I've never changed my suspension ...

[E30//MAN]

Well actually I've only had the car for a while but it feels like the previous owners never changed the suspension. I'll be doing the norm shock and springs.

But I don't know all of the little things that should be changed at the same time.

I've done control arms and bushing, including ball joints.

I've just done the steering rack, but I still need to do the tie rods.

Anyone have a good idea of what I should look at or change while I'm in there?

[DanGillan]

tie rods, bump stops, spring pads, rear upper shock mounts and gaskets. there's always more

[E30//MAN]

I just read your thread, I feel dumb for not searching first. The whole doubling up on spring pads thing ...

could you use a 10mm + 5 mm? Any performance junk worth taking a look at?

[DanGillan]

um... im using the existing spring pad (whatever size it is) and ordering an additional 10mm, which will probably conpress to like 7mm under the pressure of the spring. i suppose you could not re-use the stock ones, and use whaterver 2 sizes you want. not sure if its really "performance stuff" but bav auto sells an alluminum rear shock mount kit, which is supposedly a lot stiffer and better than the other ones, i dont really believe it though. i'd definately take a look at your front bump stops, i looked at mine yesterday before i order parts, and they were royally fucked up, so ill be getting a set from bav auto, as well as spring pads, and thats it for my suspension install. good luck

[mgold]

You should not have to replace your spring pads unless you want to replace them with thinner ones or they are disintegrated. Generally speaking they don't wear out. Some people even run without them although I wouldn't recommend it as you'll have metal to metal contact. This could lead to some sqeaking or worse yet, exposing the metal that could eventually lead to rust. Rust is the number one reason why a spring would fail.

Just my 2¢

[E30//MAN]

Shopping list

Just called up my local shop and they've got ...

Sachs shocks 77.00 each front
49.00 each rear

Eibach sport springs 265.00 set.

Rear shock mounts 9.50 + .50 for gasket
(Normal E30)

Front strut mounts 35.00

Bump Stops 10.00 front
1.55 rear

Spring Pads Didn't get prices
(Normal E30) rear lower 3mm ...
rear upper ... forgot.
(Normal E36) rear lower 10 mm
rear upper 3 mm

What model am I looking at for E46 rear shock mounts? Normal 325i E46? 4dr? 2dr?

[mgold]

Re: Shopping list

What model am I looking at for E46 rear shock mounts? Normal 325i E46? 4dr? 2dr?

Cabrio (convertible) mounts. If they make one specific to the M3 convertible then get that one.

[E30//MAN]

What's the difference / mod? What does it improve exactly?

[mgold]

On the E30's the cabrio mounts were stronger than sedan mounts. A lot of E30 owners used to install them. The E46 cabrio mounts have been engineered to be even stronger (they get better with each revision in the model and are backwards compatible). I'm guessing that if there are unique M3 cabrio mounts they would be the best of the bunch.

[E30//MAN]

You sure they'll work, because I will order these. Definitely E46 M3, but E46 M3 cabrio?

Anyone know if this is correct?

[nando]

I've had them on my car for a year now. :)