H&R kits on 318iS

[dodgem]

Hey guys,

Been looking at different suspension options for a while now and was almost settled on Bilstein Sports shocks and 40/30 springs for my 318iS - that little lot will come to about £550. But now i'm considering the H&R Cup kit along with the H&R arbs from the zone shop - £600 in total. From what i've read so far, both the spring/damper kits and the arbs sound fantastic, but i have a few questions....

First, the iS is already 20mm lower than normal right? so 40/30 springs would actually only be 20/10 (not much difference) and the 60/40 kit will be 40/20mm lower which is a bit more like it

Also, i've read that M3 suspension bushes at the front are a good idea - what's peoples opinions on this?

And are there any other parts i should get before starting the job? Any changes i need to make anywhere to keep the geometry right? Anything at all that i should know before doing this as i'm a bit inept when it comes to cars though pretty good at mechanical things once i get stuck in (i just take ages to finish the job!)

Thanks in advance for any advice

Simon

[stuartgallafant]

hi Simon. Looks like you've got your work cut out mate!!!

if you're gonna get this new stuff for your car, you may aswell do it properly, and give the suspension a complete overhaul!

by this i mean getting new components such as new top mounts (the rear ones from an E46 convertable can be used), new dive links for the roll bars, and maybe even some camber correction bushes for the rear axle?

most of these parts are bound to be gone already, or nearly gone so you might as well take the opportunity to do it while you can

if you need any other advice on doing other stuff, let is know...

[M5pilot]

The Cup Kit with ARB's will be brilliant. It is quite low so be warned.

The Bilstein's are available from the Zone shop aswell with H&R 35mm springs.

[dodgem]

The Bilstein's are available from the Zone shop aswell with H&R 35mm springs.

Can anyone confirm that the 318iS is already 20mm lower though, and that these will only drop my car by a further 15mm? I hadn't intended to go for a huge drop until someone pointed out today that the car was 20mm lower than other e30's already. I want the new ride height to be noticeably lower, but not have the tyres practically up inside the arches.

[M5pilot]

I'll see if I can find some cars fitted with the 60/40 kit and the 35mm springs.

If you fit the 60/40 kit it will be noticeably lower all round but the rear wheels won't be right inside the arches.

[M5pilot]

Here you go:

318iS fitted with H&R Cup Kit:

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ight=318is

[dodgem]

Thanks for the link mate

I reckon that's lower than i actually want - particularly if i'm fitting ARBs, as the drop is for the handling as much as anything else (obviously she'll look better a bit lower but the totally slammed look doesn't really do it for me).

I can't see 318iS specific Bilstein/H&R kits on the shop but i assume the 35mm H&R springs for the 318i will be fine as they say they're for 4cyl saloons. And the Bilstein Sports shocks for the 325i? It mentions that they are for 51mm front struts (to fit cars with Mtec suspension) - i believe the 318iS has Mtec suspension so am i right in assuming the front struts are 51mm?

If so then i think that's the choice for me. Going to be over £700 with the ARBs though so might have to wait another month BTW i noticed that for the 325i, the H&R 35mm springs and Bilstein shocks as a kit are £24 more than buying the springs and shocks seperately.... Does the kit contain anything extra?

Oh, and any thoughts on M3 bushes at the front? I take it only lowering 35mm means i don't really need to worry about camber adjustment either?

Cheers,

Simon

[M5pilot]

Its good you've got to see the result of the cup kit before purchasing.

The 4Cyl 35mm H&R Springs are the ones for you as are the Bilstein sport struts. The part number will be P36-0335

Thanks for pointing out the price - I will change that straight away.

You could order the Bilstein's and H&R's first and then do the ARB's later.