Help me pick a new Suspension Set up

[oscarsi]

Hey guys! So with taxes coming soon I was hoping for getting a new spring/shock setup. Problem is that I can't find enough info on what setup will work best for my early model e30. (1986 325e). I'm looking to go pretty low but also looking for better handling. I was thinking of getting the truste H&R/bilstein combo but I'm not sure if they will get low enough. If anyone can help me out I would really appreciate it!

heres my tire/rim specs: 205/40/17 .. 17X8.5(?) .. and im running 1/4in spacers in the front due to tire rubbing up against the strut housing.
Would any lowering springs effect that? (the rubbing) thanks guys!

pics ( some of them are photoshopped to show how low im aiming for)

[jlevie]

H&R Sport springs are a reasonable compromise between cost, handling, ride height, and being so low as to risk oil pan damage.

[oscarsi]

thanks, would putting those springs effect the tire rubbing?

[SkiFree]

There's a good chance, won't know until you get the springs on the car.

[woc]

Ireland engineering stage 3 springs + billies sports + sways and poly mounts and bushings, it feels like a GO Kart.

[mbonanni]

How much do you have to spend?

The above combos are great I am sure, but I went a different direction.

I went with custom valved/shortened bilstein with shortened housings and ground control coil over conversion.

This all cost me $1000. I then spent about $300 more on new control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, m3 offset control arm bushings, sway bar end links, and some new hardware.

I have not put new bushings in the rear end, but I am sure that wont be more than another $200.

So for $1500 I will be able to have nearly 100% refurbished suspension.

Goodluck.

[ak-]

H&R Race and B Sports will get you that height you photoshopped guaranteed.
Camber plates will also reduce a bit of height without compromising suspension travel.

[mbonanni]

I did not even notice you photo shopped some pictures. Lol.

I would go with above setups.

[oscarsi]

my bad, only the first one is photoshopped haha.. the other one is with my friends sitting in the back.

[oscarsi]

thanks for the replies guys. my budget is around $600 is that too low?

[mbonanni]

I would say with that budget get some H&R Sports and Bilsteins, and with any left over money do maintenance items.

[Vivek]

A full set of Bilsteins is about $500. H&R Sports will run you about $250. That's $750 for the lower end but still decent parts, brand new. You can easily get all this used for under 600. I would personally suggest that if you're going to go with the brand new parts and spend $750, check out GC's street kit with coilovers (any rates/length) and Koni SA's which are better than standard Bilstein sports. It's a thousand bucks, but in my eyes completely worth it over $750 for standard H&R/Bilstein.

[mbonanni]

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