Lowering an e24???

[Justinchen86]

I have a 1986 635csi and I wanted to put coil overs on the car any ideas on what kind are the best?

[theseeker411]

You can get coilover sleeves from Ground Control or Ireland Engineering. CA Tuned has full coilover setups for e28/24s for around 1500.

[dwal95008]

A full Coilover kit with damping of your choice and camber plates from Ground Control is ~1650 +tax, shipping

[CW6er]

Ireland Engineering Coil-Overs may be a better bet.

Coil-Overs & Jon's Saga with Ground Control:
http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19584&

Rear Camber - Toe:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2096597-rear-suspension-question&p=27546717#post27546717
Ireland Kit Installation: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1015823-Rear-Subframe-Modification-for-Alignment&
K-Mac Bushings & Klaus 101: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?967308-kmac-rear-trailing-arm-bushing-install&

- - - Updated - - -

__________

Some info from mye28.com about Lowering Spring Sets:

1. Stock .................................... - ~166 lb/in - 0mm drop (Stock height)

2. M-technik, BMW ..................... - ~193 lb/in - 20mm drop fr/rr

3. Dinan (Stage 1-4, #D100-0417) - ~200-220 lb/in - ~20mm drop fr/rr or 5/8ths to 3/4 in. drop (also Spring Set #D100-0442 - less expensive, for Euro M5/M635)

4. Ireland Engineering ................ - Supposedly duplicates the N/A Dinan springs but with just a bit stiffer front spring.

5. Suspension Technique (#60065) - ~200 lb/in - 20-25mm drop fr/rr

6. Bavarian Autosport .................. - ~200 lb/in - 32mm drop or 1.25 in. drop

7. Alpina .................................... - ~200 lb/in - ~20mm drop

8. Hartge ................................... - ~220-240 lb/in - 35mm drop

9. Eibach ................................... - ~220-240 lb/in - 30mm/35mm drop, or 1.2/1.4 in. drop

10. H&R Springs ........................... - ~220-240 lb/in - 32mm drop, or 1.25 in. drop

11. Racing Dynamics .................... - ~274 lb/in - 32mm drop, or 1.25 in. drop

Some more info:

Lowering springs:
http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14937&
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=24883186#post24883186
Dinan suspension stages: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1845837
Re-valving Bilstiens to Dinan (or other) springs: http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=36109

[Dash01]

Ireland Engineering Coil-Overs may be a better bet.

Coil-Overs & Jon's Saga with Ground Control:
http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19584&

Rear Camber - Toe:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2096597-rear-suspension-question&p=27546717#post27546717
Ireland Kit Installation: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1015823-Rear-Subframe-Modification-for-Alignment&
K-Mac Bushings & Klaus 101: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?967308-kmac-rear-trailing-arm-bushing-install&

- - - Updated - - -

__________

Some info from mye28.com about Lowering Spring Sets:

1. Stock .................................... - ~166 lb/in - 0mm drop (Stock height)

2. M-technik, BMW ..................... - ~193 lb/in - 20mm drop fr/rr

3. Dinan (Stage 1-4, #D100-0417) - ~200-220 lb/in - ~20mm drop fr/rr or 5/8ths to 3/4 in. drop (also Spring Set #D100-0442 - less expensive, for Euro M5/M635)

4. Ireland Engineering ................ - Supposedly duplicates the N/A Dinan springs but with just a bit stiffer front spring.

5. Suspension Technique (#60065) - ~200 lb/in - 20-25mm drop fr/rr

6. Bavarian Autosport .................. - ~200 lb/in - 32mm drop or 1.25 in. drop

7. Alpina .................................... - ~200 lb/in - ~20mm drop

8. Hartge ................................... - ~220-240 lb/in - 35mm drop

9. Eibach ................................... - ~220-240 lb/in - 30mm/35mm drop, or 1.2/1.4 in. drop

10. H&R Springs ........................... - ~220-240 lb/in - 32mm drop, or 1.25 in. drop

11. Racing Dynamics .................... - ~274 lb/in - 32mm drop, or 1.25 in. drop

Some more info:

Lowering springs:
http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14937&
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=24883186#post24883186
Dinan suspension stages: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1845837
Re-valving Bilstiens to Dinan (or other) springs: http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=36109

How much rate and how many inches drop if you cut 1 coil off the spring?

1.5 coils?

[xing6666]

How much rate and how many inches drop if you cut 1 coil off the spring? 1.5 coils? That... Is a bad idea. Our springs are progressive rate so you screw up the spring rate by cutting coils - eg your car will ride like crap + other problems.

---Edit---

Actually I can't remember if stock springs are progressive rate or not, but regardless, I've seen plenty of cut/torched spring nightmares down here in Miami. I would advise against it... A set of decent replacement sport springs is really not very expensive.

[Dash01]

That... Is a bad idea. Our springs are progressive rate so you screw up the spring rate by cutting coils - eg your car will ride like crap + other problems.

Granted, cutting too much off would bottom out the shocks, shortening their life. And, cutting the springs with a torch may alter or ruin the temper of the steel, so should be avoided.

But, what do you say to those who have actually cut their springs by less than 2 coils, and done so without altering the temper, yet report that the ride is fine or improved?

I've followed this topic on E24, E28, E32, E34, E36, and other forums for years: There are many accounts of successful spring cutting, usually by less than 2 coils, usually from off the bottom so that the spring still mounts its perch correctly, and usually with a cutting tool which does not substantially heat the metal. There are numerous accounts of such cutting of 1 to 1.5 coils with no ill effects, but rather positive effects such as lower c.g., somewhat stiffened spring rate, better handling, and very low cost. Further, it has been reported by some that some aftermarket spring manufacturers may cut stock springs and repaint them.

I've not personally done this, hence my question above addressed to those who have.

Would those who have actual, personal experience cutting springs please share your insights vis spring rate and ride height changes when cut by 1 to 1.5 coils?

[loxxrider]

If you go diy, you will not have much luck with normally valved bilsteins or konis. They have to be modified to deal with higher spring rates on these nose heavy pigs. Also, a lot is gained in terms of suspension travel by shortening the strut housings if you plan to drop it by more than an inch or so.