e36 Suspension Refresh

[Chris]

Forgive me if this has been brought up in another thread... just looking to get some input on the future suspension refresh on my 96 BMW 328is. I want a basic, relatively stock setup that keeps about the same ride comfort and ride height- basically how I imagine the car was new. I've just crossed 100k so it needs some updating. Here are my potential plans, if these combinations are possible:

1. Ideal setup (I think)- Bilstein Sport front and rear shocks with H&R OE Sport springs. The sport shocks say they should be matched with stiffer springs and a lower suspension- how true is this? The OE sport springs I just came across tonight (maybe these are considered the BMW sport package type springs??). I only thought Bilstein made the more aggressive sport springs. The OE sport springs lower the front about 1 inch and the rear about .5 inches- not bad I suppose- realistic for daily driving?. The sport springs lower the car 1.5" front/1" rear- probably too much for my daily use.

Parts here:
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2. Another option is to go with Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks and either these OE sport springs or basic OEM springs. I don't want to keep my current (original) springs- they need to be replaced.

Anyone have experience with these for a daily driver? The only application I've done before are Bilstein sport shocks and H&R race springs on my e30. Thanks!!

[BLINGMW]

Just curious what makes you insist the current springs are done. :dunno: I'm in the springs-last-forever-if-the-aren't-abused camp.
If it's a DD and you don't really want to lower it, I'd stick with the stock springs. In that case, the Bilstein HDs will be fine. The only difference between the HD and the sport though is length, not valving. Both are stiffer than stock, but I think they match up well enough with stock springs.
Take the $ saved on springs and look to bushings. If the control arm bushings haven't been done, they need to be. And your control arm joints, if original, are about to go too. Then look to engine, trans, and rear trailing arm bushings and you'll have a "new" car again. If your rear trailing arm bushings appear to be ok, there are some inserts that surround them that are cheaper and much easier to install. I recommend urethane for all of them, if for nothing else other than ease of installation.

[Chris]

Good point, thanks Chan. If the rear of my car is currently sagging, that would most likely be the shocks or springs? That is why I assumed the springs needed replacement. It doesn't sound like there would be any other major benefits to replacing them unless they lowered the car?

I recently did all the bushings up front, so I could focus on the rear and other bushings you mentioned.

[BLINGMW]

If the rear of my car is currently sagging, that would most likely be the shocks or springs?

Well it wouldn't be the shocks or shock mounts, those don't affect ride height. There's spring pads back there (top and bottom of each spring) that are responsible for maybe an inch though, you might want to make sure they're still there, and they're likely to be pretty squished by now. It's possible the springs are damaged I guess, my understanding is that unless the car's been bottoming out/overloaded, or the springs show signs of damage or severe rust, then they should be good "forever".

[D_Eclipse9916]

I personally beleive you should go Konis. Bilsteins ride a bit stiff comparatively because of their valving in the E36 application. A perfect combo is the Konis and OE sport springs, paired with Turner's Sway Bars.

[SlimKlim]

I'm with DJ, I really prefer the koni's to the bilsteins.

I'd definitely do the RTABs and then upgrade the rear shock mounts. The OEM ones are a ticking time bomb, but if you upgrade them once you'll never have to deal with them again, i have Rogue Engineering ones with like 80k on them and they still look new.

[Chris]

So my right rear corner was definitely bottomed out, dropped off the road by a previous owner. I've got to replace a slightly tweaked rear arm bracket. This is why I think the springs need replacing.

So koni's are good? Thanks for the suggestion. How come places like Bimmerworld, Turner, Pelican, Bavarian auto just sell bilstein's? Where is a good place to buy koni's from ?

[D_Eclipse9916]

So my right rear corner was definitely bottomed out, dropped off the road by a previous owner. I've got to replace a slightly tweaked rear arm bracket. This is why I think the springs need replacing.

So koni's are good? Thanks for the suggestion. How come places like Bimmerworld, Turner, Pelican, Bavarian auto just sell bilstein's? Where is a good place to buy koni's from ?

Most of them sell bilsteins because Konis are inserts, not full shock replacements.

Rear arm bracket? Is it the rear camber arm? I have plenty of those if you need any. Come grab one.

[BLINGMW]

So my right rear corner was definitely bottomed out, dropped off the road by a previous owner. I've got to replace a slightly tweaked rear arm bracket.

eh, I wouldn't be too concerned about that, those arms are delicate. :dunno:
I would think if the spring was damaged by such an event, there would be obvious wear between the coils from them crashing into each other. And if you're only suspect of one side, you COULD take them both out and see if they're the same height when unloaded, or even attempt to measure them. But if you've got them out... I would certianly see the arguement in having the replacement available. I don't like doing stuff twice either.

[Chris]

Not sure exactly what arm it is, but this is the bent section. It should be flush with the underside of the car. It is affecting the alignment, they haven't been able to get this corner into alignment.



view of the suspension- the arm is the one on the right that bolts under the car in front of the tire. I think if I replace this bent bracket, it will bring the arm back in line. The wheel sits slightly towards the back of the wheel well, as opposed to being centered.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Holy crap, never seen someone bend that. (Rear trailing arm bracket)

[BLINGMW]

yeah that's pretty sweet... :|
Well now I'd order trailing arm bushings and maybe go ahead and find a used bracket too

[Chris]

Yeah, crazy I know... So you think its best starting by replacing just the bracket, as opposed to the whole arm? I don't think I can handle doing the whole arm/hub assembly. I'm thinking a junk yard is a good place to source the bracket?

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yeah, crazy I know... So you think its best starting by replacing just the bracket, as opposed to the whole arm? I don't think I can handle doing the whole arm/hub assembly. I'm thinking a junk yard is a good place to source the bracket?

Never in my life have I seen someone hurt a rear trailing arm itself. That thing is incredibly strong. Just source the bracket out of any junkyard or parted out car. I wouldnt pay more than 15 bucks for it.

[Chris]

Cool, thanks a lot guys. Do you have a recommended place to purchase koni's from and what level shock? I see from the Koni website there is a street shock (orange) and sport (yellow), along with others. I remember from a few people at the track the adjustment of the yellows, I probably wouldn't need this for the street I suppose.

Also, where would you find new OE sport springs?

[D_Eclipse9916]

Cool, thanks a lot guys. Do you have a recommended place to purchase koni's from and what level shock? I see from the Koni website there is a street shock (orange) and sport (yellow), along with others. I remember from a few people at the track the adjustment of the yellows, I probably wouldn't need this for the street I suppose.

Also, where would you find new OE sport springs?

O I was going to say H+R OE sport springs, or however you say them.

If you arent looking for handling and just want something that will work, KYB Gas-a-justs + OE M3 springs would be nice. I am sure I have a set of OE m3 springs laying around here somewhere. A better shock WOULD be the Koni Orange or Yellow but involves more work + price. Tirerack would be the go to as they usually have 15% off during the year.

Or I have a set of H+R OE springs for sale for $115.

[Chris]

So a better shock option could be the koni orange? I would definitely like a handling improvement. Which spring would you recommend, H&R or the M3 springs? I'd be interested in buying either from you.

[Kaan]

search harder for koni prices... its technically the spring discount time right now.