Re: <E30> Springs

[Randy Walters <randylwalters@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Aaron C Young <acy1@domain.elided> wrote:

>I forgot to ask one thing -- how do the H&R's compare to stock M3 spring?
>Are M3 springs a good idea at all?
>Thanks again,
>Aaron
>'87 325

 The H&R springs are considerably stiffer than E30 M3 springs.  The Sport
springs lower the car more than M3 springs, but the OE Sports make the
car sit about the same as with the M3 springs (i've had all three types on
my 89 325is a while back).   The Sports lowered the back of the car too
much and the resultant negative camber severely wore the inside edges
of my rear tires (corded em).   After installing the OE Sports the rear
camber was reduced and the tires wore much better and also powered
out of the corners better (less wheelspin due to better contact patches).

 As for which is better,  it depends on what you want out of the car and
what kind of driving you want to use them for.    The best of the three
for me was the OE Sports,  but i was using Bilstein shocks which didn't
have nearly enough rebound damping to control the springs so the rear
of the car would "pogo" over undulating highway surfaces and concrete
freeways. Adjustable Koni shocks are a much better choice when using
stiffer springs on an E30.

 Have you considered getting a Ground Control adjustable spring kit
instead?  You can choose your own spring rates and the adjustability
allows you to set the car at the exact height you want.  That's what
i have on my car.

Randy
89 325is
http://home.earthlink.net/~randylwalters/

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