E36 front and rear coil overs
Discussion
I'm looking at completely replacing the suspension on my e36 328i m tech. Previously i've been told that the original suspension was M3 springs and Bilstein shocks, now i'm looking to use fully adjustable coil overs as the ride height is slightly lower on the off side.
What would be the best to use, without altering the camber too much, and will i have to have specific mounts for the coil overs i buy?
Also, will i have to use M3 coil overs or M Techniks coil overs?
Any help is much appreciated.
Cheers
What would be the best to use, without altering the camber too much, and will i have to have specific mounts for the coil overs i buy?
Also, will i have to use M3 coil overs or M Techniks coil overs?
Any help is much appreciated.
Cheers
You won't need the M3 spec coilovers, and infact i'd try to avoid them.
They'll have a bracket on the side for connecting the M3 droplink, which can limit a bit of travel for the coilover as you can't wind a spring past it. It might depend on the maker/design, but it would be something you are paying for an not needing, with the possibility of limiting your options.
Plus they'll also be more expensive.
If you get a kit, you will probably also need spacers on the front, as the wheel has to clear a shock body with a spring over it, rather than just the body with the OEM spring sitting on a plate above.
I've seen people go for between 7-8mm to 15mm, the larger spacers will probably be better designed, as they can slip over the spigot/centre bore of the hub, and have enough metal left to have a new one.
Smaller spacers might just take up/block the centre spigot so the wheel sits entirely on the wheelbolts, which can lead to wheels going AWOL.
They'll have a bracket on the side for connecting the M3 droplink, which can limit a bit of travel for the coilover as you can't wind a spring past it. It might depend on the maker/design, but it would be something you are paying for an not needing, with the possibility of limiting your options.
Plus they'll also be more expensive.
If you get a kit, you will probably also need spacers on the front, as the wheel has to clear a shock body with a spring over it, rather than just the body with the OEM spring sitting on a plate above.
I've seen people go for between 7-8mm to 15mm, the larger spacers will probably be better designed, as they can slip over the spigot/centre bore of the hub, and have enough metal left to have a new one.
Smaller spacers might just take up/block the centre spigot so the wheel sits entirely on the wheelbolts, which can lead to wheels going AWOL.
I'm looking for front and rear coil overs to get the ride height even at all 4 corners, i looked at some Bilstein coilovers but couldn't tell if they were ride height adjustable on the rears, can you help me there? i also need them to last 4 laps of the ring!
Possibly a better kit in terms of all round compromise for a car mainly used on the road would be Bilstein PSS9. Pukka monotube design, spring rates are around 450lb and they're bump/rebound adjustable via a single easy-to-access knob.
If your main concern is track days, however, definitely go KW Clubsport.
If you are on a tight budget, Gaz Gold and HSD are options worth looking into. But if you can possibly afford it, I would go with the KW or Bilstein options.
Re spacers, I ran 10mm hubcentric Eibach spacers (20mm total across the axle) to clear my frontcoilies. Oh, and not sure what your issue is with camber. I ran about -2.5 on the front of my old 328i and didn't have a problem with tyre wear. What I did get was a massively more positive front end.
Also note that none of these kit are coilover at the rear. That's a different kettle of springs altogether.
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Possibly a better kit in terms of all round compromise for a car mainly used on the road would be Bilstein PSS9. Pukka monotube design, spring rates are around 450lb and they're bump/rebound adjustable via a single easy-to-access knob.
If your main concern is track days, however, definitely go KW Clubsport.
If you are on a tight budget, Gaz Gold and HSD are options worth looking into. But if you can possibly afford it, I would go with the KW or Bilstein options.
Re spacers, I ran 10mm hubcentric Eibach spacers (20mm total across the axle) to clear my frontcoilies. Oh, and not sure what your issue is with camber. I ran about -2.5 on the front of my old 328i and didn't have a problem with tyre wear. What I did get was a massively more positive front end.
Also note that none of these kit are coilover at the rear. That's a different kettle of springs altogether.
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