Vogtland/lowered owners...

[RVAE34]

Agreed on the top mounts. I would definitely do them while in there.

If you run without spring pads, I would put some sort of long lasting grease on the spring where it fits into the perch.

[Hofmeister]

Not sure about a guide for swapping but you will get a chance to swap them when taking apart the strut/shock assemblies.

Yes swap the strut mounts no matter their condition really. They are cheap and are a known problem on e34s. When u are working on the springs struts/shocks they are right there. If u leave the old ones and they go at a later date it will be a PITA.

I have no spring pads in the front and it is solid not too bouncy and not squeaky as some have suggest. However I have no comparison pre and post with the same spring/strut setup

It's not that hard when there's lowering springs. I swapped mine in 30 minutes without a sprin compressor

[ARMAN]

But seriously, if mine is the first opinion, wait for a second one

i sowwy

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Why don't you get new shocks and sell your Billie's on here? They'll sell pretty quickly.

i'll try those external bumpstops if that doesnt help i'll get sachs fronts and call it a day altho two sachs will cost more than i payed for four billies

best shocks my ass, thats how billies were advertised here btw

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No, the diameter of the billies is significantly bigger. Cut bump stop in half, slice length wise and secure with 2 zip ties.
Or search for a bump stop that actually has the right I.D. and modify accordingly.

thanx man

[E38740iMD]

one more question before i buy. did anyone get the 60/20mm spring set from vogtland?

thinking i will buy tomarrow

[ShapeShifter]

You should consider the Lowtec setup. For $525 shipped it will come with shock and struts.
60/20 will have way too much rake. Go 45/40 with no front spring pads.


Here is 45/30 lowtec set up without front pads. Reason fro 30 in the rear was for hauling capability.

[ARMAN]

No, the diameter of the billies is significantly bigger. Cut bump stop in half, slice length wise and secure with 2 zip ties.
Or search for a bump stop that actually has the right I.D. and modify accordingly.

just and additional question do you remember which bumpstop you used that fit billie sports? or at least do you know what diametr billie sport have?

[jeffary]

Not sure about a guide for swapping but you will get a chance to swap them when taking apart the strut/shock assemblies.

Yes swap the strut mounts no matter their condition really. They are cheap and are a known problem on e34s. When u are working on the springs struts/shocks they are right there. If u leave the old ones and they go at a later date it will be a PITA.

I have no spring pads in the front and it is solid not too bouncy and not squeaky as some have suggest. However I have no comparison pre and post with the same spring/strut setup

Thanks for the replies.

I'm assuming swap both front and rear strut mounts?

Hm, I might go that route as well. Did you trim down the rear spring pads?

[jhayregz]

one more question before i buy. did anyone get the 60/20mm spring set from vogtland?

thinking i will buy tomarrow

yes as said too much rake...
i went with 60/30 Lowtec...i think still too much rake..i wish i went with 60/40...

[njg86]

60/40 Lowtec. Billy sports. 3mm pads. If my memory serves me right, I used bump stops. I do bottom out and the ride can be harsh

[E38740iMD]

Thanks for the pic reference guys

[ShapeShifter]

I now have a complete set of lowtec springs, shocks and struts for sale. New in the box.
Springs are 45mm/40mm $520+ shipping and PP fees.

[moroza]

I put Vogtlands on my previous 535i sedan, with Bilstein HD shocks, and it bottomed out badly in the front. Never had any issues in the rear, though.

[irmasalla]

Are you sure they come with different drops in the front? I knew that it comes only with a 45mm drop.

[The Night Rider]

Mine: Never bottom out.

[cirrusblau]

here's mine:


@night rider - we have the same drop but different part numbers. maybe yours is a bit softer because it's for a B18/20? maybe you're gonna need something like mine after your M52 swap?

[The Night Rider]

- The weight difference between M50B25 and M50B20 is likely to be negligible, but if the part number is different then perhaps they are softer as you said (if they were meant for the 518i as well).

- It is not going to be a problem for me, the M52 I have swapped in is all aluminium (compared to cast iron block M50), so it is about 20 Kg lighter than any M50. I have noticed that the front end of my car seems to be slightly higher than it was before. It may settle back down, I am not sure.
Somebody I know has experience with aluminium M52 swapped 520i and he says he also noticed the front lifted up slightly after the swap.

[RN WC]

I have seen reference made to Vogtland 60/40 springs for E34 in other threads and websites so I think there is a version that is a more dramatic drop than the 40/20. The 60/40mm version is definitely going to be more prone to bottoming out. I've had the 40/20 setup (951026) with Billie Sports now for several weeks and have not been able to get them to bottom out. I do not have bump stops and springs are sitting in the stock spring pads. I'm very happy with both the ride and the look. You are also going to be significantly out of spec on camber with a 60/40 drop unless you invest in camber plates and such. I was barely out of spec with the 40/20. I started a thread about my suspension upgrade and you will find the results of my alignment here:

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...s-or-Sway-Bars

[RVAE34]

If you guys aren't cutting part of the bump stop out, that is why you are bottoming out. And Bilstein HD shocks are not meant for lowered springs. If you have those shocks with lowering springs, you will also most likely bottom out.

[struka]

If you guys aren't cutting part of the bump stop out, that is why you are bottoming out. And Bilstein HD shocks are not meant for lowered springs. If you have those shocks with lowering springs, you will also most likely bottom out.

Are you talking about the internal bumpstops on the fronts? (you are not supposed to run oem bumpstops)

I have vogtlands with bilstein sports without OEM bumpstops and uncut internal bumpstops and I bottom out.

[mostly amazing]

I wanted to revive this informative thread. Can someone post pics of where the (external?) bump stops should be installed on the front bilstein shocks? I am having a hard time picturing this.