The Cabrio Suspension Thread

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  • N2MYE30
    R3V Elite
    • Oct 2007
    • 5536

    #271
    Lemme just add that my MT2 has Eibachs without drophats and IS a bit softer than my glacier. Both cars at the top front fender flares are 23 7/8" from the ground for reference.

    COTM

    Comment

    • F34R
      sLaughter
      • May 2009
      • 12390

      #272
      I put ground control coils on my brothers cabby Bilstein sports front(konis were backed up for two months) Konis in the rear and a front tower bar.

      I cannot remember the rates. Something stiff yet a tiny bit of give, just told them to set it up for a street handling car. It came out perfect.

      It is as low as you can go in the front, he is getting GC camber plates to get that extra 11mm down. It is low and sexy, vintage OZ baskets with 215 meats.

      Looks hot with the hardtop, will look better when the guy gets around to shipping us the AC Schnitzer kit.
      ~ Puch Cafe. ~ Do business? feedback ~ Check out my leather company ~

      Instagram: @BWeissLeather

      Current cars:
      ~ '87 325 M30B35 swap
      ~ '87 535
      ~ 01 540 Msport 6spd
      ~ '06 X5 4.8is

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      • CorvallisBMW
        Long Schlong Longhammer
        • Feb 2005
        • 13039

        #273
        Originally posted by N2MYE30
        +1. I have H&R sports,billies on my glacier with 15mm drophats(as of last week) with alll pads. Still smooth. I havent got any pro shots of my new stance but it cant be far off from you.

        For fine control (if fundage allows) you know G/C is the only way.

        BTW, do you have upper and lower braces?
        Yep, IE upper and RaceSkids lower x-brace. Are you running the H&R convertible-specific springs, or regular coupe/sedan springs?

        Originally posted by N2MYE30
        Lemme just add that my MT2 has Eibachs without drophats and IS a bit softer than my glacier. Both cars at the top front fender flares are 23 7/8" from the ground for reference.
        Good to know thanks. Same shocks, braces, etc?

        I know part of my shitty ride is the 17" wheels (with 215-40 Pirelli Pzero Nero tires) but I love my wheels and they're staying.

        Comment

        • N2MYE30
          R3V Elite
          • Oct 2007
          • 5536

          #274
          The glacier has coupe springs but it was my understanding that the coupe differs from the cabrio only in the rear. I am unsure about the struts in the MT2.I was told that they were Eibach struts. I cant tell but opening inside the bay look like billies. I dont have any bracing yet.

          Throw a set of bcaps (at night so no one sees :) ) and check the ride. Id prolly suck up the ride for those wheels too.

          COTM

          Comment

          • CorvallisBMW
            Long Schlong Longhammer
            • Feb 2005
            • 13039

            #275
            The ride height on both your cars is perfect, good to know my plan will (hopefully) work! :up:

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            • 3046
              Advanced Member
              • Sep 2009
              • 155

              #276
              Anyone rockin these springs ? http://worksconcepts.com/suspension_.../i-132524.aspx I`m thinking of trying them on my cabby. They look great on this car http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...=142725&page=2

              Comment

              • CorvallisBMW
                Long Schlong Longhammer
                • Feb 2005
                • 13039

                #277
                Originally posted by N2MYE30
                The glacier has coupe springs but it was my understanding that the coupe differs from the cabrio only in the rear. I am unsure about the struts in the MT2.I was told that they were Eibach struts. I cant tell but opening inside the bay look like billies. I dont have any bracing yet.

                Throw a set of bcaps (at night so no one sees :) ) and check the ride. Id prolly suck up the ride for those wheels too.
                BTW are you running camber plates on either car?

                Comment

                • CorvallisBMW
                  Long Schlong Longhammer
                  • Feb 2005
                  • 13039

                  #278
                  Originally posted by 3046
                  Anyone rockin these springs ? http://worksconcepts.com/suspension_.../i-132524.aspx I`m thinking of trying them on my cabby. They look great on this car http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...=142725&page=2
                  Looks like they offer a big drop, and I can't tell from the website if they're designed for convertibles or not. If they aren't you could end up getting too low and having some bottoming out issues.

                  Comment

                  • N2MYE30
                    R3V Elite
                    • Oct 2007
                    • 5536

                    #279
                    Originally posted by CorvallisBMW
                    BTW are you running camber plates on either car?
                    Nope, stock bearings.

                    COTM

                    Comment

                    • 3046
                      Advanced Member
                      • Sep 2009
                      • 155

                      #280
                      Originally posted by CorvallisBMW
                      Looks like they offer a big drop, and I can't tell from the website if they're designed for convertibles or not. If they aren't you could end up getting too low and having some bottoming out issues.
                      Yea those are for cabby`s. I`m gonna try them out

                      Comment

                      • reelizmpro
                        R3V OG
                        • Dec 2003
                        • 9438

                        #281
                        I'm redoing the suspension on my vert. Turns out the previous owner installed sedan Eibach Prokits, which explains why the car was bottoming out. The stance was perfect but I'm more of a ride quality guy. I just hope the Koni's are still good. Anyway, I have two setups in my possession and I'm trying to decide between them. H&R Race springs and GC 450/650 coils. I'm concerned that GC's may be too stiff for the off the shelf Koni SA's already on the car. Any opinions? I'm also concerned about running such stiff rates on a vert which has a lot of body flex as is. I maybe drive the vert twice a week but plan on keeping it a long time. Any thoughts?
                        "I'd probably take the E30 M3 in this case just because I love that little car, and how tanky that inline 6 is." - thecj

                        85 323i M TECH 1 S52 - ALPINEWEISS/SCHWARZE
                        88 M3 - LACHSSILBER/SCHWARZE
                        89 M3 - ALPINEWEISS II/M TECH CLOTH-ALCANTARA
                        91 M TECHNIC CABRIO TURBO - MACAOBLAU/M TECH CLOTH-LEATHER

                        Comment

                        • CorvallisBMW
                          Long Schlong Longhammer
                          • Feb 2005
                          • 13039

                          #282
                          Originally posted by reelizmpro
                          I'm redoing the suspension on my vert. Turns out the previous owner installed sedan Eibach Prokits, which explains why the car was bottoming out. The stance was perfect but I'm more of a ride quality guy. I just hope the Koni's are still good. Anyway, I have two setups in my possession and I'm trying to decide between them. H&R Race springs and GC 450/650 coils. I'm concerned that GC's may be too stiff for the off the shelf Koni SA's already on the car. Any opinions? I'm also concerned about running such stiff rates on a vert which has a lot of body flex as is. I maybe drive the vert twice a week but plan on keeping it a long time. Any thoughts?
                          IIRC, the H&R Race springs are nearly as stiff as your GC springs. They do give a very nice ride height however.

                          Personally I'm not sold on the idea of using very stiff suspension on a convertible, the chassis is just too flexible to put it to any good use. The stiffer your suspension, the more of the motion/impact has to be absorbed by the chassis. When the chassis isn't stiff you just get a bunch of flex and wobble. However there are guys on here who swear by stiff coilovers on their convertibles and love them.

                          Comment

                          • DRTSRFR
                            E30 Mastermind
                            • May 2008
                            • 1836

                            #283
                            Your Konis will handle those rates just fine.
                            Suspension tips here...
                            http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/album.php?albumid=757

                            sigpic

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                            • MC Hammered
                              R3VLimited
                              • Jul 2008
                              • 2076

                              #284
                              Groundcontrol Coilovers with Bilstein Sport Shocks
                              Springs: Eibach GC F440lbs, R650lbs
                              Groundcontrol Camberplates
                              ejnight skidplate
                              ejnight crossbrace

                              Car handles very well, I can take hard corners without any chassis groan. The crossbrace did a lot to get rid of the creaking and body flex.

                              On 3pc ARE 16x8 ET20 with 225/45/16










                              Now on Borbet B 16x9 ET15 with 215/40/16

                              1" lower in the front (22.25" fender to ground), 1/2" lower in the rear (22" fender to ground)

                              Car still handles very well, no issues with hard cornering and does not bottom out if you go over a dip at speed.

                              A bit of nose bounce if I don't crawl over rough uneven pavement and the massive 2" of ground clearance makes speedbumps not your friend.

                              This is probably as low as you can go with the Bilsteins, any lower and I was advised I would need to run Konis.








                              Not slammed but pretty low



                              Took the car for a afternoon cruise and I'm glad I have an skidplate as it took 5 good shots already.




                              My 1989 e30 s52 Touring... this is Betty

                              My 1989 325i vert (sold)...this is Nina

                              My 1991 M5 (sold)... this is Veronica

                              Photo comparison: OEM vs aftermarket windscreen for a convertible

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                              • Durty Thurty
                                Noobie
                                • Apr 2010
                                • 31

                                #285
                                What are thoughts of HR springs and Billy sports? Im in my phone and don't wanna look thru 19 pages. Will all shocks work? I know rear spring is a different rate coupe vs vert. I Got the Hr springs for free and wanna use if possible. TiA

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