Suspension upgrade? what should i do? IT NEEDS TO BE DROPPED

[booomer]

Hi guys i have a 1990 316i that im in the middle of doing an M50 conversion on and i'm at the point where i need to start thinking about suspension options. The car will primarily be a track slut but will be kept road legal, so comfort is not massiveley important compared to handling.

What i was wondering about was the fact that my car is a 316i so i'm thinking that most of the suspension components will be different and more importantly not as heavy duty as the 325i??

I wanted to just do a straightforward spring+damper change and buy a brand new kit to put on there but should i be upgrading to 325i suspension components first and then uprating the springs+dampers.

Any help/ pics would be much appreciated, alternatively if anyone lives near Ross-on-Wye or anywhere in south Herefordshire i'd be keen on coming and having a loook at what you have done.

Cheers

[RPM]

It all comes down to your budget really

If you are keeping the original front struts and planning new inserts and springs, then the 52mm struts will allow you a better selection of inserts, and better damping options.

If you have the budget a nice set of coilovers would be a great investment for the car but are not a necessity.

I'd look at doing all the bushes, and possibly upgrading to some adjustable ARBs, anything you can do to loose shell flex will also help, either a cage or strut braces

If you want any more info on any of the above drop me an email and we can see if we can help you.

Jimmy
info@raceperformancemodified.com

[booomer]

Thanks for that Jimmy, i forgot to mention budget, I want to spend as little as possible whilst still being able to get a fairly decent quality item. I'd look to spend about £300 on a set of springs and dampers.

Are the 52mm struts from the 325i then?

Coilovers would be nice but i'm not really fussed about adjustability. I'm happy to just drop it down and stiffen it up.

Has anyone done similar work with a 316i?

[UweM3]

Thanks for that Jimmy, i forgot to mention budget, I want to spend as little as possible whilst still being able to get a fairly decent quality item. I'd look to spend about £300 on a set of springs and dampers.

Are the 52mm struts from the 325i then?

Coilovers would be nice but i'm not really fussed about adjustability. I'm happy to just drop it down and stiffen it up.

Has anyone done similar work with a 316i?

cheap and good.

these two words do not work well together in most cases. There are some good value for money things out there, but most of the time you get what you pay for.

£300 for springs AND dampers is not a lot IMHO. Track fun starts with the suspension and ends with the brake pads. Some people just spend £300 on a set of brake pads alone.

Coil overs can be made DIY (threaded parts from GAZ and springs from Faulkner). Get some decent inserts (maybe GAZ again -->adjustable) and you have something with good value for money. Spend a bit more and you can buy a full GAZ coilover kit.

Or you try one of the cheapo coil over kits from ebay. They will fit in your £300 budget.

[booomer]

True some people may spend £300 on pads alone but for some people (not like me) money is not an object. I am trying to make a good fun track day car (not a racing car) for as smaller budget as possible. i dont want to break any records, just have a reliable fun 'sporty' car.

[UweM3]

True some people may spend £300 on pads alone but for some people (not like me) money is not an object. I am trying to make a good fun track day car (not a racing car) for as smaller budget as possible. i dont want to break any records, just have a reliable fun 'sporty' car.

that brake pad comment wasn't meant as money no object thing.

You will have more fun with spending the right sort of money for the important parts than doing a cheap as possible on everything.

What's the point of paying for a trackday and after the first two stints you have to stay in the paddock because your brakes are fried? How much money does this you save you?

Sort your brakes first (EBS yellow come to mind) and then the suspension before your spend money on engine mods etc.

The cheapest of all mods --> reduce weight! You brakes will last longer, your suspension will work better and as a bonus the car will be faster with the same bhp.

There is always a way to save money of course. And as long as you adpat your speed to your budget you will be fine and have loads of fun.

[bumhole]

I know I may be condemned for saying this but I bought a Hottuning Lowering kit off eBay 35mm front 35mm back and I think it's the shizzle for what I paid! I, like you am on a budget and I don't think they are too bad.

[rix313]

Could start by fitting an engine

[booomer]

touche!

[darren1200]

I've got a Hottuning kit, 60. 60 drop, it's the best £140 i've spent on the car and i've done a few track days!!!