new front shocks on 325is. WOW

T77911S · 05-03-2016, 03:50 AM

finally got around to replacing the front shocks. I did the rears a few years ago because I had too and really did not want to spend the $$ on the fronts, $400.

when I pulled the old ones out of the struts, the shocks pulled in instead of extending. not to mention the oil that had leaked out.

anyway, not more front end bouncing off the road when I hit a bump.

oh, blistein sports BTW.

masraum · 05-03-2016, 04:12 AM

It's amazing at the difference shocks can make, isn't it? Driving a car with a poorly controlled suspension is not a pleasure.

VincentVega · 05-03-2016, 05:34 AM

Happens all the time, you dont realize how bad it is until someone mentions it. Drive the same thing every day and its hard to pick up on gradual degradation.

T77911S · 05-03-2016, 06:56 AM

I had not been driving it as much.
I had some bent rims and I got them straightened, new tires and alignment.
so hitting some of the bumps on the way home and the front wheels would about bounce me off the road.
what was so funny was new shocks extend themselves and are hard to compress, the old actually pulled in on their own. never seen shocks do that.

I love driving this car. problem is everybody that drives it wants it.
this lady that lived with us for a while calls it her car,
my son really wants it, an I don't want to give it up.

looking at a 330ci for $300 that needs a motor. if my brother does not buy it I will.
I will put a motor in it and make it my DD and give the e30 to my son. really considering an M3 motor. its not like I am pulling a good motor to put in an S54.

VincentVega · 05-03-2016, 07:24 AM

Great cars, I'd be into a e30 if the #'s worked. I saw a e30 with a s52 and it really works for me.

Nostril Cheese · 05-03-2016, 02:48 PM

Did you use the stock springs with the Bilstein sports?

night and day difference, huh? Wonderful cars. Why didnt I have more when they were $2500?

T77911S · 05-04-2016, 04:24 AM

just shocks for now.

I paid $800 for my e30. great car.
AC works
interior is pretty nice, no cracks in the dash.
I got it before they started going up

all I have done to it is rear wheel bearings, timing/water pump and a tranny for $200.
there was no oil in it when I got it. drove it on trip and 5th gear went out.
drove it for another 6 months with it making one hell of a racket and only 3 gears.
and now this, so an awesome car.

Nostril Cheese · 05-04-2016, 08:07 AM

Not sure if things are different, but I recall using the sports shocks with the stock springs was no bueno. Something about the valving. I could be wrong.. I think the shock travel my be shorter too. it will certainly be harsher with sport springs.

What I know for sure is that if you put Bilstein sports in the rear, you'll have to use beefier upper mounts. I had the rubber bushing pop out of the housing twice until I went to E46 Cabrio upper mounts. Direct fit replacement.
'
Check the alignment too. I had to change the rear control arm bushings to offset ones to account for the increased negative camber using sports. Wasnt a fun job.

speeder · speeder's Garage

If you wait until your shocks or struts fail so completely that they are collapsing and leaking fluid, of course you are going to see a big improvement when you replace them. Doesn't matter if it's a 1986 Hyundai and you put Pep Boys shocks on it. You had no dampening previously.

The real test is between different functioning struts and spring sets. FWIW, I had a 325is e30 when it was still fairly new and it was a great car until you pushed it hard, then it showed its considerable weakness. They are no Porsche.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

^What Denis said^

I went from the decent stock Bilstein setup on the Miata to custom valved Bilstein shocks with triple the spring rate. Still rides well, but the composure in turns is astonishing, even looks better sitting 0.75 inch lower It was okay before, but a few grand later it is fantastic

T77911S · 05-04-2016, 09:38 AM

already been thru the rear shock/mount thing. part of why I went on ahead and did the rears first.

my brother has an e46, same issues with the rear.
fronts, he has replaced the lower control arms like 3 times. (we were just talking about this the other day)

Nostril Cheese · 05-04-2016, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

already been thru the rear shock/mount thing. part of why I went on ahead and did the rears first.

my brother has an e46, same issues with the rear.
fronts, he has replaced the lower control arms like 3 times. (we were just talking about this the other day)

I miss my E30. SO easy to work on. Had an warmed over M20 with headers. Used to love that torque curve. Maybe I'll find another one someday.

Speaking of handling, that car had 14" wheels. Figure the bigger aspect ratio plays a significant role in the car's handling? I've never driven one that was "newish"

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

No good choices for 14" tires though.

Nostril Cheese · 05-04-2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

No good choices for 14" tires though.

I remember.

A930Rocket · 05-04-2016, 06:25 PM

I had an 91 318is that had been stored for years. It drive good but it rocked like rocking horse on some roads. New shocks fixed that along with new suspension bushings all over. Great car.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I had an 91 318is that had been stored for years. It drive good but it rocked like rocking horse on some roads. New shocks fixed that along with new suspension bushings all over. Great car.

Those are sweet little cars. Not a ton of power but a much lighter lump under the hood and the weight is 2 cylinders shorter, chopped-off the front so moving weight rearward in chassis. I like great handling "momentum cars", lots of fun to drive and takes more skill to keep the speed up.