Touring suspension question

[restart]

Nice,
Somebody told me I should get the b8s though
:-)

[808e30325i]

I run 6” 1200lb swift springs in the rear with stock bilstein shocks. Drove it like that from Phoenix to Fontana, California no problem still very comfortable.

[roguetoaster]

Nice,
Somebody told me I should get the b8s though
:-)

Bilstein Tourings will be softer, sports/B8/HDs more firm. Since a touring is not a race car I'd go with OE sport springs, maybe verts in the back and Tourings or Sachs Advantage if you can still find them.

New OE springs are also an option, especially if you haul cargo.

[restart]

From the bilstein site It looks like the b8s use the same part number
As all the other e30s.

They list 51mm for fonts
But all the rear shocks say 45mm
Does that sound correct.


Front>>>
Bilstein BMW 3 Series (E30) Touring 325 i B8 Sprint Shock Absorber

Bilstein number: 34-003350
Type: Bilstein B8
Scope of delivery: Patroon demper
Side: Front
Type Shock Absorber: Mono-Tube Upside Down

Engine power (KW): 55 - 141

Comments:
with sports suspension VA: outside diameter strut 51 mm HA: charakteristic: 160/55

Rear>>>
Bilstein BMW 3 Series (E30) Touring 325 i Rear B8 Sprint Shock Absorber

Bilstein number: 24-020275
Type: Bilstein B8
Scope of delivery: Shock Absorber
Side: Rearzijde
Type Shock Absorber: Mono-Tube Gasdruk

Engine power (KW): 55 - 141

Comments:
with standard chassis VA: outside diameter strut 45 mm HA: charakteristic: 160/55


Link to e30 bilstein reference>>>

http://www.bilstein-shop.com/bmw/bmw-series-e30-c-1_61_70.html

There are button s at the top of page to filter b8 or b4s etc...

[restart]

Looking around in Europe where tourings are commonplace.... I see different shocks for the touring vs cabrio.

While we are talking suspension here are e30 vs cabrio vs touring weight/distribution for reference...


I hope pics show up inthread if they don’t can someone post them some external link is not required.

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I dunno why pics show up sometimes and sometimes not.

I think I have decided to go h&r lowering with bilsteins ordered from Europe at a shop that has a separate spring for touring...

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These..
Shocks

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/BILSTEIN-B8-amortisseurs-devant-ARRIERE-BMW-Serie-3-Touring-E30-B-4X/352249283889?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140616153237%26meid%3D4bb56a0cffbc4af097036b835c989434%26pid%3D100167%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D142645428725%26itm%3D352249283889&_trksid=p5411.c100167.m2940

And Springs

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/H-R-lowering-springs-29684-1-fits-BMW-3er-E30-Touring-SW-30-30mm/381533547815?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Yeah I typed all that:-)

[djjerme]

I ended up pulling the Billy sport kit off the Rat Trap ('87 Sedan I parted out) and throwing it on my touring. You do lose a little stiffness in the rear, but unless you're towing, you probably won't miss it.

[mxtx]

getting back into my suspension here and time to upgrade the shocks to match the springs. looking for proper street dampening and comfort to support my slightly lowered height.

sounds like a lot of guys went Bilstein B8 here, touring specific when possible.

im on H&R Touring springs + B4's now. has anyone gone B6 or is that only if your car is not lowered?

any experience with a slightly lowered Touring on B6 vs B8 would be appreciated.

thanks

[restart]

The shxocks I used (above) are stiff. Handles nice and where I live roads are smooth.
If roads were bad I would go softer suspension.

[mxtx]

right ok - and if the car feels overall a little rickety still after that would you move to bushings or ? and i mean just new oem bushings, not going poly. sometimes the touring feels not as "solid" but could also be from all the interior panels noise in the wagon that i need to get tight?

thanks

[cory58]

Looking around in Europe where tourings are commonplace.... I see different shocks for the touring vs cabrio.

While we are talking suspension here are e30 vs cabrio vs touring weight/distribution for reference...


I hope pics show up inthread if they don’t can someone post them some external link is not required.

Great info! Using your attachments, here are the F/R weights.


1396/1269 Sedan
1447/1320 Cab
1428/1372 Touring


So the difference in front weight from the sedan is 33 lbs for the touring and 51 lbs for the cabrio. The rear difference is 103 for the touring and 51 for the cabrio.


Per the H&R site they only make the "OE Sport" springs for the sedan/coupe. Has anyone tried these springs on a cabrio or touring?


Cory

[earthwormjim]

Great info! Using your attachments, here are the F/R weights.


1396/1269 Sedan
1447/1320 Cab
1428/1372 Touring


So the difference in front weight from the sedan is 33 lbs for the touring and 51 lbs for the cabrio. The rear difference is 103 for the touring and 51 for the cabrio.


Per the H&R site they only make the "OE Sport" springs for the sedan/coupe. Has anyone tried these springs on a cabrio or touring?


Cory

The weight distribution doesn't tell the whole picture. The touring has a significantly larger percentage of its rear weight behind the rear axle. Quite a bit more than the sedan or cabrio do.


I can tell you from my experience, that 475lb rear springs were no where near adequate to keep the rear end from bouncing around like crazy. This was a Ground Control coilover setup, and at full ride height, I would still bottom out with people in the back seat.


It took 700 lb rear springs to make the back end feel nice and tight.

[restart]

AFAIK h and r e30 touring 30 mm drop number is 29684-1

That’s for the 6 cylinder...

The 4 cyl touring has different springs which you might consider in your comparison.

I dont know if h&r USA has listings for touring but They might find it with the part number

Here is a link for e30 325 touring at h+r

https://www.hrsuspension.direct/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=75074

[cory58]

The weight distribution doesn't tell the whole picture. The touring has a significantly larger percentage of its rear weight behind the rear axle. Quite a bit more than the sedan or cabrio do.


I can tell you from my experience, that 475lb rear springs were no where near adequate to keep the rear end from bouncing around like crazy. This was a Ground Control coilover setup, and at full ride height, I would still bottom out with people in the back seat.


It took 700 lb rear springs to make the back end feel nice and tight.

Thanks for the great info. I'm a noob to aftermarket suspensions. My goal is to lower the car a little bit but still use B4 shocks. That's why the H&R OE Sports seemed interesting.



Cory