Question on a new suspension setup

[elmercc]

Okay...so I searched the forum and I haven't found a great answer to my question. The time has come (well its past due) to replace my suspension. This is my daily driver, I dont track it or anything crazy...so I'm torn with what suspension setup to go with. Do I replace everything with OEM pieces so I keep a nice ride quality, or is there a sportier option I could go with that might lower the car a tad, maybe tighten up the ride a bit, but keep a pretty smooth ride quality? Also, while I'm in there...what other pieces are a must replace?

Thanks guys!

[xphiledan]

Can't beat Bilstein Sport & H&R Sport combination
as for what else to replace, ideally you should replace everything as it's easy to get carried away...

[McGyver]

like he^ said for a smooth sporty ride.

these have to be removed, so might as well replace:
-control arms
-control arm bushings
-shock mounts

these are half off so you should just get them:
-sway bar end links
-tie rods ends

might as well hit this if you have the time/money/motivation while you're in there:
-sway bar bushings
-trailing arm bushings
-brake pads and/or rotors
-stainless steel brake lines


the last list isn't THAT important unless you have really old worn out parts in there.

[jlevie]

It is pretty safe to say that almost every E30 needs:

Motor, differential, & transmission mounts
Shifter rebuild
Control arm bushings
Subframe bushings
Trailing arm bushings
Spring pads
Front and rear upper shock/strut mounts
Sway bar bushings and end links

And most will need:

Control arms
Tie rods

If you have the car down to replace the springs/shocks it only makes sense to me to do the whole thing.

[elmercc]

Awesome info...thanks guys!

[GOT8SPD]

^^^What everyone else said...LOL.

This was what I did to my e30 when I got it...

1) Rear shocks & shock mounts (autozone stuff)
2) Rear Trailing Arm Bushings - the toe was off so this helped that problem (AKG 75D poly)
3) Front Control Arms (unknown brand)
4) Lower Front Control Arm Bushings (AKG 75D)
5) Subframe bushings - only because my subframe was messed up, might as well replace the bushings while i had it out (PowerFlex because shipping was cheaper and I needed it ASAP)

these 5 things alone have changed the car like crazy! I did all these one at a time in a matter of 3-5 months, one at a time as I only had so much time and was trying to find what would fix the problem I had, rather than throwing everything at it. It drives SO MUCH better now...10000x more responsive.

I do need new sway bar end links for front and rear, new sway bar mounts front and rear, and new front shocks and shock mounts, but I'm going to get coilovers soon so screw the new front shocks and mounts.