E36 raceland coilovers on 318TI
 

I have a set of these on a 318TI They were originaly destined for my 94 318IS. Fronts are exactly the same as a regular E36 but have coil springs on an adjustable shock tube and bolt on as original. I had to ty-rap the brake sensor/hose lines to the shock body. For the rears, the shock had an overall length longer than the original TI shock but had a similar compressed length. The spring and adjustable perch was stock at full length and lowered the car 2 inches bottomed out. It drives very nice and I would recommend this to any novice driver who would like an upgrade from stock with lowering capabilities. They lowered the car nicely. As far as my 318IS, I kept the stock springs and installed Bilstein shocks. Many people on this forum say bad things about budget coilovers without ever installing them. (You get what you pay for, they say) Well where has manufacturing gone lately. (China)....... Well you get what you pay for otherwise... High cost parts(name brand) sub-manufactured overseas anyways with a nice sticker to put on your side window. I would gladly have someone come to FLorida to compare this setup to stock. IT is MUCH better than stock at $278 shipped.

Have you ever driven on 100% brand new stock suspension? Or are you comparing that to super old stock stuff? I did the cheap suspension, I won't be making that mistake again.

I also have a set of these too. If the outward appearance of these is any indication of the build quality, it is not bad. The welds and the overall finish of the springs and shocks/struts is decent.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Chinese government subsidizes these companies so they can sell parts like these at a loss to damage the higher end manufacturers by flooding the market with low price parts...

I had a 87 325ic with 50k, a 1991 318i with 75k, a 1994 318i with 55k and have driven my mothers leased 2004 325i when new. So yes, I have driven a bmw with new/new stock suspension. I have set up my newly aquired 94 318is with bilstein all around. And replaced all bushings. It is not quite as nice as the 98TI with Raceland coilovers. What cheap suspension did you use? It is all Chinese stuff now for the most part. Some Chinese made with a Euro brand name. But hey, for my budget ride, it works very well. It is like shopping for a Schwinn or Mongoose BMX now, so long 1986.....