Touring coil spring troubles again! Apex...

Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:39 pm

Having yet more troubles with coil springs on my touring. Had a new set of Apex -30mm coil springs fitted 6 months ago because first set were making clicking noises and moving in struts..

So here we go again - having the same trouble with new set fitted! Anyone else had the same problem?? very few options spring wise for tourings..

Any other springs anyone could recommend??
Don't want it any lower than -30mm..

Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:59 pm

I had been researching this also as cab and touring have the same problem with availabilty.

The only other option for -30 is Eibach's I believe.

If you can go to -40 there are a few more choices, I have been told the FK -40mm springs are pretty good.

I've got some budget ones from ebay arriving today from Performance 3000 which are -40 so should know next week how they go.

Also are both the upper and lower rubber mounts on yours mines only had the lower ones this used to cause a problem with my old unknown brand springs.

Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:08 pm

Eibach and H&R have stopped production of springs for touring.

I had both front upper mounts replaced. So presuming it's the Apex springs that are the problem..

Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:19 pm

use Eibach cab springs?

Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:42 pm

Supposed to be different spring rate as axle load is different..

Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:56 pm

KW do springs for the touring.

Weren't that expensive either last time I checked

Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:29 pm

mattqf77 wrote:Supposed to be different spring rate as axle load is different..

Do you know what the difference is? Not trying to be arsey, but just interested to know... being a touring driver

Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:54 pm

The axle load is different. Just been told that you can still get H&R springs for touring. they are £330 delivered from Germany. they are -30mm all round

Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:55 pm

Ps convertible is heavier than touring

Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:24 pm

Anyone have H&Rs on their touring?

Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:44 pm

Because of the limited choice and after quite a bit of research, I ended up fitting eibach cab -30mm springs on my touring.

I got the springs from Larkspeed for about £180, but they did take around 3 weeks to be delivered.

I also upgraded to E46 top mounts with the z3 strengthening plates on the rear and bilstein B8's all round.

I've had no problems at all and the car sits nicely (not too low) and now handles great

Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:56 pm

Do you have picture of car with Eibachs on?I also have B8 shocks on mine. I've heard that Eibach ride quality is supposed to be great. My only concern with H&Rs are the price and hard ride quality..

Has anyone else had problems with Apex springs on touring?

Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:33 pm

i have H&Rs on my touring. your clutching at straws comparing axle load between the cab and touring. I bet there is no more than 20kgs in it which is f**k all to worry about.

Tourings drive fine on the road and round the ring on saloon springs! I've done some of my fastest laps with that setup.

Cab springs are fine. I really don't know who started speading the myth that H&R are harder than eibachs, on 35mm drop youd struggle to tell the difference. H&R cupkit stuff rides hard. KW's gives a good ride as do spax.

I've never had an e30 on apex springs, and only used H&R springs on my tourings with either B8 or B6 dampers in varying heights.

Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:43 pm

So do you reckon H&R touring springs or Eibach cab springs? both are supposed to be -30mm drop..
Want to make this the last time I change springs over..

Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:13 pm

I like H&R over eibach, they're wound different and to me give more progressive handling as thats how the springs are wound. Eibach are like stock springs which make the car behave a little different to H&R

suspension is personal. A lot like eibach, 5 years ago no one used them on the zone it was all H&R and bilstein OR the odd person with eibach and konis was the old skool way and if you were poor/tight asking for trouble you fitted spax shocks and springs!

Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:58 pm

I've had no problems with Apex springs on my touring. Are your shocks too long?

It sounds like you have a problem that won't be solved by just changing the springs unfortunately.

Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:09 am

I have Bilstein B8 shocks on car - so shorter sports type designed for use with lowering springs.
Do you think I might have a problem with struts or missing washers etc in setup??

Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:32 am

Hmmm... I have the Bilstein B4 shocks... which are longer, and I have no knocking.

Something is missing - is what it sounds like to me. Check on the on-line parts catalogue that you have replaced all the parts of the strut.

Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:34 pm

Going to have springs changed either way - anyone else have any views on Eibach or H&R preference?? used with B8 shocks. Don't want hard ride as lots of speed bumps in my area..

H&R would be touring specified.

Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:41 pm

B8's aren't shorter than a stock boge, but B6's are. So what shocks do you have?!

Reading your first post again, sounds like whoever fitted them didnt seat the springs properly in the strut or on the top mount. Over tightening of the big 19mm nut which secures the damper to the top mount can cause this sympton. If so nob had air gunned them up this is not good.

Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:10 am

Have B8's - I was certain that they are shorter than B6's..

Think they did do shocks up with air gun as one of boot protectors is twisted.
Could I sort this problem by undoing top 19mm nut just a little?

Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:16 pm

possibly but this is all hear say without seeing the car in the flesh, B8's are longer than a B6.

A B8 damper is whats fitted to an alpina/hartge car from new. B6's to tech 1 sports and are a much shorter shock.

Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:26 pm

i have apex -30mm on the rear with genuine shocks and have no trouble, am fitting the fronts tomorrow,

are you sure its not your drop links or bushes?