E30 Zone

Hi, ive just got my lovely 325i touring but i have a few questions as im new to BMW's.

1. I need to replace the rear dampers so im looking at replacing the whole suspension system while im here. What is a good kit for around Ԛ£300? Im not too keen on lowering it. i may allow a 15mm drop, no more.
2. Will Saloon suspension fit on my touring, esp at the rear?
3. Can i fit M-tec suspension of a broken car? Saloon suspension ok?
4. How much of a task is it to replace the bushes on the suspension?
5. My tacho dash bulb has blown, is this easy to replace?

6. Also a mad question, will an E36 3.0 litre M3 engine +gearbox fit in my bay, is it quite an easy swap??

I hope someone can help me.

Thanks a lot!!

1: Can't really help on that one! The H&R kits are very good, but I'm not sure if they do anything less than a 35mm drop... Are you sure it's standard at the moment? 35mm really doesn't look that low.

2: It'll fit, but it'll sit lower due to the extra weight.

3: Yep, see 2!

4: Rear subframe bushes are a biatch - one of the only jobs mine'd go to a garage for. Nothing else is too difficult though.

5: Yep! Just search on here for instructions on how to get the cluster out & the bulb just twists out from the back...

6: It'll fit, it's been done, but I don't think many people would class it as easy!

Welcome to the zone

Don't put saloon springs on a touring, it drives terrible! Uprated shocks from a saloon will be OK, but you really need touring/cab springs on the rear.

I thought all tourings were fitted with M-tech suspension as standard (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!!) The shocks are easy to replace, its just a pain getting to the top mounts as you have to remove a lot of interior trim and rear seat belts. You MUST change the top mounts themselves whilst you're there. I went for E46 cab ones on my touring - I think they are a bit stiffer and certainly longer lasting (and only ~Ԛ£12 each from the dealer). Good luck

sabrje wrote:I thought all tourings were fitted with M-tech suspension as standard (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!!)

M-tech shock absorbers yes, the springs were unique to the touring though.

As Simon says - do not fit saloon springs to a touring - the consequence of this will be a very very low car at the back.

Dont bother putting 2nd hand suspension in your car - how do you know how worn out it is? Its likely the springs will be atleast 14 years old.

The H&R Cup kit lowers by around 52mm front in reality and 30mm rear on the Tourings. Its still very practical, looks really nice and handles extremely well with a very good ride.

E36 m3 lump - yes it will fit with alot of other work. Budget min of 3000 pounds for this if your doing the work yourself.

WOW, i didnt know that tourings had m-tec dampers fitted as standard. So i can fit m-tec dampers from saloons but i must fit touring springs? I think that 52mm at the front is way lower than i want but ive heard the h&r kits are very good.
Many thanks for your help and thanks for the great top mount tip!

I will post some pics up of the H&R Cup kit and you can go from there.

The other option is to use Mtec shocks with H&R 35mm lowering springs - this wil give a very nice ride height and a good ride aswell.

dt1981 wrote:Hi, ive just got my lovely 325i touring but i have a few questions as im new to BMW's.

1. I need to replace the rear dampers so im looking at replacing the whole suspension system while im here. What is a good kit for around Ԛ£300? Im not too keen on lowering it. i may allow a 15mm drop, no more.
2. Will Saloon suspension fit on my touring, esp at the rear?
3. Can i fit M-tec suspension of a broken car? Saloon suspension ok?
4. How much of a task is it to replace the bushes on the suspension?

I hope someone can help me.

Thanks a lot!!

I'm in the same position regarding suspension and have read all the interesting advice kindly provided by everyone...

Have you done it all yet Mr dt1981? (sorry for jumping in your thread but)
How did it go?

I do mostly motorway miles in my touring so I'm not that bothered about lowering it - more interested in improving what feels like suspension which crashes a bit and feels almost like there's no suspension at all.
H&R kit sounds good but the zone shop specifies this is only really designed for a cabriolet. The drop is more than I would like to go to.
Any more advice really appreciated thanks.

60/40 hnr cab cupkit on mine -brilliant!!!!
50 series tyres

gcorky
same colour as mine! looks fine!
what size wheels? 15" or 14"?

you have to slow up for speed humps though?

fancy wheels sir