Which suspension to upgrade to

[JagsK1981]

Hi

I'm looking to change the suspension setup on my e30 325i motorsport, really confused on what to get ....coilovers or shocks and springs?

Any advice, I will be putting 17 alloys on it eventually.

Thanks in advance[/b]

[Tedswagon]

Shocks and springs. Coilovers only for track time.

[Brianmoooore]

The 17" alloys will be a big mistake as well. Far too much unsprung weight and the tyre sidewall height will be far to small for the design of an E30's suspension.

[JagsK1981]

So 16's?

[reggid]

what do you do with the car? street or track or both?

[JagsK1981]

what do you do with the car? street or track or both?

Just street no track

Thanks

[pukar]

I would stick with the original suspension and wheels setup, it is still reasonably firm for going round corners and forgiving enough to feel comfortable. Anything too hard in a cab is not pleasant, way to crashy, 17s will make that a lot worse. I would suggest whatever you decide to keep the original setup as well, so you can switch back if you don't like the ride, and esp with a motorsport to keep its value if you ever come to sell it.

The front chin sometimes look a bit high with original setup, don't quote me, but I think I remember reading that removing the spring pad will give a slight drop and look better...... Perhaps someone can confirm and say if it is safe to do??

[JagsK1981]

what do you do with the car? street or track or both?

Just street no track

Thanks

[Sanchez]

but I think I remember reading that removing the spring pad will give a slight drop and look better...... Perhaps someone can confirm and say if it is safe to do??

Removing the spring pad puts moving metal against metal, not good.

Smaller thinner Spring pads can be purchased but for the sake of 2mm not worth it.

[reggid]

H&R sport and knoi dampers is what id do. i used eibach and bilstein and they were too soft for the amount of drop and damping excessive. H&R would be a little better IMO. i'm on coil overs now used on street but you need pretty good roads

[JagsK1981]

H&R sport and knoi dampers is what id do. i used eibach and bilstein and they were too soft for the amount of drop and damping excessive. H&R would be a little better IMO. i'm on coil overs now used on street but you need pretty good roads

Thanks reggid

[chu346]

The problem with wheels is that 17's give a bad ride, 15's look abit small and the compromise of 16's doesn't give you much choice in decent wheels. I had 16" alpinas on my old motorsport and recommend them, but doubt that you can find a decent set within your budget. Overall it might be best to stick with 15" BBS. Any other option will cost a lot of money.

I have 16's E38 BBS, but I've converted to 5 stud

I had H&R before and recommend them 40/40 drop

[Quaser]

ok - you mentioned motorsport - I assume that you have a convertible and are not calling a sport a motorsport!

if a convertible, then I have eibach springs, with sport front dampers and bilstien b4's (softer) on the back and I find the ride fantastic with this setup

[steve_k]

no offence to anyone but i really wish folk on here would stop saying that putting 17" wheels on an e30 will ruin/kill the ride quality, it will not on it'd own.

they negate to look at the rest of the suspension, i;e dampers, springs, bushes etc.

lets put it this way, if you buy an e30 & straightaway fit 17's but the rest of the suspension is old & tired (knackered) then yes it will ruin the ride, same as if you put the holy grail of 16's on it.

when i got my current e30 (my 2nd sport) it rode shocking before i put 17's on it because the suspension was (well) past it's best, all the suspension components were changed not long after (H 'n' R & eibach at the time) & the ride was greatly improved.

like i say, check all th suspension before slating 17's for killing the ride,

as for an upgrade?? has to be the H & R kit for me though i am now running koni adjustable dampers front & rear with custom springs, & all new bushes.

but it all comes down to budget.

[JagsK1981]

no offence to anyone but i really wish folk on here would stop saying that putting 17" wheels on an e30 will ruin/kill the ride quality, it will not on it'd own.

they negate to look at the rest of the suspension, i;e dampers, springs, bushes etc.

lets put it this way, if you buy an e30 & straightaway fit 17's but the rest of the suspension is old & tired (knackered) then yes it will ruin the ride, same as if you put the holy grail of 16's on it.

when i got my current e30 (my 2nd sport) it rode shocking before i put 17's on it because the suspension was (well) past it's best, all the suspension components were changed not long after (H 'n' R & eibach at the time) & the ride was greatly improved.

like i say, check all th suspension before slating 17's for killing the ride,

as for an upgrade?? has to be the H & R kit for me though i am now running koni adjustable dampers front & rear with custom springs, & all new bushes.

but it all comes down to budget.

Thanks Steve needed this advice, I am changing all the bushes and decided to put adjustable coilovers on it.

[Blitz]

Oh dear, one way to ruin your car.

[NoTurbo]

If you want to lower the ride height anything other than coilovers messes with geometry too much and makes the ride and handling feel uneven and uncomfortable.

I used bc racing coilovers on the front and eibach springs with adjustable shocks on the rear. Sits low and ride feels great on 15s 16s and 17s.

Fyi I prefer the look and feel on 16s with 225 rubber. But that's just personal preference. My touring had a similar setup and i preferred it with 17s.