Suspension suggestions

[OBryan562]

Plan to order some suspension for my 87 325i this week. I need some suggestions. What is the most recommended shocks and spings combination? Or should I go with coilovers? I wanted to lower the car a little. This is not going to be a track car or anything. Just for my daily driving use. But I do want it to look aggressive as well. All input would be greatly appreciated!

[richard.bratton]

H&R springs with Bilstein Sport shocks is very popular. H&R makes sport and race springs. The sports ride better but don't provide as much drop. The race springs are what Spec E30 uses but are very streetable. I have the H&R race/Bilstein Sport combo on my street driven E30 M3. I'm switchinng back to stock M3 springs because I'm old and prefer a nice ride.

[mrgetbig50]

H&r race for sure!!!

[jlevie]

For a street car, H&R Sport springs yield a modest drop without a big sacrifice in ride quality. A lot of folks prefer Bilstein Sport shocks, but on a street car I'd use Koni SA shocks for a bit better ride quality. On good roads H&R Race springs and Bilstein Sport shocks aren't too bad, but the greater drop has the oil pan pretty low and at risk as well as making for a harsh ride on rough roads. I think they are a bity much for a street car.

[grippymonkey]

^ If you look at comparison pics the H&R Race vs. the Sports are almost identical drops. The Race springs may even have less of a risk of bottoming out because they are stiffer rates. Also ride quality has way more to do with dampening than just spring rates. With sport shocks the ride quality with H&R Race springs is still very modest. There's a few options for springs for the E30, but I would only consider the H&R's personally. Pretty much everything for the E30 is very soft, and If I am spending money to upgrade my suspension I don't want springs rates that are only mildly over stock stuff. The only other option after that would be going to coil-overs IMO.

For example my STI with 8/6kg coil-overs can ride just like a stock kinda firm STI with the dampening turned down. As soon as I start turning up the dampening on the coil-overs it'll turn into a rock hard ride.

[Roysneon]

Also ride quality has way more to do with dampening than just spring rates. .

True, matching damper and spring rates will result in a better overall ride and handling, but stiffer springs will definitely give a noticeable difference from stock no matter what shocks you use. If you're only used to stock suspensions then anything will seem stiff. Personally I'm fine with my H&R Races on my daily and Halifax roads aren't really known for their good condition.

[einstein57]

My best advise is to drive a car with a suspension your thinking of getting. Because "too stiff" is all relative.

[jaywood]

My best advise is to drive a car with a suspension your thinking of getting. Because "too stiff" is all relative.

Agreed

Go with coilovers.

[OBryan562]

Thanks for all the input! H&R race and bilstein sport shocks seem like a very popular combo! Just wondering though. I could get good prices on B&G full coilovers. Has anybody used them? How much of a drop does the H&R race gives you?