help w spring setup?

[sefb222]

i have a 90 325is w/S52 that has a 5 lug conversion from an E30 M3. we used the entire suspension... but, i'm wanting a slightly lowered stance.

i would imagine that the springs made for a 4cyl car are going to be too soft for the heavier engine up front...

i have a set of eibach pro-kit springs still in the box, from before i decided to go with the changeover. they are for the stock 325is.

A, will the springs physically fit?, and B, will the pro-kit springs have a decent rate for street use, with my current set-up?

wheels are 17" motorsport S2, staggered. 215/40/17 up front
235/40/17 out back.


i know the springs arent the most favored among folks on the messageboard, but i already have them, so it's zero $ out of pocket, and since im nearing the tail end of this project, the $$$ is starting to really add up...

in short.. will they work? or, will they work well?

thanks much in advance.

[sefb222]

is this thing on?

[redhatpat]

Yes, they'll physically fit. All e30 springs will interchangable. Not my first choice of spring, but they'll work just fine.

[sefb222]

awesome.. thanks.

[egk2]

Sell the eibachs and get good springs.

[sefb222]

Sell the eibachs and get good springs.

do you have personal experience with eibachs? i sometimes hear they suck, but i often wonder if it's from actual experience, or from people like me, who have never tried them, but were told they suck.

so, i can sell them, and next time someone asks me, i can say.. "oh, dont buy eibachs. they suck. how do i know? well, everyone says so"

not trying to sound like an asshole... im just wondering, of those who say they suck, who's actually used them.

i'm open to suggestions as well...

which are better, and why?

thanks!

[egk2]

I do have actual experience with Eibachs. I try not to comment on
subjects that I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about, you know?
This topic has been covered a million times on every bimmer forum so it's not a rumor, Eibachs are junk. So it's your call, install them and see how you like them or sell them while they're new in box and get good springs.

If you want suggestions, tell us what you want out of your e30. Track, street, show, etc...

do you have personal experience with eibachs? i sometimes hear they suck, but i often wonder if it's from actual experience, or from people like me, who have never tried them, but were told they suck.

so, i can sell them, and next time someone asks me, i can say.. "oh, dont buy eibachs. they suck. how do i know? well, everyone says so"

not trying to sound like an asshole... im just wondering, of those who say they suck, who's actually used them.

i'm open to suggestions as well...

which are better, and why?

thanks!

[whiltebeitel]

I just put in Bilstein Sports and IE3's. surpriseingly streetable, as long as you watch out for the serious dips and bumps, it's great. Beats the hell out of blown struts! ;)

[StereoInstaller1]

I do have actual experience with Eibachs. it's not a rumor, Eibachs are junk.

Not trying to disagee here, but would you explain what you didn't like about them? Everyone says they are junk, but not WHY they are junk.

I had them on 3 cars in the past. Every one of them sagged about an additional inch after about a year. I had heard that issue was fixed sometime in the late 90's.

I remember a discussion with a Eibach rep at the time, with me saying "if I had wanted the car that low, I would have gone H&R!"

Sorry for the threadjack.
Luke

[egk2]

Not trying to disagee here, but would you explain what you didn't like about them? Everyone says they are junk, but not WHY they are junk.

I had them on 3 cars in the past. Every one of them sagged about an additional inch after about a year. I had heard that issue was fixed sometime in the late 90's.

I remember a discussion with a Eibach rep at the time, with me saying "if I had wanted the car that low, I would have gone H&R!"

Sorry for the threadjack.
Luke

I didn't like the stance first of all, too much gap in the front, low in the back, also they are way too soft for a lowering spring. After I installed them, there was no improvement in handling, the only difference was it lowered the car. Too much bodyroll. Lastly, over time the rears sagged so whenever I launched the rear would squat and rub. It would have been nice if the fronts sagged

[egk2]

Not trying to disagee here, but would you explain what you didn't like about them? Everyone says they are junk, but not WHY they are junk.

I had them on 3 cars in the past. Every one of them sagged about an additional inch after about a year. I had heard that issue was fixed sometime in the late 90's.

I remember a discussion with a Eibach rep at the time, with me saying "if I had wanted the car that low, I would have gone H&R!"

Sorry for the threadjack.
Luke

The topic has been beaten to death in other threads which is why I didn't say why I don't like Eibachs in this one.
I didn't like the stance first of all, too much gap in the front, low in the back, also they are way too soft for a lowering spring. After I installed them, there was no improvement in handling, the only difference was it lowered the car. Too much bodyroll. Lastly, over time the rears sagged so whenever I launched the rear would squat and rub. It would have been nice if the fronts sagged

[sefb222]

thanks for the reply.. but, there's no need to start with the "i know what the fuck im talking about" attitude... i wasnt questioning your knowledge... rather, i was seeking it.


the car will be a 99% street driven daily driver. (when i'm not riding my bicycle)
i will be lucky if it sees one or two track days a year.

i do want a spring that gives a nice stance, and improves handling.. not just looking for lower. BUT, i dont want jaw rattling stiff.

thanks again for the help.

[egk2]

thanks for the reply.. but, there's no need to start with the "i know what the fuck im talking about" attitude... i wasnt questioning your knowledge... rather, i was seeking it.


the car will be a 99% street driven daily driver. (when i'm not riding my bicycle)
i will be lucky if it sees one or two track days a year.

i do want a spring that gives a nice stance, and improves handling.. not just looking for lower. BUT, i dont want jaw rattling stiff.

thanks again for the help.

Wasn't giving you attitude, sorry if you too it that way. H&R sport springs with Bilstein sport dampers should fit the bill, conservative drop, firm but not stiff. Check the suspension thread, most of us have posted our setups with specs and reviews.