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Plugin 
Newbie
Joined: 08-January-2005
Location: Poole, Dorset
Status: Offline
Points: 10
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 Topic: Advice needed on lowering my E30
Posted: 08-January-2005 at 12:52 |
Hi All
I'm new to the club, and have just bought my first car (1989 318i). I want to do a few mods to it but am having trouble with what to do about lowering it.
Does anyone have any advice on what spring to use and by how much should I lower it? Also, will I need to change the standard shocks on it as well?
Cheers,
Brett
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Simon325i sport
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 13-November-2003
Location: South Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 1022
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Posted: 08-January-2005 at 14:57 |
First of all welcome to the club.
I would advise to change the dampers when changing the springs, especially for lowered ones, so that the dampers will be matched to the springs.
I suppose it depends on your budget, GSF (German Swedish and French car parts) do a good kit which includes dampers and springs for about £200.
This kit will lower the car by about 30-40mm, I wouldn't advise going any lower than that.
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thepits
Moderator Group
Joined: 09-July-2003
Location: far far away
Status: Offline
Points: 10000473
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Posted: 09-January-2005 at 16:52 |
I agree with Simon325i sport, change the dampers & Springs at the same time.
When I had my E30 325iSE, i changed them both, all round, to the proper BMW Mtec original stuff - not as expensive as you may think - and it did a great job
(Well it should have done, shouldn't it?  )
I chucked away the old SP*X stuff that some muppet had put on because if was cr*p! 
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Plugin
Newbie
Joined: 08-January-2005
Location: Poole, Dorset
Status: Offline
Points: 10
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Posted: 10-January-2005 at 04:53 |
Thanks guys, thats a big help - one other question though... what size wheels do you have?
Brett
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thepits
Moderator Group
Joined: 09-July-2003
Location: far far away
Status: Offline
Points: 10000473
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Posted: 11-January-2005 at 15:54 |
 Plugin wrote:
Thanks guys, thats a big help - one other question though... what size wheels do you have? Brett |
Ah yes, go on open a minefield then, here we go, I can see this thread going for A.G.E.S...now!
You see it's not the size of the Wheel that matters, but the size of Wheel & Tyre - the bottom line is that the overall rolling diameter should be the same - or close as possible - to the standard configuration. Then the speedo is still right, and the ride height is still the same - clear?
The bigger the wheel, the skinnier the tyre, the harder the ride - you takes your choice.........etc etc.. 
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Kevin_E30_318iS
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 14-December-2002
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 883
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Posted: 11-January-2005 at 16:06 |
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Original BBS 15" cross-spoke alloys I think look the best on an E30. The tyre size for these is 205-55 R15 and you will get a relatively comfortable ride. If you go for 17" alloys, you will need very low profile tyres which can give rise to tramlining over poor surfaces.
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Kevin_1990_318iS
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thepits
Moderator Group
Joined: 09-July-2003
Location: far far away
Status: Offline
Points: 10000473
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Posted: 11-January-2005 at 17:35 |
kevin_1990_316i wrote:
Original BBS 15" cross-spoke alloys I think look the best on an E30. The tyre size for these is 205-55 R15 and you will get a relatively comfortable ride. |
I agree, or possibly 16" BBS (which I think were options?)
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Plugin
Newbie
Joined: 08-January-2005
Location: Poole, Dorset
Status: Offline
Points: 10
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Posted: 13-January-2005 at 19:05 |
At the moment I have 16" BMW 5 Spoke alloys with normal type tyres on, think I'll stick with these.
thanks for all your help guys, advise has helped alot... turns out i have a GSF Car parts store within walking distance of my house!!!
thanks again
brett
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325i Ron
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 26-February-2003
Location: Bristol
Status: Offline
Points: 286
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Posted: 14-January-2005 at 14:47 |
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One thing not mentioned here is if you lower the car and put bigger wheels on you will need to adjust the geometry. Its adjustable in the front on an E30 but not the rear. You can get adjustable bush's for the rear but its not easy to do. When I lowred and put 16" wheels on my old 316i the rear tyres were worn on the inside.
Welome to the world of the E30.
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Ron Parish
(E30 Register Chairman)
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thepits
Moderator Group
Joined: 09-July-2003
Location: far far away
Status: Offline
Points: 10000473
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Posted: 22-January-2005 at 17:11 |
325i Ron wrote:
One thing not mentioned here is if you lower the car and put bigger wheels on you will need to adjust the geometry. Its adjustable in the front on an E30 but not the rear. You can get adjustable bush's for the rear but its not easy to do. When I lowred and put 16" wheels on my old 316i the rear tyres were worn on the inside.
Welcome to the world of the E30. |
Not quite right 325i Ron - just lowering the car will upset the geometry. 
But as luck would have it, I just happen to have a pattern for adjustable rear bushes.
But be warned, when they were swapped out on my good old 325iSE (Bless her!) it took 6 hours to do!! 
But it did cure the lack of tread on the inside within 5K! so I suppose it was worth it 
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orkboss
Senior Member I
Joined: 07-November-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 135
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Posted: 27-January-2005 at 13:01 |
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My BBS alloys are 14", I think that is the standard fit for the E30
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thepits
Moderator Group
Joined: 09-July-2003
Location: far far away
Status: Offline
Points: 10000473
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Posted: 01-February-2005 at 16:11 |
orkboss wrote:
My BBS alloys are 14", I think that is the standard fit for the E30 |
Don't think so - although I'm ready to be corrected!
14" BBS Standard on 318iS, but 15" otherwise?? 
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Cats know your every thought.
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Mark R
Really Senior Member I
Wimborne, Dorset
Joined: 24-February-2003
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 436
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Posted: 01-February-2005 at 16:37 |
thepits wrote:
orkboss wrote:
My BBS alloys are 14", I think that is the standard fit for the E30 |
Don't think so - although I'm ready to be corrected!
14" BBS Standard on 318iS, but 15" otherwise?? |
OK Steel wheels were standard wheels on most cars, 318iS included (But the iS did come with unique wheel trims!) Although i co believe 14" alloys became standard fit on the later 318iS.
14" alloys were standard fit on Lux models & 320/325 cabs/tourers/se
15" alloys were standard on 325i sports
alloys were available on all models at a extra cost (approx £620 for 14" & £1k for 15")
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Mark Roberts 
E30 318iS
Wessex Region Secretary
E30 Registrar & committee member
Someone left a note on my windscreen. It read 'Parking Fine' that was nice
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GStanley
Senior Member II
Joined: 07-February-2005
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 175
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Posted: 08-February-2005 at 12:32 |
I have a 316 e30 1800 carb 2dr. I have lowered it 40mm and fitted 17" wheels with 215-40-17 tires o</TABLE>n it. Needed to use 5mm spacers on the front..
Recently i had to put my car through the NCT and had to put on 14" bbs wheels because my tires were bald. There is no comparison on handling, the 14's are far better for handling, acceleration etc. Dont think i will do the 17 thing again. Depends what you are into though....!!!! -edited-
1987 1800ccBlue (Pearl Lacquer) with Beige InteriorChrome Trim VersionAbsolutely Mint Inside and OutResprayed 2 Years ago and fully restoredNew Interior - Retrimmed rear seats, Cobra Sidewinders (2 Months old)Weber CarbK&N FilterStainless Scorpion DTM Exhaust System (2Weeks Old)17" Wheel Mania Vortex WheelsJust Passed NCT New Springs, Shocks, Top MountsAlpine Head Unit, Sony 6x9's
  
Edited by Rhys
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96 Subaru Impreza WRX Estate
e30 325 Track Car
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GStanley
Senior Member II
Joined: 07-February-2005
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 175
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Posted: 08-February-2005 at 12:53 |
Really sorry lads....!!!!!
Just after posting up this reply i went to the thread on advertising on the site - or lack of it...!!!! Tried to delete this reply but to no avail. Please delete it if ye feel necessary.
Apologies...
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96 Subaru Impreza WRX Estate
e30 325 Track Car
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Rhys
Moderator Group
Coffee addict...
Joined: 02-February-2003
Location: from the Latin locÄtiÅ
Status: Offline
Points: 10053
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Posted: 08-February-2005 at 17:46 |
Don't worry, I've deleted the price.
BTW, your sig says £18is 9just in case you had missed it)
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V reg Rustbucket Merc C220 Cdi estate
J Reg Saab 900i 16v
'63 Ford Anglia 105e deluxe
R reg Honda PC50 moped..
No BMW as yet...
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GStanley
Senior Member II
Joined: 07-February-2005
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 175
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Posted: 08-February-2005 at 18:05 |
Thanks for that Rhys... i.e. for the deleting and the £ and 3 mix up cheers bud.!!!
Oh ya, PLUGIN. Never mentioned that i did not have to do any modifications to the arches either just the spacers. Still quite a good lock on her too.
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96 Subaru Impreza WRX Estate
e30 325 Track Car
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Advice needed on lowering my E30