suspension advice for my girl's e30

[LJ851]

greetings, my girl daily drives a 1989 325is that is mostly stock.(its got ronal LS's) she has had it for 5 years or so and likes the way rides/ handles as stock. its time to replace shocks/struts and some bushings and she would like to lower it some (1 or 1 1/2 inches) Does anyone have any experience with a spring/ shock combo that would have close to stock harshness levels ? a higher spring rate is a given since the car will be lower ( i was going to choose h&r or eibach) but i dont have experience the various shock /strut options. is a stock or stockish damper an ok match for those springs ? am i trying to achieve the impossible? thanks!

[KenC]

Stock replacement shocks and M3 springs.

[StereoInstaller1]

stock replacement shocks and m3 springs.

x2

If she wants a little better "confidence feel", do a set of non-offset AKG CABs. The car will feel amazing.

[IRON-E]

You could also do Bilsteins sports and stock e30M3 springs. If the ride is cocern too make sure to not go below a 50 height tire.

[HarryPotter]

KYB's and H&R sports... No need to spend 400 on shocks.

[IRON-E]

Buy Gabriel shocks and eibach spings for that matter, the investment in better suspension components now will pay dividends in the life of the vehicle.

[LJ851]

Thanks for the suggestions. the car has 225/50 falken ziex 912's on it and they feel like they have pretty soft sidewalls. How much firmer are the h&r's compared to the M3 springs? the M3 setup is sounding pretty close to what she is looking for , though...

[HarryPotter]

Pretty sure they aren't much higher than the m3 springs if at all. You could probably source a used set real cheap. Ya the m3 springs will probably be cheaper. I'd go with kyb's though.

[LJ851]

are the kyb's stiffer than stock or are they less expensive ?

[KenC]

H&Rs are much stiffer than the M3 springs, but they will lower the car about twice as much (1.5 vs .75). The KYBs are stiffer than the stock Boges and are probably cheaper.

[Jean]

You could also do Bilsteins sports and stock e30M3 springs. If the ride is cocern too make sure to not go below a 50 height tire.

Horrible combo imho.

[HarryPotter]

He wants a 1 to a 1.5 inch drop. Sports meet that quota quite well. KYB's are an inexpensive alternative to bilsteins. You do not need bilstein sports for a 1.5 inch drop.

The rates of the sports are not that high.

[Jean]

Having SOFT springs with a drop is worse...because as they compress your car will be riding on the bump stops. Either keep th stock springs and go with non sport shocks or go with sport shocks and upgrade to stiffer springs for the drop.

[StereoInstaller1]

are the kyb's stiffer than stock or are they less expensive ?

KYBs are about the same as stock, maybe 20% stiffer on rebound, but they are cheap and they will tolerate a much bigger drop than stock. I have them on my car and love them. I do 90% freeway miles and am old so I require comfort but cannot stand mush.

[LJ851]

So , for the closest to stock , a .75 to 1.00 drop with M3 springs and stock dampers. Or for 1.5 inch drop , h&r springs (which will be noticeably firmer) and some form of sport shock. is there a general consensus on which brand of sport shock is the plushest or is that splitting hairs? i really appreciate the help.