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Fraught with indecision on springs...


MichaelP

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I realize this subject has been posted to death, but I'm struggling with it.

Context: for the past 5 years I've been driving an M2 with Bilstein Sports, H&R springs and huge anti-sway bars. A very stiff, hypertense ride.

Now I've got a bone-stock '71 1600 with a serious case of the roly-polies and I love it. The ride is magnificent. It swallows bumps the size of small countries like they're not even there, but the way it rolls around turns, it's more like coming about in a daysailer than a car. It personifies the term swanning around in a tidy 5 foot by 13 foot package.

So, some of that I want to keep, but lowering the center of gravity a bit would be a plus. I'm adding 2002 anti-sway bars (1600s came without), so that should solve some of it. Bilstein HDs will replace the KYB Gas-a-Justs and 185-70/13s will remain, but the big question is this: how much will the soft, luxurious ride (seriously) that I've come to love in this car be lost with addition of shorter springs?

If so, how much? I would trade off a little for flatter cornering, but much of the character of this car centers around its nonchalance. It's quick in its own lazy way, but it's no athlete. More of a competent, but non-competitive type. Is there such a thing as a short, soft spring? I'd rather not install the HDs and springs twice to find out the difference.

MichaelP

BMW_CCA Blue Ridge Chapter

'71 1600

'71 2800CS

'73 3.0CS

'91 318ic

http://www.crismanpetrus.us

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they're lowering springs that they designed to have similar rates to stock. ive always considered them for looks and heard they can bottom out, but the lower CG will help, and our cars are very light so might not bottom out.

-Marty

'73 Atlantik-Hubert-

R 1 3

'-|--|

2 4

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If you want to retain a sensible ride and still increase the handling limits, I would install a quality spring like an H&R or Eibach. Then go with a hydraulic or low preessure gas strut/shock configuration and moderate size bars. You'll find that the low pressure gas or hydraulic strut/shock configuration will "swallow" the bumps much better. Couple that with fresh rubber bushings and steering components and that car will feel nice and precise.

Cris

Proud member #113

The rides!

www.cardomain.com/ride/792851

www.cardomain.com/ride/792793

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Just put big fat sway bars on front and back and leave the rest. I have adjustable Koni's on my 02, you could put them and adjust to firm or soft to suit. Also a 1602 is lighter than a regular 02, so the Bavauto springs may not bottom out. Let me know what you decide, my 1602 needs sways as well. Beaner7102

1971 - 2002 RHD VIN 1653940. Agave (stock with Pertronix & 32/36 Weber) - "Cactus"

1972 - 1602 RHD VIN 1554408. Fjord (with 2L motor, 5spd & LSD - Weber 40/40 to come) - "Bluey"

1984 - E30 318i VIN WBAAK320208722176 - stock daily driver

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Word around here is that new bilstein sports are dampened the same as the HD's but have more travel to accomodate lowering the car. I bought a pair and they seemed to compress easier than I remembered. Another possibility for you may be some type of progressive spring that stiffens up as it is compressed.

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I second the sway bars. My 68 1600 felt like a big fat Volvo 240 heeling into corners. The front sway bar made a huge difference. Rear sway bar is soon to come 20 years after I added the front. The mounts were on the 1600 for the fronts but the holes weren't in the rear subframe and the tabs weren't on the rear trailing arms for the rear sway bar.

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