Thinking of lowering my 323ci

shadyy510

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#1
I'm thinking of lowering my 323CI and I have couple questions before I consider doing it depending on how much its gonna cost me...

What kinds lowering springs should I get?? (adjustable ones)

Do I also need shocks too??
(someone told me that if I use the aftermarket lowering springs, my stock shocks will go bad sooner) If I do have to change the shocks, What would be good one's to buy and not too expensive.

FYI: Getting 18" very soon!!!

Thx in advance!!!
 

Tom

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#2
For coilovers you can go with Bilstein or Tien.

For basic springs you can go with either H&R or Eibach.

Yes you should always upgrade your dampers when lowering your car. Plus it will save you on labor cost if you do it all at once.

It should cost you roughly $200-$400 depending on which route you go.
 

shadyy510

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#3
Tom said:
For coilovers you can go with Bilstein or Tien.

For basic springs you can go with either H&R or Eibach.

Yes you should always upgrade your dampers when lowering your car. Plus it will save you on labor cost if you do it all at once.

It should cost you roughly $200-$400 depending on which route you go.
So ur saying the whole setup will cost me around $400 + labor??

H&R Springs: $369
Which one's should I get Sport Spring or Race Spring? Whats the difference? Is there any others that are cheaper than these??

Koni Adjustable Shocks: $705 http://www.koni-na.com/display.cfm?mt_id=1&mak_id=6&mod_id=114&submit=Continue
Is there any cheaper one's that perform close to Koni adjustable Shocks? Can u guys recommend me some others??

Coilovers: $959.95 from BavAuto - Bilstein PSS Coil Over Suspension Kit - with adjustable ride height

$699.95 - Bavarian Autosport Coil Over Suspension Kit - Height-Adjustable
Which way should I go for?? What u guys think??
 
Last edited:

William330

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#4
Some things to consider:

* Concrete driveway aprons.

* Messing with BMW's legendary handling.

* Reduced resale value.
 

Tom

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#5
shadyy510 said:
So ur saying the whole setup will cost me around $400 + labor??

H&R Springs: $369
Which one's should I get Sport Spring or Race Spring? Whats the difference? Is there any others that are cheaper than these??

Koni Adjustable Shocks: $705 http://www.koni-na.com/display.cfm?mt_id=1&mak_id=6&mod_id=114&submit=Continue
Is there any cheaper one's that perform close to Koni adjustable Shocks? Can u guys recommend me some others??

Coilovers: $959.95 from BavAuto - Bilstein PSS Coil Over Suspension Kit - with adjustable ride height

$699.95 - Bavarian Autosport Coil Over Suspension Kit - Height-Adjustable
Which way should I go for?? What u guys think??

Sorry I meant $200-$400 for labor alone.


Bilstein makes good products, but if you want to save the extra $300 Bav Auto would be good as well.

Check tirerack.com I believe they also carry Koni.
 

adrean8j

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#6
William330 said:
Some things to consider:

* Concrete driveway aprons.

* Messing with BMW's legendary handling.

* Reduced resale value.
The only statement above that holds any water is the first one....the second one is a non-factor if the work is done correctly and in most cases will increase handling capability. The last one is not true at all....as a matter of fact in MOST cases this increases the resale since the new owner doesnt have to do it himself AND if he gets adjustables then he can adjust it to stock heights and the new owner wouldnt know the difference anyway...especially if he isnt the tuning type.....
 

William330

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#7
I'd never buy a car where someone not only messed with
the suspension, but lowered it to look like a gaudy Honda
Civic from "The Fast and the Furious."

I realize many younger drivers think this stuff is 'cool' but
you definitely reduce your resale buyer pool by modifying
a BMW, and only a moron buyer wouldn't realize the car
was modified.

Call me crazy, but I think the 3-series looks and handles
fantastic as-is, and would take that $500 to $1,000 and
invest it into something which earns interest, rather than
throwing it away to fix something that isn't broken.

No offense intended, just something to consider.
 
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#8
Yeah I would have to agree with William330. I drive a 325i E46 2002, and the handling is fantastic.It's one of those cars that you don't even need to modify. as it is , the handling is great.. and the other of course, i woudln't buy a car tht has been modify.. cause it changes the configuration of the car..

obviously BMW engineer has done all the calculation of the car..

all the youngsters will spend unnecessary money to put anything in, cause they are not paying for it.. secondly, they don't care.. again they are not paying for it..
so no, just leave your beamer standard.. i thin k it's better
 

adrean8j

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#9
Um...you are both wrong....Dinan and AC Schnitzer offer "upgrades" DIRECTLY thru BMW that lower your ride height AND increase the handling on an already great handling car.....spending the 500 to 1000 on something that earns interest is entirely your decision BUT the prevalence of the "tuning" industry since.....since well cars have been made says that these upgrades are wanted and in some cases "better". A "modified" bimmer that has a tighter more expensive suspension has a lower resale value? Come on guys think about that.......I am not talking about the stuff you see in lowrider magazine.....I have my car lower about an inch....and I guarantee you that my car WILL sell for more than a stock 5er will sell for....and a dealer WILL list that stuff as selling points(sport suspension-shocks and springs, custom stereo, chip tuning, cold air intake....these are selling points guys and if you look on any of the websites that sell cars you will see that the trend is for these vehicles to sell for more than their counterparts.......bottom line is if you dont want to modify or buy modified then dont....but dont give "points" that arent valid like "messing up Bmw's legendary handling" or "lower resale value" because they are not true......
 
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#10
BMW sells a highly 'detuned' car - if you're buying a 3 series and you think it is the top cream of the market for handling and whatnot - think again.

What 'we' do (people that modify their cars) is personalization. You're right you don't 'have' to like it, but don't make untrue statements like they are the law.

1. Concrete aprons - Still not a problem in my 'dropped' car.

2. BMW's legendary handling ISN'T what's in these street cars (3 series stock). It's their racecars that made that 'legendary' title stick. Out of the box, a 3 series handles ok, and *is* a well balanced vehicle. If you think it's 'legendary' (hahahaha!) - go drive more car selections to expand your knowledge-base a bit..

3. Yes (and No!). However in the 'modding society' a nicely modded car will disappear quicker than a stock one. Seen it happen time and again in the local GA forum on B.f.C. Guys sell their modified cars like pancakes for more than stock ones. Then again on the other side of the stick, there is a '98 E36 M3 with all sorts of Dinan mods listed 'FOR SALE' in the VERY FRONT of the United BMW dealership in Roswell GA (Nice, bright Hellrot red!). (Pssst! Don't tell the dealer they won't be able to sell this modded car, I'd hate to hurt their feelings!!!)

I don't have 'jo-blow' working on my car, or some jerk-off mechanic, I have a certified BMW mechanic (who also used to do pit-work for the Turner GT racing team)working on my car and my 'mods'. Modified cars done by someone with a clue, are just as stable and able to perdict faults with as 'stock' cars, and can certainly outperform in every since of the word a stock car.

A 'stock' car is great, and if you're not a 'car person' that is into cars, making them better, changing them, making it more 'your own' that's quite fine. Just be aware there is a quite sizable (and growing) market for people that like to fool with their cars (And they aren't all teenager hooligans). It's a hobby, and fooling with cars has been a 'Man's' hobby since 4 wheel vehicles were invented.

Don't get down on us for thinking out of the box, and we won't get down on you for being a badge fan.
 
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#11
[thumb] I guess if your name is William on this site then you're havin the same dream... I lowered my bimmer with the Eibach Sport-System Kit, it increased my handling, improved my cornering, got rid of that unsightly gap between my 18" wheel/tire set up and added character to my ride. The suspension set up came with new sport shocks, new sport struts, new sport dampers and new sport springs. My vehilces value also increased, but I forgot you guys know everything. Not everyone wants to resale their bimmer and those who can't afford a few hundred dollars to improve their car and craft it in their image should maybe consider a honda or toyota. Last I checked Dinan BMW's cost more than factory OEM vehicles. Am I incorrect... I thought not... If someone wants to know what their options are concerning modding their bimmer we are supposed to help them, its not your money. Help them get the best deal and show them the respect they deserve when they're spending their own money. Just my two and a half cents. Happy Motoring...
[driving2]
 

adrean8j

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#12
William330 said:
Call me crazy, but I think the 3-series looks and handles
fantastic as-is, and would take that $500 to $1,000 and
invest it into something which earns interest, rather than
throwing it away to fix something that isn't broken.

No offense intended, just something to consider.
Consider it I have, and your point is valid...it DOES look and handle fantastic AS IS...but it could handle even better......my car is dropped and if you saw it in person trust me you wouldnt say it is "Gaudy" but you do have a valid reason and it IS respected(I dont want you to think that I am biased towards your opinion![thumb])
 

shadyy510

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So, I guess I'll be better off getting the $699.95 - Bavarian Autosport Coil Over Suspension Kit - Height-Adjustables. Any opinions on this brand? instead of debating about lowering the car or not ... lol I'm lowering my car for sure!!!
 
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#14
for what it cost at bav auto that kit is the best value for the money spent.
i found coilovers (the kind without the shock its a slipon)on sportcompactonly.com for $379 then you need shocks which might be another $600.
so $600 or 700 total for thier kit is pretty good.

and the gaudy honda civic comment sounds like someone who was made a [target] and got [spank] .
[rofl]
 
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#16
Interesting conversation! =P

Good luck with the lowering!

Sidenote: Stock sport suspension on my car and I've scraped my drive way before, same in Parent's stock cars as well. Just depends on how shitty your drive way is really; you'll be right.
 
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#18
shadyy510 said:
So, I guess I'll be better off getting the $699.95 - Bavarian Autosport Coil Over Suspension Kit - Height-Adjustables. Any opinions on this brand? instead of debating about lowering the car or not ... lol I'm lowering my car for sure!!!
I wouldn't go all out and get a Coil Over kit unless you are planning on tracking or doing some really serious driving - otherwise it is just overkill....

If you want the lowered look, better overall handling, and are just going to be driving the car moderately hard; just go with a setup of H&R, or as Tom stated H&R or Eibach, Sport springs or Race springs (depending on the type of ride/feel you want) and keep the stock shocks. The stock shocks are more that capable to handle the lowering of the car with new springs. Remember these will only drop the car (perfectly IMO) about 3/4ths to an inch, which is all you need without sacrificing overall ride height for speed bumps etc... With that said, you will still have to be careful in certain situations, but overall it isn't anything close to the way a "Riced out" or "Fast & Furious" vehicle setup is.....

Good luck with your decision.....
 


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