Need advice on suspension upgrades

Just purchased a 1987 325i convertible. Got it for cheap but needs some work. The shocks are shot and I have no control bouncing down the road. A friend told me to get new struts and shocks. Also thought about a spring kit. Should I get one that lowers the car or will that mesh with the handling? Lastly, if the bushings are bad, should I try to remove and replace or is it easier to just replace control arm.
My desire is to just have a good handling car that I can enjoy driving. I don't plan on racing it (yet), but don't want to put junk upgrades in case I decide to race in the future.

Ground control coilover kit. With race settings will inprove handling a bunch you'll have to buy shocks separate. I think GC is only making them for koni's these days so you'll have to find what you want other options are h&k, ebach, most people will tell you to but the race springs. Just that stiffest and will make your car handle better but you do lose the comfort factor. You could just refresh what you have, oem shocks, springs, and bushings. Possible some new hardware.

I've heard some good words about this http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/p...2-pro-kit.html Might wanna give it a look

I have used both Koni & Billstein for performance applications.
Since Billstein got it right with BMW in stock guise, that is what I'll use
On my 323 I will use B6 sport dampers with the stock b3 springs.
They have a huge range, if you also want to lower your vehicle.

I checked on a 4 wheel alignment and was quoted $118. But when I told the shop that I planned on installing sport lowering springs, I was told that a camber kit may be needed. They then told me that camber kits for this car may be $400 for front and then also for rear. If this is so, then I might not be able to afford springs, struts, alignment (necessary) and camber kit. So I elected to order Bilstein struts and shocks and just keep the stock springs ( I suppose I could always go back later and upgrade). There were 2 grades of bilstein shocks that fit my car - 1 was $176/each and 1 was called touring and was $106. If I want a sporty ride but not too rough will the touring strut be good or does that inply a soft ride that won't handle well?

Get sport!

Originally Posted by Jomer

I checked on a 4 wheel alignment and was quoted $118. But when I told the shop that I planned on installing sport lowering springs, I was told that a camber kit may be needed. They then told me that camber kits for this car may be $400 for front and then also for rear. If this is so, then I might not be able to afford springs, struts, alignment (necessary) and camber kit. So I elected to order Bilstein struts and shocks and just keep the stock springs ( I suppose I could always go back later and upgrade). There were 2 grades of bilstein shocks that fit my car - 1 was $176/each and 1 was called touring and was $106. If I want a sporty ride but not too rough will the touring strut be good or does that inply a soft ride that won't handle well?

There is no 4-wheel alignment for these cars.

A set of front fixed camber plates is about $140 (-1.25°).

You don't need to add camber in the rear.

I ended up getting the bilstein struts up front and going with a Monroe shock in the rear. I was told at autozone that both were
Appropriate for my car. Ride is much improved and I am enjoying much better handling even with the stock springs. But I noticed that the front end rides about 1 1/2 inches higher than the rear. Could that be front the cheaper rear shocks? Again, it rides ok but just looks a little funny. Any thoughts?

could be valving or spring sag.

I had the alignment done after replacing shocks and struts and as "markseven" said, there is no adjustment for the rear end. The tire store told me that the rear was a little out of alignment, but there was nothing to do. Will this mean that it will eat up and wear down tires more quickly? Is that just typical for this model car? I suppose I will just try to rotate them frequently to prevent wear.

Bilstein HD or Sport and if you can find a set of E30 M3 springs they go nice with Verts.



This is my old vert that my ex kept in divorce. 15x7 BBS RZ378's with Bilstein Sports with E30 M3 springs, great ride height is not too low so we didn't fear stoving an oil pan and it looked good.

Originally Posted by Jomer

I ended up getting the bilstein struts up front and going with a Monroe shock in the rear. I was told at autozone that both were
Appropriate for my car. Ride is much improved and I am enjoying much better handling even with the stock springs. But I noticed that the front end rides about 1 1/2 inches higher than the rear. Could that be front the cheaper rear shocks? Again, it rides ok but just looks a little funny. Any thoughts?

do you mean how there is more tire gap in the front vs the rear ? if so, thats just how these cars are. they came from the factory like that. it should have been like that before you changed any shocks.