New Coilovers Installed

Well the rears anyway. The fronts are at the machinist waiting to get welded up.

Kido coilovers that are ride height adjustable, and shock dampening adjustable as well.


I adjusted the dampening to the softest setting a took it for a ride. It's about a inch lower than it was with the eibach lowering springs. Drove around a little but smelled burning rubber, turns out I have them set a little to low.
The tires are rubbing on the trailing arm. So I gonna have to get some wheel spacers, but until then will have to bring the height back up.
Before:

After:

what offset and size are your wheels? mine dont rub at all, my schnitzers are 17x8.5 et13 front and rear, though the front is VERY close to the strut

It's kinda weird only the left side rubs, on the trailing arm. I'm running style 37 m-pars from a 740i sport,18x9.5 et 25 in rear.

okay that will be your rubbing, wider taller rim and higher offset. my rims are miles away from the struts out back, like a good inch and a half id say. re rubbing on one side only, i bet they are set at different spring rates. the side that rubs you should increase the spring rate maybe 5 turns

Looks nice!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Bimmer App

Looks nice, plug and play?

How was the swap? Did you just remove the old shock + spring and replace it with this unit and adjusted it before lowering the car?

There rears are totally plug and play. Just take out the old and throw in the new! I did have to drill out the bolt holes, they were a little off but not by much.

Originally Posted by M540FELLA

There rears are totally plug and play. Just take out the old and throw in the new! I did have to drill out the bolt holes, they were a little off but not by much.

You made existing holes bigger or made new ones? Would old shocks still fit and secure on the bolt holes (if you made them wider?)).

I assume you did not need a spring compressor etc? This sounds pretty cool, hope it holds up so make sure to do an update

I had to take a little out off the holes on the back deck,not that much though. The old ones will still fit no problem. No compressor needed at all. Really can't wait to put the fronts on.

Man I'm jealous :\ I recall you got them for a good price? Point me to the store I just want to see what I'm looking for $$$$ wise

It was a group buy on bf.c, but the guy that was running it (AquilaBMW) is moving to the U.K. So I don't know if he's gonna do another one.
Ebay doesn't have them as of now, but they have a lot of similar sets. A couple of guys on bf.c are running the b/c racing, and the ksports. JOM is making a kit you can straight install no cutting or welding. It's kinda a build your own coilover kit really. However you don't get the dampening adjustability. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...=JOM+coilovers

What are you gonna do with the old set up? *hint hint*

Nice thanks, honestly I want it because I don't want to deal with stupid spring compressors when I need to replace the components.

#lazy

Costa, I'm keeping the old set up just in case have to get a shock replaced, or some other problem arises. Also hate messing with spring compressors, Aleksey.

In general I see that different brands of tires have different overall width and tread width. That may cause part of your rubbing issue where someone else with the same wheels, springs and coilovers do not have an issue. Just thinking outloud.

Originally Posted by rdc

In general I see that different brands of tires have different overall width and tread width. That may cause part of your rubbing issue where someone else with the same wheels, springs and coilovers do not have an issue. Just thinking outloud.

I dont know if they tires can have actaully different specs. a 225 with tire will be 255mm. it must be. i think the differences are in the flexibilty of the sidewall for bulge or stretch to compensate for difference between wheel and tire width. For instance, Falkens dont stretch as well as general UHPs, but they damn well with both be 255mm wide if they 255 tires..

Originally Posted by 95 E34

I dont know if they tires can have actaully different specs. a 225 with tire will be 255mm. it must be. i think the differences are in the flexibilty of the sidewall for bulge or stretch to compensate for difference between wheel and tire width. For instance, Falkens dont stretch as well as general UHPs, but they damn well with both be 255mm wide if they 255 tires..

When I was comparing stock size bmw tires I specifically noted that the tread width being different between manufacturers such as Michelin and Bridgestone. This may be more to do with tread and shoulder design. Some tires have squarer tread while others have a more rounded tread. That said a 255 tread width should be 255 wide for all manufacturers. But I suspect there are some differences.

Originally Posted by rdc

When I was comparing stock size bmw tires I specifically noted that the tread width being different between manufacturers such as Michelin and Bridgestone. This may be more to do with tread and shoulder design. Some tires have squarer tread while others have a more rounded tread. That said a 255 tread width should be 255 wide for all manufacturers. But I suspect there are some differences.

This is true. I understand. The squared/rounded differences and shoulder tread design is a good point. Taking that into consideration even manufaturer's model tires could vary in that regard. Maybe some Michelins have the same differences as you've mentioned thus far.

I agree about the differing shape of the tires of the same size. My E34 came with nearly worn out Bridgestone Potenzas. Even though the tread width was the same on the replacement tires, the foot print of the Potenza was significantly wider.

It's hard to tell in the attached pictures, but the one in front of my house has the old Potenzas on it and the one in the cul-de-sac has the new tires. Rear tires for point of focus.

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

I agree about the differing shape of the tires of the same size. My E34 came with nearly worn out Bridgestone Potenzas. Even though the tread width was the same on the replacement tires, the foot print of the Potenza was significantly wider.

It's hard to tell in the attached pictures, but the one in front of my house has the old Potenzas on it and the one in the cul-de-sac has the new tires. Rear tires for point of focus.

Off topic, but i really need to reiterate: <3 <3 <3 Calypso <3 <3 <3

Originally Posted by 95 E34

Off topic, but i really need to reiterate: <3 <3 <3 Calypso <3 <3 <3

Me too

When you talk about suspension performance. Coilovers change the game.

I marked my front damper adjustments on my strut brace/tower.
So I can gauge the soft and firm by feel in case I lose the little dial.
Which already happened to one of them when it was "Father son working on the car day."
Looks good man glad you got them installed.

I think michael will continue to offer them.
But I'm sure it will not happen till after he gets settled in.

Yeah still waiting on the fronts, getting kinda pissed. That's a good idea with marking settings.

And now the fronts are in! They are incredible! The ride is night and day. I haven't even changed the dampening on the fronts yet. Pretty much a bolt in after the welding is completed. Although I had to change out my bearings. My first attempt on how low to set it was a little ambitious lol. I couldn't even turn my wheel. Easy to adjust though, just brought it up an inch and done.
Before:
Too much wheel well

After:
Ahh that's better!

Originally Posted by M540FELLA

now you just gotta make dat booty drop