Suspension/Springs

[Minimalsix]

I jacked up my car for the first time last night since I bought my car, and noticed the shock absorbers and springs are completely kaput. My passengers side rear spring is broken at the bottom and had a good piece just floating around at the bottom of the rubber gasket. The tops of the shock absorbers on both drivers side and passengers side have almost completely rusted through the polished piston with probably 15-25% life left. This is terrifying me haha, and I was hoping some of you guys could give me some advice on what some trusted suspension packages would be. I'm on a pretty tight budget but have heard that the bilstein suspension is pretty decent, an upgrade over the OEM. And as far as springs I have not a clue. How hard are these things to install myself and can I replace only the rear suspension and springs? I would think revamping all of the suspension would be the best idea but I can't really float that right now on my budget. Any advice or part links would be fabulous.

And just to thank all of you who have helped me out previously, this is THE best forum as far as support. I wouldn't be here with this car if it weren't for this community. You guys are the best.

Cheers
Pete

[ChuckDizzle]

Koni STR.T shocks/struts are really affordable around $115.00 each. A good set of springs, H&R, Eibach etc usually retail a little over $200.00 for a set. Browse the classifieds and maybe source a used set. If you want to maintain factory ride height and comfort I'd recommend H&R OE Sport springs.

[Minimalsix]

Bumpity, how hard is this to install new springs and shocks/struts by yourself?

[Charlo]

Rears are easy. Fronts you have to have a spring compressor and normally an air gun. Still fronts are pretty easy, just a little scary when you realize how easy the spring can slip of the compressor and hurt something. Don't ask me how I found out.

[DB MAXX]

so how did u find that out Charlo???

[Charlo]

Haha, I had a spring slip an launch itself into my garage door.

[alddie620]

how about a koni strt with koni sport spring?
is koni str.t comparable to bilstein sports? or just the bilstein touring?

[kc0433]

I just got a Bilstein BTS kit (shocks/struts/springs), for $627 shipped 2 weeks ago. Here in the group buy section: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466763&page=124

[Minimalsix]

Ooo that BTS kit looks pretty killer, would you recommend getting any accessories with this package? I was thinking maybe both rear shock mounts as i can imagine mine are pretty rusty at this point. And maybe some dust guards? Not sure, tell me what you think.

[NWFLBimmer]

I think you should look at the numbers on this thread
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1428901

[Minimalsix]

That does sound like a better deal, but how do the Rokkor compare to the Bilstein? And NWFLBimmer do you have these on your vert? I'm just not familiar with Rokkor, they and sound like a decent product, but the price makes me a little hesitant, what are they lacking...

[NWFLBimmer]

The company is the same as raceland(sister company). Just different load test on the springs. I have ordered mine. I hope to see them early next week and will get them installed as soon as I can.

[garf]

The company is the same as raceland(sister company). Just different load test on the springs. I have ordered mine. I hope to see them early next week and will get them installed as soon as I can.

Follow up review and lots of pics PLZ!

[Dantesboyz]

look man i just bought a BTS kit too, but what i was more concerned about than price is quality. Bilstein backs their product with a lifetime warranty... for a DD, sounds like i just bought the last set of shocks i'll ever need for my car. i don't know how low you want to go. the BTS kit is a good setup for DD with a slightly more aggressive look.

[alddie620]

how many inches drop is bilstein bts system?
my 97 328i sports package looks drop a little bit..
will it even drop more with the bts system?
i want 1.5 f and 1 r drop...

[NWFLBimmer]

you better read your warranty very throughly. If it is determined that you drove in a less than desirable manner the warranty will be voided. They also have to be properly installed by a licensed mechanic(if you did it yourself the warranty again is voided)

of course that is with any warranty.

[Dantesboyz]

25mm in the front, 30mm in the rear roughly an inch in the front and an inch 1/4 in th rear... i wanted less drop in the rear than the front so i went with a thicker upper spring perch

[alddie620]

which one is better, bilstein bts system
bilstein sport with h&r sport spring,
koni sport with h&r spring, or
koni str.t with h&r sport spring?