Springs

[Jona1971]

The Wiki recommends Eibach or HR at OEM height.

Where can I get these from? Most suppliers seem to only offer the lowering option 30mm, 50mm.

Thanks,

[Jona1971]

These look like a bargain but are 35 mm lower...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/H-R-Federn-35 ... 2c6b56a336

(they are to go with new Bilstein B4s on a 318i)

[Jona1971]

Spring---------------------Front(lb/in.)-------------Rear(lb/in.)

Stock 325i-----------------------106------------------------245
Stock 325is----------------------118------------------------265
Stock 325ix----------------------106------------------------308
Stock M3-------------------------114------------------------314
Stock M3--------------------------140------------------------250
Dinan Sport-----------------------172------------------------300
H&R OE Sport---------------------180------------------------380
H&R Sport-------------------------180------------------------380
H&R Sport (29664)---------------200------------------------285
H&R Race-------------------------315------------------------ 570
H&R Coilovers***----------------340------------------------380
Eibach Pro-Kit--------------------102-------------------------277
Eibach Race----------------------160-------------------------445
IE SIII----------------------------315-------------------------570
Koni Coilovers-------------------342-------------------------407
Cosmo Coilovers----------------450-------------------------560
Tokico----------------------------165-------------------------265
TMS J-Stock**-------------------680------------------------1026
Alpina(est.)---------------------~200-----------------------~350
FK 60/60 cup kit-----------------379--------------------------379
Vogtland Standard***--------115/197-----------------------360
Vogtland CS***---------------137/200-----------------------400
Vogtland--------------------------225--------------------------360

This would suggest H&R are a bit on the hard side?

Still £85 for a set delivered from Germany looks tempting.
Any ideas?
Thanks.

[Grrrmachine]

Jona, where did you get that table from? There are all sorts of springs fitted to the "stock 325i" depending on whether it's a Touring/saloon/cabrio, with or withour aircon, in which part of the world etc.

[Jona1971]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthr ... 896&page=3

[Grrrmachine]

That's an American site, and the Yank cars often get completely different suspension setups from the European market. They also don't list their source anywhere there, so there's no guarantee the info is correct.

THIS image is from the BMW E30 repair guide. It doesn't list actual spring rates, but it does show how much a car is raised or lowered by fitting different E30 springs. You can compare the part numbers on RealOEM to see which cars they were fitted to, but generally the



Some of these springs were also fitted to the E24 and E28.

[Jona1971]

Very interesting, thanks.
Am I better buying my springs from BMW, H&R, or Eibach?
I want a comfortable drive for today's roads not a track car.

[Jona1971]

Right, I love my car and its 28 year old suspension is pants.

Its a 318i, that's what I had in my youth and that's what I bought again. I know its not a rocket ship but I love it and want to treat it right.

I had some springs from a 325 Touring thrown in when I did my rear disc brake conversion and I fitted them, its cr4p. Its too harsh.

I had some Tech1 Sport springs thrown in with my 51mm front struts and I am concerned they won't be any good either. Is fitting someone elses old stuff a really worthwhile thing to do anyway?

The WIKI raves about Eibach or H&R springs at OE height being the recommended replacements and these (listed above) at less than £100 a set look amazing value. Can I bo11ox find OE height springs anywhere. If you know please tell me.

These are 30mm lower. I am old and my piles don't need a rogering everytime I drive to work. Will these be OK, yes or no.

I will shoot you if you are wrong.

Thanks,
Jona.

[Mitchen]

Check the part number against real OEM, but you will not find better value/quality than bmwmotormec.. All either OE, or OEM brands.... or genuine BMW.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-Genui ... 5afd3d040b

[hennared323i]

The wiki may say oem height but that does not mean it is right.

Eibach pro springs for a 318i will lower the front and rear by approx 30mm - 15mm lower than Mtech

Combine the springs with the thickest spring pads BMW sell and you will be around Mtech height.

Add Bilstein B4 dampers and you will have a very good equivalent to Mtech suspension but slightly softer.

While you are at it you may as well replace the rear axle bushes, the trailing arm bushes, front and rear top mounts, front and rear arb bushes with oem rubber (for rear top mounts use E46 cab ones)

Front and rear drop links should be replaced as well - for the fronts you can get mondeo estate ones (in the wiki)

HTH

[Mitchen]

While you are at it you may as well replace the rear axle bushes, the trailing arm bushes, front and rear top mounts, front and rear arb bushes with oem rubber (for rear top mounts use E46 cab ones)

Granted this would make the suspension top notch, but that's a fair bit of work and money for someone who just wants to change springs.. I'd do the top mounts and shocks (if needed) but would tackle a full bush replacement as something separate entirely.

[hennared323i]

While you are at it you may as well replace the rear axle bushes, the trailing arm bushes, front and rear top mounts, front and rear arb bushes with oem rubber (for rear top mounts use E46 cab ones)

Granted this would make the suspension top notch, but that's a fair bit of work and money for someone who just wants to change springs.. I'd do the top mounts and shocks (if needed) but would tackle a full bush replacement as something separate entirely.

Agreed

I guess it depends on the condition of the existing bushes and how well the car has been maintained.

[Jona1971]

Thank you so much guys for your informed responses.

All my old bushes were knackered and I replaced the rear trailing arms with disc braked ones so I have recently replaced the bushes (diff mount, trailing arms, rear axle, rear arb, front arb) and I have Bilstein B4 dampers, so I'm on my way.

I just want to buy the springs once.

So, we're at Eibach pro or genuine BMW.
Anyone else?

Thanks again

[Jona1971]

Eibach Pro Kit Springs:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Pro-Ki ... 25987ee80d

£118 for a set of 4 delivered from Germany by DHL...bargain!

[Mitchen]

They are lowering springs though, if that's the route you wanna go down.

[Jona1971]

A harsh ride?