H&R/Bilsteins ; =( Daily Driver

[zandi]

So I've had the H&R/Bilstein combo in my car for a few months now and I've come to realize that although I do love the look of a lowered car, it's really not so comfortable, well not so much that it's not comfortable, it's really annoying hearing the sound of going over things whenever I go over almost anything, even small potholes and bumps, which we have a lot of in L.A.

Does anyone recommend a good solution? Should I just go back to stock shocks and stock springs? Or is there maybe some better spring/shock combo that I can have to have a sporty look without the annoying stiffness.

[Dave]

H&R sports or race?

If its Sports and that's too harsh, I'd recommend somehting for you like an Electra 225 or A Sedan DeVille.

If its Race, then try the Sports.

[zandi]

Bilstein sports,

I think I'm confused then that my car is a sports car, or maybe its to do with something else? Maybe balance, or my tires (Azeni Sports) ?

[DEV0 E30]

I'll trade you never mounted Eibach Pro-Kit for your H&R, will be a softer ride with around the same drop if you are serious.

Spring -> Lb Front -> Lb Rear
H&R Sport -> 185 -> 380
Eibach Pro-kit -> 102 -> 277

You should get your tires balanced but most suspension setups will stiffen the ride and the ride quality will diminish, it's a fact.

[zandi]

Deal. Let's trade. PM me

[StereoInstaller1]

Zandi, what are you running for tire pressure?

Luke

[zandi]

34 psi all around.

[MR 325]

John, I bet you'd be a lot happier with the Eibachs for what you want

[Digitalwave]

I don't really know what your problem is, but you shouldn't "hear" anything more no matter what springs you have. I'd say you have some worn out suspension parts like ball joints and bushings causing rattles. Softer springs won't solve that.

[silversleeper]

We haven't even figured out if he has H&R race or sports?

Also, with Bilstein Sports, you can get them rebuilt for about $75 each and have them customized as far as the valving goes.

[Old'n'Slow]

John, I bet you'd be a lot happier with the Eibachs for what you want

I have Eibachs as well and like the ride, but I think it's the shock damping that's the issue in your situation, not the spring rates.

Bilsteins override the spring-that is, they take the motion out too quickly, and this gives a harsh, jarring ride (to me).

Koni SAs on full soft (not really soft, but it's relative) give a sweet, controlled daily-driver-approved ride for us mere mortals who prefer not to drive back and forth to work in a race car.

I'd change the dampers (shocks) first. BTW, the Konis ride nicer than Boge Turbos...

[1991 318is]

Stiff springs.

Lowering springs are stiffer to compensate for the increased roll.

http://e30m3performance.com/myths/Weight_Transfer/weight_transfer2.htm

You can try the softer springs/shocks for the potholes and "ride". If it rolls too much, use a stiffer bar to compensate. BMW aftermarket suppliers stress the stiff spring/shock approach as opposed to the soft spring/sway bar approach for lowering. I feel the first makes a better track car and the second a much better car for the street.

[Axxe]

Lowering springs are stiffer to compensate for the increased roll.

http://e30m3performance.com/myths/Weight_Transfer/weight_transfer2.htm

You can try the softer springs/shocks for the potholes and "ride". If it rolls too much, use a stiffer bar to compensate. BMW aftermarket suppliers stress the stiff spring/shock approach as opposed to the soft spring/sway bar approach for lowering. I feel the first makes a better track car and the second a much better car for the street.

Except that the car bottoms out on everything. Eibach Pro Kits are stock stiffness and a lot lower. Bad.

[Rob]

azenis are a lot stiffer than a lot of other tires