1987 325i suspension for trackdays - whats best value

[jonnygould]

Right, we got a track day car were building at the moment and were after suspension for it. Its gonna be stripped so really were gonna need coilovers.

From what i have looked at so far the coilover sets seem to only do the fronts and have a fixed rear, is this all kits or just certain ones?

Also whats the best value? The car wasnt expensive and this is purley for a bit of fun so cheapest there is really... dont want to be spending £1000 on suspension when the car only cost £500

[AlpineAde]

You might want to be a bit careful with cheap coilovers on a track car....



Sometimes they don't fare too well.

[RPM]

Ouch! Bet that made for an interesting corner!!

[jonnygould]

this is part of the debate we are having, why pay twice? But to counter i have had cheaper setups before and they have lasted very well.

Im hoping a few people are gonna say 'yeah, go for XXXXX setup, cheap and reliable'

I know thats a long shot but we all hope for the stunning nymphomanic model to walk into our lives, im hoping for cheap coilovers

[driftmonkey]

is that a d2 coilover???? I was going to get a set of those! I had a set on a mk1 mr2 looked really good quality.

[MillRat]

KW V2 are what I run on my track car and they haven't missed a beat in 5 years. The V2 allow rebound adjustment, which for an amature (which I very much am), is plenty and allows for sensitive setup adjustments, particularly when paired with adjustable sway bars.

All E30 coilovers (unless they have been specially modified) have a coilover front and a seperate damper/spring in the rear, with the rear spring mounted on an adjustable perch for ride height adjustment.

The biggest annoyance with this design (E36 suffers the same), is that to adjust the damping rate on the rear dampers, you have to remove the damper from the car and then adjust the damping rate. This is different to the fronts which can be adjusted in-situ with a damper portioning valve on top of the strut.

[MillRat]

To compare the picture of the broken damper Ade posted, early last year the car I was navigating in in a rally slipped sideways off a bridge and we crashed into the side of the creek, which somehow threw us back onto the road. The coilovers (Drummond suspension - DMS) in that car (a WRX) suffered no damage, despite all the control arms and the hub being smashed apart (the rear wheel took the biggest hit) and the drivers door hammered closed.

My point is you can have good suspension (like the DMS struts), or bad suspension (like the ones pictured). In the end, if you spend more money upfront, you will save in the long run. Given of course, that you can afford it up front.

[RPM]

Not all coilovers ;)

The GAZ golds offer bounce and rebound adjustment via a side adjustment front and rear, no need to remove anything just put your hand under the arch and twist the adjuster.

The come with either a coilover rear or a damper and inboard spring on an agjuster (as you mention below).

KW V2 are what I run on my track car and they haven't missed a beat in 5 years. The V2 allow rebound adjustment, which for an amature (which I very much am), is plenty and allows for sensitive setup adjustments, particularly when paired with adjustable sway bars.

All E30 coilovers (unless they have been specially modified) have a coilover front and a seperate damper/spring in the rear, with the rear spring mounted on an adjustable perch for ride height adjustment.

The biggest annoyance with this design (E36 suffers the same), is that to adjust the damping rate on the rear dampers, you have to remove the damper from the car and then adjust the damping rate. This is different to the fronts which can be adjusted in-situ with a damper portioning valve on top of the strut.

[Andye]

I've run KW V1's and Gaz Gold's previously on track cars and some of the cheap ones pictured on a Subaru!. The Gaz Golds are the best all round value / quality I think personaly and the rears are proper coilovers. Only my opinion but I have used both and I'll be putting Gaz shocks on the new track car in time.

[caneswell]

GAZ seem to be the way to WRT coilovers, but if you want a cheap solution do you really need them? Why not just shocks and springs

[Jhonno]

GAZ seem to be the way to WRT coilovers, but if you want a cheap solution do you really need them? Why not just shocks and springs

If you don't want to spend the amounts required to get the good stuff..

Very valid point, cheap coilovers I would very much suspect will NOT be valved to take a track spring rate, nor have a suitable rate spring in there in the 1st place, I think Gaz are the cheapest that are..

[Rallyprep_UK]

You might want to be a bit careful with cheap coilovers on a track car....



Sometimes they don't fare too well.

holy smokes that is scary !

[DanThe]

You might want to be a bit careful with cheap coilovers on a track car....



Sometimes they don't fare too well.

holy smokes that is scary !

Made in China

[Lloydie38]

Could you give some info on particular models of Gaz coilover and any good place to buy them from? Rough price would also be good on what we could expect to pay...

cheers

[RPM]

Could you give some info on particular models of Gaz coilover and any good place to buy them from? Rough price would also be good on what we could expect to pay...

cheers

Please see below link to the kit applicable to track use:
http://www.raceperformancemodified.com/ ... r_Kits.asp

We can offer setup and spring rate advise based on experience.

We also offer helper and tender springs at an additional cost either Eibach or Gaz springs.

If you are looking at using a rear coilover you will need to upgrade the rear topmounts, we offer these offset to clear the fuel breather system.

Drop me an email if you want anymore info

Jimmy

[Lloydie38]

Thanks for this....I did have plans for the track beast but my 728i sport needs attention...grrrrrr limited cash flow and 3 children = skint!