Eibachs or OEM suspension?
Poll: Eibachs or OEM suspension?
Total Members Polled: 51
Discussion
Folks,
Posted a similar question in MPower section with no response thus far, although I think that it's worthy of wider thought since the principles are broadly the same for all "performance" cars.
Currently have a 1998 E36 M3 cab with awful suspension. I've acquired a new set of OEM suspension struts and now need to decide what springs to put on.
Initially ordered Eibach springs- 25mm drop at the front, 15 at the rear. However the car parts place are trying to persuade me to get H+R springs- 40mm front, 10mm rear. They reckon they are more OEM, possibly slightly softer than the Eibach set. However, I've been mulling it over and the 40mm drop at the front really concerns me. I don't want speedbumps to be as much of an issue as they are now ("Slammed" on badly cut springs).
To add into the mix, I've sourced a potential new OEM spring set- £330 delivered, which is about £100 more than the other two sets.
Anyone with experience of the above springs/principles care to comment? I do fundamentally want the car fairly OEM but a small drop doesn't concern me too much.
If the Eibachs have a performance advantage over the standard ///M set up without becoming crashy they might be the way to go...
Posted a similar question in MPower section with no response thus far, although I think that it's worthy of wider thought since the principles are broadly the same for all "performance" cars.
Currently have a 1998 E36 M3 cab with awful suspension. I've acquired a new set of OEM suspension struts and now need to decide what springs to put on.
Initially ordered Eibach springs- 25mm drop at the front, 15 at the rear. However the car parts place are trying to persuade me to get H+R springs- 40mm front, 10mm rear. They reckon they are more OEM, possibly slightly softer than the Eibach set. However, I've been mulling it over and the 40mm drop at the front really concerns me. I don't want speedbumps to be as much of an issue as they are now ("Slammed" on badly cut springs).
To add into the mix, I've sourced a potential new OEM spring set- £330 delivered, which is about £100 more than the other two sets.
Anyone with experience of the above springs/principles care to comment? I do fundamentally want the car fairly OEM but a small drop doesn't concern me too much.
If the Eibachs have a performance advantage over the standard ///M set up without becoming crashy they might be the way to go...
I've said Eibach, but that's based on the price and experience of them in the past on my Corrado and M5.
Had H&R springs on my 3.6 M5 and swapped them within about a month for the Eibachs. Seemed much better as they were a progressive spring that gave a good ride when driving normally and tightened up once loaded into a corner.
However, don't forget to factor in any insurance increase from modifying the suspension - you may come to the conclusion that it's cheaper/better to stick to OEM instead.
Had H&R springs on my 3.6 M5 and swapped them within about a month for the Eibachs. Seemed much better as they were a progressive spring that gave a good ride when driving normally and tightened up once loaded into a corner.
However, don't forget to factor in any insurance increase from modifying the suspension - you may come to the conclusion that it's cheaper/better to stick to OEM instead.
40mm seems to me like quite a severe drop for the OEM dampers, but how this applies to the M3 in particular I'm not sure. Maybe when you try it out it'll be fine.
I myself have murdered a nice-riding car by messing around in these ways, so my vote has to go to keeping it all OEM, but if as has been said the Eibachs are quite compliant progressive springs - the progressive part being all-important - then maybe they wouldn't cause a problem.
I myself have murdered a nice-riding car by messing around in these ways, so my vote has to go to keeping it all OEM, but if as has been said the Eibachs are quite compliant progressive springs - the progressive part being all-important - then maybe they wouldn't cause a problem.
I can't comment from a BMW perspective but I have had two 40mm Eibach kits on my Zetec S and Fiesta ST.
When I bought the springs the website and Eibach them self told me they wouldn't be crashy, but in both instances I have found them to be crashy. Could just be the Fiesta or the fact they were used on standard dampers but it might be worth looking into this on the BMW too.
When I bought the springs the website and Eibach them self told me they wouldn't be crashy, but in both instances I have found them to be crashy. Could just be the Fiesta or the fact they were used on standard dampers but it might be worth looking into this on the BMW too.
I'd say they're getting a bigger margin on the H+R springs over the Eibachs. Eibach know how to make a spring, I've just refreshed my Integras suspension with OEM (Koni) shocks and Eibach springs and they're chuffing brilliant. Just enough drop for the road and not making it skittish or crashy in the process.
The E36 M3 had pretty sorted suspension and I dont think you can really better it for day to day conditions. Only gains maybe if you do alot of track work and then the stiffening /lowering options may be worthwhile.
Id say stick to OEM. May want to look at bushes, etc if you want to improve handling as Id imagine they'd be pretty shot if they're still the originals.
Id say stick to OEM. May want to look at bushes, etc if you want to improve handling as Id imagine they'd be pretty shot if they're still the originals.
Eibach seem to be the spring manufacturer of choice for many manufacturers for their lowering suspension kits (sold as accessories)
They also make the standard springs for a few manufacturers too - on that basis, I'd say, if they're good enough for a manufacturer, you can't be going too far wrong
They also make the standard springs for a few manufacturers too - on that basis, I'd say, if they're good enough for a manufacturer, you can't be going too far wrong
Superhoop said:
Eibach seem to be the spring manufacturer of choice for many manufacturers for their lowering suspension kits (sold as accessories)
They also make the standard springs for a few manufacturers too - on that basis, I'd say, if they're good enough for a manufacturer, you can't be going too far wrong
My thoughts exactly, plus if you're saving £100 I don't see how you can lose.They also make the standard springs for a few manufacturers too - on that basis, I'd say, if they're good enough for a manufacturer, you can't be going too far wrong
Sounds to be all pointing towards the Eibachs. I'm still ever so slightly concerned that they might be a stiffer version of already stiff suspension- Not worried about the slight drop.
Insurance appears to get sniffy about an over 25mm drop so another factor against the H&Rs. Doesn't affect the premium too much with Bell, although it does seem that you can't go overboard!
Insurance appears to get sniffy about an over 25mm drop so another factor against the H&Rs. Doesn't affect the premium too much with Bell, although it does seem that you can't go overboard!
doogz said:
Have a set made? You can stick to close to standard rate, if you'll be fitting a new set of standard dampers, and you can specify the exact length, so you can decide if you want to go slightly lower than standard.
http://www.dfaulknersprings.com/standard_springs.h...
E-mail them, tell them what you're looking for, they'll make them and send them out.
Think i paid around £50/spring last time i had some made.
Really? I'd have almost expected an extra zero on that price for custom-made springs, I've never looked into that but that seems too good to be true. Are they actually any good? Progressive?http://www.dfaulknersprings.com/standard_springs.h...
E-mail them, tell them what you're looking for, they'll make them and send them out.
Think i paid around £50/spring last time i had some made.
carreauchompeur said:
Currently have a 1998 E36 M3 cab with awful suspension....
So what is it you don't like about it?If it's too firm for you then the proposals you've put forward seem IMO destined to make it worse, not better. I'd start by addressing improvement of the existing setup with a careful check/replacement of all bushes and then some careful thought about what tyres you've got on there.
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