1989 E30 Cab. restoration - advice??

[corlesjm]

Hi there,
I have owned my cab. for 12 years and used it when the sun shines. I have now stripped it to a rolling shell with engine and auto box still in. The leather sports seats have been reupholstered and it is booked in for a respray in May. The car gets little use (<500 miles per annum)

It has been driving well but I believe the suspension is (near) original. I want to keep the car as close to original as possible but what would people recommend that I do to improve handling? I would like to do the work myself (capable but may need to get any special tools!) so any links to guides etc. would be great. I have no fixed budget, simply want to do things that will help a lot for sensible money.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Brianmoooore]

Eibech or H&R -30mm springs, plus Bilstein B4 dampers all round, E30 M3 front control arm rear bushes, and 2000 Ford Mondeo rear anti roll bar links used as front ARB links. Renew any other suspension bushes and joints that have deteriorated, using E46 cab. rear damper top mounts, if replacement needed.
Consider modifying the rear beam suspension arm mounts so that rear toe and camber are adjustable. DanThe can supply parts for this.

[corlesjm]

Thanks for advice Brianmoooore. I need to admit that nothing has progressed since last post. Respray due in coming weeks and I need to get back to this.

Will any of suggested kit make anything stiffer/less comfortable. I want to keep the car as original as possible!

Any other suggestions and any links to kits or guidance on how best to do the work? The objective is to get as close to original as possible on a tight budget!!

Thanks...

[Brianmoooore]

Nothing of the above will make the car substantially stiffer or less comfortable than the car was when it left the factory. i should hope it will make it considerably more comfortable and better handling, otherwise there isn't much point in spending the money.
"I want to keep the car as original as possible" This depends a lot on what your definition of "original" is. No E30 out there, that is actually driven, is "original" because it will be on different and hopefully substantially better tyres than those fitted at the factory.
The mods. The Mondeo links and E46 damper mounts are for extended life/reliability, the shorter springs and M3 bushes are modest handling upgrades, without deviating far from the original spec. and the dampers (similar to OE spec.) are to replace the almost certainly virtually non functional ones you have at the moment.
The modified rear beam is to allow the rear suspension to be set up properly, compensating for the bits that will have bent over thirty years, or possibly not exactly as they should have been, from the factory.

[corlesjm]

Thanks...appreciate that extra understanding!!

[bexwoods]

Hey how are you getting on? I’m just starting my own cab resto