Some advice needed.

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   Hi. I've been reading posts here for the past couple of weeks since I bought my E36 320i and i've learned loads.
Just wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice:
Just had a full service done by my mechanic and he found what seems to be the usual problems with the suspension and bushings. He has replaced the bushings that needed doing but the springs in the back are just about gone and the shocks need doing also. I thought I'd look on ebay and I found a lowering kit that seems to have all the bits that I need (shocks and springs all around) for 225 euro delivered. It will also lower my car by 40 mm. this is the ebay listing 170225539301.
My question is: will I regret buying this or should I just buy the standard stuff here? I know very little about this kinda thing so any advice from you guys would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Mick.

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TurnsOutIwas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30-July-2008 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote TurnsOutIwas Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Some advice needed. Posted: 01-August-2008 at 16:00
	Hi. I've been reading posts here for the past couple of weeks since I bought my E36 320i and i've learned loads. Just wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice: Just had a full service done by my mechanic and he found what seems to be the usual problems with the suspension and bushings. He has replaced the bushings that needed doing but the springs in the back are just about gone and the shocks need doing also. I thought I'd look on ebay and I found a lowering kit that seems to have all the bits that I need (shocks and springs all around) for 225 euro delivered. It will also lower my car by 40 mm. this is the ebay listing 170225539301. My question is: will I regret buying this or should I just buy the standard stuff here? I know very little about this kinda thing so any advice from you guys would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance, Mick.

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540 V8 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Lick my badge Joined: 07-December-2005 Location: Running the asylum Status: Offline Points: 2280	Post Options Post Reply Quote 540 V8 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-August-2008 at 23:32
	You pay your money and take your chance.When buying non genuine or unknown brand names it can be a lottery. My advice would be to decide exactly what you want for your car then with that in mind, research who makes/sells what you want and ask advice (the 3 series technical section would be a good start!) Personal experience speaks volumes when looking for the right thing, especially when the market is flooded with hundreds of makes and varying quality of parts. Good luck in your quest! Mike
	Current:E34 540i Touring 6 speed manual(Mpower bodykit & suspension)& Chrysler Voyager 3.3 V6 auto Previous:E34 530iSE AC Schnitzer suspension. E28 525e auto-Standard

Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nigel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-August-2008 at 23:35
	A warm welcome to the forum. "Advice" is going to be difficult, it'll all probably be personal taste My own opinion is that BMW (in this case) spent millions designing that car, so you'll probably have about the best all round suspension system with standard kit, lowering the car will perhaps improve some aspects of the drive (possibly cornering ?), but will sacrifice other aspects (possibly ride comfort ?). In the UK it would also be insurance notifiable, and would probably be subject to an increased insurance cost.
	Best Wishes Nigel

steven.seed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 24-June-2005 Location: Sale, Cheshire Status: Offline Points: 1507	Post Options Post Reply Quote steven.seed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-August-2008 at 08:59
	Hi there, welcome to the forum, As said previously its all about personal taste. A few years ago I bought an E36 318i that had lowering springs fitted. I was not keen on the ride and the twitchy handling and put bmw std springs back on it. The ride quality and handling was much better and all I did to improve the looks was put slightly bigger wheels on it. Lowering is more of a style thing bringing the car closer to the ground rather than fitting a bodykit. If your going to take the car on a track and want better handling most suspension kits don't so much lower the car as stiffen up the suspension to improve handling. My advice would be if its for looks then OK lower it and suffer the poor ride but if you want better ride and handling stick with std.
	1998 E36 318iS Saloon 1989 E30 318i. Coupe 2000 E39 520i Touring

TurnsOutIwas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30-July-2008 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote TurnsOutIwas Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-August-2008 at 09:25
	Right thanks for the advice. I'm gonna have to think about this one. I thought it was a bit too good to be true. TBH I have no real interest in taking it on the track so the handling aspects are not too relevant. I just want to get the car right but without spending all my money; the lowering was just an addition to the cheap kit. Thinking now I'll just do the back with oem spec from GSF and do the front next month when i get paid again. Thanks for the help-I'm sure I'm gonna be back with more questions. So much to learn....

thepits Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-July-2003 Location: far far away Status: Offline Points: 10000473	Post Options Post Reply Quote thepits Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-August-2008 at 10:19
	- I agree with ^^^^ if you are going to use it on the road, then IMHO leave it standard. Enjoy
	Cats know your every thought. But don't care.

TurnsOutIwas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30-July-2008 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote TurnsOutIwas Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-August-2008 at 10:24
	Oh I will once I get all this sorted, remove the tow bar and figure out a way to keep the neighbours cat off it-I'm gonna have a sweet motor for a change.