How low to go?
Discussion
So I have fully embarked on my mission to turn my daily driven work hack into a smart looking car. I bought it for a song, so man maths enables some spending on it.
Its a BMW E46 328ci with fairly low mileage, low number of owners, strong mechanically but cosmetically tired. Its currently sporting a set of M3 replica wheels which suit the car.
I have booked the car into the paint shop to be totally repainted in its original Hellrot red hue, which if I am honest i really do like. While the car is in for repainting I will be adding the M Sport kit, which includes sport front bumper, skirts and rear bumper. The rear bumper will be modified as I have also added a witter removable towbar to tow my track bike.
I am also adding the black shadowline trim and black kidney grills, new fresh badges, plates and finally a debadge, which I feel will lift the car.
So now onto the subject of the suspension. I want to lower the car subtly, improve the handling a touch, however I wanted to retain a degree of compliance and comfort. My initial thoughts were Bilstiens B4 dampers and Eibach Pro-Springs. However looking at the Eibach's it seems 20mm front and 10mm rear is what I can expect.
I am not sure if this is low enough to make a visible change. I must admit I don't want the car slammed to the floor as its a daily driver, but I would like a noticeable subtle drop. Which of course keeps the car drive able and comfortable.
The Bilstien and Eibach combination weigh in at under £500 notes and I don't want to spend that much more. Any suggestions or confirmation that this combination will work is appreciated.
Its a BMW E46 328ci with fairly low mileage, low number of owners, strong mechanically but cosmetically tired. Its currently sporting a set of M3 replica wheels which suit the car.
I have booked the car into the paint shop to be totally repainted in its original Hellrot red hue, which if I am honest i really do like. While the car is in for repainting I will be adding the M Sport kit, which includes sport front bumper, skirts and rear bumper. The rear bumper will be modified as I have also added a witter removable towbar to tow my track bike.
I am also adding the black shadowline trim and black kidney grills, new fresh badges, plates and finally a debadge, which I feel will lift the car.
So now onto the subject of the suspension. I want to lower the car subtly, improve the handling a touch, however I wanted to retain a degree of compliance and comfort. My initial thoughts were Bilstiens B4 dampers and Eibach Pro-Springs. However looking at the Eibach's it seems 20mm front and 10mm rear is what I can expect.
I am not sure if this is low enough to make a visible change. I must admit I don't want the car slammed to the floor as its a daily driver, but I would like a noticeable subtle drop. Which of course keeps the car drive able and comfortable.
The Bilstien and Eibach combination weigh in at under £500 notes and I don't want to spend that much more. Any suggestions or confirmation that this combination will work is appreciated.
I have a 328i E46 saloon. I wanted to reduce the body roll without reducing ride quality and without spending a fortune. I fitted 330ci clubsport front arb and 330i rear anti roll bars (second hand) with new Lemforder links and geniune bushes.
This has made a remarkable improvement to the car, the ride comfort is not reduced but there is hardly any roll. I also fitted uprated rear top mount bushes with Z3 reinforcement plates and genuine front turret reinforcement plates.
Just a few more ideas to consider, as the previous post states B4 Bilsteins are standard replacement dampers, not uprated and not designed for lowered springs.
This has made a remarkable improvement to the car, the ride comfort is not reduced but there is hardly any roll. I also fitted uprated rear top mount bushes with Z3 reinforcement plates and genuine front turret reinforcement plates.
Just a few more ideas to consider, as the previous post states B4 Bilsteins are standard replacement dampers, not uprated and not designed for lowered springs.
Shaoxter said:
A respray, bodykit and suspension... wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to sell up and get an E46 M3?
Not really. I bought the car for a song. I have fiend who is a partner in a bodyshop and is respraying my car for mates rates. Wheel refurb is £50 a corner from the bodyshop contact.The suspension work may wait until next year to determine if I am keeping the car as I chop and change a great deal.
I am sure I will be under 3k all in with all this work bar suspension. I will have pretty smart work hack with 75,000 genuine miles on the clock for not a lot.
I may take the advice of leaving the suspension alone and re-bushing it and adding beefier roll bars as recommended above.
Still I would like an M3 however this car would have to live in the street as my garage is somewhat occupied. I dont think an M3 would last long in good condition doing battle with all the shopping cars in my street.
Also the running costs of a M3 vs a 328 are not in the same league.
ATM said:
Pop over to the e46zone. Lots of e46 owners there can give you a few pointers.
Thanks... i'll have a lurk about. However this BMW forum is pretty good as I seem to have most of my answers. 
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