Sloppy 325is needs to get tighter

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  • Mulletproofed
    Member
    • Dec 2013
    • 70

    #1

    Sloppy 325is needs to get tighter

    Have a 300k 325is. The suspension is stock and super sloppy and rolls like a wave. I bought bilsteins and I think I will pair them with hr sport springs. Can someone please tell me the best bang for like 200 dollars in bushings to help the car handle tighter?? What do i prioratize? Control arm? Sway bar? Rubber shock mounts??
    sigpic
    318IS
    325I
    1959 Euro Bug
    87 Vert S50 5 lug
  • BMWManiac
    E30 Enthusiast
    • Dec 2010
    • 1091

    #2
    $200 is stretching it for just control arms....and if you do control arms, you need to do the bushings.

    Sounds like you need a complete front end refresh....control arms, bushings, tie rods, sway bar bushings, sway bar end links, strut bearings.....then, you'll need an alignment.....just did this for a grand total of almost $600 with lemforder parts (I did not do sway bar bushings).
    1997 Artic Silver M3
    CES GT4094r 651hp/615tq @ 24 psi

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    • Mulletproofed
      Member
      • Dec 2013
      • 70

      #3
      Thanks for the reply. The more I looked into it, the more I see I need to pay decent money to get most of it refreshed. Did your refresh make a big difference?

      I need to decide if its worth spending that much money on a high mileage car, but here is a complete kit I found. Thoughts?
      https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E30-32.../Refresh_Kits/


      If I wanted to compromise, do you think this ebay kit would be terrible?


      Should I also get to rubber mounts for the suspension.

      Thanks for your time.
      sigpic
      318IS
      325I
      1959 Euro Bug
      87 Vert S50 5 lug

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      • BMWManiac
        E30 Enthusiast
        • Dec 2010
        • 1091

        #4
        I looked at those kits too. The price is very appealing, so if you can do all this yourself, I would say then it is up to you. If you are paying someone to do this, then I would buy quality parts. The ECS kit uses BMW parts for the bolts/washers (really ECS?) and URO/Vaico for the main components....I have not seen many great reviews about URO.

        As for the bay kit, again, I can't tell the brand of the parts, but guessing they are the same URO/cheap brand.

        Yes, it will make a huge difference with brand new suspension parts. The steering will feel tight and crisp!
        1997 Artic Silver M3
        CES GT4094r 651hp/615tq @ 24 psi

        Comment

        • noahsense
          Advanced Member
          • Nov 2008
          • 102

          #5
          Honestly, a refresh with stock parts will make the car drive wonderfully. No need for urethane this or that unless this car is track duty only.

          Comment

          • ELVA164
            R3V Elite
            • Dec 2011
            • 4861

            #6
            Spend the money and get good quality parts. If you don't, you'll regret it for a long time.
            Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one? Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!

            Elva Courier build thread here!

            Comment

            • 84driver
              Wrencher
              • Aug 2011
              • 234

              #7
              If you're going to buy a kit, Blunttech's ebay store has the best (only) deal on quality parts:

              balticblau-metallic '84 318i 5spd 3.91 LSD

              Comment

              • Mulletproofed
                Member
                • Dec 2013
                • 70

                #8
                Thanks guys. Such a freaking hard decision. I am trying to find out if you get that much more value in performance out with the money you put in....

                For example if I save a few hundred, blunt tech also put a budget kit together....

                sigpic
                318IS
                325I
                1959 Euro Bug
                87 Vert S50 5 lug

                Comment

                • ELVA164
                  R3V Elite
                  • Dec 2011
                  • 4861

                  #9
                  This is how I see it: Suspension is a safety issue. I don't skimp on safety issues.
                  Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one? Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!

                  Elva Courier build thread here!

                  Comment

                  • nk1221
                    Member
                    • Feb 2015
                    • 56

                    #10
                    I bought the front suspension kit from Bavarian Autosport for around $225. Came with control arms/bushings, sway bar end links, and inner and outer tie rods. Car handles 100% than it did before.


                    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                    Comment

                    • varg
                      No R3VLimiter
                      • May 2014
                      • 3283

                      #11
                      Excessive roll points to worn out anti-sway bar links/bushings or shot rear end bushings. Nothing feels sloppier than worn out subframe bushings. $200 will probably pay for new anti-sway bar links and subframe bushings, but the time involved is significant. Having rebuilt my entire suspension setup, I'd say nothing makes a bigger difference than new rear end bushings all around.

                      IG @turbovarg
                      '91 318is, M20 turbo
                      [CoTM: 4-18]
                      '94 525iT slicktop, M50B30 + S362SX-E, 600WHP DD or bust
                      '93 RX-7 FD3S

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