How low can you go (practically)?

[8bitleo]

Hello all! First post so be gentle

I've just got myself an E30 325i cabrio which is currently sitting on stock wheels and suspension. I am planning to order some ESM 002R's from the states (16x8 ET20 front & 16x9 ET15 rear) to fill the arches and curious about lowered suspension set ups.

I will be using it as a daily and want to go as low as I practically can without making the ride too crashy, have some survivability against pot holes and little to no wheel rubbing issues.

Coilovers are a little out of my budget atm, however if they are significantly better then I can probably be convinced otherwise. For now though, I'm looking for a shock and lowered spring setup, specifically the Koni Str.t and H&R Spring kit available on eBay.

For the 'cabrio' specific ad, it has a 40mm drop on the front and 10mm drop at the rear - this doesn't seem like all that much to me but I know nothing of these things!

Is this in fact a good setup to have? Can/Should i go any lower than this? Happy to hear any other brand or setup recommendations.

Thanks

[aimlessrock]

if the roads in your area are as bad as mine i would be tempted to leave the suspension alone.

i would also recommend you speak to your insurers for their views on any lowering in advance- some will not even entertain it now.

[martauto]

The roads around mine play hell with my e46 sport.
Welcome to the zone anyway mate

Mart.

[ChrisHC]

Yes, my E46 on standard suspension but lower profile wheels has just suffered a cracked wheel, the guy who repaired it says it happens a lot with the current state of the roads.

The best bet is to leave it as stock, but if you do lower it, keep the original springs etc so that when you sell it the next owner has an easy route to putting it right.

[martauto]

When lowered, dont you run into camber/caster issues and as a daily, tyres could start getting a problem.

Mart.

[RKB]

I think -30mm on a set of Bilstein B12 is what i'd recommend - comfort and handle bumps nicely from my experience.

[Topblag]

I have eibach springs on my cabby, I think it’s 40mm front and 30mm rear drop. Cabby motorsport springs will drop 15mm all round but are very expensive from the dealers.

Any lower and you are risking your sump. Can't comment on wheels sizes.

[Speedtouch]

As above, a 30mm drop is the recommended maximum on E30s; any more is likely to upset the steering geometry and handling, along with increased risk of grounding or cracking the sump.

BMW 325i Sports had a very conservative 15mm drop.

[martauto]

BMW 325i Sports had a very conservative 15mm drop.

There is a good reason for this

Mart.

[8bitleo]

The roads around mine play hell with my e46 sport.
Welcome to the zone anyway mate

Mart.

Yeah tell me about it, UK roads are the worst Thank you for the welcome sir!

Yes, my E46 on standard suspension but lower profile wheels has just suffered a cracked wheel, the guy who repaired it says it happens a lot with the current state of the roads.

The best bet is to leave it as stock, but if you do lower it, keep the original springs etc so that when you sell it the next owner has an easy route to putting it right.

Thanks for the warning, only going with a 16"rim so will still be a fair bit of tyre to absorb the impact. I will defo hang on o the originals!

I think -30mm on a set of Bilstein B12 is what i'd recommend - comfort and handle bumps nicely from my experience.

I have eibach springs on my cabby, I think it’s 40mm front and 30mm rear drop. Cabby motorsport springs will drop 15mm all round but are very expensive from the dealers.

Any lower and you are risking your sump. Can't comment on wheels sizes.

As above, a 30mm drop is the recommended maximum on E30s; any more is likely to upset the steering geometry and handling, along with increased risk of grounding or cracking the sump.

BMW 325i Sports had a very conservative 15mm drop.

-30mm seems to be the recommendation of choice, will have a hunt around for some -30mm springs. Will probably get a sump guard too just to be safe.

Are you guys using these on stock shocks or aftermarket/same brand too?

[Speedtouch]

All depends on your budget; stock dampers can be used (if in reasonable condition, of course), while some prefer to upgrade to Bilsteins or similar.

[8bitleo]

All depends on your budget; stock dampers can be used (if in reasonable condition, of course), while some prefer to upgrade to Bilsteins or similar.

Bought the car off my brother and he did mention a leak on one of the stock dampers. Will probably upgrade then!

[BHadley]

It’s worth the expense to avoid doing the whole job twice.....

[RKB]

It’s worth the expense to avoid doing the whole job twice.....

I cannot agree with this more!

Stick with the shit setup for longer if you need to raise funds to be able to put it right once.

[8bitleo]

It’s worth the expense to avoid doing the whole job twice.....

I cannot agree with this more!

Stick with the shit setup for longer if you need to raise funds to be able to put it right once.

Yeah, looks like im going to save a bit extra and get some BC coilovers instead. Would like to stick to the recommended drop of around 30mm all round - any idea what a good spring rate would be for UK sitting this low with flush/slighly poked rims?