Lower Car w/o Loss of Ride Quality?

[KenC]

I want to lower my car, but I don't want to lose my ride quality. I could care less about handling and such. I just want my car to ride lower, but not feel like I'm driving a race car. Is this possible?

[nando]

how much lower do you want it? H&R sports aren't really that stiff, and lower about 1.3". factory Mtech springs are slightly lower and stiffer, as are M3 springs. Couple any of these with a set of Bilstien sports and you'll have a firm but not harsh ride.

I'm riding on koni adjustables and H&R sports. My car is very stiff with the konis, it was pretty comfy with the bilstiens.

[KenC]

I'm not sure how much I can lower it. I'm at stock riding height on an '84 318... lets just say it sits really high. I don't want to lose much ride quality if any from my factory springs. If I were to upgrade shocks too, I would go with the Bilstein Tourings.

[jbob]

bmpd.com sells 10mm deeper spring hats...or u may be able to use camber plates since those typically give a thinner deck height than the strut mounts do. but both of these are for the front only.

bilstein tourings w/ lowering springs work decently well together, slightly stiffer than stock

[bimmerphile]

TJ (digitalwave) could tell you about the deeper spring hats. From what I know, he was pleased, but it was only temporary.

[KenC]

I don't think that 10mm is going to make much of a difference. I have about a 4-6" fender gap in the rear and about a 4-5" one in the front.

[Bill 84 318i]

Here's my car on H&R Sports and thin spring pads. They left it pretty raked (which I hated). I thought they were too soft, but a couple passengers felt they were stiff. Part of that would be the Bilstein Sports.

[Charlie]

How much lower do you want to go?

If you're looking for a smooth, factory-soft ride, get some new boges & OEM M3 springs. Despite not being "break your car" stiff like a set of 600# GC's, the H&R sport/Bilstein sport combo is decidely stiffer than an OEM setup.

B-phile, love the sig, Hakkas own.

-Charlie

[Brew]

I would recommend Eibach springs and bilstein sport shocks. I have them on my car and they ride very similar to stock. My car actually rides a lot smoother than my parent's 325ix with stock suspension.

[slammed_e30]

TJ (digitalwave) could tell you about the deeper spring hats. From what I know, he was pleased, but it was only temporary.

I bought some deep hats, actually i bought TJ's. They didn't make a big difference, i dont even think they lowered it 10mm. I would go with H&R sports and a set of bilsteins.

[KenC]

What if i went with H&R Sports and Bilstein Tourings?

[jbob]

(not that this is the same thing...but maybe similar)
i'm running H&R sports (1.3" drop all around) & bilstein tourings on my e21 and it gives a slightly stiffer than stock ride. IMO, it's a great setup if u want to lower the car, but don't want a stiff suspension. not to mention the bilstein tourings are cheap.

but beware...this setup got me hooked on suspension mods :twisted: . i've got ST swaybars, GC's, koni adjustables, front camber plates, & various urethane bushings almost all installed.

[KenC]

but beware...this setup got me hooked on suspension mods :twisted: . i've got ST swaybars, GC's, koni adjustables, front camber plates, & various urethane bushings almost all installed.

I'm doing it for purely aesthetic reasons; I have no intention of doing anything to increase the 'performance' of my car.

[Brew]

What if i went with H&R Sports and Bilstein Tourings?

I believe Bilstein Tourings are stock length shocks/struts, and because of that would quickly wear out when used on a lowered car. Bilstein Sport shocks are shorter and designed to be used with lowering springs.

[KenC]

Are the Bavarian Autosport springs any good?