New Baby Girl:Suspension Ratio Question

[Mr Egg Rollllll]

Ok fellas, this being basically my first post on this site. I've been lurking for almost a year now as I've had other things taking up my time, but let me get straight to the point.



I bought my e30 last April and knew it needed a suspension overhaul, but I'm finally able to get to it as of this month. It was primarily going to be an AutoX/weekend toy/occasional track beast, but I'm about to have my first baby girl due on May 19th and that have motivated me to go ahead and throw some springs and shocks on there as it will be my daily driver for a couple of years.

I personally don't care about the ride quality and stiffness is a not a factor, but I don't think baby mama and baby will agree. So that being said, I'm stuck in between H&R sports and races. I'd love to get a set of races, since they are tried and true and would normally have me set on my needs, but then again..I have no personal experience with either.

Do you fellow r3v members suggest a softer spring rate that the sports might provide, or should I just save myself the time and money and go with the races? Charli(baby) will spend about 70-80% of her time in my lady's Honda Accord, but will occasionally take some time up in the e30.

I'm not sure if there is a "best of both worlds" spring set that are in between that of the sports and races, but if there is something known please enlighten me.

Btw, I've been a car enthusiast for the last 6-7 years and have a reputation of not cheaping out on my baby. I've done my research and I'm just stuck. So that's where you guys come in.

Any opinions are welcome, I was going to put my budget at a maximum of about $800-900(about that of a Billy/Race setup).

Thank you all and I hope to be a contributing member of this forum over the next say...lifetime.

Here are some of my other past vehicles for those who are curious.

[Mr. Tasty]

most people buy sports, and then sell and get the races.

[Mr Egg Rollllll]

most people buy sports, and then sell and get the races.

If it were up to me, there'd be no discussion..the races would be on the car right now...I'm just worried about baby and if they would be too stiff for her. I'm a very conservative driver and our roads in Georgia aren't too bad also.

[mulletman]

A guy here was kind enough to give me a ride in his car with the IE3 springs (similar to the race springs), as I too was concerned about harshness. I was pleasantly surprised in how well the car rode. Not bouncy or overly stiff. I will be getting the race springs without hesitation now. That was on crappy Seattle-area roads too. I think with smoother roads you'd have absolutely no problem.

[agent]

If it's going to be a DD, put the Sports on it. When it goes to FlogMobile status, put on the Races.

Nice looking wheels, BTW.

[Mr Egg Rollllll]

Well plans have changed a little. What about with the weight of the m50b25tu? Sports too soft now? The ride height of the races on the m50 too low?

[mulletman]

I recall another member making a post comparing the ride heights of the Sport and Race springs. The results were actually exactly the same, due to the increased stiffness of the Race springs. Can't find the link at the moment...

[chance]

Get the races. They are way softer than what I was expecting from some people's opinions. Some people describe them ad teeth rattling, bone crushing etc.. the ride is plenty comfortable.

I think they are a great spring for the street.

[Mr Egg Rollllll]

I ended up going with the races. Ordered them from TMS and should be here by the end of the week. I'll post up if I feel they're too hard for baby. Thanks for everyone's input!

[chance]

Just get one of those super nice recaro baby seats. They can be had for about 100 bucks on craigslist.

[jlevie]

I ended up going with the races. Ordered them from TMS and should be here by the end of the week. I'll post up if I feel they're too hard for baby. Thanks for everyone's input!

If you couple the H&R Race springs with Koni SA shocks set initially to 1 to 1-1/2 turns from full soft the ride should be civilized enough to keep mom and baby reasonably happy.

Throw on a set of 22/19mm sways (I think the Bimmerworld says are best) and you will have a car that handles very, very, well. But to get the most out of the car you will need front camber plates and rear toe/camber adjusters.

[Pdxseth]

I got some softer gc's when my daughter was born a year ago. Don't get anythyhin to soft if you wanna be low. Mine are 425/375 it not bad but I will be switching back soon now that my daughter is old enough.

Just don fly down any gravel roads at 100 and your baby will be fine.

[F34R]

My mother loved her race springs. Your baby will be just dandy!

[Mr Egg Rollllll]

So I went through the install and ended up stripping my ball joint and tie rod end. Replaced both controls arms and tie rod ends up front. Installation for the suspension was a relative breeze. The two 22mm nuts for the control arms were the only hiccup as I had to lift the motor in order to get a conventional wrench up in there.

I haven't had my car aligned yet, so I haven't had a chance to drive it around as much as I wanted. My first impressions are, "whoa, this thing drives beautifully!" The wifey likes it and it's definitely not too harsh at all. I couldn't imagine getting the Sports. I have all spring pads removed and it looks like I might put one back in the rear, but I'm waiting for the front springs to settle a bit before I decide on that.

I'll start a build thread and post up some pics soon enough.

[LJ851]

^ you def need to get your front toe reset.