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Lowering e30 coupe by 60mm
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 10:27 pm
by Kaz788
Hi, was after some advice before fitting my lowering springs. Would it be safe, and has anyone had any experience of lowering 60mm all round on standard shocks?
I've got 17" alloys on atm with 205/45/17
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:01 pm
by andysheep
The boys on here will sort you out,but without the correct damper it will bottom out on big bumps,i live in the country so iv had problems,not a cracked sump but lots off deep scoring tho,if you like the epic handling of the e30 60mm is to low,but biger rims isnt something i havent experience off (going bigger on my project cabby this year)40mm is better,my old setup 60mm plus on the rear used to smash top mounts to the point i had the change the the rear strut tower in bmw panels,not cheap!low and slow baby

good luck
Re:
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:37 pm
by Split_S
I lowered my m3 by 30mm and the ride is much rougher than stock.. I will be refitting stock springs come summer..
If you're a poser and just want to stance go for it - if you're a driver I wouldn't go more than 10mm..
My 2 cents..
Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 2:04 am
by Kaz788
Thank you all! I appreciate it!
I only use the car for like commuting here and there. I just use it for posing tbh
I might just use them on standards and when it's unbareable I'll get better shocks
Thanks again
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 8:28 am
by andysheep
Like i said above 40mm max is just about doable,and god was i greatful a couple of days ago when the miss's decides to do the january sales with two of the kids in tow.a boot full of shopping and the kids buried in shopping too in a two door

she only scraped a couple of times,much better than 8 years ago when if i gave anyone a lift in my sweet ride i did under necessity not generosity,and had a fearful look on my face the whole time

Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:32 am
by Gert_8
When I purchased my cab, it had undergone the "slammed" treatment. It was also running 17" wheels.
The ride was horrendous and you couldn't take your eyes off the road for one second as it tramlined.
Half the time was also spent looking out for potholes and raised manhole covers. If you were unfortunate enough to hit one of those, you felt it - IN YOUR TEETH!
Silly idea, so forget about it.
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:20 pm
by andysheep
Bmw for driving pleasure,vw for stance danger ride

Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 2:48 pm
by Kaz788
Hahaha oh god this is my first bmw so apologies
Would these be appropriate?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/401026148474
Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 2:59 pm
by Cloggy Saint
Manufacturer: TC TECH. Never heard of them, you'd be better off spending more and going for a tried and trusted brand. Or better still don't go 60mm all around. I had 60/40 for a while and it was terrible, I'm now on 30mm front and rear and it's so much better.
Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:22 pm
by Kaz788
Thank you!!! I'll just try exchanging these 60mm for 40mm somehow
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:32 pm
by andysheep
Bilstein b4s will take 40mm drop or b8s depending on your pockets,hope you get your springs changed,tell em there few supplers with decent dampers to suit.and you took my dub pisstake well ,were not realy the 'scene'type on here just good quality like your e30
Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 8:25 pm
by Kaz788
Haha thank you! Nah it's all good, I can't really say otherwise as I was lowering for the sole appearance. Not ride qualify
Just slightly concerned that 17" might not fit with a 60mm drop as I have stretched tyres at the back but I don't really want to roll arches as they might disintegrate
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 8:46 pm
by andysheep
Bit o heat and taking your time can work on rolling ya archs,its the offset thst one of the peices of the puzzle,iv got dramas cos i went half way to a 5 stud conversion ,e36 compact rear end its tamed the camber but its quarter inch wider both sides leading to clearance problems ,but im running e34 bbs crossweave on the back tomatch the fronts .nice and meaty and only when you take off the centre caps is my dirty secret revealed

trail and error,and the boys on here will help,you tried the great e30 bible "wiki"its got a section on alloys it may help,,,
Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:18 pm
by oomz1975
Make sure you refresh your top mounts, sway bar links, rubbers bushes etc, to get the best out of any new suspension set up your gonna do.
Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:32 pm
by ross_jsy
Kaz788 wrote:Just slightly concerned that 17" might not fit with a 60mm drop as I have stretched tyres at the back but I don't really want to roll arches as they might disintegrate
It got better
It will drive awful without some proper money being spent on suspension, especially if you go low on the rear.
My cars very low at the front, but is on Bilstein GrpN inserts, and struts converted to adjustable coilovers. I've kept the rear at 35mm on Eibach springs as I've done the whole 60mm all round thing. It not only handles shit, but on a facelift car it looks like it's dragging its arse around due to the rear arches.
Re:
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:10 pm
by Kaz788
Andysheep your e30 sounds mega! OMG! Hopefully one day I'll be able to get a 5 stud conversion, the availability of alloys!
Ross jsy oh dear I should have really asked before buying them ahaha. Mines a 1989. I think coilovers would have been an easier and safer option :/
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 4:25 pm
by andysheep
Thats the problem in its self

5 stud makes more wheel choices but getting the correct offset limits the choice again (just cant fit the tyres under the arches with out bodging or stupid tyre stretch),so i will be returning to standard rear subframe late this year,bmw had right in the first place and i still cream over bbs cross weave so thats the way im going on this car.the others i got plans,pays to talk and do proper research

Re:
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:43 pm
by BHadley
At a minimum for a budget kit I'd want TUV approval to show its half decent... Also buying a matched kit should result in a decent ride as the springs will complement the shocks.
Buy the best you can afford as its a lot of work to change over again, even so the rear set up at 40mm let alone 60mm will eat up inner tyre edges... Adjustable beam seems the way to go to keep tyre wear even by being able to dial into as close to factory spec.... Or custom whatever really!
Don't forget wheel alignment (at least front, rear if adjustable rear beam is fitted too)
Not cheap this lowering cars properly!
Re:
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:04 pm
by steve_k
i don't see a problem with a 60/40 drop over 17's,
i've got a 60/40 drop but my suspension is a bit of a custom set up,
on the front are a apir of koni adjustable inserts with custom made -45mm springs based on e36 m3 (AA type) progressively wound springs (can't remember the weight), e9x m3 top hats (another 15mm drop) & mondeo rose jointed drop links & eibach blade type ARB's & SPC/eibach adjustable top mounts & m3 lollipop bushes.
on the rear is e36 koni adjustable shocks with custom springs (yet again), blade type ARB's & mondeo drop links,
all this & running on 17x8.5j compo cxn rims with 205/40 tyres & no rubbing at all & it handles just fine.