Help Needed Suspension or Wheels

[yee7402]

Hi! to all the bro out there, I am looking for some advise and have search through the forum but still can't get a good explanation.I have change from my 16" wheels to 18" running on Mic PP2 18/40/225 all round a few months back and have been driving it everyday. Initially it was damm fun of course but after sometime I now feel that my ride is a bit bumpy esp. on uneven road and also got complain from the family.One more thing I notice the car is also quite floaty on the 18" compare to the 16" which is alos a negative point.So the next thing on my mind now is to look for a 17" hopefully it can resolve my issue as it looks like a compromise between 16 and 18"I went around looking for a nice set of 17" this morning but still can't get a good looking one as I was told nowadays no one do a lot of 17" anymore. At the same time I was told by some mech to retain the 18" but lower the car by changing to eibach spring but using the existing abs (which are original Sachs/boge)My dilema now if I want to have a slightly comfortable not so bumpy ride :1) Do I just use 18" but lower with eibach with existing ori abs2) change to 17"3) change to 17" + eibach springTo summarize I am looking more towards a 60% comfort and 40% handling & perdormance setting.Anyone can let me know what would be the best option... BTW my ride is a E46 325i '02 modelThanks in advance..

 

[speedrats]

Look into buying KW suspension either V1 or V2 . You can also look at Bilstein PSS9. Both set of suspensions allow you to set your height n damping preferences .

 

[elixir]

Hi! to all the bro out there, I am looking for some advise and have search through the forum but still can't get a good explanation.

I have change from my 16" wheels to 18" running on Mic PP2 18/40/225 all round a few months back and have been driving it everyday. Initially it was damm fun of course but after sometime I now feel that my ride is a bit bumpy esp. on uneven road and also got complain from the family.

One more thing I notice the car is also quite floaty on the 18" compare to the 16" which is alos a negative point.

So the next thing on my mind now is to look for a 17" hopefully it can resolve my issue as it looks like a compromise between 16 and 18"

I went around looking for a nice set of 17" this morning but still can't get a good looking one as I was told nowadays no one do a lot of 17" anymore. At the same time I was told by some mech to retain the 18" but lower the car by changing to eibach spring but using the existing abs (which are original Sachs/boge)

My dilema now if I want to have a slightly comfortable not so bumpy ride :

1) Do I just use 18" but lower with eibach with existing ori abs
2) change to 17"
3) change to 17" + eibach spring

To summarize I am looking more towards a 60% comfort and 40% handling & perdormance setting.

Anyone can let me know what would be the best option... BTW my ride is a E46 325i '02 model

Thanks in advance..

if 18" already feels bumpy, lowering it will make it worst. it'll will be less floaty but wobbly.
17" is a good choice, and if you were to lower your car, go for H&R spring.

 

[one Pro]

From my experience :-
- 18" with original spring and damper - bumpy ride on uneven road & floaty went high speed cornering
- 18' with eibach spring and bilstein b6 damper - more bumpy but no more floaty went high speed cornering
- lastly i change to 17" rims (used original e36 m3 evo rims) - more comfort
my advice : better go for 17'' + H&r sport spring (H&R sport spring have to type 1.Part no. 29485 - Approx. Front Lowering = 1.4" ,Approx. Rear Lowering = 0.75". 2.Part no.29484 - Approx. Front Lowering = 0.75" ,Approx. Rear Lowering = 0.25" (try get this one - more comfort).
BTW my is a E46 328i.

 

[rosdifnd]

From my experience :-
- 18" with original spring and damper - bumpy ride on uneven road & floaty went high speed cornering
- 18' with eibach spring and bilstein b6 damper - more bumpy but no more floaty went high speed cornering
- lastly i change to 17" rims (used original e36 m3 evo rims) - more comfort
my advice : better go for 17'' + H&r sport spring (H&R sport spring have to type 1.Part no. 29485 - Approx. Front Lowering = 1.4" ,Approx. Rear Lowering = 0.75". 2.Part no.29484 - Approx. Front Lowering = 0.75" ,Approx. Rear Lowering = 0.25" (try get this one - more comfort).
BTW my is a E46 328i.

Mind sharing your E46 328i photos?? sounds interesting. Im driving 328ci but now on 18", eibach & back to original damper...before this on bilstein...but too bumpy. Now considering H&R with ori damper...

 

[BMWs]

If you want 17", I'm selling my 17" ori rims with tires from E90 325i. Tires Goodyear F1 GSD-3 Front 225/45/17 and Rear 255/40/17. All tires have 99% thread. Its Brand New. PM me if interested.

Apologies on off topic.

 

[jinooi]

e46 will not be able to use e90 wheels - offsets are different...

 

[elixir]

e46 will not be able to use e90 wheels - offsets are different...

can. even e36 can use e90 wheels.

 

[jinooi]

at your own risk... agree with you... can even use X5 rims too... but will rub like crazy...

 

[tenno]

H&R sport spring have to type 1.Part no. 29485 - Approx. Front Lowering = 1.4" ,Approx. Rear Lowering = 0.75". 2.Part no.29484 - Approx. Front Lowering = 0.75" ,Approx. Rear Lowering = 0.25" (try get this one - more comfort).

 

[tenno]

H&R sport spring have to type 1.Part no. 29485 - Approx. Front Lowering = 1.4" ,Approx. Rear Lowering = 0.75". 2.Part no.29484 - Approx. Front Lowering = 0.75" ,Approx. Rear Lowering = 0.25" (try get this one - more comfort).

BTW where to get this H&R spring and how much the cost? Thanks.

 

[one Pro]

You can get this H&R spring from SPEEDZONE MOTORSPORT GALLERY (Tmn. Sri Batu Caves tel: 03 61881770) or MOTORSPORT DIVISION (Bandar Sunway tel:03 56358860).Price - Below RM 1200.
~ Rosdifnd - I don't have any photos for my ride right now. Maybe next time.

 

[yee7402]

Thanks to all those who responded..

So in other words, the best thing to do to get a comfort oriented ride with a little bit of fun will be to change to 17" and than probably lowering and using stock shocks.

This is what I gather from all the response to my post.. Guess.. I have to start hunting for a set of 17"

 

[infinityKL]

there's no such thing as comfort after you move on from stock... good luck!! you cannot have best of both worlds... happy modding..

cheers...

 

[pearl90]

hi.. i was wondering if anyone has tried bilstein b8 on H&R springs?

i had the H&R spring on stock shocks with 18" but the rear was too low... mech said my stock shocks need to change. suggested the b8...

anyone tried this before??? thanks....

 

[elixir]

at your own risk... agree with you... can even use X5 rims too... but will rub like crazy...

standard E90 17" staggered setup is 8JX17 ET:34 front and 8-1/2JX17 ET:37 or 8-1/2JX17 ET:39 rear.

standard aftermarket 17" rims for E46 (eg. BBS) setup is 8JX17 ET35 all round. for staggered setup, the rear is 8JX17 ET40 or 9JX17 ET42

if have used 18" RD2 front 8JX18 ET35 and 9JX18 ET46 on standard E46 camber setup and never have rubbing problem.

there are few friends using E90 wheels on E46 without problem.

the difference is only few mms and yes it can fit and will not rub like crazy or even rub at all.

 

[one Pro]

I think it batter you change to 17" with stock spring + Sport shocks (exp: Bilstein B6,Koni Sport adjustable or Koni FSD).Still comfort and batter handling than stock shock.Lowering spring with stock shock - a choppy and bumpy ride and reduced shock absorber lifespan.You will get lest comfort but batter handling with Bilstein B8 on H&R spring.For comfort better you should try Koni FSD.

 

[jinooi]

i beg to differ...

standard e9X setup
F - 35-42
R - 35

standard e46 setup
F - 38-45
R - 45

when you're talking about 'standard size', you should be referring to OEM BMW rims, not aftermarket ones - there is no 'standard' aftermarket size. you buy what you want, and the limit is whatever works for you, and how far you want to go...

are your friends using e90 OEM rims on their e46 (without rolling fenders)? the fronts will fit, but not the rears.

 

[syamz]

Asking..

If you want 17", I'm selling my 17" ori rims with tires from E90 325i. Tires Goodyear F1 GSD-3 Front 225/45/17 and Rear 255/40/17. All tires have 99% thread. Its Brand New. PM me if interested.

Apologies on off topic.

How much u want to sell?? with e46 should be no problems, right??:listen:

 

[elixir]

i beg to differ...

standard e9X setup
F - 35-42
R - 35

standard e46 setup
F - 38-45
R - 45

when you're talking about 'standard size', you should be referring to OEM BMW rims, not aftermarket ones - there is no 'standard' aftermarket size. you buy what you want, and the limit is whatever works for you, and how far you want to go...

are your friends using e90 OEM rims on their e46 (without rolling fenders)? the fronts will fit, but not the rears.

pls refer http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=282909

tq and have a nice day