would certainly make me think twice before buying such a kit.

Lets keep it on the point for the op please.

[Speedtouch]

Surely, that post is right on the point for the OP?