Not sure where to put this

[learningcurve86]

Hey everyone! My name is Greg and I'm a 20 year old in Rhode Island with an 86 325e. I got the car last November and haven't done a whole lot to it yet, but I'm pretty excited. Its my first real dip into the car world, so everything is pretty new to me.

so far...

New Exhaust (someone backed into a curb and made some wonderful bends in the old one)
New Head Gasket
temp. radio and speakers(it didn't have one)
New windshield
New rear-view

so most of the work up until now has been trying to catch up with things that were left by the previous owner(s)

the next project will be suspension, then new wheels.... and then i want to get into performance. My current suspension has a dead front left strut, so i ride about an inch or two lower there than everywhere else, so i need to replace that, but i'd like to do it right and do everything. I'm just not totally sure what 'everything' would be. but i'm looking forward to finding out

[z31maniac]

Suspension:
FRONT:
Tie rod ends
Sway bar links
Wheel bearings (fronts are hub assemblies)
Control arms
Control arm bushings
REAR:
Subframe mounts
rear trailing arm bushings
wheel bearings

I'd also go for some new engine and tranny mounts and a diff mount too.

An affordable, popular option would be to go with H&R race springs with Bilstein sport shocks.

[learningcurve86]

awesome! thanks! i'm currently a long way away from being able to afford anything, but I want to make a shopping list and that'll definitely help!

[z31maniac]

Also as far as bushings, I'd go all Delrin AKG stuff. His stuff is top notch.

[Fidhle007]

z31's list is nice, but the reality of it is you really shouldn't have to replace any of that stuff until it's failing, and if you can get all four wheels off the ground (lift, jackstands, whatever) you should be able to find any loose joints with a large set of channel-locks. This is something you might want to have a shop do for you though, with a lift it should take about 5 minutes to know what needs replacing.

If this is your first step into the modified car world, I wouldn't go overboard with the modifications either. New OEM bushings/mounts and some upgraded springs/shocks will be plenty to keep you happy until you're ready to move onwards and upwards. Turner Motorsport currently has a package of H&R Sport Springs and Bilstein Sport Shocks for a great price, this would be a very good starting point as it's not too stiff or too low for daily use but it will be a substantial improvement over what you have now. Speaking of which: if your car is sitting lower in one corner you probably have a broken spring, instead of, or as well as a blown shock/strut.

[RedHoodRidah]

:up: for a local. Any pics?

[ainadude]

If you're going to go ahead and replace the control arm bushings, the stock E30 M3 solid-rubber offset bushing is a frequently recommended upgrade that represents a compromise between the stock item and aftermarket urethane bushings. It's a few bucks more than the stock piece but it's more durable and results in a slight improvement in steering response.

[learningcurve86]

My plan is to improve things when ever possible, and so i figure if i'm replacing them i'll try to go above OEM stuff, but on the same hand i don't want to spend money i don't have (i have moths in my wallet and thats about it) I took it to a local mechanic a few weeks ago and he was the one that told me it was a strut that was the problem, but he was only down there for a few seconds. I think i'll try and take it to a better place this week and get a real rundown of where everything is.

(if i can get them to work) a few pictures from the day i got it are below. Not much has changed

[Court M3]

nice starting point. Eibach Pro Kit and Bilstein sport shocks works for me.

[E30SPDFRK]

Sweet, another Rhode Islander! You are pretty close to me, pm me if you need help with anything.

[z31maniac]

z31's list is nice, but the reality of it is you really shouldn't have to replace any of that stuff until it's failing

This is true. I'm prepping my car for auto-x and HPDE duty so that hopefully something stupid won't end the day early.

[learningcurve86]

Thanks guys, i'm trying to find a good local place to go to at the moment and get a good look at all of the suspension (theres a spot thats rusted out where the rear driver side spring connects to the bottom of the car that i'm pretty concerned about) and then after that i get to go shopping :) (with the money i don't have)

pictures of concern...




this one is on the right... the metal that covers the pipe the the gas tank is rusted pretty badly, but everything else looks okay

[Fidhle007]

Just FYI, you already have bilstein shocks in the rear at least... :D

[BBY1104]

I was on a buget when I replaced all mine.

Shocks-400 Billy sports less if paired with H&R springs
Motormounts-160 cause i have a 318is-MUCH cheaper for you like 40$ for OE i think
Trans mounts-22/pair
Control arms, CAB's, tie rods-180$
Eibach Pro-kit springs- 150$
Upper strut mounts-75$
Rear HD strut mounts-30$
New OEM rear shocks covers and gaskets-25$

So I have about 1050 under my car, keep in mind with an m20 some of that stuff like Motor mounts and trans mounts might be cheaper.

Hope that helps

[learningcurve86]

you guys are seriously the most helpful/informative people ever!

(helps so much)