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325i cab suspension which to get?

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:44 pm
by t11mfn
I havent got loads of money but my cab is doing my head in, it is lowered 60mm and i wold like to buy some new shocks/springs with a 40mm drop as i feel my cab is just toooo low.

Anyone got a good website or know of anywhere that sells decent sets am not looking to break the bank either. A local place by mine said a set of Spax front and rear shocks/springs will set me back about Ԛ£280 are these ok to fit ive herd some people say they are crap.

Your opinion or recommendations would be good.

Thanks

Tom

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:46 pm
by chu346
Keep away from spax. Save up and get the H+R cup kit.

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:49 pm
by t11mfn
Thought as much mate.

Do you know of any sites that sell the H&R stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:18 pm
by Ziggy
t11mfn wrote: Do you know of any sites that sell the H&R stuff?
This one! Check out the "Zone Shop" link at the top of the page :thumb:

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:24 pm
by t11mfn
yeah i know the shop at the top does em but i want a 40/40 drop not a 60/40.

I know 60/40 looks better but it doesnt raise the front end and stop it scraping on what ever speed bumps etc i go over, which is what i want it for.

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:44 pm
by chu346
I'd recommend the 40mm drop. Sal can do this for you!

I was told by many to get the 60/40 kit and have trouble with big speed bumps, sometimes really bad :cry:.

Get the 40mm drop, stick to your gunns :shoot1:

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:49 am
by t11mfn
Tell me bout it Chu, the problem is i cannot find a kit that does 40/40 the zone shop does 60/40 anyone got any ideas or know of another shop where they do them?

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:39 pm
by GavinJ
try http://www.potn.co.uk they have quite a wide variety of suspension kits.

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:01 pm
by Gouki
i had a 60mm drop at the rear dont know about the front but speed humps were a pain, i opted for 25mm springs all round and it sits much better and clears the humps, think they were AVO springs havent had prob with them.

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:20 pm
by orangecurry
http://www.avouk.com/pm/89

I bought the 10-007 set for my 1989 325 convertible

they are excellent - very good handling. I don't know what the drop is exactly, but you are left with just less than 2 fingers at the front, and almost no fingers at the back, wheel to wheelarch (if you stick your hand in and keep it level - technical stuff)

here is a useless picture (as you can't see the gap)

Image

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:27 pm
by Ziggy
Like Chu said, ask Sal & he'll probably be able to do em for you even if they're not normally in the zone shop :cool:

I went for FK adjustable rear springs btw - Surprisingly my ride height's now just how I like it! :D

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:28 pm
by Geeman
I think if you want a 40/40 kit, Sal can source you the springs and provide it as a kit from the suppliers themselves.

Worth asking him anyway.

Giles

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 3:58 pm
by t11mfn
How do i get intouch with Sal whats his username?

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:43 pm
by GDBN
I was told when I ordered my cup kit that 60/40 was the only available for a cab. the other option was 35/35 but that is for saloons only.
My cab sails over speed humps ... not a problem whatsoever.
ÃÂa just don't get too close to high kerbs if I'm parking right up to one.
And the handling is fantastic .....
G

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:18 pm
by chu346
GDBN wrote:My cab sails over speed humps ... not a problem whatsoever.
ÃÂa just don't get too close to high kerbs if I'm parking right up to one.
And the handling is fantastic .....
G
I personnally find it the opposite to that and have trouble with the speed humps, especially if I have passengers 8O

I'm sure sal said he could do me the 40/40 kit if I really wanted it.
Call him after the 19th January:020 7474 5883 (9am - 6pm Mon - Fri)
07725 234 540 (All other times or if above number not answered)

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:08 pm
by DemonDaz
I have a 40/40 (although it looks lower) and I have problems with speed bumps, in fact so much so that in the snow I crunched the new exhaust on one! :oops: :x

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:32 pm
by orangecurry
remember that M-tech only lowers by 15mm or so.
The Hartge suspension is 25mm lower, and is slightly nose-down.

These companies have spent an awful lot of money in developing the best set-up for driving BMWs on real roads - therefore you might conclude that anything lower is for looks only, and too low will actually compromise on-road abillity (never mind simply clearing speed bumps)

< puts Flak-jacket on >

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:38 pm
by Cabrio
Find it hard on this subject to disagree with Orangecurry

BMW developed a setup and they know a lot more than most regarding their cars

Motorsport Cabs and M3 cabs can still bottom out the front spoilers so a bigger drop has to come with its problems also the geometry will change and potential tyre wear

You have been warned...but good luck

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:44 pm
by Gouki
orangecurry wrote:http://www.avouk.com/pm/89

I bought the 10-007 set for my 1989 325 convertible

they are excellent - very good handling. I don't know what the drop is exactly, but you are left with just less than 2 fingers at the front, and almost no fingers at the back, wheel to wheelarch (if you stick your hand in and keep it level - technical stuff)

here is a useless picture (as you can't see the gap)

Image
the drop is 25mm thats the ones i've got, best setup in my view. As cabrio pointed out tyre wear will increase the lower you go each to their own as they say!

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:01 pm
by ItalianM3
orangecurry wrote:remember that M-tech only lowers by 15mm or so.
The Hartge suspension is 25mm lower, and is slightly nose-down.

These companies have spent an awful lot of money in developing the best set-up for driving BMWs on real roads - therefore you might conclude that anything lower is for looks only, and too low will actually compromise on-road abillity (never mind simply clearing speed bumps)

< puts Flak-jacket on >
When you say that the Hartge setup is 25mm lower, is this 25mm lower than the Mtech or non-Mtech?
I live in London and the 60/40 cupkit is pretty useless! Once its off I will probably need to replace whatever has been scraping on the speed bumps!
Dont make the same mistake I did, try and get as much info or rides in peoples car with different setups so you can see the difference.

This is my car on said suspension
Image

If I had remembered about the Hartge suspension I would have got that instead!! Going to phone Birds first thing tomorrow morning and enquire about the cost and options.
If I cant get my money back for the cupkit i'll give you a special price winkeye

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:55 am
by t11mfn
That rear looks well low mate!!!!

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:03 pm
by orangecurry
I apologise for my clumsy english above...

Hartge is IIRC 25mm drop from stock, so 10mm more than M-tec, but as I said 'nose-down' so that can't be 25 at front AND rear can it?

Ring up Birds and ask them for a definitive answer :D

They are very nice and very helpful