1989 E30 Sedan - Suspension refresh - Need help

[Zackemcor]

Hello all,

Finally, I'm back to the E30 community. Our family recently picked up a 1989 E30 325i sedan and shipped it back to Long Island, NY from the west coast.
The car comes with BC coilovers with 32 ways adjustments which is not in my liking(at least my kidneys are not liking the ride on NY roads). So since the car passed NYS Salvage Vehicle Examination last week due to it had Cali salvage title.
Long story short, I am planning to upgrade most if not all the suspension parts and give a refresh suspension. Hoping to enjoy the drive as the E30 will be my weekend car to drive or to car meets. Not planning to do track/autocross.
Here is the list of parts I'm planning to purchase and install. Can someone with knowledge confirm these will work? Please let me know if i am missing other parts while I'm already doing this. Full tune up will be next in coming fall/winter.


Front shocks: KONI 8641 1021SPORT
Rear shocks KONI 80 2522SPORT
Lowering springs: H&R Sport 50404-55
ECS Complete Front & Rear Suspension Rebuild Kit:

Front:
Lemforder Front lower control arms
Solid rubber E36 M3 front control arm bushings for improved handling and steering feel
Lemforder Front sway bar end links
Sachs Front strut mounts
Lemforder Inner and outer tie rod assemblies
All required retaining hardware

Rear:
Rear trailing arm bushings
Rear stabilizer links
Rear shock mounts - upgraded units from the E46 M3
ECS rear shock mount reinforcement plates for improved mount life and protection from shock mount deformation
Rear shock mount hardware and gasket
Rear subframe mounts
Differential bushing


Regard

Zac

[bluptgm3]

Most likely need to source ‘factory’ E30 struts and replace the hydraulics with parts indicated above.


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[Zackemcor]

Most likely need to source ‘factory’ E30 struts and replace the hydraulics with parts indicated above.


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I am not sure why i need to look for factory e30 struts? I am replacing all 4 shocks.
Please educate me.

Thanks for the reply.

Zac

[richardodn]

E30 struts fit into a housing and retained with a gland nut so that the strut body is completely enclosed. Coilovers on the E30 are often created by cutting the housing tube and welding on a spring perch. I'm not certain that's true in this case..

[superj]

you will have to check when you get it. its possible that the housing got cut for the coil overs but if someone didn't want to go as low as possible and just used the stock spring perch, you would have less parts to buy because the stock housing would still be useable

[Zackemcor]

you will have to check when you get it. its possible that the housing got cut for the coil overs but if someone didn't want to go as low as possible and just used the stock spring perch, you would have less parts to buy because the stock housing would still be useable

i have a feeling the strut housing was cut for the weld.

E30 struts fit into a housing and retained with a gland nut so that the strut body is completely enclosed. Coilovers on the E30 are often created by cutting the housing tube and welding on a spring perch. I'm not certain that's true in this case..

Thank you. now i see why i may need sort some used struts.

Are there any other parts you guys think i should replace while im there doing all the refreshing?


Cheers

Zak

[superj]

used strut housings. yes, you are correct in why

[Zackemcor]

used strut housings. yes, you are correct in why

Thank you for the information.

I am assuming that's the list im going for for a street/comfort ride. Just love driving in general.
If you guys can think any improvement from the list. Please let me know

Zac

[aaverhulst]

If you want the best ride, go with stock stuff. If NY streets are as bad as MO streets, I wouldn't want any performance parts. I'd use KYB shocks for best ride.

[H.J. 1981]

If you want the best ride, go with stock stuff. If NY streets are as bad as MO streets, I wouldn't want any performance parts. I'd use KYB shocks for best ride.

Will be a bit hard, as far as i know, here in Europe at least, only Sachs offers OE style front and rear oil dampers (as close as possible to stock NOT Koni).

Everyone else offers gas pressured.

[Zackemcor]

If you want the best ride, go with stock stuff. If NY streets are as bad as MO streets, I wouldn't want any performance parts. I'd use KYB shocks for best ride.

Is Koni sport that much harsh compare to OEM/KYB in term of ride quality?
Can KYB pair with the lowering springs?

[aaverhulst]

I don't know. Missed you want to lower springs.

[Mikealwa]

Lowering/sport springs might cause premature wear on oe replacement struts. I will say that Bilstein and Koni shocks are so widely used in the E30 world it it can't be that bad 🤷. I have Bilstein and old h r sports on my ix now, with new Koni yellows in the box I'm going to next. There's a lot of threads comparing these two options if I remember right Koni was thought to be a lil better at soaking up the little bumps/comfort on rougher roads. Don't quote me. You could just go full oe/OEM springs and struts of course.

[Zackemcor]

Lowering/sport springs might cause premature wear on oe replacement struts. I will say that Bilstein and Koni shocks are so widely used in the E30 world it it can't be that bad 路. I have Bilstein and old h r sports on my ix now, with new Koni yellows in the box I'm going to next. There's a lot of threads comparing these two options if I remember right Koni was thought to be a lil better at soaking up the little bumps/comfort on rougher roads. Don't quote me. You could just go full oe/OEM springs and struts of course.

I just ordered the Koni and HR sport springs from LMP. Great price and no shipping & tax. Anyone got any pictures with that set up?
Next, im going for the full suspension rebuilt kit from ECS. Since its on sale on ECS tuning website.
Or should i buy them separately as mention from other Threads.

Zac

[ZEKTI]

Buy the AKG tool for RTAB. Saves so much hassle. Personally I prefer poly but I understand rubber bushings. Setup should be fine for NY streets.

[superj]

those koni adjustables are so nice. i had them on my 89 325i. my kids had the h&r sports on their cars but they didn't have konis.

[Zackemcor]

those koni adjustables are so nice. i had them on my 89 325i. my kids had the h&r sports on their cars but they didn't have konis.

I cant wait to install them along with the HR sport springs. What setting of firmness did you set it at?



All the parts have been ordered except the front control arms, control arm bushings and brackets. Apparently, they have been refreshed recently by the previous owner.

[superj]

i normally had them set soft but would adjust for autocross

[bluptgm3]

Adjustable Koni Sports - only the rebound dampening is being adjusted.
Damage to the adjuster can occur if run at ‘full soft’. Move to at least 1/2 turn from ‘full soft’ to avoid a sticky adjuster.


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[superj]

oh /\

i am glad mine never had trouble.

[Zackemcor]

I will start with 1/2 turn from full soft. Not doing autocross.

Now im having hard time locating (2) front strut housing. They are costing an arm or a leg for two used ones on ebay.

[aaverhulst]

Have you tried a salvage yard? https://www.car-part.com/

[Zackemcor]

Have you tried a salvage yard? https://www.car-part.com/

This might be a stupid question.
What should i search under? I couldn't locate the housing from carpart.


I have also noticed that there are two different sizes. 45mm and 51mm. I think i will need the 51mm for 1989 325i sedan.

[Zackemcor]

little quick update. I don't know if anyone else out there is also doing the suspension refresh kit from ECS.
I believe tie rods from Lemforder are out of stock everywhere. Only by Meyle or Viaco that are available.

[aaverhulst]

Search under strut. Find a yard close to you, then call them to indicate your needs and confirm that they still have it.

To your last post about tie rods. I've notice that parts suppliers come and go pretty fast. Here today, gone tomorrow. I'm just happy a new part is available. If multiple suppliers, then I select the most appropriate.