options for replacing stock shocks

[windtrader]

My e30 is bone stock with now front shocks needing replacement. What options offer good value? Should I expect to pay around $100 per these days? Are there some that improve performance without large premium prices?

[82eye]

sachs, boge, kyb, bilstein all offer good oe level shocks. about $400 or a little under for a set - all 4 corners - is average. bilstein, koni etc offer upgraded and sport shocks. you would need to pair them with appropriate springs if you upgrade.

[It's Soda Not Pop]

The same setup that SpecE30 runs will probably be your best bang for your buck. If you don't mind spending some money Ground Control, KW, etc for coilovers

[e30davie]

Dont have to go too crazy to get a nice performance increase. I put koni yellows in my car, MTech 1 rear springs with the spring pads removed, with slightly stiffer and lower front springs (king springs here, ausi brand). and a real nice performance increase came from a bigger rear swaybar.

Goes really well for what it is, and still nice to drive on the street.

The Mtech 1 front springs werent stiff enough for the koni yellow sports, felt quite odd being so over damped. But the rear seems to suit nicely.

[PEZ2]

The only thing I can add is what implied above, you need to replace all 4, not just the fronts. Same product all corners is a safe bet for a car who has trouble keeping it’s tail where it belongs.

[MR 325]

If you're keeping stock springs, I recommend going with Bilstein B4 struts and shocks.

[windtrader]

All great advice. It would. be wonderful if the budget was around a grand as that would expand options to include a upgrade kit with a "sport" ride. No one dared offer a trip to the Oreilly's for really basic replacements. lol

Getting this old love back on the road and smogged (CA) will consume the budget so sadly the big box trip might have to do for now. It's hard to spend around 4-5 hundred to be only half way to.a respectable upgrade.

[MR 325]

Bilstein B4 struts and shocks don't cost all that much more than something like a KYB and will perform better and last longer. If you're on a strict budget, KYB will definitely do the job.