Shocks/Springs... what setup do you have?

bmwfan2304 · Post by **bmwfan2304** » Mar 03, 2005 3:34 PM

i want to put some koni's and eibach pro-series on my car, but i thought i would ask everyone what they thought of their setups first. oh, and is there a cheaper place to buy the koni's than say... tirerack? i wouldn't be able to afford that for forever.... and installation's probably spendy too!

thanks for all the input in advance!

Bryan

[Edit by bmwfan2304 on [TIME]1109882126[/TIME]]

bmwfan2304 · Post by **bmwfan2304** » Mar 03, 2005 3:39 PM

do i HAVE to get new shocks in order to put on new springs? i've never really cleared that up before, it just seems everyone does both. i know that's the best way, but maybe just for a little while i could lower it without the shocks??? i dunno...

Bryan

kendogg1 · Post by **kendogg1** » Mar 03, 2005 3:42 PM

Well, if you keep stock shocks, they may end up leaking, or not working 100% properly, because they will be partially compressed 100% of the time, since you will be lowering it. It may work for some time, but, not very long. If you can't afford both, just buy the springs, let them sit in a closet till you get the money for shocks.

bmwfan2304 · Post by **bmwfan2304** » Mar 03, 2005 3:46 PM

[QUOTE="kendogg"]Well, if you keep stock shocks, they may end up leaking, or not working 100% properly, because they will be partially compressed 100% of the time, since you will be lowering it. It may work for some time, but, not very long. If you can't afford both, just buy the springs, let them sit in a closet till you get the money for shocks. [/QUOTE]

that's what i'll probably end up doing, add to my "car corner" in my room. so far i have a set of 18x8 wheels with no tires, some euro bumpers (by friday), an old flywheel and an extra right side rubber piece for the front bumper... who know's what else i have over there.... lol...

bmwfan2304 · Post by **bmwfan2304** » Mar 03, 2005 4:52 PM

but back to my origional subject... what setup do you have/like/prefer on your car?

BDK · Post by **BDK** » Mar 03, 2005 5:48 PM

Have you called Steve Haygood for your Koni prices, he is the man on the Konis. Good guy, good prices and good service.....

I am running Koni adj's (from Steve) with Bav-Autos......

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Steve Haygood · Post by **Steve Haygood** » Mar 03, 2005 7:22 PM

Koni all way round, with Mtechnic on the rear and H&R on the front, It's nice and is what I want. I simpler approach and one that I like is ST springs with Bilstein sports on the rear and Koni adjustable on the front. I got all of it so pick and chose and we'll ship it to ya !

[Edit by Steve Haygood on [TIME]1109895779[/TIME]]

lino · Post by **lino** » Mar 04, 2005 3:41 AM

I have Bilstein sports and Eibach Springs. Very tight combination that I'm happy with. Never had Koni or H&R to compare.

Aaron from Aus · Post by **Aaron from Aus** » Mar 04, 2005 4:06 AM

I have koni Red all around (custom built in the rear beyond sport spec and shortened...same with the fronnt soon) and Eibach pro-kit.

ATM i am having problems with the rears though..some clunking.

but dont let that put you off! I am extremly happy with the handling...although with the harder rear shocks..the front feels soft with just plain Koni reds and not rebuilt to custom spec.

To be honest if i could do it all again id go Bilstein Sprint line (or B8 spec is the other term) they are the only off the shelf pre shortened for lowered springs.

Like the others have said..Steve haygood...im in Aus and hav bought parts off him...very good.

C.R. Krieger · Post by **C.R. Krieger** » Mar 04, 2005 3:24 PM

kendogg wrote:Well, if you keep stock shocks, they may end up leaking, or not working 100% properly, because they will be partially compressed 100% of the time, since you will be lowering it.

Huh? 'Partially compressed' shocks? That can only matter with a gas shock and even then, I doubt if it has any effect on it. A shock absorber's purpose is to dampen motion, not support weight. Unless it is gas-charged, a shock will stay wherever you put it in its travel (and it won't think any less of you). The only real threat of damage to a shock from using shorter springs is bottoming it out and physically whacking parts inside. Oddly, AFAIK, only Bilstein deems that enough of a threat that they make a shorter shock.

It may work for some time, but, not very long. If you can't afford both, just buy the springs, let them sit in a closet till you get the money for shocks.

Sorry; no. It will work indefinitely unless you actually bottom the shocks.

TT · Post by TT » Mar 04, 2005 3:46 PM

On the 535i I just sold, I had Bilstein Sports with Suspension Techniques springs. Also rfeplaced all rubber mounts and bushings. I thought the ride was very nice, not too hard but in no way soft. Made the car feel like another car altogether. Handled very nice, felt flat in turns. Allowed for nice acceleration out of turns. I would highly recommend this setup. I will be putting the same setup on my euro M5 soon.

HTH

John · Post by **John** » Mar 04, 2005 4:10 PM

I drive plenty of dirt roads and clearance is a problem where I live so I stick with the stock springs (but you couild get a plate) I like the Bilstein HDs for my driving style (fast!) and the stock springs and big sway bars. The ride and handling is great.

Cacatfish · Post by **Cacatfish** » Mar 04, 2005 4:28 PM

Bilstein Sports/Eibachs. I like the setup, not too harsh and pretty firm. Sway bars make a big improvement in handling and big increase in ride rigidity.
Old stock shocks with sport springs will give you kind of a "pogo" ride and handling will be affected.

bmwfan2304 · Post by **bmwfan2304** » Mar 04, 2005 7:05 PM

[QUOTE="Steve Haygood"]Koni all way round, with Mtechnic on the rear and H&R on the front, It's nice and is what I want. I simpler approach and one that I like is ST springs with Bilstein sports on the rear and Koni adjustable on the front. I got all of it so pick and chose and we'll ship it to ya ![/QUOTE]

I would like to go with koni's (mainly because i've heard so much good about them) and the only reason i would like eibach is because of the stance. but if you have reccomendations that would achieve that same stance with better handling or something i'd be happy to hear it! i want to make sure i do this right! the first time

Aaron from Aus · Post by **Aaron from Aus** » Mar 05, 2005 4:33 AM

instead of the Eibach Pro Kit....see if they have a Eiabach Sportline Kit (thats there high performance kit) im not sure if they have it for the E28 though...should make it sit lower in the front.

Monotalonawd · Post by **Monotalonawd** » Mar 05, 2005 10:52 PM

I have Eibach Sportline springs on one of my car and they're generally not considered like "performance" springs. More for the person who wants the look over the racing handling as they lower more than the Pro-kit and usually they're priced less. For handling and performance, the Pro-kit is the way to go.

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canyoncarver · Post by **canyoncarver** » Mar 05, 2005 10:59 PM

RD green springs at all 4 corners, bilstein sports front, with e34 bilstein sports in the rear.
ST 25/19mm bars set soft.
factory offset strut mounts (soon to be replaced w/camber plates)(
BAS front strut bar
RTS red poly bushings front.
poly filled subframe bushings...

Evan · Post by **Evan** » Mar 06, 2005 1:55 AM

I run Koni Yellows (adj) and Bav Auto lowering springs.....however I am thinking about going with CG coil overs with my koni's......as I am getting the car into track mode. But really, for the price, the bav auto springs are great! I got them in the spring time when they were on sale for $179.99...they should be getting marked down soon.

Monotalonawd · Post by **Monotalonawd** » Mar 06, 2005 9:52 AM

[QUOTE="Evan"]the bav auto springs are great! I got them in the spring time when they were on sale for $179.99...they should be getting marked down soon. [/QUOTE]

Evan, I hope you're right 'cause those are the springs I wanted to buy for the 535i. Two weeks ago they were $199.99 and now they're $224.95.

On a side note, I really like your car. Is your front spoiler the stock one for an 535is? I want the same thing for mine!

C.R. Krieger · Post by **C.R. Krieger** » Mar 07, 2005 11:11 AM

[QUOTE="Evan"]I run Koni Yellows (adj) and Bav Auto lowering springs.....however I am thinking about going with CG coil overs with my koni's......as I am getting the car into track mode. But really, for the price, the bav auto springs are great! I got them in the spring time when they were on sale for $179.99...they should be getting marked down soon. [/QUOTE]

Evan, do your instructors a favor and learn how to drive your car to its limits as it is before you get it to all-out 'racecar mode'. I am still amazed that word hasn't gotten out that a car with higher handling limits is not the way to start out. In fact, I'm with Dave Farnsworth in my wish that BMW CCA could afford to buy a fleet of 2002s and E21s in which to teach driving.

Of course, if you've been on track before and you're just getting the car up to handle your personal capabilities (or you've been on track regularly and you are going racing), you already know this, know you can ignore me, and you won't be offended by it.

John In Valdosta · Post by **John In Valdosta** » Mar 10, 2005 10:59 AM

Since I am in the process of upgradeing my shocks and springs, I took particular interest in this thread. After doing some reading on the archives I came up with this:

Springs:
Softest to hardest:
M-Tech and Dinan (tie) - little lower and little stiffer
Bav Auto lower, but only a little stiffer
Eibach lower and stiffer
H&R lower and stiffer
RD lowest and stiffest
Ground Control Coil overs can be customized to any stiffness and ride height is adjustable

Dinan and groung control are the most expensive, all others in the $200 - $300 range. I know a few people using Suspension techniques, Spax, Jamex, B&G and others but none of them offered a comparison.

Shocks:
Boge - close to stock ride
KYB - close to stock ride
Bilstein HDs - stiffer but still very comfortable
Koni Reds - seem very similar to Bilstein HDs
Bilstein Sports - same compression and rebound rates but a shorter shaft, for use with lowering springs
Koni Yellows - Fully adjustable and very popular for that reason.

For performance upgrade most go with Koni yellows or bilstein sports. The Koni's are more expensive, adjustability comes at a higher price.

If anyone can add more to this please do.

Tammer in Philly · Post by **Tammer in Philly** » Mar 11, 2005 12:33 AM

[QUOTE="John In Valdosta"]Koni Yellows - Fully adjustable and very popular for that reason.

For performance upgrade most go with Koni yellows or bilstein sports. The Koni's are more expensive, adjustability comes at a higher price.

If anyone can add more to this please do.[/QUOTE]

The only thing I'd add is that "fully adjustable" is a bit of a misnomer. They are adjustable for rebound only, not compression. Only the fronts can be adjusted on the car; the rears have to be removed to be adjusted. Just so people know what they're buying.

I run the Koni Yellows with RD springs. They are low and stiff, but the shocks can be adjusted to "keep up" with the springs. In fact I think I need to stiffen the rebound on the rear a bit more. Once you find the sweet spots for different duties (street, autox, track, whatever) it's really nice; however you will likely have to play around a bit to find those spots.

-tammer

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

Shocks/Springs... what setup do you have?