Suspension Recomendations

[TimmyBigHands]

Well, I have my rims coming to me now 16*7 ASA's with Falken 50 series tires... I'm very excited about that (thanks 318driver)... but I'm wondering what the best supsension setup would be to match up with those rims?

I understand that Bilstein Sport Shocks are the best for shocks... but what springs should I be looking at? The rear of my car sags BADLY right now (damn sedans - everyone wants to ride with you). I suppose that means I want something with a stronger rear spring rate to help hold the loads up. What SPRINGS should I be looking at for this? Is there anything else I should look at buying along with springs/shocks? What are these pads that everyone asks about removing? Should I take those out too or change them or what?

[bimmerphile]

Ask yourself what you will need them for.


the best of one type is certainly different than another.

For example, you said bilstein sports are the best, when in fact another cadidate may be koni sport adjustables, and H/R cup kit, etc. all those choices are very good, depending on what you will need.

Prioritize these in your head (or in this thread would be even better)

1) Handling
2) Ride Comfort
3) Adjustability
4) Amount of drop
5) Price

Based on the order you categorize those it will be much easier to determine a shock/spring setup for you.

[TimmyBigHands]

Great response man - really. I would say that my priorities fall like this:
1) Ride Comfort
2) Handling
3) Amount of Drop
4) Price
5) Adjustability

I figure that if I pick up the *right* suspension for me, then I will never need to adjust them, thus adjustablility is dead last. I like the beautiful BMW ride, smooth and quite, putting that number 2... and yet still want to sling the car around some corners now and then - number 3. I've noticed that I find the look of the drop on Jordans car is very attractive - I know that has a lot to do with his rims/tires and side skirts, but non-the-less attractive - this goes hand in hand with the amount of drop #4. Price is no big deal to me (dont mind spending $300 for the right springs, but WILL NOT spend $1000 on a coil-over setup) #5.

I am super-paranoid about the rear-end sagging after use, especially since I have passengers regularly. I have heard that the eibach's seem to sag with time.

Ask yourself what you will need them for.


the best of one type is certainly different than another.

For example, you said bilstein sports are the best, when in fact another cadidate may be koni sport adjustables, and H/R cup kit, etc. all those choices are very good, depending on what you will need.

Prioritize these in your head (or in this thread would be even better)

1) Handling
2) Ride Comfort
3) Adjustability
4) Amount of drop
5) Price

Based on the order you categorize those it will be much easier to determine a shock/spring setup for you.

[bimmerphile]

total budget...$800?

[TimmyBigHands]

I suppose that'd be fine. I dont nescissarily have a budget - but I didnt want to spend a grand either.

[Jordan]

You sound like you would be very happy with the cupkit. You can get it online for $5-550. This is what suspension I have on my car. I love it.

Progressive rate springs lend the suspension a fairly well tolerable ride around town, but when you lean into corners at speed they firm up and do the job nicely.

[Rob]

I concur

[TimmyBigHands]

Great man - cup kit sounds fine... I was wondering what suspension you were running there... Where should I find the best price on that kit? $5 would be nice, but $550 sounds more like what's gonna happen.

[bimmerphile]

I concur

as do I.


Here's a couple places to pick it up:

Turner Motorsport $600
TireRack $597

doesn't look like shox.com has them, but it might be worth a shot to see what they'd charge you.

[Rob]

http://www.morepowerracing.com/product.asp?numRecordPosition=1&P_ID=955&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=828

[Mystikal]

A cupkit with extra spring pads in the back, you're going to get that saggy rear end look you're trying to avoid without them. Do a search on here for more info.

And BTW, bimmerphile, great replies there.

[Wes325]

Rob, how is the 325 H&R cupkit on the 318? Is it stiff enough? I have heard that the cup kit is fairly soft. I want to drop my 318is and dont have the money to throw at my daily driver so I was looking into the cupkit. I think that the 318 cupkit would slam my car to the floor and I dont want that.

[TimmyBigHands]

A cupkit with extra spring pads in the back, you're going to get that saggy rear end look you're trying to avoid without them. Do a search on here for more info.

And BTW, bimmerphile, great replies there.

Thanks Mystikal. I should double my spring pads in the back.

[BimmerHeadBri]

Just checked Turner and....

says

"Additionally, since cup-kits have such a low ride height, camber measurements will be negative. Negative camber causes quicker wear and camber adjusting devices will be necessary in most applications. "

So then what has to be purchased to adjust the camber so as not to wear out the tires within one season?

Also, does the cup kit lower so much that there would be more instance of tire rubbing on the fenders? ie. 215 or 225 tires on 15" or 16" rims?

Thanks.

[Mystikal]

Re: Just checked Turner and....

Also, does the cup kit lower so much that there would be more instance of tire rubbing on the fenders? ie. 215 or 225 tires on 15" or 16" rims?

Not with the right offset.