325iS Springs/Shocks Upgrade

[SwadePM]

I finally have enouph money to buy a suspention kit for my 1989 325iS and just wanted to get some advise on Brands and such. Ive done some price research and found that Tokico is the cheapest of all, but are they quality products? Also, For an autocrossing car, what springs would you suggest and how far should i go with lowering my BMW. Please any information would help.

Thanks, Peyton

 

[mjbst111]

Tokico is by far the cheapest and they do a really good job. Some people say that they don't last as long, that the shocks wear more quickly. unfortunatley i was not able to test how long they would have lasted. I had mine for about a year before my car was totalled.

But the time I did have them woooo! The car handled like a dream. Are they the best? I'm sure they aren't but you get what you pay for. If money is tight they are fantastic.

btw i got the spring and shock set. 400 dollars including shipping on ebay. not too shabby.

 

[nadroj]

peyton, i would look into maybe H&R springs and bilstin shocks, of course if price is not a factor. while your at it, i would look into getting sway bars, those helped my 318iS alot!.

 

[bad ass v-dub]

I have Eibach springs, Bilstein Sport shocks, and Racing Dynamics sway bars on my 318is, and they are sweet. The ride is extremely smooth when cruising, but when you corner hard they get tighter because they are variable rate springs. My dad has Bavarian Auto springs and Bilstein Sport shocks on his 318is. By time the springs are done settling in, they lower about 2", and are soft. These springs are like cutting you're stock springs, there good for looks and cruising, but when you go around a corner, they suck.

 

[epj3]

RD Sways, Koni adjustable shocks (I think bilsteins are crappy, they are always way too firm... koni's are nice becuase they are adjustable), and probably eibach or H&R Springs. Unfortunately no easy coilover kits available.

If you're really serious get some J stock parts

 

[B M W]

How much do you have saved up? If you are goign to track then id go with coilovers. Tokicos are shit. They are horrible at handling and about as soft as my neice's teddy bear. Really if you really want to track a lot then go with H&R Race springs and Koni Adjustable shocks. This would be your best budget setup. Another lower setup would be H&R Race springs with Bilstein sport shocks, but you realy do want better shocks. Eibach Pro Kit are also nice spring sto match up with Koni's.

Buy coilovers.

 

[echothreezero]

There are a few different responses here - remember suspension setup very much depends on what you are using the car for. Even a very mild track setup can be murder for a streeter. Since Swade is looking at budget options I very much doubt that his/her car is going to be predominantly a race machine. Instead a street setup which will perform ok on a track if he/she ever wants to go on the weekend would be the best option.

IMO there's nothing wrong with Bilsteins for the street, and the older ones aren't as hard as the newer ones, so if you want, get some second hand ones in good nick and save money that way still ending up with a good product. Koni adjustables are nice, but more expensive - if it were me I'd probably get those.

Springs? Decide on a practical ride height for your location and use - sacked on the floor is no good on the track, or the open road or if you go near bumpy surfaces, judder bars, kerbs etc, but looks really sweet on main st at 50km/h (30m/h). My car is used for touring long distances as well as cruising town, so I have opted for around a 55mm (2.2") drop from stock with a frimness of ride which is tolerable for long journeys - just. I still have some issues with rough surfaces and speed humps and steep transitions.

I am not 100% familiar with auto-x, but my guess is that this would be way too low - a 30mm (1.3") drop would be much better, and as said by v-dub progressive rate springs would be the way to go. Finally, sway bars would be invaluable, esp. for auto-x.