E30 325 vert suspension and gear level q's

[Bahn360Photo]

guys

i almost closed the deal on E30 325i vert.

A. as i got over bumps the car seems like it will fall apart, i understand that bushings are probably gone. i want to lower the car slightly.

what are your suggestion for repairs, cost effective and durable

1. replace all stock parts
2. upgrade

any other suggestions are welcome



B.gear lever question:

the car has short shifter, but when the car is in gear the level seems like its all over the place. gears seem good im just concerned.

if anyone here does any of this work DYI, i can work with you and pay for your time. i'm handy, just don't know this car yet.
*bentley manual is in the mail :)


C. one more question, driver's seat is torn at the seam, anyone car recommend an upholstery shop to get it repaired


D.if anyone has a carfax access please let me know, i'd appreciate the small help

E. one of the fog light bulbs is burned out, anyone know what is a replacement type?

thanks in advance

[cWalk3r]

Verts sound like they're gonna fall apart even with new bushings and everything. Its an old car.

Check your wiring for the fog light. I thought mine was bad and then looked around and saw the wires were cut and butt connected together. The wires are so corroded and that's causing the problem for me.

Also you can get free carfaxes online you just have to look for them

[TimeMachinE30]

Stock suspension by now is shot. It is up to you as you replace will you go OEM or aftermarket. Your goals determine the path.

Same as suspension, the interiors are likely aged and possibly rough. You do not show any photos of damage. A loa shop may stitch the seam together for you. There are plenty of folks on the board now offering full seat kits.. for not much money.

Fog? Just trace the line. Find the issue.

Gearshift may be a short shift kit but likely none of the bushing were replaced giving you that slop.

Get with the local E30 crew. They can help and teach.

[Das Delfin]

Verts sound like they're gonna fall apart even with new bushings and everything. Its an old car.

I redid my suspension this year and it still sounds like a dryer full of rocks falling down a mountain. At least I tried

[rcsoundn1]

Mine feels fine. Not its not a hard top car, but I dont feel it is that bad. The lower you go the more firm the ride you will have.

[MoreMayhem]

My refreshed suspension feels tight and quiet. Did all sway bar bushes and links, trailing arm bushes, sub frame, engine and transmission mounts, shock mounts, springs, Koni SA dampers. Probably more things I can't remember since it was two years ago. All OEM except for rear shock mounts are from Rogue Enginering.
I don't believe the rationale stated above about it being an old car so the suspension will be noisy or crappy. Sure things wear out. So you replace them. Or you don't and you put up with it. But don't say that just because it's an old car you should expect inferior suspension. That's just your own cheap attitude towards the vehicle coming through.

[fuzzysux]

there are a lot of things you can do here.. e90 hats with an H&R spring kit, expensive billy's or kyb's perhaps, you can use e36 control arms so the ball joints are replace-able seperately.. early e36m3 control arm bushings make a big difference. centered or offset depending on your needs/wants
i've got an '87 vert that is tighter and more comfortable to drive around in than many of than many of the new cars i am subject to as rentals when traveling, but you have to take the time and spend the $$ to refresh all components necessary

[e30rapidic]

throw a front strut bar on as well; they makes a noticeable difference in cabrios.

[jeffnhiscars]

throw a front strut bar on as well; they makes a noticeable difference in cabrios.

This was as significant improvement even after doing total suspension and steering updates. On a cabrio it's really not an option.

Got a sparco for $120'and it matches my paint :)

[fight4life28]

Helped my vert alittle i guess, Was hard to tell but i am getting x-brace next so we'll see

[Das Delfin]

^ I saw that garagistic x brace and am really thinking about just getting it with their strut tower brace. It's not like I can spend money on the car after winter hits so this is prime car project time

[MC Hammered]

I replaced all of my suspension parts, added GC coilovers and an e46 zhp steering rack. The car is quiet going over bumpy roads and handles like a go kart.

I installed a strut tower brace and decided it didn't have much of an effect as that area in a vert is reinforced already so it was removed.

I installed a ejnight crossbrace and it had a huge effect in reducing cowl shake, squeaks and rattles and highly recommend to any vert owner to install one.

[fight4life28]

Just got my ejnight crossbrace from the mail, going to be installing it soon and will let everyone know if it makes difference. I hope it helps alot.

[Mwishlist]

My refreshed suspension feels tight and quiet. Did all sway bar bushes and links, trailing arm bushes, sub frame, shock mounts, springs, Koni SA dampers. Probably more things I can't remember since it was two years ago. All OEM except for rear shock mounts are from Rogue Enginering.

This, I did this exactly, all stock bushings, control arms etc. except with ground controls and Konis. It is super tight but still rides great. There is some rattle over bumps but it's not the suspension just 25 year old body panels, interior etc. Minus the GC and shocks, it's really not that expensive to refresh the entire suspension. The difference in handling between mine and my wife's, which I haven't done yet; is ridiculous.

[Gingerrella]

I just did mine, replaced the 27 year old OEM suspension with the cabrio BavAuto Springs and Bilstein sports. Plus I got a new control arm, etc kit from FCP Euro. Total cost was about $1000 between the two kits and now it rides and handles AMAZING! Plus it is lower, perfect height IMO, but I wouldn't say it's "low".

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk