Loweing to what level? What size and make springs to use?

[ajonesy]

Hello all.... I'm about to change my shocks on my e30 320i and thinking that I should take this opportuity to lower it at the same time.

Currently the car is as standard and the question is, what is a sensible level to lower it too? I want to make it look a little bit sleaker but I don't want to make it too badass!

It's got 14 inch BBS Cross spoked alloys with 195-60-14 Goodyear Eagle tyres.

Any advise appreciated on:
-What size are the original/standard spings set at?
-What size level looks good with these wheels and tyres?
-What are good makes of springs?
-Is it much of a job?

Cheers,

Alex

[M5pilot]

Hi Alex,

use anything from Eibach, H&R or KW and you'll be very happy.

When your changing the shocks the front springs are part of the job so no extra work. The rears are very easy and again all you'll need to do is disconnect the rear Anti roll bar link to remove the old springs and put in the new ones.

All of the above makes are available from the E30zone Shop.

Sal

[orangecurry]

Original M-tech are 15mm lower
Hartge about 25mm lower, slightly nose down

I bought some AVO/Chassis Dynamics springs for mine - opinions differ on these but I've had no issues
http://www.avouk.com/

there are plenty of other options on the 'zone Shop

If money is no object, buy the Hartge handling kit - they did it best then, and I can't see how anyone else has ever done as much R&D on the E30 handling.
http://www.birds.uk.com/

[cliffybabe]

Orangecurry, did u just do the springs??

[ajonesy]

Thanks guys..... Some good advise. So Orangecurry, how much did you lower by? The AVO website has a few options of 35mm or 55mm lowering for the 6 cyl e30?

Unfortunatly money is an obect so there won't be any Hartge kit (looks nice though!!!!).

[eamo]

also replace your top shock mounts while your at it. they have to cpme of anyway!

[orangecurry]

Orangecurry, did u just do the springs??

yes - car had only done 60k miles - the AVO kit drops the nose by more than the rear, even though they don't mention this.

Ideally I want the Hartge kit, but 800 plus fitting didn't get a look-in - the AVOs were 90 plus fitting.



this is the best photo I have - I should take some better ones. The ride is very good (for a fat cabbie). The shocks have survived my questionable driving on the lowered springs for at least 18 months.

[orangecurry]

So Orangecurry, how much did you lower by? The AVO website has a few options of 35mm or 55mm lowering for the 6 cyl e30?

Unfortunatly money is an obect so there won't be any Hartge kit (looks nice though!!!!).

because it's a cabbie I think you can only have a 35mm drop with AVO? (from memory - the 10-007 kit?)... but as I say, it's actually slightly more drop at the front, and slightly less at the rear.

I haven't had any issues, and I'm very pleased with the handling and look and no grounding issues - but I would chat with Sal on the 'zone Shop - the H&R kit is very highly recommended, but costs more than I wanted to spend at the time.

[Treeman612]

I've got a 320i 4 dr saloon, with tired suspension when I got it. I bought a Koni gas shock/spring set that lowers 40mm all round. Ride is a bit hard, but handling is superb. wheels/rubber are 15 inch BBS cross-spokes, which I think look great, sitting on Bridgestone Potenza 205/55/R15 tyres. My tyre guru recommended these as he reckons they wear better than F1's, have better grip than Pirelli's in the wet, and are cheaper than both! Also, the tyrewall has a built-in bulge that projects slightly beyond the wheel rim, so my newly-refurbished cross-spokes don't hit the curb first!! I also fitted M3 offset front mounts, which has virtually eliminated the usual scrubbing of the inside of the tread which can happen with lowering kits. Rears also have virtually no scrubbing. Front/rear less than half a mill difference after 8000 miles. I changed rear axle carrier mounts at the same time (B*astard to do, but worth it cos they do wear out, and the whole rear drive train floats about when they're knackered.)

[ric325i]

if you want to go for a cheap nut attractive option, go for jamex.

i have jamex on mine it cost Ԛ£200 for the set and a 40mm drop. very nice on 15inch bbs wheels.

looks good is low and stiff. front is hard work to change as you need to take the whole front arm off.
get some advice on that one 1st because there is a system of order.

the rear is less of a challenge (almost easy, but lets face it car things never are) and i never removed the any anti role bar. i just disconnected them.

have fun mate and post some pictures.nice to see a e30 on some smaller wheels. almost euro style!

[Treeman612]

Full Koni kit (shocks, springs) was Ԛ£140 off Demon Tweeks on Ebay (shop soiled, but brand new, been on display, etc.)