Springs for 318i

[lashtx]

Hello all this is my virgin post!!! woo hooo!!

All right I have a '91 318i. Suspension is as follows:

Billy sports all around
M3 stock springs
Front sway bar is stock Rear bar is M3 with IE mounts
M3 offset bushings
Urethane IE subframe and trailing arms, urethane sway bushings

I want to go lower then the M3 springs and stiffer. What in the great opinion of the board would be the best set to go with??????

H&R sport?
Eibach Pro?
IE3 stage 3?

I see that they tested the IE's with the M3 and they worked well so I assume they would be fine for the 318i. There should be a little difference since the M42 is lighter then the S14.

Just want to make the right choice.

Thanks,
Kris

[tjts1]

Could you take a picture of your car with the M3 springs please? I have a set of M3 springs that I'm about to install on my 91 318i this weekend. It would be really helpful to get an idea how its going to look. Does yours have the rubber spring pads still?
thanks for the help.
Justin

[rThor432]

The H&R Sport springs are really nice for a daily driver. The car should have come from the factory with that height/rate spring.

Generally Eibach springs are very compliant, ie not very stiff. They lower the car considerably, but retain an almost stock ride.

IE3 and H&R race are very similar. Both are great as far as ride height and handling capability.

All of those manufacturers should have an M42 specific spring rate. For my own input, I'm going to use Ground Control's coilover setup when I install my 5-lug stuff because I want the adjustability and custom spring rates to dial in the suspension with the heavy-ish S52 up front.

[E30SPDFRK]

Eibachs would be lower, but they are about the same stiffness as the m3 springs.
H&R sports aren't as low as the eibachs, but they are a bit stiffer.
IE3's are probably the lowest and definitely the stiffest of the 3 you mentioned. They seem to lower the rear end more than the front on late models though, giving the car a reverse-rake look to it.

My vote for you would be H&R race springs. They have the same spring rates as the IE3's, but they give the car a more even ride height.

[lashtx]

Here is a pic

Could you take a picture of your car with the M3 springs please? I have a set of M3 springs that I'm about to install on my 91 318i this weekend. It would be really helpful to get an idea how its going to look. Does yours have the rubber spring pads still?
thanks for the help.
Justin

Hey Justin this was taken a few years ago right after the install.

Thanks guys for all the feedback.

On the IE's does any one know how much you need to raise the back to make it even? Dont really want a reverse rake.

[tjts1]

Thats exactly what I was looking for. It looks like M3 springs are about 1" lower than my stock 318i springs. I think I can live with that.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/3032550994_8cb08ebca3_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/3031712037_c1a51b01e3_o.jpg

Thanks for the help. Good luck with your new suspension.
Justin.

[DarkWing6]

On the IE's does any one know how much you need to raise the back to make it even? Dont really want a reverse rake.

Technically there is no reverse rake with the IEs. The lower arches in the rear of the late model will just give it that look from some angles. I would recommend removing the front spring pads to drop the front a bit. You can also get thicker rear spring pads (dealer, BMA, etc). I don't remember what the stock pads are, but the thicker ones will raise the rear a little (if you care).

[StereoInstaller1]

When i put M3 springs on my '91 325i, I measured a 1.25" drop, so a 1" drop would make sense with the 4 banger.

[E30SPDFRK]

On the IE's does any one know how much you need to raise the back to make it even? Dont really want a reverse rake.

Get the H&R race instead; same rates but a more even look. If you do get IE3's though, you can get a drop hat for the front or do what Derek said

When i put M3 springs on my '91 325i, I measured a 1.25" drop, so a 1" drop would make sense with the 4 banger.

Really? On my 325e I only measured a 3/4" drop.

[StereoInstaller1]

Really? On my 325e I only measured a 3/4" drop.

I keep hearing different drops...makes me wonder if there are different M3 springs.

[lashtx]

I am on board with the 3/4 inch drop. I seem to recall measuring it.

On the H&R's I see one set for the 325/M3 But none specifically for the 318.

Thanks
Kris

[Danny]

H&R race > IE3's

[rThor432]

DarkWing6-- You are correct about the IE3's and I was going to say the same thing regarding removing the front spring pads to adjust the look of the vehicle.

M3 springs should be 3/4" lower in the front and 1/2" lower in the rear when equipped on a standard 6-cylinder model with AC, PS, and trunk ballast.

[lashtx]

Ok thanks everyone, I ordered the H&R Race springs. Now I will have to pull the M3 springs and sell them . Thanks for the help.

[tjts1]

I installed the M3 springs on my 91 318i over the weekend which produced exactly a 1" drop in front. I didn't measure the rear ride height before the springs but there is some visible drop.

I'm very happy with the results