attention M3 Convertibles.............

[golfaddict]

I have a stock suspension right now and
I am about to change my shocks and springs on my car.

If you have something other that stock, could you please tell me what kind of setup you have on your M3 convertible??
and if it is a harsher ride than stock???


thanks in advance.:wave:

[nicot]

Mate. There is nothing in terms of shocks or springs for our cars only coilover by H&R. M3 coupe springs have different rear settings due to our extra weight with the roof and the extra stiffening. I've got M3 coupe springs in my car on loan till my H&R Coilovers come in. The ride with my 18's is alright but potholes are not very comfortable and are accompanied with a loud bang.

[Dinan330ic]

I don't have an M3, but I have a vert. I have the Dinan Stg 3 suspension with Koni's. I love them since you can adjust the shocks, but that's because of the shocks. This is a really nice set-up and it can be quite harsh. My car is only lowed less than an inch, so it could be harsher. If I go any lower, my rims will rub...I think. I don't think having the suspension so stiff on a vert is a good idea because it can cause a lot of squeaking from the pounding the vert motor gets and the windows. My windows are beginning to squeak because the bumpy roads are torturing them. Good luck

[98///M-DROPTOP]

H&R co's here, lowered one inch front and rear, really like the ride and the look....probably the best thing I've done to the car yet.
Yes, the ride is more firm than stock and you can't have these and stock ride height too.....bounces like a pogo stick. If you don't want to lower the car just go with Bilstein Sports and stock springs.

[golfaddict]

Since I dont do any autoX or racing I dont want to have a harsh ride, like others have said it would not be a good idea.

And yes it is very hard to find companies that make shocks for our cars. I really dont want to do coilovers.

So I think maybe I should do Konis or Bilsteins(which one gives me the less harsh drive?) and Stock springs.?? :dunno

[Dinanify]

I also have a 1999 E36 M3 convertible, 64k miles of hard driving...

If I DO Go with Bilstein sports with stock springs, do the springs also wear out? or can you live the stock ones in and buy just shocks?

btw, I see the Bilstein Sports on www.alloembmwparts.com for the following:

rear shocks
bilstein Sport, $131.72 x2 = $263

Front Shocks
$206x2 = $412

BS's all around for $675 it looks like, yeah?

[JST]

Originally posted by golfaddict
Since I dont do any autoX or racing I dont want to have a harsh ride, like others have said it would not be a good idea.

And yes it is very hard to find companies that make shocks for our cars. I really dont want to do coilovers.

So I think maybe I should do Konis or Bilsteins(which one gives me the less harsh drive?) and Stock springs.?? :dunno

One thing to think about with the Konis: Some fabrication work is required, as the Koni cartridges bolt into the stock strut bodies up front. This means you have to cut your stock strut bodies, drain the oil, and bolt in the Koni cartridges.

As a DIY, it looks relatively straightforward, although it's more than a little intimidating to take a pipe cutter to your struts.

Having a shop do it, though, can be very spendy, depending on the place. Since the Bilsteins come as a new strut unit, installation of the Konis can quickly wipe out any cost difference between the two.

That said, I hear that the Bilsteins are about as stiff as the Konis on full stiff, and I hear that the Konis on full stiff are VERY stiff.

I have not decided yet what I will do, but am leaning toward the Bilsteins.

[Dinanify]

do me a favor and PM me with what you end up doing, as I'm going to be going down this road shortly too....

THanks!

[98///M-DROPTOP]

Originally posted by Dinanify


btw, I see the Bilstein Sports on www.alloembmwparts.com for the following:

rear shocks
bilstein Sport, $131.72 x2 = $263

Front Shocks
$206x2 = $412

BS's all around for $675 it looks like, yeah?
It's been a while since I shopped for suspension components but I keep seeing this in Zygmunt's Specials, page 4....M3 Bilstein full set, front and rear, $532.88 w/free shipping. I don't think you'll find a better price for them.
http://www.bimmerparts.com/item.wws?catpk=&sku=M3BILKIT&mfr=BIL&qty=1&storepk=300033&cookieID=0M71A18B9&clientid=bimmerparts.com

[CruzrM3]

Just out of curiousity, what mileage are you guys at when wanting to change suspension components? I think I may be due for some new parts since I hear some rear clunking everytime I go over bumps.

[GatorM]

Cruzr- How many miles are you at? I have 30k and don't hear a thing as yet. I'm just looking for good excuses to upgrade..:)

[JST]

My car has about 60K miles on it. I don't have any noises (and the clunking you're hearing might be due to bad rear shock mounts, rather than anything in the shocks themselves), and most of the time it feels fine, but over certain bump combinations I can feel it get a bit loose.

[golfaddict]

an update on my car:

I ended up buying the KONI SAs and I installed the rear ones myself when I replace my RSMs.

But the Front ones, that is a different story and I dont feel skillful enough to tackle that one.

I have yet to find a shop in the area to do it for me.

IN the past I have gone to Curry's Auto but I am trying to find out what else is out there.

My car has 52kmiles and I hear rattling noises everywhere :(
especially when I drive to work in DC.

[Dinanify]

Fyi for all, my car has 64k miles on it. It had 11k (used) when I bought it. And those have been 64k miles of HARD driving.

[nicot]

My car is 24K...bought it with 15K 6 months ago..

My H&R's C/O's have come in and are being installed next week. So can't wait to give her a rip..also getting ACS sways..

[JoeCinVA]

Originally posted by golfaddict
an update on my car:

I ended up buying the KONI SAs and I installed the rear ones myself when I replace my RSMs.

But the Front ones, that is a different story and I dont feel skillful enough to tackle that one.


If you wait a couple of weeks, I'll be doing a Koni SA, Eibach Pro-Kit install in a couple of weeks. It'll be a DIY job. Could always use an extra set of hands.

[golfaddict]

JoeCinVA,

If I am available the weekend that you are doing your KONI Sa install I would definetely be willing to help.

Do you have all the right tools?? spring compressor??etc.

Let me know when you are planning on doing it.

[JoeCinVA]

golfaddict,

check your email.

[CruzrM3]

Originally posted by JST
My car has about 60K miles on it. I don't have any noises (and the clunking you're hearing might be due to bad rear shock mounts, rather than anything in the shocks themselves), and most of the time it feels fine, but over certain bump combinations I can feel it get a bit loose.


Same here, except i have 40K miles.

[Kramer]

Guys,
I don't know what all the hubub is about.
The various spring kits are available for the Cabs is well as he coupe and sedans. There's just a different part # on these for the Cab.(specifcally because of the rear springs).
You can go with Eibach, BAS, Dinan, (I haven't checked H&R...to stiff 4 me), etc.
A set of springs for your ride, and sither Koni SA or BS and your all set. That's assuming you don't want the expense/complexity of coilovers. n If I were a racer, that's what I'd get, but since I'm not, the springs/shocks'll do.
Soft (but firmer than stock. will lower) - Bavarian AutoSport
more firm - Eibach Pro Kit
firmer H&R Sports (??)
More H&R Race (??)
etc.

[Kramer]

UPdate.
<Nevermid>
I HATE eatng crow like this.
Please disregrd the above statements I have made. These are for e36 cabs, not true form M3 cabs.
My bad...
Sorry 4 the waste of space.
Only coilovers will work as far as I can tell...