Tthoughs on this 325es

[ForcedFirebird]

If you plan to lower, get the Sports.

[mbonanni]

Okay, How bad will the ride be in while I have stock springs?

[ForcedFirebird]

Not crazy, but noticeably stiffer on conpression and rebound is instant. But if you are for certain you are going to upgrade springs, why buy twice...

[dahows]

sports are for shorter springs; ForcedFirebird is right, you don't want to spend that money twice. You have some options...

1) buy used...pick up a set of used H&R sports, race, eibach springs and used bilstein sports. They come up for sale on here all the time.

2) buy a set of KYB shocks/struts and run them with your stock springs (cheap and a decent ride, not as firm as the bilsteins). Replace your springs in the future with short springs and run them with the KYBs...they won't last forever but you should get another 20k out of them. This is exactly what my son has done with his car. Later, when he has fixed/upgraded other things on the car, he wants to get bilstein's and coilovers.

3) spend a $700-800 and buy short springs and (allsprings.com was the cheapest I found for H&R sports) and bilstein sports and be done with it.

[mbonanni]

Okay I am going to explore around here and look for some used stuff. If not I will probably try and find oem.

[dahows]

OEM for shocks and struts isn't your best route. BTW; ejnight (member here who makes the Raceskids skid plates) sells Bilstein's for a great price...I'm sure Blunt or Guten could also hook you up.

[TimKninja]

Ive been running KYBs and Vogtlands. I beleave theres a
Set of KYB shocks and Vogtland springs on Ebay that goes for like $250 . Ive been running the same setup, and i love the ride. Vogtlands will drop it 1.6 inches. Their alittle soft but have great ride quality. And ive been on these 10k no problem.

[dahows]

If you're strictly limited to $250 right now here's what I'd recommend:

Buy the KYBs front & back ~$150
Get new strut/shock mounts and necessary hardware

You could probably do that for $250 total. If you're replacing the struts, your mounts are probably gone as well...now is the time to change 'em, while you're in there and everything is apart. You may find that your control arms or tie rods are in need of replacement when you do the struts.

Good luck, let us know what you decide to do.

[mbonanni]

So I personally have heard nothing good about the kyb shocks. If I got the springs and kybs all around will the ride be worse then stock?

Also, if I get the chance to get on a computer instead of my phone i will try and contact those two people. Thanks.

[mbonanni]

Okay, talked to my dad and he says he wants to order the KYB's.

I am going to try and find a website to order them instead of ebay.
If you guys know of any where I can get the KYB's let me know. Thanks.

Is it possible to get the KYB's form either of those two members you reccomended me?

[e30strokr]

nice find I just got an 88 SETA and was looking on shocks also...$150 for KYB is good I was looking at the rokkor coilovers myself for $320 if your on a budget but all I need is shocks right now my car is already lowered, good luck

[bmwstephen]

Okay, talked to my dad and he says he wants to order the KYB's.

I am going to try and find a website to order them instead of ebay.
If you guys know of any where I can get the KYB's let me know. Thanks.

Is it possible to get the KYB's form either of those two members you reccomended me?

i think tire rack sells them. you should also call up Double02 salvage yard in hayward, I know they salvaged use junk cars and the shocks may be used but they only select the best. Seeing how you just want a temporary solution, I think you should inquire if they have any good used OEM shocks for the car. I'm sure they'll be better quality compared to a new KYB. I can deliver to you too since I'll be driving past you area on the 12th.

[mbonanni]

Thanks guys, my dad actually likes the idea about KYB because he knows they have been around a long time and That is what the car will get for now.

Plan to go bilsteins in the future.

Anyone have experience withe the Bavauto springs? Would this be a good set to throw on the car? Someone selling a set for $100

[mbonanni]

So, are the KYB's any sort of upgrade to stock struts/shocks durability wise.?

My Dad is now concerned because some say the KYB's blow around a year or so. And to our knowledge these stock shocks/struts on my car are all stock and have held up to over 200k miles.

Bilsteins is not possible right now. KYB seems to be out of the question. He wants to buy new.

Should I just go OEM? What about Monroe, or Tokico?

[dahows]

So if this is a temporary solution until you save up enough to get bilstein sports why not get the least expensive acceptable solution that will hold you over until you can afford to get what you want?
Another option to the KYBs is bilstein touring struts & shocks...basically OEM equivalent...would run you about $250 for all four corners or $150 for just the struts. Sachs are OEMs and their struts run $108 each from blunttech.com.
No experience with Monroe or Tokico on e30s; not real happy with the Monroe's I put on our van though.