lowering
- Thread starter nadroj
- Start date
It would be best to change out both. Which struts/shocks you use depends upon which springs you use. For mild lowering a set of E30 M3 springs will lower it about a half to 3/4 inch. H&R OE Sport springs lower the car one inch and H&R Sport Springs lower it 1.3 inches. Bilstein HD shocks can be used with stock, M3, or OE Sport springs. The Sport shocks (shorter) must be used with shocks that lower the car beyond one inch. If you use a different brand or wish to go lower than mentioned above you probably will require adjustible camber mounts, check with the vendor for proper match.
Bilstein makes 2 similarly valved struts/shocks. The HD Bilstein are designed to be used with either stock height springs (base or is) or the H&R OE sport springs (my setup) which are 1 inch lower. The regular sports are a shorter strut/shock so they should be used with the shorter 1.3 and 1.5 inch drop springs from H&R or Eibach or whomever. The shorter struts/shocks will prevent blowing out the just installed setup when you hit a good bump. The Bilstein lifetime warantee is void on this type blowout. E30 M3 springs are typically lower by about 1/2 to 3/4 inch from the stock spring although I believe the es and is springs are close to the height (about 10 mm diff) of a base 325i spring even though it is a sport suspension.
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What '85 318i 4 wheel drive kit? I bought a new 1985 318i and I don't remember that, I even checked my original 1985 sales brochure and see no mention. Springs as you know when out of the car are significantly taller. The H&Rs are shorter and do not compress much when installed. They are much stiffer and progressively wound. The stock springs compress more when installed. The 1985 318 also uses a different diameter strut 45mm vs 52mm on a 325i at least on mine when I had to change struts. The 325ix wasn't around til about 1988. Those springs were taller than stock 325i springs to give added clearances. The right driveshaft if I remember correctly even passes thru the oilpan.
xLibelle try looking at the H&R OE Sport springs (not reg sports). I put them on my 325i because I did not want to lower a lot. The specs say a 1 inch drop. The height can be further modified by changing the rubber seats which come in 3mm, 5mm, and 8mm sizes. My 325i came with 3mm rubber seats so I just put new 3mm seats back in. With the 1 inch drop camber plates are not needed either. The slight amount of negative camber added has no affect on tire wear and improves handling. If you want I can E-mail you a picture of my car with the H&R OE Sports and Bilstein HDs.
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Yeah, i want to see that. what are the size wheels you have for referance?
I was debating on these M3 springs. I imagine they are stiffer and can put those taller rubber seats in.
I was debating on these M3 springs. I imagine they are stiffer and can put those taller rubber seats in.
![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]"){kind=icon}
I might be willing to sell my Bilstein Sports soon, I want to get Koni Adjustables. Bilesteins are supposed to be warrantied forever. Or else you can get a set for about $400.
These are progressive, that means they get slowly stiffer as they are compressed. Nice compromise for street but work damn well on the track (Satch Carlson complimented the setup after he drove my car).![[8]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_8ball.gif "Retarded [8]")
http://www.electrodyne.cc/Merchant2...duct_Code=196.03.30.016&Category_Code=ae30sus
Sorry man but I dont think I can help you on the second request.![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
These are progressive, that means they get slowly stiffer as they are compressed. Nice compromise for street but work damn well on the track (Satch Carlson complimented the setup after he drove my car).
http://www.electrodyne.cc/Merchant2...duct_Code=196.03.30.016&Category_Code=ae30sus
Sorry man but I dont think I can help you on the second request.