E34 Suspension suggestions (Luke???)

[klavender1]

I know this has been discussed ad nauseam. I've scoured other threads and other forums but I can't seem to find an answer I'm happy with. I have a 92 525i with 104k miles with worn out shocks. If I take the suspension apart to change the shocks I might as well do the springs. I want comfort with sporting intensions. Every thread I read seems to have people thinking they drive a race car and wants it slammed with stiff shocks. Right now I'm leaning towards Vogtlands springs (progressive, supposed to be good for a daily but with the most drop) and Sachs or Bilstein Touring shocks. I've read that Sachs and Vogtlands make a good combo but wanted people with actual experience to chime in. I don't want to replace shocks after 20k miles. I want to do this once and last a while. Most threads I've read say Bilstein HD's or Sports are harsh and I don't want to spend the money on Koni's just for a DD. Read about the Sachs kit (sachs turbo gas designed for eibach's), call BMA and find out they were discontinued 4 years ago. He suggestion Bilstien tourings and H&R's for what I was looking for. I've read that H&R's were the stiffest. So don't know how comfortable that would be. So far I've come up with these possible combos:

Sachs/Vogtlands

Bilstein Tourings/Eibachs

Bilstein Tourings/H&Rs

Any suggestions from real world experience? I also read a 2 yr old thread with Luke chiming in on KYB's. I have those on my E30 and find them too stiff. He also mentioned his E34 and future suspension upgrade but never read what that would be.

[arch4ngel]

I have lowtec 60/30 springs and kyb gr2 shocks on my 535i.
Surprisingly supple ride yet stiff enough for fun cornering (with 17" style 5s).
KYBs came with the car, never would have bought them myself but they're actually pretty good, especially considering the price.

[klavender1]

Thanks for the input arch4ngel. Going KYB's would save me about $120. I'll keep those in consideration.

[arch4ngel]

Oops, just saw this. Check out Gianucci's lowtec sale on bimmerforums, he'll save you some money on springs too.

[StereoInstaller1]

I wish I had more input on spring choices for you, but I only have experience with 4 different sets, none of which are on your list: RD, Eibach, Dinan and stock...

I have RDs on my car now, it is a bit low for my taste, but damn cushy.

GL and let everyone know how it turns out.

Luke

[klavender1]

Thanks for the reply. I've already got my springs and shocks in. Decided to pony up the money and went with konis/vogtlands. Hope to install everything this weekend.

[arch4ngel]

Good luck!
Post pics when you get it back together.

[Jean]

I have Billy Sports and H&R Sports... the ride is great when the road is smooth, otherwise it SUCKS...i am sending my shocks to bilstein for some work.

[Wanganstyle]

koni is a bit more supple than bilstein, on really bumpy stuff the bilstein damper is a bit bumpy in the front, vogtland springs on e34 is low and does not like really bumpy surfaces - it is good on track, I've ran vogtland springs on e34 at laguna seca before.

[mottati]

Keep us posted on the install. Always good to have feedback on a set up.

On my M5, i have H&R sports and bilstein sports. It's fine for what it is, firm, but tolerable Handles well. I had a ground control coil over kit on this car for a year or so, koni's with 425/350 springs. Too stiff, too harsh. You remove all the rubber mounts... go figure. Great on track, but i go to the track now maybe a weekend or two a year.

I got a set of lowtec 60/30 from the gianucci deal on bfc. Have koni's for that combo for my touring. I've yet to install it but hoping it's not too low nor too stiff.

I've got a set of factory M tech springs on order, and a pair of bilstein tourings for the front of my 750. Waiting on parts. For the 7, i just want to replace worn parts, and maybe take a little of the squishiness out of it.

[Jean]

I don't know how the wheel/motion ratio compares on the e30 vs e34 but I like the ride quality (let alone handling) of my e30 MUCH MUCH MUCH more than one of my e34. And my E30 IS on stiff coils and camber plates, it does not CRASH like the e34 does with billy sports and I don't think H&R Sports are stiff ENOUGH to keep the shocks from hitting the bump stops.

What are the rates for H&R Sports for E34?

What are the rates for 60/30 kit and Vogtland springs?

I bet 425/350 is not uncomfortable at ALL if paired with a properly valved /setup shock.

[klavender1]

Did you cut your bump stops? I've heard lots of stories and talked to a long time BMW mechanic (that had H&R's/bilsteins) that had to cut them. My buddy the mechanic cut his in half and solved the problem. I'm not sure of the Vogtland spring rates, just know that they are progressive and are supposed to be great for a DD. From my understanding the E34 is softly sprung to begin with. My E30 on KYB's and stock springs are kinda a harsh ride. I didn't want a repeat of that in the E34.

[squidmaster]

kyb ga are good for dd. very mediocre for anything spirited.
gr2 are a decent mix
I would say kyb agx are the ultimate because they're adjustable and last through everything you can throw at them.

vogtland seem to be pretty comfy. I have gr2 and vogtland setup on the 325 and would like it to be much stiffer, but should be great for the ride you want in the 525.

[arch4ngel]

Can't really compare e34 to e30 suspension setups, the multilink front and rear (not to mention difference in travel) will handle differently with similar strut and spring rates.

Best info I can find for the lowtecs say 225lb/in front and 260lb/in rear linear (from Mel Abrahams on bfc).
The springs are soft enough to soak up most of the nasty bumps on socal roads, and the gr2 are stiff enough to allow for decent cornering.
Haven't bottomed out yet and drive the car pretty hard.
My gf drives the car daily without issue.

I cut the middle third section out of my rear bump stop and glued them back together.

[arch4ngel]

And my E30 IS on stiff coils and camber plates, it does not CRASH like the e34 does with billy sports and I don't think H&R Sports are stiff ENOUGH to keep the shocks from hitting the bump stops.

Are you bottoming out front or rear?
Are you running bump stops?