E30 shocks, struts...: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Aug. 24, 2009 7:37 p.m. mtn Dork

Okay folks, spend me my money!

1991 BMW 318 Convertible. It doesn't need new shocks, but it will within a year. If all goes well, I'll have it down here at school for the last bit of the year which will get me at least three more autocrosses before the end of the year. What shocks would I need? Its a convertible, so its never going to be very competitive. I want something that will last a long time, not break, and is as easy as possible on the wallet. Would it make sense to do the struts at the same time? I'm not sure how they are, I'm doing this all from 150 miles away from the car and telling my dad what to do.
Aug. 24, 2009 9:30 p.m. JohnW New Reader

If you're on stock springs, go for Bilstein HDs or Konis. If you are lowering it, Bilstein Sports or Konis.

Also, stock e30 M3 springs will lower it about 3/4 inch and can be had used (s14.net) for about $100.

I have Bil. Sports and stock e30 m3 springs on my 91 318is and think it's a good, cheap set-up for a car that is mostly just a daily driver. I would of gone with Konis if the budget would have allowed.
Aug. 24, 2009 9:32 p.m. m4ff3w Dork

I ran Konis + Voghtlands. It was a pretty nice setup. I think I paid about $600 or a hair more for the setup new.
Aug. 24, 2009 9:51 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

or you can keep an eye on ebay for a set of Bilstien coilovers....

I got my PSS9s for$750 brand new.
Aug. 24, 2009 10:55 p.m. curtis73 HalfDork

I had bilstein sports on my E30 cabrio and loved them. Mine was lowered with H&R sports and it was a perfect match. A good hard pothole would loosen your teeth and cause some notable cowl flex, but in general they were just right. When I first got them they were a tad too stiff on the valving, but as they "broke in" they ended up being perfect.

As a sidenote, I would only recommend them with a practical combo of tire/wheel. If you're going for actual performance and you stick with 15" or 16" wheels, they're great. If you're going with 17" or more for looks, the unforgiving sidewall in combination with the stiffer shock would make for skittish limit handling. Mine with 215/50-15 michelin XGT-V4s on Momo 1000s was just right with a lean toward the competition end of things. I can imagine that combo on 17s being just downright tailhappy.
Aug. 25, 2009 7:19 a.m. z31maniac Dork

I'd say HR sports + Billie Sports, nice firm controlled ride, but won't be harsh.

I was running 350/500 with Konis on my coilovers and thought that was a nice setup on my 17s. I'll be curious to see what 550/750 setup handles like.