IE 3 or Coilovers?

[Aviator]

I have an old 84 that I need to lower. I don't know jack shit about suspension. I was thinking Ireland Engineering Stage 3's and some Billy sports. But thats a couple hundred dollars away from GC coilovers. The problem is that I have 45mm strut housings I hear, and the GC coilovers work off the 51mm strut housings.

First off I don't have a damn clue what this means. And how could I get this resolved. I want something I can simply install without modifying all sorts of shit. So that's why I was thinking the IE's and shocks

And I'm still not understanding if I need drop hats and removing pads and cutting 1/2 a spring... I don't need a car thats going to be the badass dropped car of the year or anything. I just don't want this thing to look like an ix anymore. I don't plan on tracking the car either so I don't need to have a race car hard ass ride. I need to get my spacers on the car to to get the wheels out some more. Ultimetley I plan on going with some 16x8's or something. Not digging the 17x7's.

What do you guys suggest I do? Thanks.

[JMPAuto]

Just get GC coilover conversion kit and get a good shocks for your strut housing. Extra money spent on adjustable setup is worth it.

[Mr. Tasty]

you have 45mm diameter strut housings, you need the 51mm diameter ones

[dudecati]

I've looked around a bunch and after talking with the guys at GC have decided that is the way to go. Give them a call, they'll treat you right!

I have an old 84 that I need to lower. I don't know jack shit about suspension. I was thinking Ireland Engineering Stage 3's and some Billy sports. But thats a couple hundred dollars away from GC coilovers. The problem is that I have 45mm strut housings I hear, and the GC coilovers work off the 51mm strut housings.

First off I don't have a damn clue what this means. And how could I get this resolved. I want something I can simply install without modifying all sorts of shit. So that's why I was thinking the IE's and shocks

And I'm still not understanding if I need drop hats and removing pads and cutting 1/2 a spring... I don't need a car thats going to be the badass dropped car of the year or anything. I just don't want this thing to look like an ix anymore. I don't plan on tracking the car either so I don't need to have a race car hard ass ride. I need to get my spacers on the car to to get the wheels out some more. Ultimetley I plan on going with some 16x8's or something. Not digging the 17x7's.

What do you guys suggest I do? Thanks.

[e30time]

I have a 1991 318i that I put D2 coil overs on. I just bought a 1991 318is that has ie3 and Billy sports. I swapped the suspension from the is to the i and nothing else. The D2's I liked much better. (Which is good, because they are going on the 318is when my five lug stuff shows)

[e30time]

That car is gonna look sick lowered btw!! Right now it looks like it needs some all terrain tires!

[IronFreak]

Figured I'd run this by you.....I just bought everything to do a 5-lug swap on my car......this after I basically redid my entire 4-lug setup. It's off a 1988 325is. I'll be selling my control arms with new ball joints, shortened struts with new hubs and koni adjustable insert and coilover sleeves w/adjustment collars.

All you'd need would be 2.5" springs and camber plates and you'd have a fully adjustable front suspension.

Pm me if interested.

[GlassBreaker]

Or, I have some Billy HD 45 mm I'd sell cheap, as in, you pay for shipping cheap...