Lowering - Do I have to get new shocks?

[Stevieabz]

I want to lower my 325i Sport but I can't decide if I should just save up and get coil overs or get some H&R sports/race lowering springs. My only confusion is; If I get the lowering springs, should I have get the Bilstein sport shocks as well?

What happens if I just put the H&R's in with the original shocks? In what way are the bilstein shocks different to the originals in my car now?

I have found this - http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2014- ... hocks.aspx

But at that price should I just wait for some coil overs?

Thanks.

[Brianmoooore]

The main difference between the Bilstein dampers and your originals, is that the new Bilsteins will actually have some significant damping action, while your originals, if they are that, and your car has done anything like an average annual mileage, will be little more than decorative only.
The springs in that link are race springs, and as such are likely to be hopeless on UK roads. A tyre that is not in contact with the road has zero grip, and with those springs that's where the tyres are going to spend a lot of time.
Any decent coil over set up is going to cost much more than the bits in that link.

[Stevieabz]

Thanks for the info.

Would you say these would suit better? http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-4128- ... ckage.aspx

Or is it really, really worth just saving and going for coil overs? But saying that, there are so many to choose from I could spend 200 or 2000. Its nice an easy decision..

[rich318i]

B8 shocks and H&R Sport springs are sweet. you will get taxed big time if you buy them from turners.

Contact c3bmw.co.uk

[Stevieabz]

I want these

http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?a=i&p ... ilover-Kit

[rich318i]

buy them and let us know how they are

[Stevieabz]

Will take some saving still

[JF008]

Might as well buy a Bilstein kit for less money http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?p=946000101&a=i

[Brianmoooore]

Might as well buy a Bilstein kit for less money http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?p=946000101&a=i

This! Will give far better handling, not to mention comfort, than the coil overs for road use, won't need strengthening of the rear mounts, and will much more insurance company friendly.

[Stevieabz]

Hmm.. But I like the idea of adjust-ability with the coil overs.. I live in quite a rural area and would keep it high up for daily driving and nice and low for the track. If I spend 1 - 1.5k would you say that they are going to be as good of quality as the bilstein's?

[Brianmoooore]

Stick a tow bar on your existing E30, buy/make a trailer and build a dedicated track car. Dual purpose vehicles will always be a poor compromise.

[Kos]

If you want a dual use e30 use the bilstein kit.

Fuck winding coilovers up and down. They should be set up and left.

[Stevieabz]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm going to go for the B6's or the B8's.