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What comes first, the alloys or the suspension?
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:53 am
by Gav
Hi all,
Just got rid of a tatty 318 for a sweet 325, which is crying out for some 'enhancements'. Had it looked over and it's mechanically sound, so I'm investing in a nice cat 1 Toad alarm... but what next?
I'm looking to get some 17" Alpinas, but also want to lower by 40mm all round - what should I do first? I've been advised to slap the alloys on first and get used to the ride, then do the suspension later. Opinions? Also, what would be the best suspension kit to go for, for a medium budget.
Thanks!
Gav
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:01 am
by Jhonno
i always do suspension 1st.. get used to the ride of that
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:33 am
by low325icab
lower it first mate! sticking 17s on with standard suspension will make it look like a monster truck in height
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:17 am
by Lowm3
suspension mate, get that lowrider look going
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:26 am
by psychochild187
suspention first for sure
get used to the ride and the grip levels it will look better lower on standard rims than hiiiigh up on 17s
and get a good kit not just springs. if you get just springs it basicly a half job and takes its toll on your standard shocks!
wat are your standard rims?
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:35 am
by 320Touring
I'd also advise looking at changing all the bushes on the car to tighten it up, then slot on a good susp setup!
IMO-e30's look soooooooo coool dropped 40/40 on 15" BBS
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:22 am
by tomstickland
Suspension. Fancy wheels are over rated.
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:09 pm
by Gav
I guess that's unanimous then, suspension it is. Thanks all. I'm thinking of a Gmax setup for around Ԛ£200 - opinions?
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:11 pm
by Gav
psychochild187 wrote:suspention first for sure
get used to the ride and the grip levels it will look better lower on standard rims than hiiiigh up on 17s
and get a good kit not just springs. if you get just springs it basicly a half job and takes its toll on your standard shocks!
wat are your standard rims?
15" BBS. But the last owner has kerbed the fronts
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:15 pm
by M5pilot
If your going to go through the effort of changing the suspension atleast go for something good.
Spend an Extra Ԛ£150 and get the H&R Cup Kit. Its the best extra Ԛ£150 you'll ever spend.
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:16 pm
by M5pilot
Oh, and 17" Alpina reps suck. Serioulsy heavy, and the quailty is poor.
Get some decent wheels.
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:20 pm
by Gav
M5pilot wrote:Oh, and 17" Alpina reps suck. Serioulsy heavy, and the quailty is poor.
Get some decent wheels.
Such as?
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:03 pm
by hammoj28
Keep the set of 15's if you ask me!!Although the BK alpina reps are meant to be better than some.
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:35 pm
by Andy325i
Get a pair of E30 M3 Bilstiens for the front. Not cheap but VERY effective
Rear shocks are the same as 325i and get a decent set of springs and you'll be sorted! Oh and don't forget the Poly wishbone bushes! You will have a very effective wepon then of shaming cars that cost silly money
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:43 pm
by Matt
definetly the suspension first then pick the rims
Re: What comes first, the alloys or the suspension?
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:48 pm
by Chaos
Gav wrote:
I'm looking to get some 17" Alpinas,
unless uve found some extremely rare alpina rims from a Z1 then i guess u mean reps.
ud be better off finding some real ones m8 in 16"
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:56 pm
by Demlotcrew
Andy325i wrote:Get a pair of E30 M3 Bilstiens for the front. Not cheap but VERY effective
Rear shocks are the same as 325i and get a decent set of springs and you'll be sorted! Oh and don't forget the Poly wishbone bushes! You will have a very effective wepon then of shaming cars that cost silly money
Why not use the specific Bilsteins why go for M3?
Andrew
Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 12:29 am
by Andy325i
Demlotcrew wrote:
Why not use the specific Bilsteins why go for M3?Andrew
Do you mean 325 bilstiens?
The E30 M3 ones are seriously fatter (piston is 40mm wide!) much better than the 325i bilstien to my knowlege?
The rears are the same for M3/325i
Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 12:33 am
by Zayyan
I know you've decided to go for the suspension first, but just in case you were thinking of changing your mind, look at my sig....almost the 4x4 look, especially on the front
Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 12:42 am
by wilkos
Suspension 1st dude iv just lowered my sport 60/40 on full spax kit i also was goin for alpinas but im not so sure now!
As for cost the spax kit was Ԛ£450 good look anyway dude
Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 6:32 pm
by Demlotcrew
Andy325i wrote:Demlotcrew wrote:
Why not use the specific Bilsteins why go for M3?Andrew
Do you mean 325 bilstiens?
The E30 M3 ones are seriously fatter (piston is 40mm wide!) much better than the 325i bilstien to my knowlege?
The rears are the same for M3/325i
You can get the same ones for a normal E30. Thats not the piston, its the actual damper cartrage as its upside down.
So do not get M3 bilstiens for a 325i!
Andrew