The Cabrio Suspension Thread

[mattdk318i]

Figured id make this thread since a search didnt turn up anything significant. Ive decided to stick with the Cabrio, Thus i need to increase the handling around corners and overall stiffness. My car is pretty much stock besides the springs and shocks. Id like to be able to compare different sways,bushings, etc that have worked effectivly in a cabrio

Since our cars have been named "Flexyfliers" Theres not much you can do to get away from that name because its true. However, Id like to compile suspension setups of various cabrios including the type of engine you have. That way there will be a decent reference of suspension setups and overall satisfaction.
Ultimately making it easier for me and others to pick out suspension setups according to described/desired ride

My Car:

1990 325IC
M50B25
BavAuto Springs
Bilstein Sport Shocks
Stock CABs
Stock RSM's
Stock Sways
Stock Rear subframe bushings
Currently no strut brace besides factory bracing.

*pretty smooth ride, But tends to push through the turns(hints stock)*

Current Ride height:

[VacMan]

'87 325i cabrio

Bavauto springs with spring pads removed
Bilstein fronts/Boge rear (from PO, Bilstein sports coming soon)
M3 control arms/offset bushings -- all other bushings replaced with stock
Stock front sway bar, Eibach rear
Bavauto strut tower brace

I wouldn't change a thing about my suspension besides the dampers. I know some don't like the bavauto springs, but I am very pleased with them. I never have seen what the spring rates are, but I'm sure they're soft, which suits me just fine.

[NC325iC]

1989 325ic
Eibach pros
Billy Sports
IE urethane rear mounts (all 6 connection points)
treehouse cabs
e46 rear shock mounts (may already be blown havent checked for a while)
stock sways
no strut brace, except of course the welded in bits on the outside of the struts

crappy picture



pre urethane (i think, no different anyway)

[87Blue325iC]

H&R Sport Springs (coupe front/vert rear)
No rear rubber spring spacer
Bilstein sport shocks/struts
IE Rear upper mounts
IE front and rear sway bars with all reinforcements mounts
IE strut bar
stock CAB and rear bushings

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=91218

has some too...

[mattdk318i]

H&R Sport Springs (coupe front/vert rear)
No rear rubber spring spacer
Bilstein sport shocks/struts
IE Rear upper mounts
IE front and rear sway bars with all reinforcements mounts
IE strut bar
stock CAB and rear bushings

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=91218

has some too...

How do you like your IE sways? I was thinking of this as the next upgrade.

[mattdk318i]

This it OT but i found this brocure. No plastics but still nice to look at.

http://www.e30ic.com/1988_325i_Convertible_Sales_Brochure.pdf

[Aerton]

Good lets keep this going.

I need to do my suspension before Old Man Winter hits the NE.

[beejay]

Groundcontrol Coilovers with Bilstein Shocks
Springs: Eibach GC F440lbs, R650lbs
Groundcontrol Camberplates
Ireland engineering Rear shock mounts, Rear subframe mounts, rear bushing kit
M3 Control arm bushings
New OEM Tie Rods, control arms

Front needs to go lower HELP ME OUT! I got GC camber plates not sure that it will lower it anymore.

The Bucket

[Wiglaf]

vogtland springs
blistein sport shocks
IE 25mm sway for the front (including the reinforced mounts)
stock rear sway.


handles pretty nice, but it sits just a little bit too low for me. I want it to sit about .5" higher. The rear drops a lot if anyone sits back there, the rates are too low.

I'm actually considering going back to the stock springs until i find something more suitable. this ride height thing is a bitch, makes me want to toss in some airbags or adjustable coilovers.

[willy]

vogtland springs
blistein sport shocks
IE 25mm sway for the front (including the reinforced mounts)
stock rear sway.


handles pretty nice, but it sits just a little bit too low for me. I want it to sit about .5" higher. The rear drops a lot if anyone sits back there, the rates are too low.

I'm actually considering going back to the stock springs until i find something more suitable. this ride height thing is a bitch, makes me want to toss in some airbags or adjustable coilovers.

got any pics of your car please? i was considering these springs for my cabby too but you're the first person to give a negative feedback about them. most of the other comments have been ok or positive. i also thought the rates were ok. higher than the h&r sport rates and less then the race???

any other comments on these springs for a cabby???

thanks W.

[GaryE30]

I had H&R Cup Kit on my Convertible and it was LOW... too low actually. It wasnt much stiffer than stock and it still had a lot of body roll (convertible duh) No aftermarket sways or anything extra.

[delphini]

EBS-BMW 3/1 up front (SpecE30 guys say the ebs stands for eibach sportlines anyways they are same specs as h&r race )
stock rears - rear could be lower (perhaps non cabby s ? anybody try this ?)- KYB'S front and rear with new rsm's
stock sways , handles well.
I guess as i go i've learned that theres no perfect suspension for the cabby . And since we're heavier in the back to begin with then add the extra weight of a box (if you have one ) add say 75-80 lbs there then add a few passengers , this can make rear
suspension a challenge.

[jw 325ic]

h&r sports

[Aerton]

h&r sports

What shocks? and what lip spoiler is that?

[jw 325ic]

billy sports. reiger infinity replica lip. whats with your sig? 93 with DB up front?