Touring’s and suspension upgrades

[mach schnell]

Looking for suggestions on suspension upgrades for 6-cylinder Touring’s, for canyon driving and occasional track days.

I’m thinking H&R Sport’s (Touring-specific), Koni SA’s, and maybe a set of 22+18mm H&R sway bars, on 16” wheels running 205/50’s.

Any recommendations or experiences to share?

[roguetoaster]

Sounds fine, but with a bit more budget you might get a set of coils, that way you can in theory move the handling characteristics around a bit and let you pick your compromise between utility/handling. Also, you can skip the touring specific springs, unless they have become much easier to source lately.

Rear alignment adjustment would also be a great addition.

[mach schnell]

I already have the Touring specific H&R Sports. Super easy to find. Bought em new from TunerShop.

Biggest question I have is really about the sway bars. Are they a noticeable and worthwhile upgrade? And do they change the balance of the Touring, which I think has 20mm front and 13.5mm rear bars, factory.

[roguetoaster]

Can't say how it would impact a touring if you went from stock to H&R bars, but even going from stock bars on a 91 318i sedan to both large new factory bars was clearly noticeable. Also, with the possibility to adjust the H&R set (if that's still a feature) I'm sure they won't negatively impact much. If I had to guess, the ability to play with the bars would be a plus with the fixed rates of the sport springs.

[mach schnell]

Ok thanks. Where’s your Touring? Got any pics?

[twright]

Please don't take offense if you're already way past me here, but:

I've found amazing improvements just by refreshing all of the underside rubber parts: sway bar bushings, control arm bushings, shock mounts, rear subframe mounts, etc.

Are those all good on your car?

[hteverow]

I'd love to know more about this stuff as well. I've been contemplating the Koni + H&R route (or the Billys+Eibachs), but it does seem like when you do install these aftermarket suspensions, they lower your car, and then you need to do a bunch of other modifications to complement those: adjustable rear subframes to compensate for screwy alignment, adjustable tie rod ends, different bushings for subframes, etc. Does anyone have any experience with this stuff?

[roguetoaster]

No, unless you have some other significant issue, like worn out bushings, or bent components, a typical "sport" spring should keep your static alignment within reason, even if slightly beyond technical spec. A compromise if you do not want much lowering at all is something like an H&R OE Sport spring.

[hteverow]

maybe a set of 22+18mm H&R sway bars

What would this sway bar setup achieve in terms of handling characteristics? More oversteer, more understeer, more neutral handling balance, none of the above?