Front & Rear Vert Suspension - your critique

[mcaden]

Okay, so I have read the very long vert (mine is a 1987 325ic) suspension thread which guided my decision making process listed below. I am nearing the time where I need to buy parts and, before doing so, would appreciate your thoughts/suggestions on my parts list. I am currently running a well worn stock suspension except I have replaced the FCABs, Tie Rod assemblies, and sway bar end links.

I am looking for a firm, sport suspension, but this is a pleasure car and not meant for the track. I have H&R and Bilstein Sport's on my E30 "is" couple -- which I really like -- and was thinking the same on my vert. I am not trying to slam my car and don't want any tire rubbing, but simply lower it a little and get rid of the huge gap under the front fender.

So here is my list:

-drop hats
-cabrio specific h&r sports
-bilstein sports
-front strut mounts
-cabrio rear mounts (will e46 cabrio rear mounts work?)
-control arms (lemforder?)
-do I need bump stops?
-anything else I should replace at the same time or easy bushings to get to?
-any other preferred suggestions to my spring/shock/strut combo? The only option I was seriously considering was Konis.

Thanks very much for your thoughts!

-Marc

[mcaden]

I have to buy my parts shortly, if anyone has any thoughts on my product selection or additional parts I may need... can you please let me know? Thanks much.

[our guile]

I asked a similar question too, and got some good recommendations...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=300345

[fuzzysux]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=301485

here is my build - i was working on my last e30 all the freaking time and i got really tired of it.. so when i got this car, i decided to just do everything all at once. this is rather complete - EVERYTHING you could need.

[Cabriolet]

well you seem to be kinda set on stuff. but if you havent bought already. heres my suggestion.
after owning both koni and billies. i am throwing out my billies, on my new car, and getting konis asap. i cannot stand the bouncing ride that billy sports give.

i had HR race on my vert. it was too low and caused to body to flex and was hell to drive. all done and said i wished i had ended up the way i did end up. but the list below is what i would have done first and not wasted time on other stuff.

get used HR sport springs (coupe are just fine - i know this for fact)
get koni yellow single adjustable. (worth every penny)
Ground Control front top hats. (this allows you to adjust the front camber to match the rear wheels for a square driving experience)
Ireland Engineering rear spring pad spacers (raise the rear of the car .3" to give it a flater look.)
get all new rubber bushings and M3 CABs. (poly was a waste on the car and just made too much noise for a cruising car)
get only the stock rear mounts, they will work just fine.
replace all the subframe, diff, trailing arm mounts with rubber and get camber/caster adjusters welded in.

it will end up being a wonderful cruiser. not too rough, no bounce feeling. and handle well.

mine on said final setup.

[mcaden]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts - I made my purchase of parts before the last two responses came in. I went with my proposed set-up and was able to get a good price on some barely used Biltstein sports... that someone swapped out for coilovers. I can't wait to get everything thing installed, but I am afraid its going to be a few weeks before I have any time.

[jeffnhiscars]

I just did my Cabrio with H&R Cabrio springs, BS Sports, M3 offsets etc. Before you install the sports cut about 1/3-1/2 off the bump stops.

Pics in my build thread and while Im pleased with the ride I do think about the Konis I had in my Alfa and how compliant they were

[mcaden]

Final result - love the ride and the height:

[jeffnhiscars]

Looks good, Marc. I found my install took some miles to settle and for the springs to "relax". If you like it now it just gets better :)

[mcaden]

Looks good, Marc. I found my install took some miles to settle and for the springs to "relax". If you like it now it just gets better :)

Thanks Jeff - I have driven it the past two days and can't get over the difference. It drives like a new car - literally. Cutting the internal bump stops on the Bilstein struts was a great idea, that I wasn't aware of previously. We knocked the bottoms out with a hammer and flat blade screwdriver and then cut off 1/3 of the bump stop.

Hoping to meet you at the Vintage next year.

-Marc

[jeffnhiscars]

I am more than likely to be there :)

[meatnpotatoz]

Any more pics?