Coilover Suggestions for 525i E34

[phlupm3]

I've been going back and forth with a few different brands such as Megan Euro Sports and BC's which i've read are basically the same coilover. My plans are to go pretty low but still have the functionality for daily driving as I don't plan to auto x or race my car, just looking for a nice decent ride and look. I am looking to spend around 800-900 dollars anything cheaper would be a big plus. Also dont want to have to end up welding anything etc. I realize i will also have to buy spacers for the wheels to fit correctly I am on stock wheels now but will be getting prob 18×9 at the largest wheels in the near future if anyone has any suggestions or want to share their set up that'd be very helpful pics also appreciated w specs. Thanks!

[phlupm3]

help please? lol

[linklaterdavid]

I've been going back and forth with a few different brands such as Megan Euro Sports and BC's which i've read are basically the same coilover. My plans are to go pretty low but still have the functionality for daily driving as I don't plan to auto x or race my car, just looking for a nice decent ride and look. I am looking to spend around 800-900 dollars anything cheaper would be a big plus. Also dont want to have to end up welding anything etc. I realize i will also have to buy spacers for the wheels to fit correctly I am on stock wheels now but will be getting prob 18×9 at the largest wheels in the near future if anyone has any suggestions or want to share their set up that'd be very helpful pics also appreciated w specs. Thanks!


492396

I did this last month with LowTecs and H&R Springs. It's a functional and affordable solution to looks and practicality.
Don't you have to weld with coil overs? I could be wrong about that....

[phlupm3]

<img src="http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=492396"/>

I did this last month with LowTecs and H&R Springs. It's a functional and affordable solution to looks and practicality.
Don't you have to weld with coil overs? I could be wrong about that....

i heard some or all you do? im not really sure.

[Leonator134]

KIDO coilovers, cost me $950 to get them on my car including welding.

[linklaterdavid]

If you can figure out a way to get your car looking like Leo's for $1000 bucks, I'd say it's well worth it. In my case, my knowledge base ends up putting me well beyond that price point, so I went with the simpler (albeit more costly) alternative.

Leo do you have any pics of the change over you did for OP?

[phlupm3]

KIDO coilovers, cost me $950 to get them on my car including welding.

yea in for pics! and welding instructions.

[5Toes]

CAtuned coilovers seem to be an alright value. They have many improvements over other cheap BC Racing style designs.

[BDR]

I have had very good luck with BC coilovers on all my other RWD cars.

[Steve547i]

Search is your friend. This has been covered at length.

[M540fella]

CAtuned coilovers seem to be an alright value. They have many improvements over other cheap BC Racing style designs.
Lol bc racing are probably a close second to GC or KW. CAtuned are the cheap ones.

[Leonator134]

Lol bc racing are probably a close second to GC or KW. CAtuned are the cheap ones.

Bingo.

Thanks guys, I'll post up pics of my install later tonight.

[5Toes]

The CAtuned coilovers are actually pretty nice, have you read about them? They have bearings for the springs to rotate so that you dont get any noise when turning in parking lots, etc.

[M540fella]

I have...don't get me wrong they're probably good but bc has a really good reputation in the e34 community. BC racing just offers alot more. Custom Valving, custom spring rates, they can be rebuilt as well, and good customer service.

[5Toes]

I wish fortune auto offered an e34 setup... best value for money

[Leonator134]

Okay guys, sorry it took me so long to get back to you all with the pics and info.

A local forum member buddy knows a welder who he had weld up my coilovers. I picked up a set of front strut housings from another member so I didn't have to use mine leaving the car out of commission.

When deciding how much of the strut housing to have removed you have to take into consideration 1. the car model and 2. How low you want to go.

For whatever reason, you don't need to have to leave any of the strut housing on on the 540/6's. I believe Staystackin and M540fella had their strut housing tops completely removed, and had the coilover welded to the base/ "spindle".

I left 1.5" on mine because 1. I liked the security in the weld, and 2. I'm not looking to go as low as possible.

First of all, details on my kit: KIDO Coilovers, aquired via AquilaBMW for $850 shipped. 8k and 10k springs (stock), 40 way dampening adjustment.
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/C5F880BE-B944-40DD-850A-CCF851A61A43-3427-0000052565DA2268_zps9f2ee4bd.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/C5F880BE-B944-40DD-850A-CCF851A61A43-3427-0000052565DA2268_zps9f2ee4bd.jpg.html)

So, here my pictures of the welds:
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/IMG_6406_zps6f99becb.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6406_zps6f99becb.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/IMG_6407_zpsf0f59aea.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6407_zpsf0f59aea.jpg.html)

Sand and paint the welds and fresh metal to prevent rust though. I used one or two coats of POR15.

Relevant install pics:
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/01948059-3BB3-45D3-9527-818FC75231E3-3427-000004F15B2B5305_zps7dd6f834.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/01948059-3BB3-45D3-9527-818FC75231E3-3427-000004F15B2B5305_zps7dd6f834.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/377E0586-3CF0-407F-AF33-1439C95AD1AA-3427-000004FD89FA9C3A_zps6d9c6a3f.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/377E0586-3CF0-407F-AF33-1439C95AD1AA-3427-000004FD89FA9C3A_zps6d9c6a3f.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/A4927C7B-1061-4597-B648-B25413C23451-3427-000004FDCB5FC6D9_zps399144e8.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/A4927C7B-1061-4597-B648-B25413C23451-3427-000004FDCB5FC6D9_zps399144e8.jpg.html)

Stock strut and spring:
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/1C230255-ED87-4636-858E-C931C5F00FCC-3427-0000050FE72C77C4_zps717e835b.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/1C230255-ED87-4636-858E-C931C5F00FCC-3427-0000050FE72C77C4_zps717e835b.jpg.html)

KIDO coilover
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/BA9B6409-230C-475B-8C3D-40BB61C9F6E7-3427-0000051008E6C769_zps053c134e.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/BA9B6409-230C-475B-8C3D-40BB61C9F6E7-3427-0000051008E6C769_zps053c134e.jpg.html)

End results:
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/CCB6BCBA-07B3-49C5-84D4-12FA2CECDD0D-3427-000005191B1F9E02_zps5bd2a9cf.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/CCB6BCBA-07B3-49C5-84D4-12FA2CECDD0D-3427-000005191B1F9E02_zps5bd2a9cf.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/353AC038-9B1A-4D1F-A6B1-7B2D9D7EEF7D-3427-000005194134BB6A_zpsaf31e86b.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/353AC038-9B1A-4D1F-A6B1-7B2D9D7EEF7D-3427-000005194134BB6A_zpsaf31e86b.jpg.html)

- - - Updated - - -

More end result, raked.
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/e8e6a1d4-233b-4f3e-8168-ab08d7157708_zpsd40be4f7.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/e8e6a1d4-233b-4f3e-8168-ab08d7157708_zpsd40be4f7.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/IMG_6419_zpsa33cefca.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6419_zpsa33cefca.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/IMG_6421_zpsedbca785.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6421_zpsedbca785.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/IMG_6422_zpsd7778506.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6422_zpsd7778506.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/IMG_6424_zps1d79aa25.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6424_zps1d79aa25.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/IMG_6425_zps2ea3006c.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6425_zps2ea3006c.jpg.html)
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t434/leonator134/IMG_6435_zps3cc6df11.jpg (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6435_zps3cc6df11.jpg.html)

Total cost: $950.

I ran the car like that on 10/40 in terms of the dampening adjustment. Ride was stiff, but not terrible or uncomfortable and never had any rubbing. I currently run the car on 15" alloys with 205/65/15 tires at 0/40 dampening front and rear with no problems.

Taken today:
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/Mobile%20Uploads/A0386B02-6796-48F8-B586-10EDE94924C3_zpsiihvgtyn.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/Mobile%20Uploads/A0386B02-6796-48F8-B586-10EDE94924C3_zpsiihvgtyn.jpg.html)

EDIT: For anyone doing this swap, I have brand new BMW front wheel bearings and nuts for sale. Bought them for the swap but didn't use them.

Hope that helps.

Leo

[linklaterdavid]

^ very nice!
Say, how tough was it to replace those side clear markers, Leo?

[Leonator134]

David, it literally takes all of 30 seconds. One screw and a metal spring-clip (and the connector). Got the DEPO clear kit.

[phlupm3]

Okay guys, sorry it took me so long to get back to you all with the pics and info.

A local forum member buddy knows a welder who he had weld up my coilovers. I picked up a set of front strut housings from another member so I didn't have to use mine leaving the car out of commission.

When deciding how much of the strut housing to have removed you have to take into consideration 1. the car model and 2. How low you want to go.

For whatever reason, you don't need to have to leave any of the strut housing on on the 540/6's. I believe Staystackin and M540fella had their strut housing tops completely removed, and had the coilover welded to the base/ "spindle".

I left 1.5" on mine because 1. I liked the security in the weld, and 2. I'm not looking to go as low as possible.

First of all, details on my kit: KIDO Coilovers, aquired via AquilaBMW for $850 shipped. 8k and 10k springs (stock), 40 way dampening adjustment.
[/URL]

So, here my pictures of the welds:
(http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/C5F880BE-B944-40DD-850A-CCF851A61A43-3427-0000052565DA2268_zps9f2ee4bd.jpg.html)


Sand and paint the welds and fresh metal to prevent rust though. I used one or two coats of POR15.

Relevant install pics:
(http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6407_zpsf0f59aea.jpg.html)

(http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/377E0586-3CF0-407F-AF33-1439C95AD1AA-3427-000004FD89FA9C3A_zps6d9c6a3f.jpg.html)

Stock strut and spring:


KIDO coilover
(http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/1C230255-ED87-4636-858E-C931C5F00FCC-3427-0000050FE72C77C4_zps717e835b.jpg.html)

End results:

(http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/CCB6BCBA-07B3-49C5-84D4-12FA2CECDD0D-3427-000005191B1F9E02_zps5bd2a9cf.jpg.html)

- - - Updated - - -

More end result, raked.

(http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/e8e6a1d4-233b-4f3e-8168-ab08d7157708_zpsd40be4f7.jpg.html)

(http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6421_zpsedbca785.jpg.html)

(http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6424_zps1d79aa25.jpg.html)


Total cost: $950.

I ran the car like that on 10/40 in terms of the dampening adjustment. Ride was stiff, but not terrible or uncomfortable and never had any rubbing. I currently run the car on 15" alloys with 205/65/15 tires at 0/40 dampening front and rear with no problems.

Taken today:
[URL="http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/Mobile%20Uploads/A0386B02-6796-48F8-B586-10EDE94924C3_zpsiihvgtyn.jpg.html"] (http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/leonator134/media/IMG_6435_zps3cc6df11.jpg.html)

EDIT: For anyone doing this swap, I have brand new BMW front wheel bearings and nuts for sale. Bought them for the swap but didn't use them.

Hope that helps.

Leo

extremely helpful. car looks sick!

[linklaterdavid]

David, it literally takes all of 30 seconds. One screw and a metal spring-clip (and the connector). Got the DEPO clear kit.

K well I feel like a dumb ass now. Guess I should have looked closer at that one! Lol. Thanks!

[phlupm3]

i still think its ridiculous coilover manufacturers can sell a product that requires cutting and welding but thats just me. ive owned a variety of cars from hondas, acuras and a subaru sti and none were as complicated when it came to suspension.

[Steve547i]

Well you owned rice cars with a large fan base. There is a lot more demand for products for those car and a hurdle like welding is more likely to be overcome by manufacturers.
There are JOM coils for the e34 that require zero welding. That would have been clear for you if you searched.

[Buzzdmonkey]

just about every good coilover setup for e34s will be weld in. the megan racing coilovers and the kido coilovers are pretty much the exact same build. I have a friend whos been running the megans for about a year now with no complaints. I was leaning towards getting the Megans myself but i ended up going to a local shop and they gave me a pretty good deal on Ksports. The confusing part about Ksports was that when you order them you have to specify the diameter of the strut housing. im not sure if its the same for any other coilovers. Im pretty sure the best price for Megans is from here http://meganracingwholesale.com/megan_racing/megan_racing_coilovers_euro_street_series/mrcdke34/i-582321.aspx , im pretty sure its free shipping to the U.S. but not to Canada :( which was my issue. Im not sure where everyone gets their Kido coilovers. The only place i could find for those is ebay. Also in your price rance is the NEX ss coilovers. Refer to 5mall5nail5's thread to see what those look like, but theyre also weld in. The only non weld in coilover available is JOM.. which i havent seen many reviews about for e34's. Ive seen them on a few e30's and e36's though. Not sure what the quality is like. but for $500 its probably quite a difference in build quality to Megan/Kido/Nex. also they offer much less adjust ability. Im pretty sure theres a Megan Coilovers thread somewhere in here in the e34 section where i posted a few pictures of my friends setup.

[jgdynamics]

i love my megan coilovers! got em for 850 shipped!

[phlupm3]

Well you owned rice cars with a large fan base. There is a lot more demand for products for those car and a hurdle like welding is more likely to be overcome by manufacturers.
There are JOM coils for the e34 that require zero welding. That would have been clear for you if you searched.

lol subarus are riced cars? off topic but i feel like bmw fan base is growing esp older models, just dont see why a coilover isnt ready to go on a car when you buy it. oh well bmw probs.

[E34nication]

Ground control will provide a complete, assembled, bolt on coilover kit, you just have to send them the strut housings (at least they used to). I think it is/was a $150 up charge?