The Cabrio Suspension Thread

[ProjectCab]

Just installed the ST speedtech /kyb kit from ecs Ride quality is like stock, also corners nicely.
Got a bit of front rake, will wait to see how it settles before removing spring pads out of the rear.

[J.Rizo]

man. all this shits so confusing. i wish i grew up with someone to teach me this stuff. learning from scratchhhh.

[Thizzelle]

1992 318ic
Bilstein Touring + M3 Springs + 15mm drophats

convinced me on what I'm doing

[jeffnhiscars]

convinced me on what I'm doing

I just picked up a set of BS Touring yesterday (at Bilstein's NC facility after a will call purchase) & will be installing them on stock springs, pads w e90 drop hats and I sure dont expect it to sit that nicely...but that does look just right.

[Luciano36]

I just picked up a set of BS Touring yesterday (at Bilstein's NC facility after a will call purchase) & will be installing them on stock springs, pads w e90 drop hats and I sure dont expect it to sit that nicely...but that does look just right.

I just installed (three weeks ago) Eibach Pro springs (for cabrio) and Bilstein Sports all around and I got to say that the combination is just great! The soft springs balance the stiffness of the billies. PLus, I dig the stance (see signature photo). I did not need the E90 drop hats with these springs. Cheers Jeff!

[jeffnhiscars]

I just installed (three weeks ago) Eibach Pro springs (for cabrio) and Bilstein Sports all around and I got to say that the combination is just great! The soft springs balance the stiffness of the billies. PLus, I dig the stance (see signature photo). I did not need the E90 drop hats with these springs. Cheers Jeff!

Luciano..Your stance is great. I have Pro Kits & Sports in my 84 318i and it sits as nicely although I'm sure the springs are rated differently. I didnt think Eibach still made a Cabrio specific spring so what set did you get ?

I also hope you cut down your bump stops since my coupe rode on them all the time til I did that and its 650lbs lighter.

[Luciano36]

Jeff, yes Eibach offers cabrio-specific springs. As far as I know, there is only one kind you can get. I ordered them from Tirerack (cheap shipping to Hawaii). I did cut the bump stops on the front Bilstein struts (I left the rear shocks untouched) :)

[E30nub1]

Holy thread bump batman

just picked up a 92 vert today (as odd as it seems I have run through every body style of the e30 in 3 years..sedan, coupe and vert lol) ANNNNYWHO

just read through all 23 pages of this sucker.. and I am at a crossroads..

H&R sports (cabrio)= slightly higher not quite as stiff but a solid ride and drop?
H&R sports (coupe)= slightly lower(moar low)than the cabrio sports and a tad bit stiffer?

(Billies are goin on regardless)

I like VacMan's setup (the removal of the spring pads) as a look simply over the slightly lower coupe sports because i will be running 16x7 and somewhere in the range of 205-225/35-50 so i feel like the extra space would be taken up by the slightly larger wheel and the tire size

any thoughts from the pros?
A+ thread would read again i suggest a sticky

[jeffnhiscars]

Here's my dilemma


The rears are close to being tucked on OE springs so clearly they have given up the ghost. My white cabrio is stock and I really have no issue with the rear height so see no reason to lower the rear on the zinno car. It corners well enough so I would go a little firmer with springs close to stock height.

As for the front, I threw in a pair of BS Touring struts since they were totally blown & some e90 drop hats but realize I have to change those to lower the front.

This all leads me to the theory that HD's or stock in the rear and Sports or equivalent in the front will give me the ride and look I want..which is basically like this (which has Eibach Pro Kits and BS Sports but then it weighs nothing)



Im really thinking of a mix and match which is a pain but Im blabbering so Ill stop now

[E30nub1]

Here's my dilemma

SPECS SON!.. wheels/tire sizes???? b/c i have some 16" 5spokes im hopefully about to close the deal on and those look like 16's to me..

[jeffnhiscars]

SPECS SON!.. wheels/tire sizes???? b/c i have some 16" 5spokes im hopefully about to close the deal on and those look like 16's to me..

Calling me "son" makes you one very old fart :)

Those are indeed 16x7's ET38 Mille Miglia's w 10mm spacers wearing Conti Extreme DWS's in 205/50/16. These are the same tires that are on the white Cabrio in my signature only there they are on 16x7.5 BBS RKs et35 also w 10mm spacers



16 is the magic number in my mind for an e30.

[E30nub1]

Calling me "son" makes you one very old fart :)

Those are indeed 16x7's ET38 Mille Miglia's w 10mm spacers wearing Conti Extreme DWS's in 205/50/16. These are the same tires that are on the white Cabrio in my signature only there they are on 16x7.5 BBS RKs et35 also w 10mm spacers



16 is the magic number in my mind for an e30.

50's? i had 205/50's on my old white coupe and i couldn't stand it.. i felt like i was riding in a bus:hitler: i feel like 215/40/16 would be my happy place.. get them a bit wider and not quite as tall.....PS spacers on the front and back or just the fronts?

and yes 16" are the way to go with a taste of low :)

and old?? :rofl im only 24 i just like saying son..

[jeffnhiscars]

50's? i had 205/50's on my old white coupe and i couldn't stand it.. i felt like i was riding in a bus:hitler: i feel like 215/40/16 would be my happy place.. get them a bit wider and not quite as tall.....PS spacers on the front and back or just the fronts?

and yes 16" are the way to go with a taste of low :)

and old?? :rofl im only 24 i just like saying son..

The RKs were initially on my lowered 84 318i w BS Sports & Eibachs. Depending on your roads and your back you may prefer 40's. They wouldn't last for me and they will throw your speedo out

My son is older than you so I take it back..well the "old" part at least.

[E30nub1]

the roads around here are great.. why do u say they wouldn't last?

[jeffnhiscars]

The lower the profile then less forgiving they are to sidewall damage from potholes or the like.