The suspension setup/ride height thread

[JRKOUPE]

It looks like the rear arch sits over the tire, while the front has a gap. Aesthetically I'd like the gaps to be even, with an even little space between the wheel arch and the tires.

frts in pic are 14s.....rears are 15s........gap in frt will decrease w/ 15s...

buuut Mr Burgundy nailed it....Ron always does.

if u r thaaaat picky...........get a coil set

[DELPHINtimecapsule]

Get coils, I have h&r race springs with with bilstein sports and I have tucked rear wheels and the front has some gap.

I'll do some research on coilovers... any specific recommends I should look into first?

[MrBurgundy]

I'll do some research on coilovers... any specific recommends I should look into first?

I have no experience with coils, but I know a lot of the guys here use ground control.

[DELPHINtimecapsule]

I have no experience with coils, but I know a lot of the guys here use ground control.

Ok, I'm gonna do some leg work . Thanks to you both.

[MrBurgundy]

frts in pic are 14s.....rears are 15s........gap in frt will decrease w/ 15s...

buuut Mr Burgundy nailed it....Ron always does.

if u r thaaaat picky...........get a coil set

I nail things all the time

[2mAn]

Theres also one piece to the puzzle that nobody seems to have mentioned.

The pic you posted of the Alpina car is an early model with higher rear arches, while the red car is a late model, as is MrBurgundy's

[DELPHINtimecapsule]

Theres also one piece to the puzzle that nobody seems to have mentioned.

The pic you posted of the Alpina car is an early model with higher rear arches, while the red car is a late model, as is MrBurgundy's

I have an early model 325is as well so that's my concern actually. I much prefer the way they designed the early arches and don't understand the design decision made into the late model arches. I really don't like the look of the gap difference at stock height, and lowering it will only highlight that, unless I drop the front lower by quite a bit.

[2mAn]

I have the IE3 springs on my (early) car with 16s on 225/45 tires and I love the way it looks and rides

[DELPHINtimecapsule]

It's not to everyone's liking, but I have a little forward rake on my early. I think it looks just right with the diving boards.
The second photo has my late model next to it.

[2mAn]

Its going to be hard to get the stance you want on a late model without getting coilovers and ultimately you will probably end up with some forward rake on a late model because balancing the gap with a higher rear arch means the front has to come lower.

Early model looks great, throw the Alpinas on that!

[DELPHINtimecapsule]

Its going to be hard to get the stance you want on a late model without getting coilovers and ultimately you will probably end up with some forward rake on a late model because balancing the gap with a higher rear arch means the front has to come lower.

Early model looks great, throw the Alpinas on that!

That was my first thought, but then I wondered about the diving boards with Alpina wheels. Not sure if that would look right. Have you ever seen that before?

[2mAn]

That was my first thought, but then I wondered about the diving boards with Alpina wheels. Not sure if that would look right. Have you ever seen that before?

Cant think of it off the top of my head, but its not hard to swap two wheels and see what it looks like. Also, you could probably sell the BBS wheels for enough money to get Euro bumpers, or even a mtech1 kit. THEN your car would look just as good if not better than the Alpina you posted. I know where theres a mtech1 kit for sale not too far from us here, but it might be sold by now

[DELPHINtimecapsule]

Cant think of it off the top of my head, but its not hard to swap two wheels and see what it looks like. Also, you could probably sell the BBS wheels for enough money to get Euro bumpers, or even a mtech1 kit. THEN your car would look just as good if not better than the Alpina you posted. I know where theres a mtech1 kit for sale not too far from us here, but it might be sold by now

I've gone back and forth but decided to leave the bumpers alone, resist the tech 1 kits and keep a clean, iconic, North American early 325is on the road in all it's glory. The BBS set up is original condition RS070/002 that were purchased new and mated together from the begining by the person I bought them off in Germany. I doubt there's a similar set around. Gonna hang onto them even if my wife bitches at me about storing shit.

[2mAn]

I dont blame you one bit.

[RichiesE30]

My 325e:






Specs:
H&R Sport Springs
Bilstein Sport Shocks/Strut-inserts
BBS RZ403 15x6.5
205/50R15 Tires

Drop is pretty much as advertised, 1.5" Front, and a skosh less rear.

^The reason I went with the sports. Perfect oem plus look imo.