Suspension options for E36 328i

[sadhish]

Hi guys,Firstly, I'm not sure if this thread belongs here or in the Chassis and Wheels section. Mods, please feel free to tow this thread to where you see fit Ok on to my question. Some of you might be aware that I just bought my ride, a E36 328i, recently. The absorbers on the ride are kaput. I can feel the car swaying back and forth going over bumps and turning corners. I have to change them ASAP as I feel it's quite dangerous.My driving style for now, is pretty laid back as compared to some of you. I will definitely not take it to the track and I'm not a street racer dude. However, I would like to take on corners hard and appreciate a little stiffness and I do appreciate good handling.I will change my rims from stock 15" to 17" in February or March next year.Looking through the thread I feel that there're a few options.1. Boge 6 potters stock absorbers with stock springs2. Bilstein B6 with Eibach Pro kit3. Bilstein B8 with the HnR springs (B12 kit if I understand correctly)4. Bilstein black with stock springs.Are there other options? I don't really feel I need to get the best ever setup because I realise that I'm far from the best ever driver and I don't think I'll ever push my ride hard enough to figure out it's limits.I think for me 3 is probably out, because I heard that it's really really hard and uncomfortable. 2 I heard is the best compromise. But some people told me to stick with 1.Do let me know what you guys think.Thanks for the inputs in advance. Take care too!

 

[anxious]

I have Bilstein black with stock springs. I find the ride comfortable but it can be floaty at times.

Two of my friends who have E36 325 have Bilstein B8 with Eibach Pro kit and I find them more desirable. I have stopped myself from "upgrading" as my Bilstein Blacks are still quite "new" and I dont want my wife to complain that the ride is too bumpy. As you have neither of the problems, I would suggest this option.

FYI B6 are for the original springs and not for the shortened Pro-Kit.

"Bilstein B8 with the HnR springs" is aka B12 suspension kit.

Howver I understand from Allan of Autofuture( the Bilstein dealer in KL) that the B12 he ordered came with Eibach springs, so he recommended me to get B8+Eibach springs. He quoted me RM3.5k for the set.

I had requested feedback for B12s on E36 but got little response. I hope your query gets more feedback.

Forget about Boge. Get at least Bilstein Blacks which I have read are 15% firmer than Boge/OEM shocks.

As I said, if I were you I would get a B8+Eibach springs combo. Assuming you do 20000km per year, the absorbers would last you 5 years in which time you should be looking at your next Bimmer.

Cheers, mate.

 

[sadhish]

B8 and Eibach pro springs too hard?

Hi Anxious,

Thanks for your reply once again . You have been extremely helpful! Looking forward to the breakfast then.

The B8 and Eibach Pro Kit, seems like a good choice, but is it too hard? I go to KL about 3-4 times a year and to Lumut another 4-5 times a year. I don't want me or my passengers to "suffer" too much. hahaha. They suffer the ride, me suffer the nagging and complaints!

Also what are the pro's and cons about lowering the ride?

 

[IsaacVky]

B8 is stiff on my E39.
I suggest B6.

 

[ess530i]

hi there...i'm on eibach pro kit & stock shocks and i think the combo is perfect for everyday comfort / performance driving. my shocks are wearing out and i'm thinkin of upgradin them to b6's or b8's very soon. i'll most likely go for b6's since i'm already satisfied with my 3yr old stock shocks. can anyone with experience tell us if b6's are stiffer than BMW stock shocks?

sadhish...from the way u describe ur requirements, ii would suggest u to go for eibach springs + new stock shocks or b6's. nobody (that i know of) has ever complaints about eibach being harsh and many have complement the improved handling characteristics even with stock shocks. i drive to penang frequently and cant complaint about the ride at all

 

[anxious]

sadhish...from the way u describe ur requirements, ii would suggest u to go for eibach springs + new stock shocks or b6's. nobody (that i know of) has ever complaints about eibach being harsh and many have complement the improved handling characteristics even with stock shocks. i drive to penang frequently and cant complaint about the ride at all

I think Eibach lowers the car by 30mm and therefore a the B8 is recommened for Eibach springs.

If you gonna use standard springs, then you could either get Bilstein Black or B6(Yellow).

Based on the flash floods we have been experiencing in Pg of late, I would be very careful when considering lowering the car.

I was at Chu Seng's shop last week and saw 3 E60s landing in the workshop as a result of floodings. The boys were working on the engine of one car while I was there.

 

[Van1ty]

Since were discussing suspension, I hope you guys don't mind me going abit off topic. I'm planning to upgrade to some Vogtland springs, but my stock M3 springs are still considered stiffer than regular e36 springs. Would it be possible to fit M3 springs on to a non-M e36? So kesian if they're just lying around. Might as well sell them.

 

[sam1741]

hi sadish
if the old one already kaput....
change to stock one, and you can feel the different immediately,
even if its a stock absorber and spring.


btw.. next time wan to come drive along some mountain road ?

 

[sadhish]

Decided not to lower my ride

Hi guys,

After spending a couple of hours reading and searching for info on the net, I decided not to lower my car.

Although the ride will look slamming and I'm sure the additional handling will be great but couple that with the horrible roads in Penang and the obsession of the local council to win the most number of speed bumps per km of road malaysia boleh records (or is it for the highest speed bump contest, i can't remember), not to mention the flash floods that happen so suddenly. (For the uniniated, in penang, flash floods occur in a matter of hours!) I decided againts lowering the car.

For completion sake, from what I've learned, please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm a newbie just learning about these things :

Bilstein B8's are to be used with lowered springs such as Eibach Pro Kit. Using the stock springs with these are not advised.
Bilstein B6 and B4 are intended to be used with stock springs. Using lowered springs with these absorbers will shorten the lifespan of the absorbers.

The choices for me will be either Bilstein B6 (Yellow) or the Bilstein B4 (Black) I think.
I'm trying to get a price quote for the two. It seems that the B6 is around RM2k+ and the B4 is around RM1k+

Part of me is feeling that I should just go for the Black Bilstein and change mountings and bushes and then upgrade it later if I want the ride to be harder.

The other part is thinking, oh what the heck, it's only a thousand ringgit more.

Haha.

Sam, I've been told that Bilstein B4 is waaay better then the Boge absorbers and the price difference is not much. That's why Boge is not in the equation.

A funny thing that I notice is that for absorbers, it doesn't make a difference if the car is a 6 potter or a 4 potter. It's the same abs. It's just the springs that are different.

 

[ALBundy]

Sadhish,

First of all, welcome to the forum.

I have recently installed a set of adjustable coilovers (HOTbits) onto my car and I cant be happier with it. It allows one to adjust the ride height, spring rates (a couple at least to try) and also the absorber dampening rates (40 adjustments!!).

To me, suspension setup is always finding the best compromise between comfort, handling and the least of all, looks. And the best option is still adjustable coilovers.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

 

[anxious]

So since you are not lowering it, I guess its b/w B4(Black) vs B6 (Yellow).

I guess B4 is ok but if ur into a bit more spirited ride B6 would be better.

Sadish, absorbers last a while so if you are thinking of getting it go for it. No point getting B4 and then upgrading to B6 later. You end up wasting RM1k + labour.

Maybe those of you on B6 can share your experiences.

Cheers

 

[sadhish]

Hi Al, the hotbits seems interesting. However I'm in Penang, so I'm not sure if they have an outlet here as well. Coz it's a bit of a drive if there's a problem with the coilovers later. How much did it cost you for your setup?

Anxious, I think that if I want to go for the B6 I may as well go for the B8. Actually the B6 and the B8 cost exactly the same. The only reason why it's abt RM3.5k is due to the lowered springs. So unless the B6 is a huge improvement over the B4's, i think I might just go for the B4's and change all the bushes and maybe the tie rods. The mounting looks new, so I might keep that. With a gearbox overhaul coming, and God knows what, haha maybe it's good to have a 1-2k car fund for standby

 

[IsaacVky]

Hi Al, the hotbits seems interesting. However I'm in Penang, so I'm not sure if they have an outlet here as well. Coz it's a bit of a drive if there's a problem with the coilovers later. How much did it cost you for your setup?

Anxious, I think that if I want to go for the B6 I may as well go for the B8. Actually the B6 and the B8 cost exactly the same. The only reason why it's abt RM3.5k is due to the lowered springs. So unless the B6 is a huge improvement over the B4's, i think I might just go for the B4's and change all the bushes and maybe the tie rods. The mounting looks new, so I might keep that. With a gearbox overhaul coming, and God knows what, haha maybe it's good to have a 1-2k car fund for standby

Speedworks have branch in Penang & JB too. However the servicing of the absorber has to be carry out at the PJ branch so you have to wait for them to deliver PG-->PJ-->PG if you need to service. rm80 per absorber.

 

[anxious]

Anxious, I think that if I want to go for the B6 I may as well go for the B8. Actually the B6 and the B8 cost exactly the same. The only reason why it's abt RM3.5k is due to the lowered springs. So unless the B6 is a huge improvement over the B4's, i think I might just go for the B4's and change all the bushes and maybe the tie rods. The mounting looks new, so I might keep that. With a gearbox overhaul coming, and God knows what, haha maybe it's good to have a 1-2k car fund for standby

Wise choice. That's a very mature way of handling your finances. Bravo!

 

[sam1741]

Hi guys,

After spending a couple of hours reading and searching for info on the net, I decided not to lower my car.

Although the ride will look slamming and I'm sure the additional handling will be great but couple that with the horrible roads in Penang and the obsession of the local council to win the most number of speed bumps per km of road malaysia boleh records (or is it for the highest speed bump contest, i can't remember), not to mention the flash floods that happen so suddenly. (For the uniniated, in penang, flash floods occur in a matter of hours!) I decided againts lowering the car.

..

hi Sadhish.... you are right...
these few weeks the road conditions are terrible....
really terrible... like holes just appear on the road suddenly.
just right after 1 week raining..
few times i thought i going to fall (when i on bike)

 

[anxious]

hi Sadhish.... you are right...
these few weeks the road conditions are terrible....
really terrible... like holes just appear on the road suddenly.
just right after 1 week raining..
few times i thought i going to fall (when i on bike)

Thats bcos the "new" Pg government doesnt have money to fix the road.

 

[Lee36328]

"Bilstein B8 with the HnR springs" is aka B12 suspension kit.

Howver I understand from Allan of Autofuture( the Bilstein dealer in KL) that the B12 he ordered came with Eibach springs, so he recommended me to get B8+Eibach springs. He quoted me RM3.5k for the set.

I had requested feedback for B12s on E36 but got little response. I hope your query gets more feedback.

Was running on Bilstein+Eibach. It was ok initially, esp the lowered look, but subsequently it felt 'crashy.' Traffic strips (esp just before tolls) got unbearable. Eibach also seems to to sag after some use. Admittedly, I use my car heavily.

Changed to Bilstein and H&R. Simply wonderful. It achieved that elusive balance of firmness and damping I was looking for. Guess I'll stick w this.

 

[ess530i]

Was running on Bilstein+Eibach. It was ok initially, esp the lowered look, but subsequently it felt 'crashy.' Traffic strips (esp just before tolls) got unbearable. Eibach also seems to to sag after some use. Admittedly, I use my car heavily.

Changed to Bilstein and H&R. Simply wonderful. It achieved that elusive balance of firmness and damping I was looking for. Guess I'll stick w this.

which bilstein shocks were you on? isn't h&r stiffer than eibach?

 

[gothseph]

num 2.
better yet get PSS... hehe

 

[gothseph]

num 2 combos... less body roll... or get a B8 with eibach.. super handling... again... less body roll.