Bilstein & Eibach Combo

[el-bunyip]

I've got a 1989 325is and I'm looking at changing the shocks and springs as the ride at the moment is getting pretty bad! I was originally looking to put Bilstein B6 shocks and get new Mtech springs, but I've been advised to go for B8's with the Eibach prokit. Am I right in thinking this will drop it more than it is currently and does anyone know what the rides like on this setup?

I don't want a harsh ride as its my everyday car.

[e301988325i]

B6 shocks are the equivalent of the sport setup. You can choose your drop height, I think the eibachs you're mentioning are a -35mm, compared to -15mm for the m-tech springs (from a standard cars ride height).

B8s and eibachs are a very high quality setup and give the combination of good handling/good ride that only money can buy!

[el-bunyip]

Sweet! That sounds good to me, as after a trawl of the net I've found somewhere that'll do me a deal on the combo!

[k13]

Sweet! That sounds good to me, as after a trawl of the net I've found somewhere that'll do me a deal on the combo!

hey...whats the site callled mate got any links for us ?

[poolnoodle]

I went with Eibach and B4s, plenty adequate for road use IMO

[Brianmoooore]

B4s for road use, and an absolute maximum 'drop' of 40mm from standard height, or 25mm from 'm tech' height.

[bss325i]

B8's are perfectly fine for road use.

And i live in an area plagued with poorly maintained roads littered with speed bumps.

[el-bunyip]

k13, yes mate, the web address is http://www.automac.co.uk/, but I'd email and talk to Chris or Neil. That's what I'm in the process of doing!

bss325i, the roads round my way are the same! What springs are you running with the B8's?

Thanks all your feedback is greatly appreciated!

[Morat]

I'm on B8 and 35mm drop (you can see it in my sig pic). I'm very happy with the result on badly patched and worn country roads. It's firm but nowhere near spine shaking (on 55 profile 15inchers).

[b4gga83]

I'm on B8 and 35mm drop (you can see it in my sig pic). I'm very happy with the result on badly patched and worn country roads. It's firm but nowhere near spine shaking (on 55 profile 15inchers).

Morat is that a 35mm drop all round and what springs are you using?

Most importantly what did it cost?

[Morat]

35mm all round, Eibach springs. I can't remember how much it cost because I have blanked a very expensive month from my mind..but the springs are the cheap bit. I think they're £140 for a full set or therabouts. Get the Eibach rollbars as well!

[b4gga83]

35mm all round, Eibach springs. I can't remember how much it cost because I have blanked a very expensive month from my mind..but the springs are the cheap bit. I think they're £140 for a full set or therabouts. Get the Eibach rollbars as well!

LOL, could I expect to pay around £400 for the parts alone?

[el-bunyip]

Thanks Morat, good to know the rides not a tooth loosener! Are you still using standard bushes or have you gone for poly's?

b4gga83, I've found B8's for £465 (the set) and Eibach prokit for £145 pre 88 or £175 post 88. But the bloke said he'd do me a deal on the combo, don't know what that is yet though!

[Brianmoooore]

You certainly don't want poly rubbish on a BMW either! Use genuine BMW rubber bits, including E30 M3 front control arm bushes and E46 cabriolet rear damper top mounts.

[Simon13]

H&R 35mm springs are worth a shout, i prefer them to the eibachs

The others are right B4's are a good choice for on the road, they will give a softer ride than the B8's but it won't be a boat either

[tomson]

i live in an area plagued with poorly maintained roads littered with speed bumps.

Who doesnt, in this country ! !

H&R cup kit springs with B8's do it for me.....

[Morat]

Thanks Morat, good to know the rides not a tooth loosener! Are you still using standard bushes or have you gone for poly's?

b4gga83, I've found B8's for £465 (the set) and Eibach prokit for £145 pre 88 or £175 post 88. But the bloke said he'd do me a deal on the combo, don't know what that is yet though!

Standard bushes all round. I'm not into flagellation thanks

It is funny how things change. 18 months ago when I got my suspension done I wanted the softer option because I live out in the sticks and couldn't cope with the 60/40 drops that were all the rage "back then".

[robbo86]

B4s for road use, and an absolute maximum 'drop' of 40mm from standard height, or 25mm from 'm tech' height.

The oracle has spoken. Can anyone explain to me the difference between b4s and b8s.

[clarko74]

And also, can anyone explain the difference in ride between Eibach and H&R springs?

Ta

[Simon13]

A B4 damper is like a boge mtech one but with a thicker damper rod, not really much in it. B8 is the big bad boy inverted type shock as fitted to Hartge/Alpina cars. Much stiffer damper than the B4. B6/8 are the best money can buy this side of a coilover setup and they won't let you down on track imo

eibachs ride like stock tbh also the way the coils are wound is like a stock spring just a thicker diamtre coil. So the car handles like a stock car but with a higher limit as such. So if you like it in stock form but just want that extra bit with the drop and grip these are the kiddies

H&R springs are wound progessively (sp) the coils get tighter at one end. (only the fronts, rears are too small for this) So when cornering you can feel the springs load up then your onto the limit of what the tyres have. I prefer this myself as you really know where you are with the car when pushing on as such. The ride on these is very similar to the eibachs, maybe a touch stiffer but still good ride quality

hth

[clarko74]

Nice one. Cheers Si, that does indeed help.

[robbo86]

So whats reckoned best for road use. I would guess that if Brian Moore would say b4 if must be pretty good.

[Simon13]

As said it all depends on alot of things. The most important question being what do you want from the car? How do you drive it? Are you a bit of a pilot? Are you a 'tard who doesn't really drive that quick?

We can only advize. There is no "best" suspension, it is a very subjective personal preference. Theres more than 1 way to get a car handle as such. One mans oyster is anothers..........

[robbo86]

I am thinking probably B4's then as I dont track it and very rarely throw it at corners.

[Ziggy]

Si, what's the minimum drop you'll get away with on B6s?

[Morat]

As said it all depends on alot of things. The most important question being what do you want from the car? How do you drive it? Are you a bit of a pilot? Are you a 'tard who doesn't really drive that quick?

We can only advize. There is no "best" suspension, it is a very subjective personal preference. Theres more than 1 way to get a car handle as such. One mans oyster is anothers..........

Quote for Truth!

[el-bunyip]

You certainly don't want poly rubbish on a BMW either! Use genuine BMW rubber bits, including E30 M3 front control arm bushes and E46 cabriolet rear damper top mounts.

Ok, no poly's, but can you explain why E30 M3 front control arm bushes and E46 cabriolet rear damper top mounts? What are the benefits?

Also if B4's are much the same as Boge Mtech one's is it worth using Eibach's or H&R's with a 30-35mm drop, or would it be better to just get a new set of Mtech springs?

[e301988325i]

You're just going to have to make your own mind up with regards to suspension!
E30 M3 front control arm bushes are eccentric and add more castor angle, stabilising the steering at high speed and adding extra self centreing to the steering, well worth it!
E46 cabriolet rear damper top mounts are an upgrade to the poxy standard E30 items that last less than 5mins on standard suspension, let alone uprated!

[el-bunyip]

You're just going to have to make your own mind up with regards to suspension!
E30 M3 front control arm bushes are eccentric and add more castor angle, stabilising the steering at high speed and adding extra self centreing to the steering, well worth it!
E46 cabriolet rear damper top mounts are an upgrade to the poxy standard E30 items that last less than 5mins on standard suspension, let alone uprated!

Yep, it definitely seems like one mans remedy is another mans poison when it comes to suspension.

Thanks for the update on the bushes, sounds like it well worth doing!

[Simon13]

Si, what's the minimum drop you'll get away with on B6s?

Well they were fitted to tech 1 sports from new so m-tech. A standard height spring won't fit, i tried it once and stripped the thread on one of my spring compressors trying Even getting m-tech ones compressed enough is a right mission tbh

They are at home with at least 40mm but i think they work best with 60mm from my blatting around the ring! and on road

[Ziggy]

Cheers