Handicapable Suspension Questions

[Mercury[BKM]]

I'm completely suspension retarded (only good at tuning boosted hondas and toyotas as far as car stuff goes), but trying to learn as much as I can so that i can maximize what I'm trying to accomplish with my eta, while minimizing frustrations and retcon of parts.

I don't mind a harsher than normal ride
The Car is going to be a DD and back road cruiser... some autoX in the mix too. I would like a nice aggressive stance, and I will be having some wider than normal tires tucked under some fender flares. 16x9 or 10s in the back and similar in the front

I think that should be enough if as far as what ill be using the car for and some background info on stuff too


1987 325e
(oh and no coil overs)
Id like to get in a Z3 non-M steering rack and take care of my suspension while im under there. It has completely blown front struts, so i know i need to get those fully replaced.

(what else can i replace while I am under there?

it seems the "general way to go" is bilstein sport shocks/struts, H&R race springs, but the drops that i see on a LOT of the cars are very mediocre at best on a lot of the cars.. like 1.3" maaaybe on a few.

Does anyone else maybe have a better option or way to go here in regard to shocks/springs? Also, what should be replaced and done while under there, or upgraded while under there as well?

I am trying to learn about sway bars front/rear, but the information I am getting is so tainted on these cars that I'm leaning towards bigger is better, period.

Is that the case, and if so, what would be recommended to run for what I was trying to build the car for?

Thanks in advance, and yes i have used the search function, but have since been mind screwed so much that i clearly don't understand the basics of e30 suspension.... like e30 M3 stuff on a non M to do this or that, i don't get it *sigh*

[Philo]

Bilstein/Race combo is my favorite, and what I use. And i would say that it drops the car twice the distance you have posted.

Low FK springs will help your car get a really good "stance" , but they will be softer than the races. If you want to be lower than races, I would say you need bilsteins or konis no matter what springs you buy.

I'd get some offset CABs if you are wanting to replace/upgrade something. They are a very nice improvement over stock. Sway bars can help out a lot, but i would advise doing the suspension upgrade and then deciding if you need a larger sway bar. Tire compound would be a better use of money in my opinion.

So in the end, Get the H&R Races, Bilstein Sports, offset M3 CABs, and some new RSMs (IE, GC, ect.) Then determine if a bigger sway bar is needed for your situation.

[Mercury[BKM]]

that helps a lot thanks .. anything i should replace while im under there doing stuff?

[Philo]

There isn't anything that I would instantly replace without inspection. Check your ball joint boots, check for play in the wheels, inspect the rear trailing arm bushings and subframe bushings. That about covers everything when it comes to suspension. Oh, and don't forget to have a look at the front strut mounts for cracks/bad bearings and make sure your sway bar links are still intact.

[z31maniac]

If you're doing a proper refresh/build, I'd just go ahead and replace all the bushings/control arms/mounts.

I think blunt has a refresh kit that's right around $500 that includes everything you need.

[Mercury[BKM]]

Ill have to check out the blunt refresh/rebuild thing.
Just ordered some M3 CABs from someone that were already pressed in, so those are out of the way.

will i have to revalve the bilsteins to run HR Race?
Also, ive heard that they are horrible at dealing with bumps and uneven roads, was gonna see how true that was, I live in carrollton, and while it is a really nice part of dallas, our roads are not the best (but smooth as glass on the tollways and highways)

[Philo]

Nope. The bilsteins handle Races well. I'm sure it would be even better if you did re-valve them.