E30 best lowering springs with stock struts/shocks pics

[AndyS]

It is a 318is. TIA before

after paint suspension stuff ordered. rebuilt seat inside. Cheaper to buy them than recover the cloth ones with new cloth. The BBS are in great shape just need paint.

[2761377]

like most 'best' questions, this answer depends on your perspective. as a mature adult i have been very satisfied with the e30 M3 springs i bought used off craigslist.

obviously, if you want your car 'stanced', these won't do. it would seem quality of spring would remain consistent by manufacturer- i would buy h&r over eibach any day.

and of course many people still cut springs to get the ride height preferred.

i was recently driven in an e30 touring with coil-overs and was shocked how horrible the ride was. even the owner admitted coil-overs were too much for a street car.

if you can handle the immaturity, search at r3v. m42club is also a great resource.

my car is a '91 318iS.

good luck

robert w.

[AndyS]

Thanks for the info. I was leaning toward H&Rs. I am just trying to remove some gap between the fender and tire.

[SteveJ]

Running the H&Rs on my 88 M3 with Bilstein sports and ST bars. This is the street suspension that Ray Korman set up many years ago for E30s. It works well. Slightly stiffer than stock, but compliant enough for daily driving.

I ended up using a similar set up on my 02.

[AndyS]

Thanks, Steve.

[Pierre]

Realistically, you should not run stock shocks on lowered springs. They don't work. The ride will suck. If it's only a look/stance you're after, then I would go with any stage 1 springs. ST, Eibach, H&R or Ireland. They all lower the car to the right height.

I will assume you are trying to avoid spending too much, so here are some "cheap" suggestions.

I usually don't recommend cutting springs but if it's only a look you're after, you can cut the fronts. You can't do the rears because of the way they are designed but I have seen it done. Another cheap option is to get spring compressors available at many auto parts stores. Its basically a small clamp that squeezes two coils together, effectively lowering the car. And it's reversible.

[AndyS]

Realistically, you should not run stock shocks on lowered springs. They don't work. The ride will suck. If it's only a look/stance you're after, then I would go with any stage 1 springs. ST, Eibach, H&R or Ireland. They all lower the car to the right height.

I will assume you are trying to avoid spending too much, so here are some "cheap" suggestions.

I usually don't recommend cutting springs but if it's only a look you're after, you can cut the fronts. You can't do the rears because of the way they are designed but I have seen it done. Another cheap option is to get spring compressors available at many auto parts stores. Its basically a small clamp that squeezes two coils together, effectively lowering the car. And it's reversible.

Wasn't thinking to go cheap, per se. I had just bought new struts and shocks and realized that the fender gap is rather large. Waiting for it to come back from the body shop.

[Pierre]

Go with the tried and true: H&Rs and Bilstein Sports.

My 318is also has the Ireland 25/22 sway bars and a few other suspension goodies. Works very well. Sits right.

[AndyS]

Thank you, sir.

[AndyS]

So here is the almost finished product.

Small things to do. Billys and H&Rs 16 inch OZ wheels.

[Harv]

H&R Sport with Billy Sports and M3 CAB's. 15X7 Style 10's with 205/55/15.

John

[M3M3]

i did HR sport/bily sport on my 325. mistake for street use. at least in dc. the ride sucks. handles ok on the track, but this is my last resort track car. for daily commute i would do HR OE springs and billy hd's.

(caveat, although i am old, i have a very high tolerance for "stiff" suspensions. the e30 has the softest suspension of any of the bmw's i have. the others past and present have full track suspensions....)

ps - "coilovers" do not make a car too stiff. the spring rate makes a car ride hard. you can put soft springs on "coilovers".

[robspeed]

So here is the almost finished product.

Small things to do. Billys and H&Rs 16 inch OZ wheels.

Nice thirty!

[AndyS]

Last one. All done. Blunt turned me on to the side marker deletes and I popped them in this afternoon.