suspension help plz?

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jamiebmw32
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Location: chesterfield

Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:58 pm

want to get a suspension kit for my 1989 318i, but dont know what strut size i need? can i dorp it 60mm on the front or is this to low for the sump? whats a good kit i was thinkin apex or weitec. iam new to all of this so any help will be good cheers
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eltel
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Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:48 pm

i had a 320i on standard ish bilsteins with eiback springs..it had poly bushes all round and was lowered by 35mm-40mm...it was without doubt the best handling e30 i have ever owned and was quite comfortable when cruising or with passengers.

just bought a 325 with spax adjustables and a 35-40mm drop again alittle bouncy and skitish.

my colleague bought one that was 60mm lowered and it was far too hard and bouncy for my liking..any little bumps in a bend and the car would jump and bounce across the road.

depends what you want, track car, daily commute, do you carry passengers etc...

i am going to change my spax for the bilstein and eibach spring set up..but these are just my opinions and suit the way i drive in my area on my roads.
Only in the good lord we trust.. In everything else we check!!


1988 325i Tourer, Lowered, Deep Dish Alloys, Obc, Cruise Control, Heated Leather Sport Seats....
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E30k
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Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:25 pm

i 2nd that eibach springs are good 40mm is the most i would drop a e30 any more and you run in to tyre wear issuses wheel problems and get some weight in the car and new back box middle box needed so for me eibach springs bilstien gas shocks powerflex bushs where i could fit them and all other bushs new ones put it plus she sits on 17s how does she handle 1 word mental turn in is great coming out of the bends you can really put the power down and not worry too much ok round town but with 17s it is a bit hard in this case normal shocks help, also because you have a 4 pot engine less weight on the front so normal shocks may be a better idea unless you vist the track
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Brianmoooore
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Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:38 pm

Everything as said above. Drop an E30 more than 35mm - 40mm and the handling is ruined, and Bilstein or Boge dampers only.
The only thing I disagree with is the poly bushes. Genuine BMW bushes every time, as long as the front control arm bushes are E30 M3 ones.
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