Best Suspension Refresh Kit?

[tuckerware]

Just a couple weeks into this mad tight E30 life and I'm ready to attack a suspension refresh. And now, way too much history:

14 years ago the car had Bilstein Sports and Eibach Sport Springs installed along with control arm bushings replaced - car had about 200K miles at the time. About 1 year later (April 2004) the next owner installed several parts at ~ 230K miles:

Turner E30 Rear Sway Bar Reinforcement Kit
Front Control Arm Bushings (FCAB) - Offset Rubber
OEM Lemforder Control Arms

Fast forward to today (264K miles) and this car is way too low and rides like shit which is not what I'm going for. I have to gingerly crawl over speed bumps which is one of the reasons I bought an E30 in the first place. See intro post here for more background:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=403669

After browsing much of the history on the site I've decided on Koni SAs along with H&R OE Sport Springs to give a very mild drop over stock with a slightly firmer ride. This should give me back the ground clearance I desperately need as well.

Still with me? Here is my actual question - is there any consensus on a comprehensive kit to easily get the control arms, bushings, etc. which should all be replaced? Keep in mind I have no interest in hard urethane bushings or anything that will compromise daily driverness. There was another thread asking specifically about the less expensive ECS Kit but it seems like the reputation of Uro components is not great.:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...on+refresh+kit

Here are the options I have found:

BavAuto - control arm only kits with BavAuto or Lemforder options:

https://www.bavauto.com/e30-ft-susp-jl

https://www.bavauto.com/e30-ft-susp-lem

BlunTech - a couple different control arm kits with Lemforder or Meyle options. Would need separate kit/components for rear:

https://www.blunttech.com/products/4410577

https://www.blunttech.com/products/4410557


ECS - Very comprehensive kits, one with a lower quality Uro component and another premium Lemforder kit option:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...e30susref3-kt/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...30susref3-kt2/

FCP Euro - they have several different options with Lemforder or Meyle components but just control arm kits:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...30-e309piece-l

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...30-e309piece-m

Pelican Parts - includes shocks/struts along with a LOT of other peices but no control arms:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item1


Turner - really just a mounting kit but I could add other bits like the control arms- I like that they recommend a couple rear shock mount options:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...325im3/?pdk=BA


OK, I'm exhausted, you're exhausted - where do we stand? Is Uro criticism valid or overblown? Often times aftermarket components can be as good or better than OEM. Is Lemforder worth the premium over Meyle or BavAuto?

It doesn't seem like any of these are really a silver bullet in terms of a one-click solution so advice, feedback, experience is appreciated.

And sorry for this really long post...

[E30-Ellerman]

Personally, I found that FCP has the best prices and best parts.

I did their 9 piece Lemforder front end kit (Came with control arms, tie rods, bushings, etc)

They also offer a great deal on Bilstein Sport and HD shocks/struts. You can also get a discount depending how much you spend. I've ordered many more parts from them after the initial purchase and would highly recommend you go that route.

I did research on this like you are and the general consensus was that BavAuto was the lowest quality of the 3, followed by Meyle which is good and Lemforder the clear winner - which is why I went that route. It wasn't that much more and seemed like I was getting a much better product.

[TimeMachinE30]

FCP.

Lifetime warranty, too!!!!!!

[E30-Ellerman]

FCP.

Lifetime warranty, too!!!!!!

Oh right, this too!

[tuckerware]

Personally, I found that FCP has the best prices and best parts.

I did their 9 piece Lemforder front end kit (Came with control arms, tie rods, bushings, etc)

They also offer a great deal on Bilstein Sport and HD shocks/struts. You can also get a discount depending how much you spend. I've ordered many more parts from them after the initial purchase and would highly recommend you go that route.

I did research on this like you are and the general consensus was that BavAuto was the lowest quality of the 3, followed by Meyle which is good and Lemforder the clear winner - which is why I went that route. It wasn't that much more and seemed like I was getting a much better product.

Exactly what I wanted to know and it sounds like the Lemforder premium is worth it. Thanks for chiming in!

[ThatM20Guy]

Are you looking for stock rubber or will you be going poly?

Sorry if I skipped over something where this was addressed

[tuckerware]

Are you looking for stock rubber or will you be going poly?

Sorry if I skipped over something where this was addressed

My fault for such a lengthy post, but I prefer rubber for maximum NVH reduction. Not necessarily stock per se but poly would run counter to what I am trying to achieve.

[raj]

Blunttech. High quality Lemfoerder pieces. I'm sure if you email they will be able to price an entire front/rear kit.