Shocks and Struts E36

[emanuelme]

I am in the market for new struts... Wondering what you all use and recommend... Also, I imagine they are replaced in pairs (front or back). Is it necessary to replace all four?

Also, wondering where you get your parts. I need a new starter...

[MartinBlank]

I'm also looking to replace suspension parts in the next month or so. I'm still learning , but based on what I've read here, I think the most popular are the H&R Sport springs and the Bilstein Sport struts/shocks.

I think I'll get H&R OE Sport springs instead, though, since I don't want to lower mine much. But I'll stick with the Bilstein sport struts.

I've also learned through searching this forum that the rear shock mounts are a weak point, so I'll be replacing those as well (still not sure whether E46, Ground Control, Rouge, etc.).

[PJBIMMER]

ok guys, I recently did the front suspension in my 328i, I went with Bilstein Heavy Duty Struts and my stock springs, they are stiffer than the touring struts, so if you want a bit of a stiffer ride than stock setup, do the same as I did.
I'm very happy with it, performance is awsome!!:thumbup:

[E36 Phantom]

I'm also looking to replace suspension parts in the next month or so. I'm still learning , but based on what I've read here, I think the most popular are the H&R Sport springs and the Bilstein Sport struts/shocks.

I think I'll get H&R OE Sport springs instead, though, since I don't want to lower mine much. But I'll stick with the Bilstein sport struts.

I've also learned through searching this forum that the rear shock mounts are a weak point, so I'll be replacing those as well (still not sure whether E46, Ground Control, Rouge, etc.).

Check to make sure the sport struts are compatible with the OEM springs. Since the sport struts are probably designed for shorter springs, you may end up getting a very soft ride since the struts will be heavily extended. Make sure they are the right length for the spring :) Too short of a strut and you get a soft ride, and you risk destroying it if the car takes a high rebound and pulls the piston up too far. Too long of a strut and you'll create too much pressure inside it and blow it within a few weeks.

[MartinBlank]

:yikes:

Thanks for the tip, Phantom. Yeah, I don't want to mismatch them that way. The description of these springs says it lowers the front about an inch and the back about 0.5".

I asked Gary at Tire Rack which Bilstein struts they should be paired with for an E36: The HD or the Sport. He said either would be ok, so I thought I'd go for better handling Sports. I may have to research this combination further.

Your sig says you have the H&R Sport springs. How much did they lower your car and which Bilstein struts did you use with them?

[bounzing_soulz]

I personally this is the least painless way to go if your looking to upgrade suspension...

<a href="http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?&make=H%26R&model=Sport+Cup+Suspension+Kit&group=Sport+Cup+Suspension+Kit&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=328is&autoYear=1996&autoModClar=&partNum=31005.2&perfCode=S">
"H&R Sport Cup" </a>

relatively inexpensive and they will match perfectly

but just a thought :thumbup:

[E36 Phantom]

:yikes:

Thanks for the tip, Phantom. Yeah, I don't want to mismatch them that way. The description of these springs says it lowers the front about an inch and the back about 0.5".

I asked Gary at Tire Rack which Bilstein struts they should be paired with for an E36: The HD or the Sport. He said either would be ok, so I thought I'd go for better handling Sports. I may have to research this combination further.

Your sig says you have the H&R Sport springs. How much did they lower your car and which Bilstein struts did you use with them?
I don't know for sure that the Bilstein Sport's aren't compatible with OE springs, just thought I'd mention that you should double check it, since AFAIK they are deigned for a bit shorter springs. It may not be an issue though. According to BavAuto.com's description of the sport shocks, they ARE designed for use with lowering springs, so I personally would be hesitant to use them. To be entirely honest, I don't remember, I'll check the receipts later, but since I'm dropped 1" front & 1.5" rear, I'm sure it was Sports.

[MartinBlank]

Phantom, when I say OE springs, I mean the "H&R OE Sport" springs (link (http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?&make=H%26R&model=OE+Sport+Spring+Set&group=OE+Sport+Spring+Set&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=328is&autoYear=1997&autoModClar=&partNum=50424.55&perfCode=P)). This product slots between stock springs and their Sport springs that you have. It should drop the car only an inch in front and a half inch in back, depending on which web site's description you read.

But, yeah, I agree, with stock OEM springs, I'd have to go with the HD struts.

Just for fun, I called Rasmussen BMW here in Portland, and they quoted me $1900 parts and labor for stock struts/shocks/springs (although I would omit the springs and save $400), and $2100 parts and labor for Dinan stage 1 with Bilstein. A buddy referred me to a local shop that specializes in BMWs, so I'll call them for a quote as well.

Soulz, that cup suspension kit is cool, and it's a good price. I don't think I want to lower mine that much, though. But they do have a Touring (http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?&make=H%26R&model=Touring+Cup+Suspension+Kit&group=Touring+Cup+Suspension+Kit&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=328is&autoYear=1997&autoModClar=&partNum=31005T.2&perfCode=P) version, that lowers a little less. It also says that models with M-Technik will have less lowering. Would my 328is coupe have an M-Technik suspension standard? Or is that an option?

[odin328]

I run Bilstein HD's w/ stock springs and couldn't be happier with the results, although I would like the car to sit a bit lower. The handling is awesome as well as ride quality. I would not hesitate to recommend them. I got mine at Bavauto.com, as I do most of my parts. I installed the shocks myself (all 4) plus HD RSM's (an absolute must) I used a Haynes manual as well as 101 performance upgrades for your BMW 3series. (another must). Available at PelicanParts.com. The latter having very detailed Color pics and detailed instructions. I have never done this before and I have not had any problems from doing the job myself. I would recommend doing the job yourself and saving a bundle of cash, as long as you are mechanically inclined and have the proper tools and instructions. It is not that hard of a job, just time consuming and you need to make sure everything is done right

[bounzing_soulz]

Soulz, that cup suspension kit is cool, and it's a good price. I don't think I want to lower mine that much, though. But they do have a Touring (http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?&make=H%26R&model=Touring+Cup+Suspension+Kit&group=Touring+Cup+Suspension+Kit&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=328is&autoYear=1997&autoModClar=&partNum=31005T.2&perfCode=P) version, that lowers a little less. It also says that models with M-Technik will have less lowering. Would my 328is coupe have an M-Technik suspension standard? Or is that an option?

if i were you I wouldnt get the touring. the suspension is a less stiff and not worth the money apparently. 2" is a lot... i actually didnt realize it was that much. I am not quite sure about the Mtech kit. I think the IS would... but not quite sure... maybe somone else can shine some light on the situation.

[E36 Phantom]

Phantom, when I say OE springs, I mean the "H&R OE Sport" springs (link (http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?&make=H%26R&model=OE+Sport+Spring+Set&group=OE+Sport+Spring+Set&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=328is&autoYear=1997&autoModClar=&partNum=50424.55&perfCode=P)). This product slots between stock springs and their Sport springs that you have. It should drop the car only an inch in front and a half inch in back, depending on which web site's description you read.

But, yeah, I agree, with stock OEM springs, I'd have to go with the HD struts.
-----
It also says that models with M-Technik will have less lowering. Would my 328is coupe have an M-Technik suspension standard? Or is that an option?
Oh, oops. Didn't realize the "OE Sport" would drop the car. Haha. Funny name for semi-lowering springs. Anyway, with that minimal of a drop, I think you could actually go either way. Its not such a long reach as stock that you'd be over extending the Sport struts, and its not too much of a drop that you'd be over compressing the OE shocks. I guess in your case I would run the OE Sports over Bilstein Sports, should provide a nice ride.

if i were you I wouldnt get the touring. the suspension is a less stiff and not worth the money apparently. 2" is a lot... i actually didnt realize it was that much. I am not quite sure about the Mtech kit. I think the IS would... but not quite sure... maybe somone else can shine some light on the situation.

To answer you and Martin's question, just because it is an "is" doesn't mean it has the sport package :(. In the US they gave the "is" moniker to all coupes and no sedans, although everywhere else the s means sport, and can be applied to both coupes and sedans....:rolleyes: You can know if you have the sport suspension if you have the 16" 10 spokes instead of the 15" mesh, and the sport seats and LSD.

[bounzing_soulz]

Oh, oops. Didn't realize the "OE Sport" would drop the car. Haha. Funny name for semi-lowering springs. Anyway, with that minimal of a drop, I think you could actually go either way. Its not such a long reach as stock that you'd be over extending the Sport struts, and its not too much of a drop that you'd be over compressing the OE shocks. I guess in your case I would run the OE Sports over Bilstein Sports, should provide a nice ride.



To answer you and Martin's question, just because it is an "is" doesn't mean it has the sport package :(. In the US they gave the "is" moniker to all coupes and no sedans, although everywhere else the s means sport, and can be applied to both coupes and sedans....:rolleyes: You can know if you have the sport suspension if you have the 16" 10 spokes instead of the 15" mesh, and the sport seats and LSD.

well i did have the 10 spoke... so woot woot

[MartinBlank]

I've got the 15" wheels and regular steering wheel and seats. So I don't have the M Technik. Too bad, the LSD would be nice...

Thanks for the advise, odin. I couldn't decide at first if I would keep my springs or not. I finally decided that my commute was challenging enough to warrant a little more sportiness, and since I'll be keeping the car for a while I could budget a good chuck of money for the suspension. That's also the reason while I'll have the work done by a shop. If I had a second car, and wasn't doing springs, I think it would be fun to try the upgrade myself.

I talked the independent shop today, and they quoted $200 less for the H&R setup vs. dealership OEM, and $100 less for the Dinan stage 1. Both dealership and independent sang praise of the Dinan package, which they said only drops the car about 0.5".

The guy at Pacific Motorsports said H&R and Eibach and everyone else get their springs from the same manufacturer, they just vary the spring rate to suit them. Whereas Dinan gets their springs from a Japanese maker. Interesting tid-bit, not sure if it's true or not.

So, at this point, I'm leaning toward the Dinan suspension, based on the ride/handling balance and ride height I'm looking for and the recommendations of the two shops.

Anyone else heard about Dinan stage 1 suspension, good or bad? Or have driven a car with it installed? I didn't turn up much with the search tool.

[E36 Phantom]

Well, Dinan makes good products, but I highly doubt you'll ever notice a difference. Keep in mind that often times major compnaies will offer bonuses/invoice discounts to shops that move more of their products. IE, say BMW buys 5 Stage 1 sets from Dinan for a total of $1,000 and sells them all for $2,000. Now, say they really do a big push on Dinan products and upsell them, and they sell out of all the Stage 1's in 2 weeks. When they reorder from Dinan, because they moved the last set fast, say Dinan discounts it and gives it to BMW for $800, and they still turn around and sell them for a total of $2,000. Not necessarily whats happening, but that kind of thing DOES happen, and its NOT to your advantage.

Also, think about it: regardless of who H&R gets their springs from, they're still renowned and function extremely well. I think you'd be fine going with their OE Sports and pocketing the extra hundred. Dinan products, as a general rule, are much more pricey than they're worth ;)

[MartinBlank]

I hear what you're saying. I always take the opinions of shops and salesmen with a grain of salt since I'll never know their motivation.

I've also cooled to the idea of Dinan Stage 1. Not because of the price. Just because my search turned up such a low volume of reviews on the forums. Most are buried in "overpriced" rants. But after sifting through those, most say they make fine stuff. I was initially turned on by their claims of "superior handling...dampened ride...modestly lower ride." All things I'm looking for.

But there is just such a high volume of raves for the H&R/Bilstein combination. Everyone likes them, no one has anything bad to say, and they seem to be by far the most popular. So, for now, this setup would be my front runner. I'd just get the OE version to keep the drop to a minimum.

Now I'm wondering, if I have the budget for Dinan, maybe I could get the Bilstein PSS9 coil over kit. It might even be a tad more expensive than Dinan, but I'd be willing to spend it if it meets my needs, although I thought that coil overs were mostly for track use. From what I've read, the drop is adjustable from 1 to 2 inches. Anyone have experience with the PSS9? Or is this totally out of my league if I'm looking for street use and some comfort?

[MartinBlank]

So much time spent searching...

Ok, coil overs are out. Dinan is out. OE Sport is out (if I'm gunna do it, it should look done, right?).

Now I am deciding between the H&R Sport w/ Bilstein setup, or the UUC Motorwerks Sachs Suspension Kit that I have recently discovered.

Both seem like they will accomplish the task of improving handling while providing a civil street ride. And a little over an inch of lowering isn't too for speed bumps, I don't think.

[E36 Phantom]

Well, I'm happy with the H&R Sports with Bilstein Sports. I honestly do not know anything about the UUC kit, sorry. The 1" rear, 1.5" front has really not been an issue for me. I'd say go for it.