Just Straight to Business

[Sykohtic]

I'm looking for a performance upgrade for my '87 325is's suspension. I've looked at the suspension setup thread and while it's nice to see what other's have done and how it looks, I want to know specifically how it performs. Sure, I want something that's low slung and has a very aggressive stance, but I want the performance aspect to match the badassery...

Currently the car has the stock "is" package springs and sway bars, though I'm very soon to drop the front bar in exchange for the slightly thicker convertible model front sway bar as soon as I get the time to do it.

So I'm trying not to be cliche and ask that all too common question "What't the best suspension for my E30?", but what I'm looking for is a car that can be daily driven, but is VERY competitive at autox and track days, as well as being able to rip up any back road without making my car do more than giggle at the turns. It doesn't have to ride like a limo. As long as I don't feel like the car is gonna rattle apart, I'll enjoy it. If you could give me some recommends it would be greatly appreciated. Let's try to assume a 400 to 600 dollar budget.

EDIT** If you have some options that are slightly over said budget, say 700 bucks or so, I'll take them into consideration. I'm willing to bide my time until I can afford what fits the criteria if I must.

[Ether-D]

I absolutely love my Bavarian springs and Bilstien sports. About $700 from Bavauto. I daily mine so ride is important. I do not autocross my car, but after the trip to the Dragon this fall, I have no doubts about it's abilities with the Bavauto setup.

Edit: I should clarify. I'm a grown man now and I (mostly) don't drive like a bat out of hell anymore.

[Earendil]

what I'm looking for is a car that can be daily driven, but is VERY competitive at autox and track days, as well as being able to rip up any back road without making my car do more than giggle at the turns. It doesn't have to ride like a limo. As long as I don't feel like the car is gonna rattle apart, I'll enjoy it. If you could give me some recommends it would be greatly appreciated. Let's try to assume a 400 to 600 dollar budget.

Sadly, those key terms don't jive well together. Even with the right budget a VERY competitive suspension package is by definition a terrible road driven daily driver setup. The very thing that makes one good makes the other terrible. So understand that right up front. If you throw lots of money at the problem you can find some pretty good compromise, but they are still compromises.

The quick and easy suggestion if you want competitive track setups, is to look at the different racing series. Check out the SpecE30 suspension setup if you want less expensive, easy setup, easy to maintain. Is it the end-all-be-all of road course suspension? No. But guys go faster around tracks using it than I ever have.

If you want to see what money can buy, check out the (non standardized) suspensions that the guys in the PRO3 league are using. It's open for the most part, so if you have they money you can use it. At this point though you are looking at nice coil over suspension setups from great companies like GroundControl, but they are going to cost you a pretty penny.

My personal progression is as follows:
I picked up a set of used H&R Sport suspension and Bilstein sport shocks used. These were stupidly better than a tired (but not blown) stock setup. Refreshing all bushings also made a world of difference.

Last winter I upped the H&R Sports to H&R Race. Not a huge jump, but I got the springs discounted. The Race are enough that even after 4 track days on the same track I know it's my own skill and not the suspension holding me back. It's harsh enough I love it, by Dad envies it, my fiancee can stand it, and it would probably kill my mother.

Probably not this year, but the following I hope to get a GroundControl setup, because they rock. But I'll be looking at one to two grand depending on what I want exactly.

If I were you, I'd go with a Bilstein Sport + H&R setup. Others can probably suggest suspension setups that cost a little less and perform as well, but here is the problem with any suspension: It's super subjective unless all you care about is lap times. Bilstein sports and H&R shocks are probably going to be the easiest to resell in this community. They are easy to install, and provide a good compromise between track and street. Bets are that you will decide they are either too harsh or not competitive enough. Great. Keep saving money for the next suspension setup, sell the H&R's, and buy the next great thing. Because there WILL be a next suspension, even if you don't know it yet :)

[matthugie]

^ this is fantastic, and spot on.

For me, I have IE3's (essentially the same as H&R race) and Billie sports with camber plates up front and love it. For autox I finished 2nd in class for the season (Tire class with a Street Mod pax) which I am pleased with, especially for my first full season. I've also done two HPDE weekends and the car has performed like a champ, very solid and predictable, and has run with anything else on track. I also still occasionally daily the car and have no issues doing so.

I'll be going the GC route in the next year or so as the car steadily becomes more of a track rat, but it is a great overall setup for a double duty car and can be in your price range.

[agent]

The only differing opinion I'll offer versus what's already been (well) said is the dampers. I have H&R Sports and Koni SAs on Klaus. He handles the twisties like a champ with some good tires (Conti DWs). If necessary I could easily transition him into daily duty. The Konis offer a great ride, and give you the option to adjust for your preference - to a point.

I have H&R Races and Bilstein Sports on Lola. Definitely fun for the purpose-built car they're in because I tend to hammer the piss out of her every time I get behind the wheel, though I don't think I'd be happy with that setup if I had to drive it day in and day out for months on end.

I DD an E39 with a sport package, so with that as the barometer the Races+Bilsteins are a pretty rough ride.

[DIIRTY-30]

I had H&R races with Bilsteins, rode fine but wasn't the right set up for me; too bland of a drive. Ended up buying some GE coils and slapped them on.

[Sykohtic]

Thanks for all the input!! I'll definitely take this information into consideration, and the H&R Races + The Bilsteins sounds pretty good to me, so that will be high on the list. I'll keep you posted if I find anything else that I ahve questions about!!