E30 Suspension setup advice for a "grand-touring" setup

[sonick]

Hi all,

Just picked up an '87 325is, and am in the process of getting my mental list of future mods planned out. Coming from the Miata-universe, I am not too familiar in what's popular and what's not in the E30 suspension world.

The handling characteristics I am looking for is something plush over rough roads/city streets, but at the same time with flat/predictable handling (limited body roll) through sweeping corners/highway offramps. I don't need something super sharp/responsive handling in tight corners like an autocross setup would be.

Ride height I would prefer to keep it stock or just a bit lower; just something that is still drivable in Pacific-Northwest snow.

I think sways would be the most important aspect of the setup, then the shocks, then the springs.

In terms of upgrade route, I am thinking of starting with sways, then shock/springs? Or would it be better in the opposite direction?

Perhaps something like...
Sways: Swaybarbarian
Shocks: Koni or KYB AGX
Springs: Stock

Thanks!

[Hellabad]

With the exception of the late e30 convertible, which is called a cabriolet for the same reason that a Miata is called a roadster, the 325is has the biggest sway bars offered. Yes, aftermarket is a few mm bigger, but it is nowhere newer the difference as in a Miata.

So spend money on other things first, sway bars are way down the list in terms of bang for buck, and in fact redoing the mounting points is very beneficial in stiffness (see m3)

KYBs work well on Japanese cars, not so much on German cars. The R&D is lacking for KYB, Tokico and others on BMW, VW, Audi etc.

Konis are very popular, and are adjustable.

Stock springs are just too soft in terms of modern thinking. The tires we have nowadays blow away anything from 1987, and stiffer springs are almost need just to keep the car from bouncing off the bumpstops.

Obviously, being a Miata enthusiast you have heard of coilovers and they are worth looking into for the e30 also.

Jay

[sonick]

Thanks Jay. By re-doing the mounts, do you mean upgrades like urethane bushings, etc.?

Besides Koni's, what other shocks are recommended for a softer ride? I hear Bilsteins are stiffer than the Koni's.

Any particular brand of springs for ride comfort? H&R are popular but are stiff from what I've read? What about Eibach Pro Kit (they don't get much praise from the Miata world)?

Some brands/models to start off my search would be great.

[naplesE30]

ground control

[Philo]

Springs - I feel as though H&R sport springs would give you the ride you are looking for. Slightly lower, stiffer, and more predictable. You can find a used set for a good price.

Dampers - Koni SA and Bilstein Sports compete in the E30 world. Those are the best quality and most used dampers. These will cost a bit of money though. In all honesty, I would try out a set of KYB gas-a-just. They are very inexpensive, which means you won't be out much, and they are cheap to replace. Also, most people use Koni or Bilstein for lowered cars, and since you don't care for drop they might be unnecessary. I feel that KYBs paired with H&R sports would be a great set-up.

Sway bars are not a necessity. I would recommend getting new rear strut mounts, M3 CABs, and inspect the front strut mounts. On the fronts strut mounts, OEM will work, or you can upgrade to camber plates to gain full adjustability. In this category, GC is hands down the best. As for the rears, Ireland Engineering or GC both make good RSMs. GC RSMs cost a little more for a support bracket.

[Danny]

I'd look into the H&R cup kit or even Eibach Pros/BavAutos.

[Philo]

Cup kit would be too low for the OP's guidelines.

[Danny]

True, Vogtlands are also nice springs.

[z31maniac]

In all honesty, I would try out a set of KYB gas-a-just. They are very inexpensive, which means you won't be out much, and they are cheap to replace.

Or spend a marginally larger sum of money and not have to deal with crappy shocks/struts to begin with.

You mention they are cheap to replace, because they are cheap. So once they blow up and you have to buy another set, you've now purchased two sets of KYBs and still have inferior quality. And you have to do the same job twice (I HATE doing this and will avoid it at nearly all costs.)

There really is no reason to not go with at least Bilsteins, I think you can get all 4 for around $400 shipped.

[Philo]

I'm not saying the KYB will blow in a day. A local E30 owner runs the set-up I mentioned and has not had any problems with it. He's had it on the car for a year now.

I only stated KYB as an option to reserve money. If you have the funds necessary, then by all means, go Bilstein.

[StereoInstaller1]

The KYBs on my car have over 50,000 miles on them and are still excellent. I would like about 15% more rebound, but not a shred more compression. Damn near perfect for sport/touring.

Billys are too damn stiff. If you aren't running seriously stiff springs, you will feel the extreme valving. Even the Touring is too stiff. 50% less compression might make them civil, but I doubt it.

I have yet to ride/drive an E30 I like the feel of as much as mine on KYBs.

All of you guys talking shit about the "quality" of KYB should reconsider. I have over 200,000 miles on KYBs and only blew ONE after 120,000 miles. They last damn near forever for me.

Maybe you guys just don't know how to read the instruction on how to install them?

There are details that aren't shown on any other shock or strut out there.

Or maybe, you are all just talking out of your ass instead of having real, personal experience.

Luke

[z31maniac]

Or maybe I'm coming from having had KYB's on my z31 that blew up after about 1 month, and then the replacement set blew up shortly thereafter as well. Granted I was running Eibach springs and big sways on the car as well.

[Stu]

Can't speak for a cabrio, but on an E30 M3 a good street combination is stock springs, Bilstein HD's and big bars. If the sway bar end-link noise doesn't bother you it's a potent but not very stiff setup.

[Philo]

Granted I was running Eibach springs and big sways on the car as well.

How much lower than stock were you? KYBs are not meant for lowered cars, period.

[z31maniac]

How much lower than stock were you? KYBs are not meant for lowered cars, period.

1" maybe? I don't know but there are ton's of KYB's sold/marketed for use with lowering springs. I know mine were sold to me that way.

That was also 10 years ago.