cheap shocks for a 318? what should i get?

[peytonracer4]

i'm looking for a cheap option to replace my shocks in my 318is.
the current ones are completely shot, you can tell when driving the car. i know quite a bit about the more premium brands as i've done good suspension work on my e46 but as for my e30 i'm just looking for something to make it drivable.

i found STAGG shock on ebay for about $100. this seems like a pretty good price and i havent found anything negative on them. however they're only sold on ebay.
are there any other options that about $100-$200?
also are my original springs still good? they arent broken as far as i can tell, but they're quite rusty.

[AE86]

I'm running KYB's on my 318is. Everything is stock on my car and changing out shocks made a huge difference over blown shocks.

You have a lot of options as far as shocks are concerned. If I could do it all over again, I would have spent a little more money and purchased bilstien sports up front and Camaro rears, that way I could have a platform for lowering springs.... just my 2 cents.

Also I wouldn't worry too much about your springs, I've personally never seen or heard of springs "breaking" .

[einstein57]

Kyb's are going to be the best bang for the buck. You can pick them up almost anywhere as well. And springs can go bad and snap. But its rare. Surface rust is fine. The more common failure is plastic deformation causing what most people refer to as "Sagging". If all four corners are relatively even then your springs are fine.

Here is a pretty good summarization of deformation in case your interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deformation_(engineering)

[MR 325]

Another vote for KYB. You'll spend about $160 for all 4 shocks.

They're great for stock cars, or as much drop as M3 springs.

[peytonracer4]

i was really looking at the kyb gas adjust for the rear and KYB gas cartridge for the front. hopefully these match pretty well since they come from different product lines.
i will most likely get these sense you guys recommended them and i was already considering them
they're $176 at advanced auto after the "family discount". is there a place where i can find them cheaper?

and for the springs, i'm thinking about getting them powdercoated as i have a cheap source. that'd be pretty cool IMO. light blue maybe?

also if/when i do this suspension work are there any items that will fall apart as i take it all apart? other than rear shock mounts is there anything i need to be ready for? my main concern is rust rust RUST!

[MR 325]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-4-GR2-GAS-A-JUST-BMW-E30-M3-318i-325i-325e-85-91-/250867611943?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a68dff927

[einstein57]

I say don't waste your time or money powdercoating stock 318is springs. Just buy a used set of m3 springs i'f your not interested in lowering the car too much. I believe reelizmpro has a set for sale. Also mr325 has a nice set of tokicos and springs for pretty cheap.

[peytonracer4]

I say don't waste your time or money powdercoating stock 318is springs. Just buy a used set of m3 springs i'f your not interested in lowering the car too much. I believe reelizmpro has a set for sale. Also mr325 has a nice set of tokicos and springs for pretty cheap.

time would be about one day, money would be $0. it'd be free.
whats the difference between m3 springs and is springs? is it huge?

[einstein57]

Slight drop

Stock 325is----------------------118------------------------265
Stock M3-------------------------114------------------------314
Stock M3--------------------------140------------------------250