suspension install...with comparison pics

[BabyM]

This weekend was the big suspension install for the BabyM!

So why am I making a thread about this, the bazillionth suspension install on an E36? Because I have comparison photos of different setups!!

I've seen a few requests here and there for comparison photos so it's the perfect excuse for me to post my pics

So, I went from the factory sport set up on my 328is to H&R Sport springs. The Comparison cars are a 95 M3 on OE Sports and a 94 325i with (we think) factory sport springs.

The M3 belongs to GGray --the master mechanic who hooked me up in his 'better than average' home shop that includes a lift and spring compressor . The 325 belongs to his lovely wife.

A few months ago I measured the ride height on my stock set up and my neighbor's stock M3 set up (97 M3/4):

(Measured vertically from center of roundel to lip of fender)

328
Front left: 14.5
Front right: 14.25
Rear left: 14.0
Rear right: 13.25

M3
Front left: 14.5
Front right: 14.25
Rear left: 13.0
Rear right: 12.75

now...328 on Sports
Front left: 13.75
Front right: 13.75
Rear left: 12.75
Rear right: 12.5

[BabyM]

...

[LWRNCE]

looks good all you need is some 17's or 18's

[BabyM]

looks good all you need is some 17's or 18's

Yup...just failed inspection 'cause my 3 month old tires are too worn (2 DE's). I'm cruising the wheel sites to get some daily wheels that I won't kill on the track!

[XmEnNiNjA]

love the comparison pics

[amdspitfire]

so your new setup is h&r sports with koni sports? This is the setup im planning on doing. Hows the ride compared to stock?

[BabyM]

indeed these are Koni sports. The ride is a lot more responsive than stock (mind, I have 83k on the clock and I switched from the originals...) I also used the 96+ strut mounts.

I am really enjoying this set up --the car seems a lot more planted and crisp.

[DeanP]

Great install and great notes. Keep this thread handy to link to every other new guys question. Cars look great. Isn't nice to have a good shop to work in!?

[GGray]

We did forget until after the car was back together to swap the left and right mounts to give Baby M more Negative camber...Probably do on the next round of work... Swapping the 96+ upper strut mounts gives you extra negative camber!

[LinearX]

indeed these are Koni sports. The ride is a lot more responsive than stock (mind, I have 83k on the clock and I switched from the originals...) I also used the 96+ strut mounts.

I am really enjoying this set up --the car seems a lot more planted and crisp.

Hold old were your old shocks? Is the ride any worse?

My shocks are tired as hell and I am tired of the jolts.. but if I'm going to swap I don't want it to feel just like, or any worse than it does now.

[bellavus]

looks awesome josie

I hope to do my suspension after the long and hard winter ahead

[BabyM]

Hold old were your old shocks? Is the ride any worse?

My shocks are tired as hell and I am tired of the jolts.. but if I'm going to swap I don't want it to feel just like, or any worse than it does now.

They were the originals and my car has 83k on her

the ride is still nice (Gary has warned me though that when i put my 17's on it will be a bit rougher)

It's nice to hit a bump now...I hit it, it's over. Before there would be a couple 'after bumps' --very irritating

[bellavus]

my suspension does that after bump thing after only 62K miles Stupid stupid belt parkway

[dz223]

Your car is going to get lower. I have roughly 4K miles on the same set up that you have and it seems like it is now settled.....hasn't changed last 2 times i measured....~2.5K miles and ~3.8K miles. Unfortunaly I'm at school in boston and my car is home in NJ alone with my notes so I couldn't tell you how much it has changed.

Also with those pics keep in mind that the drivers side sits slightly higher then the passanger side I believe(I pretty sure the Bently says its true of stock springs might be different with aftermarket set ups.)

[LinearX]

They were the originals and my car has 83k on her

the ride is still nice (Gary has warned me though that when i put my 17's on it will be a bit rougher)

It's nice to hit a bump now...I hit it, it's over. Before there would be a couple 'after bumps' --very irritating

I have 111k so I'm sure new shocks must feel sublime.

[surfacewound]

Nice, that's exactly what I plan on getting. But with 49k it's just not quite time yet.

But I'm getting a 3.38 diff this weekend.

[BabyM]

Also with those pics keep in mind that the drivers side sits slightly higher then the passanger side I believe(I pretty sure the Bently says its true of stock springs might be different with aftermarket set ups.)

Correct. Last time I measured it was a quarter inch different. However, now they are the same height in the front now --I don't know if I should be concerned!

Interesting about the settling --I'll be sure to measure again in a few weeks.


Kitty- you will love the improvement when you upgrade, esp since you're running a worn set up!!

[bellavus]

Correct. Last time I measured it was a quarter inch different. However, now they are the same height in the front now --I don't know if I should be concerned!

Interesting about the settling --I'll be sure to measure again in a few weeks.


Kitty- you will love the improvement when you upgrade, esp since you're running a worn set up!!

i just got lower control arm bushing, ball joints and tie rods replaced. The car rides a lot nicer, but the control is not there as much. The steering was so sloppy before, and now it's tighter, but the suspension has got to go in the spring.

[NegativeCambre]

Josie... killer comparo pics! That's some primo content that I'm sure will be referenced by BF.c folk for years to come.

And yes... real racers use zipties

Steve

[STEVE36]

Nice, that's exactly what I plan on getting. But with 49k it's just not quite time yet.

But I'm getting a 3.38 diff this weekend.

49k...what a stud.

(jealous)

[LinearX]

Kitty- you will love the improvement when you upgrade, esp since you're running a worn set up!!

Haha.. just realized we both have kitty avatars. Meeeow!

I need to get the suspension done soon before the cold sets in, because it'll be very hard to conjour up the motivation once it's consistently in the 40s.

[Topless Bimmer]

Nice write up... Ill have to look at this when i can do my suspension

[Robert]

In the pic it says those top spring plates didnt work..

What did you use in place of them? M3 spring plates?

I just put on 328 plates on a grinder to make them round so they won't hit the shock tower side..

[BabyM]

What did you use in place of them?

We just put the stock hats back on. They have a bigger lip and have a more snug fit.

[on a friday]

Thanks for the write-up.

I plan on doing the H&R Sport/Koni Sport switch as soon as I find a new job.