Cabrio ride height, options

[jimf]

Hi folks, I'm sure this has been brought up over and over. I have done a search and done a bit of reading.

The gap between the E30 cabrios wheel and front arch seems a bit excessive and not aesthetically pleasing to me. I would like to make it look better without losing much of the ride quality.

1, How much to drop it by, 30mm?

2, Must it be all four springs? the rear arch gap looks fine to me.

3, Can I just change the springs and leave the dampers as they are.

4, what are the tried, tested and recommended brands on a moderate budget.

Thanks

[FinalD]

If yours is the sig picture, it looks lowered as it is?

I don't have any decent side pictures of my car at the moment unfortunately so can't show mine, but it is on stilts compared to yours!

These are probably about the best I have right now:
photo 1
photo 2


I can fit my hand between the arches and the wheels easily with little finger at the tyre and thumb towards the top of the arch (this is front and rear).

[Gert_8]

Hi Jim,

Best set up is eibach springs with B4 Bilstein shocks all round...! Nice drop in height. The car looks good and ride is also very good.

[Gert_8]

I left mine as it is as I am a (OEM) HoMo


EFA before Gert edits my post.

Hahah! Buzzkill!

Mine was orginally specced with Mtech suspension, but it was removed, so this the eibachs and Billies were the closest match.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Mine was done on 35mm springs all round. Was fine, though the shocks started to get a bit soft toward the end of my ownership.

[Topblag]

I'm running Eibachs on my cabby and I can't get a trolley jack under it. Car was much more comfortable with the original springs. I believe the best compromise are Motorsport cabby springs, but they won't be cheap from the dealers.

[Rtaylor2208]

Running Boge Turbo's and -40mm springs on my cab, same problem as colin, can't get the trolley jack under it.

Rides fine though and is a massive improvment over the old shocks and ridiculous -60mm springs.

Sig pic shows how low it is currently.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

I used to have to use the standard jack, then get the trolley jack under it. Think I sacked it off for axle stands. Was a good purchase.

[jimf]

FinalD: I don't 'think' mine has been lowered. That picture could be deceptive as the car is parked on a hill. Plus it was one of the previous owners advert pics. The front arch gap looks bigger than that usually so it could have been changed.

Gert_8: nice concise answer, thanks.

Diable: I like to keep things mostly OEM too usually when it comes to my bmw's. I try to go for the highest spec that was available from the factory. The only things I generally change is the gingicators and perhaps if another model has a better item I'd consider it, like the cd43 I've fitted to my E34 or the E39 m-paras. With my e30 I'm considering the Z3 short shift and perhaps the steering rack mod from the E36. If there was BMW suspension that can be fitted to give a better look and ride I would prefer that but if the eibach springs are recommended as having no detrimental effect on handling and more wallet friendly than dealer stuff I'm happy.

Topblag: how much is your drop? Do you think new shocks would improve it?

Rtaylor: yours looks just right and your sig pic is what originally got me thinking about this matter

Anyone know the ride height difference between standard cab springs and Motorsport ones?

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Thought all cabs came with motorsport suspension?

[TommyM]

Jack it up, lean in with grinder, cut spring in half, job done!

[Topblag]

My springs are 40mm front and 35mm rear IIRC.

[Rtaylor2208]

Anyone know the ride height difference between standard cab springs and Motorsport ones

MTECH springs are -15mm

Thought all cabs came with motorsport suspension

Nope, only the ones that had MTECH suspension specified.

[PG325]

Mine is sitting on MTech -15mm springs with B4's.

[B7]

Jack it up, lean in with grinder, cut spring in half, job done!

Nice!!!!!!

Before you do anything, check the rear beam bushes. If they have collapsed, you wll lose height at the rear and it will accentuate the appearance of it being nose high?

[FinalD]

I got some proper pics of the height of mine....











That is the standard suspension (at least, what mine came with when I got it), it looks like a monster truck!

[Rtaylor2208]

Is it a 4 pot? Looks like a 4 pot running 6 pot springs. That gap is huge.

[FinalD]

Is it a 4 pot? Looks like a 4 pot running 6 pot springs. That gap is huge.

6pot with the engine IN.

It's missing some body panels (bonnet, lower bumper, boot lid and horseshoe) but I can't see them adding enough weight to lower the car. Later on in the year I'll have to buy some new suspension I think, to bring it down to a nice height.

[jimf]

B7: the car is in the air at the moment so will get under it at the weekend and have a look. Any tips on checking or will it be really obvious?

FinalD: something not quite right there, that height is outrageous!

[FinalD]

It is utterly ridiculous. I do have some suspension on my 'spares' car that is meant to be lowered, does look to sit lower than the cab certainly. Don't really want to rob it from the touring though unless it fails the MOT on suspension. I'd probably buy a whole new set of proper suspension though if I'm honest, decent lower stuff, trying to avoid large costs like that at the moment though.

[TommyM]

Jack it up, lean in with grinder, cut spring in half, job done!

Nice!!!!!!

Before you do anything, check the rear beam bushes. If they have collapsed, you wll lose height at the rear and it will accentuate the appearance of it being nose high?

best thing for it mate