Tell Me My Suspension Set Up Will Work

[MSGGrunt]

I know this has been covered over and over but, I am looking for specifics regarding my intentions to help alleviate any apprehension about parting with $763.00

I own a 1990 vert with all stock suspension that I want to lower a bit. The car is a fare weather, weekend only, occasional commute to work car. I want lower but not low enough to worry about damaging my oil pan.

I am looking for a firmer but, not bone jarring ride.

My thought:

- H&R Sport Springs part #50407. $232.00
- Koni Shock Front - Sport Series (86-2277SPORT) $153.00 each
- Koni Shock Rear - Sport Series (80-2522SPORT) $112.00 each

The car has 116,000 easy miles.

Tires are 205/55-16 on Borbett Type C wheels

[Bearmw]

I don't know if those are the correct Koni part numbers or not but I think that setup sounds good and maybe add a 14.5mm factory upgrade rear bar and some inexpensive fixed camber plates such as the ones sold by Turner to make it even better.

[MSGGrunt]

I got the part numbers for the shocks/struts from Bav Auto and ECS Tuning's sites. I won't get into the debate which is better, the Koni's or Bilsteins, as I feel for the small extra cost for the Konis I found that would be the way to go.

I have been taking into mind the altered camber and how to address it.

[Poorhouse]

I went with the same springs and Bilstein Sports on my Cabrio.
Tried and true combo, I can't imagine you will have any issues.

My car had 104K miles when I did the work. Everything was original and worn out.
Plan on replacing RSMs, strut bearings, sway bar end links and bushings, FCAB's and ball joints at a minimum. I also did tie rods. I'm sure the RTABs and diff bushing are worn. I wasn't ready to tackle them this go around.

I added a X brace at the same time. Supposedly makes a big difference on the cabrio.

[jotam3]

I went with the same springs and Bilstein Sports on my Cabrio.
Tried and true combo, I can't imagine you will have any issues.

My car had 104K miles when I did the work. Everything was original and worn out.
Plan on replacing RSMs, strut bearings, sway bar end links and bushings, FCAB's and ball joints at a minimum. I also did tie rods. I'm sure the RTABs and diff bushing are worn. I wasn't ready to tackle them this go around.

I added a X brace at the same time. Supposedly makes a big difference on the cabrio.

You pretty much detailed everything I plan on doing in the near future. How big of a difference did you notice with the cross brace?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[flyboyx]

BMW makes a stock offset upper strut mount. I have them on my cabby with h&r's and we used them on my sons car too. I highly recommend them as they don't have the harshness associated with aftermarket parts.

[jeffnhiscars]

I added koni sports to my cabrio which already had h&R cabrio specific springs (I think 50406). It's a great ride only I went with sedan fronts since they are top adjustable and difference in compression is negligible.

It's one thing to twist to adjust the rears since I believe you can do that by just unbolting it at the bottom (haven't had to actually adjust them) but who wants to remove a strut housing to adjust the front.

[Poorhouse]

You pretty much detailed everything I plan on doing in the near future. How big of a difference did you notice with the cross brace?

Haven't driven it yet. Waiting for the snow to melt. :(



This is with the H&R Cabrio springs. I think this is what the OP listed.
I used E90 drophats due to my lighter M42.

I've got a set of refinished Euroweaves ready to go on after it is aligned.

[Michael Star]

Does the x brace really help that much?

[Poorhouse]

The reviews I read from Cabrio owners indicated it made a big difference.

I got the Garagistic piece on their Black Friday sale.

For that price I had to try it.

[MSGGrunt]

I fully plan on refreshing all the rubber (OEM BMW not poly is my preference) in the rear suspension but, my front has already been rebuilt.

What are these BMW offset strut mounts that you speak of? Do you have a part number or can I find them on Real OEM?

Good point on the top adjustable fronts but, the part number for the cabrio specific Koni's has a picture with it that shows them being top adjustable. I will have to ask if they are in fact top adjustable.

[MSGGrunt]

Damn, those OEM offset strut mounts are pricey. $195.00 EACH on FCP Euro.

[fight4life28]

Yeah my old setup was great for dd, But only one person could be in the car really and the Suspension was super soft (eibach pro kit) , paired with bilstein sports got better but not enough for my liking.

Everything I had tell me,
-Have GC's on my coupe, 1.5 shorten coil overs with there full setup. Great but too stiff for my likings. spring rates f650-r500 (poly everything)

-Now what have for my vert now. Non shorten, Koni's, and f400-r500 much better but very stiff still since I am running Touring camber plates, poly rear stock mounts. (oem Rubber)

Spring Rates make big different along with the rubber,poly or what ever you have.. Also got the x-brace and well worth the price. Makes driving the vert fun with out crazy cowl shake.

[BaltimoreBimmer]

can you elaborate on this? I find it somewhat disturbing that people can say the following two thoughts in the same sentence

"my old set up was great for dd"

followed up by:

"but only one person could be in the car really"

I'm not trying to be a dick/smartass, but in what world is that a good DD? Does it bottom out or something when loaded up? I have KW V1 coils on my e46 sedan and I have no fear telling others that I would absolutely NOT recommend them for a daily driver.

What combo are you running that resulted in only one person being able to really be in the car? Curious as I am looking to cruise around in my vert fully loaded at times, and want to avoid any bottoming issues (fought with them in my e46 for a bit)

[Poorhouse]

Just guessing here.

When I was researching my suspension set up the reviews of the Eibach e30 springs indicated they were to low and to soft which could result in bottoming out.