Suspension Refresh Help / Recommendations

[GOT8SPD]

Hey guys, i wanted to get some opinions on what things i would need to do a full suspension refresh.

I have a 1990 325i, and all the shocks are blown among other things that also need to be replaced. It drives fine, of course it's pretty unsafe if i had to make a quick lane change or what not.

I want to replace all the bushings on the car as well as the shocks.

I have front control arms with ball joints that i got from a friend, but it looks like i'll need front LCAB. He also gave me some new tie rods as well.

I plan to just have a street setup, eventually lower the car with Bills and H&R Race. Should i just stick to OEM BMW? I called a BMW dealership and it's 58.18 each for the front LCAB. Are the ones from Bav Auto any good or should i go with the AKG 75D poly? Also, i read a lot about the offset bushing, but is it really that much better?

When i put the new front lower control arms on, i'm going to also want to replace the front shocks. Are there any new shock parts i should buy? For the time being, i was planning on purchasing the KYB GR-2 Shocks....anyone run these? Are they any good? Seems very reasonable at $155 bucks for all 4.

Thanks for your help guys!

[green]

I've been thinking about the KYB's as well. They're not as good as Bilsteins or Konis but most everything I've read has been positive. I'll probably be doing the same thing you are as well.

[Sagaris]

You're back from the dead!

I have had KYB GR2's on a number of cars using stock springs, they seem to be the way to go for a budget damper as opposed to some sort of Monroe or Gabriel damper from the parts stores, so no worries there. Boge is an OEM brand which can also be had for about the same price as the KYB's.

The thing that is tough about suspension recommendations is that you get people that run spring rates over 600 lb/in. such as J-stock springs on their daily driver and claim it doesn't bother them on their daily driver. I have H&R Sport springs, Bilstein Sport dampers, M3 offset LCAB's, and 15mm drop hats to even out the ride height. I personally feel that the H&R sports are too stiff and low for a daily driver here in Milwaukee because every road is crap, but I can imagine that H&R race might be do-able if the roads were all really nice. The sports are a nice compromise between stiffness and comfort though.

I have yet to do rear bushings but I know that I want to use the softest two-piece split poly. bushings for ease of installation and to be a little less compliant than rubber to help reduce trailing throttle oversteer.

What are your priorities? it seems like with suspension you can pick one of the following: comfort, appearance, handling or two if you choose things wisely.