E30 Zone

Good morning guys,

Just a little query that I hope some of you may be able to answer...

I'm looking at replacing the suspension components all round on my E30 2-door, as the rear offside shock is leaking a little. I think it's the original suspension so it would be good to freshen it up.

I've seen a few kits from Demon Tweeks that are within my price range and drop the ride height a bit (50/40) and I'm considering purchasing them (ST suspension kit by KW). Now the question is, would it be likely that the front shocks would have the hubs/spindles as part of the unit like the originals?

I only ask as I know that those who have fitted coilovers have needed to weld an original hub/spindle to the bottom of their adjustable suspension front units to fit them.

Any advice, or comments welcome!

The answer to your question is Eibech or H&R -35mm springs, plud Bilstein B4 dampers all round.
E30s use a hollow front strut, with the damper insert slid inside, secured by a nut at the top of the strut tube.
Don't even consider coil overs for a non competition only E30. They absolutely ruin the suspension because of limited travel.

Brianmoooore wrote:The answer to your question is Eibech or H&R -35mm springs, plud Bilstein B4 dampers all round.
E30s use a hollow front strut, with the damper insert slid inside, secured by a nut at the top of the strut tube.
Don't even consider coil overs for a non competition only E30. They absolutely ruin the suspension because of limited travel.

Thanks Brian. Great answer to my question.
I'm definitely avoiding adjustable coilovers as I don't need the adjustability, and after having them on numerous cars, I'd like to keep the E30 more refined and less "crashy".

I'm driving a very standard 316i (M40) and the ride height at the front is quite a lot higher than I'd like it to be. You can easily fit a fist in the gap. I've heard of people using E90 top caps to drop the front a little more and thinner spring pads in the rear to bring it down too. Do you think this would work ok with the Bilstein shocks and Eibach/H&R spring setup that you mentioned?

I only ask as I'm not sure that the -30/-35mm drop that these springs provide would settle my appetite for a lower look. By all means, I'm not trying to sit the sills on the floor, but I'd like the front wheels to sit in the arch tidier than they currently do.

If you have a e30 with 45mm front struts I would consider building up a 51mm strut setup with vented brakes then swapping that over.

As Brian says shocks are a tube slid into the strut. Google "e30 shocks and spring" and look at images, to make it clear.

So my question was answered while I was typing, if you keeping your engine setup buy from front struts from a 325i and swap the springs to 4 cylinder engine ones with a 60 or 80 mm drop if that's the low look your wanting.

Sanchez wrote:If you have a e30 with 45mm front struts I would consider building up a 51mm strut setup with vented brakes then swapping that over.

As Brian says shocks are a tube slid into the strut. Google "e30 shocks and spring" and look at images, to make it clear.

From what I gather after having a poke around under the car this week, the shocks are the 51mm versions (1990 M40 316i) as they are the original ones from factory (the car has only covered 52k).

From what you said, I had a Google and it would appear that's you're right on the money. I came across this picture and it matched up with exactly what you said...

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techart ... /pic18.jpg

I'm assuming from what you have written that the front shocks slide into this mounting strut. I hadn't seen any images like this so I thought it would be a single unit that needs replacing. Thank god for that, makes the job a bit easier! (Hopefully).

I'll have a look into the B4's and a set of H&R springs as I've been browsing on R3vlimited and an image popped up with the type of ride height that would be ideal and allow some 15" BBS RA's to sit nicely in the arches. Looks to be an early Chromie with the awful US front and rear bumpers, but same colour as mine so gives me an idea...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/picture ... ureid=2402

Thanks for your help guys, it really is appreciated. I've got a lot of learning to do with E30 ownership so bear with me if I end up posting stupid questions.

1990 M40 316i saloon would have left the factory with 45 mm struts, and non vented disc brakes on the end of them, if it didn't have ABS. If it's a touring or cab., it would have the larger struts and vented discs as standard.
The dimensions quoted are the outside diameter of the strut tube, and is most easily measured right under the spring platform.