The e34 that will retire my e30.

[TANK]

'96 540i 6spd $6995. but you already bought one
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...dist=19#vdptop

[Digitalwave]

I will someday have an e34 - of some nature. They are my favorite BMW by far. This one is especially nice, and you're going to love it.

Why do people KEEP HATING on eibachs? Seriously. I loved the set on my coupe, and may even get another set.

Part/sell your car, and go nuts on the e34 - just stay on here and keep us posted ;)

Because they are softer than Jell-o and sag like a granny.

[terrybpp]

I have been contemplating buying a e34 wagon to replace my xterra. Problem is find one in a 5spd (the auto trannys are garbage).

[DEV0 E30]

Good luck with it Jeremy. Nice color aswell.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Because they are softer than Jell-o and sag like a granny.

Says who? Jordan? Brew had a set that sagged, and Jordan thinks they suck. But aside from that, I can't figure out why they seem to get such a bad rep.

Let's take a glance at eibach's record - they seem to be doing ok in the performance and lowering spring biz. And what kind of spring do the much-desired Ground Controls use? Hmm. If those linear rate springs are so incredible, how is it that they completely dropped the ball on their progressive street springs?

I have PERSONALLY owned and driven on an eibach/bil sport combo, and loved it. No sag, excellent compromise of ride quality and stiffness, and great handling.

[Dave]

I have been contemplating buying a e34 wagon to replace my xterra. Problem is find one in a 5spd (the auto trannys are garbage).

They didn;t sell them in the US. Anyone you find is either grey market or has been converted.

[Bimmerfanatik]

They didn;t sell them in the US. Anyone you find is either grey market or has been converted.

Fo sho? I thought these were offered (albeit rarely optioned as such) in the US.

[PeaveyBassist]

Fo sho? I thought these were offered (albeit rarely optioned as such) in the US.

x2

Will

[Mystikal]

Says who? Jordan? Brew had a set that sagged, and Jordan thinks they suck. But aside from that, I can't figure out why they seem to get such a bad rep.

Let's take a glance at eibach's record - they seem to be doing ok in the performance and lowering spring biz. And what kind of spring do the much-desired Ground Controls use? Hmm. If those linear rate springs are so incredible, how is it that they completely dropped the ball on their progressive street springs?

I have PERSONALLY owned and driven on an eibach/bil sport combo, and loved it. No sag, excellent compromise of ride quality and stiffness, and great handling.

Springs are made up of numbers, it's as simple as that. No black magic, no hidden features.

Now, Eibachs are significantly shorter than stock springs (usually 40-70% of the actual travel), and are not in any significant form stiffer. This makes them a horrible design, that only gets worse over time with their sagging.

I personally know that even a 300lb/in spring rate in the front (over twice the Eibach's) at the SAME ride height that the Eibachs provide is just enough. IE Stage III's or H&R Race's are 310lb/in, and are enough to lower a car that much. There is a reason H&R Sports don't lower a car to the extreme Eibach Pro-Kits do, it's because a car does NOT handle well at that height with that soft of a spring rate. Add that to the fact that H&R Sports are at 190lb/in (28% stiffer) yet make the car sit almost an inch higher shows just how far off Eibach engineers were when they designed the spring kit for our cars.

And Ground Control coilovers come with any rates you want. The lowest GC will sell you for the front is 300lb/in, which is over twice the rate of a Pro-Kit. Yeah, think about that one.

[Digitalwave]

Springs are made up of numbers, it's as simple as that. No black magic, no hidden features.

Now, Eibachs are significantly shorter than stock springs (usually 40-70% of the actual travel), and are not in any significant form stiffer. This makes them a horrible design, that only gets worse over time with their sagging.

I personally know that even a 300lb/in spring rate in the front (over twice the Eibach's) at the SAME ride height that the Eibachs provide is just enough. IE Stage III's or H&R Race's are 310lb/in, and are enough to lower a car that much. There is a reason H&R Sports don't lower a car to the extreme Eibach Pro-Kits do, it's because a car does NOT handle well at that height with that soft of a spring rate. Add that to the fact that H&R Sports are at 190lb/in (28% stiffer) yet make the car sit almost an inch higher shows just how far off Eibach engineers were when they designed the spring kit for our cars.

And Ground Control coilovers come with any rates you want. The lowest GC will sell you for the front is 300lb/in, which is over twice the rate of a Pro-Kit. Yeah, think about that one.

This is spot on. I am not saying Eibach is a bad manufacturer, just that the Pro-Kit is a shitty setup.

[Jordan]

I'm glad you finally found a e34 you can settle on.

I'm still looking for an appropriate 540/6 for myself.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Springs are made up of numbers, it's as simple as that. No black magic, no hidden features.

Now, Eibachs are significantly shorter than stock springs (usually 40-70% of the actual travel), and are not in any significant form stiffer. This makes them a horrible design, that only gets worse over time with their sagging.

I personally know that even a 300lb/in spring rate in the front (over twice the Eibach's) at the SAME ride height that the Eibachs provide is just enough. IE Stage III's or H&R Race's are 310lb/in, and are enough to lower a car that much. There is a reason H&R Sports don't lower a car to the extreme Eibach Pro-Kits do, it's because a car does NOT handle well at that height with that soft of a spring rate. Add that to the fact that H&R Sports are at 190lb/in (28% stiffer) yet make the car sit almost an inch higher shows just how far off Eibach engineers were when they designed the spring kit for our cars.

And Ground Control coilovers come with any rates you want. The lowest GC will sell you for the front is 300lb/in, which is over twice the rate of a Pro-Kit. Yeah, think about that one.

Thanks Jay, that was the first fact-based argument I've ever seen against Eibach Prokits ever - and it's great information.

I just go with what I've personally experienced, and to me, the ride quality and performance and ride height that the eibachs gave me was PERFECT for a daily in MA.

What should I do about my cabbie in this case? The H&R race are just too low...

[Dave]

x2

Will

Find someone who has one and check it out - I tried to get one a couple of years ago - there are NO US market 5 speed e34 tourings. None that came that way from the factory.

[Digitalwave]

You don't have any track or autocross plans for the cabrio do you? H&R Sports might be a good choice.

[Jarvis]

Find someone who has one and check it out - I tried to get one a couple of years ago - there are NO US market 5 speed e34 tourings. None that came that way from the factory.

That's not what the dealer techs who work on them have to say. But they are pretty rare, and the manual was only available on the 525's, V8 tourings never got the option here.