suspension install

[graphik]

im planning on installing new shocks and springs next week. are there any special tools i will need? i know i will need some spring compressors, but any other special tools? thanks for the help!

alex

[saxman0321]

Other than the spring compressor, all you will need is simple sockets like a 13mm, 18mm... It's not too bad of a job, just take your time and make sure everything is seated correctly and torqued down properly.

[graphik]

is the bentley manual necessary for this install?

[saxman0321]

I think the Haynes manual explains it well enough if you have one of those. They are a but cheaper and easier to come by, but not as extensive as the Bentley manual. Bentley is the way to go if you're willing to shell out the extra $50 or so. It's not a very difficult job, those manuals explain it well.

[bimmerboi318]

yeah the only problem i had was that my spring compressor was a piece of junk and didnt compress the springs enough. either that or i did it wrong. but it went pretty easily. the back was super easy. shocks can be replaced in like 20 minutes. not sure for springs. i only did shocks.

[m3rty98]

Just installed my springs I got a good deal on some maxspeeds ($0) my brother had them from his 318is and never installed so I just took them since he sold his car. Its a very simple process . it took me around an hour to do all 4 wheels. Well it helps when you have 2 jacks, impact gun and instead of a spring compressor I used some clamps. it droppe the car around 1.5" all around.

[graphik]

yeah i got mine done this weekend, it was my first suspension install. good experience, i installed the bav auto spring and bilstein sports.

alex

[L84THSKY]

Let me know how you like the BAV springs and Bilstein Sports. I also just bought a set of 17" rims. If the install isn't that bad, I will probably try it myself.

Originally Posted by graphik

yeah i got mine done this weekend, it was my first suspension install. good experience, i installed the bav auto spring and bilstein sports.

alex

[tiPilot]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

Let me know how you like the BAV springs and Bilstein Sports. I also just bought a set of 17" rims. If the install isn't that bad, I will probably try it myself.

I also have the 17" rims with 225 17 45 tires. I was thinking about doing springs next. Have you done this yet? Are you rubbing inside the wheel wells? good luck.

[bimmerboi318]

Originally Posted by tiPilot

Are you rubbing inside the wheel wells? good luck.

My stock wheels rubbed the inside of my wheelwells. I have nice shiny metal whoing where the tire hits.

[mikep]

Following your thread, it appears that you can have an interference problem following the installation of new springs (lowering the car 1.5").

The local BMW speciality shop and I have been discussing the installation of sport performance Bilstein struts, shocks and springs package. Lowers the car approx 1.5".

I have alloy 15" wheels, with the std suspension and was looking to improve the hadling in order to mimic the BMW's M-tec package. The speciality shop recommended the bilstein sport upgrade and said that it would handle better then the M-tec.

I am curious what results other owners have had with this type of upgrade:
Is there an interference problem with the std alloy 15" wheels?
Is the car prone to striking the curb when parking?
Was the price (approx $700 for parts) worth the handling improvement ( Irregardless, I am in need of shocks and struts).
Is adviseable to go for the optional 16" wheels?

The goal is to get a handling characteristics similar to the M-tec package. I do not plan to auto cross or take the car to the track; I enjoy spirited driving and BMW handling.

Any advice- recommendations will be appreciated.

R/ Mike P
1995, 318ti, a/t, 88,400mi

[L84THSKY]

I actually just bought the rims, haven't installed them yet. Still not sure exact size tires I wanna put on them. I'm leaning towards 215/45/17, since they make that size in the tire I want.....Dunlop SP8000. I won't be installing the wheels till the spring, don't wanna mess them up in during the NY winter pothole season.

Originally Posted by tiPilot

I also have the 17" rims with 225 17 45 tires. I was thinking about doing springs next. Have you done this yet? Are you rubbing inside the wheel wells? good luck.

[L84THSKY]

What size wheels and tires are you using with this spring and shock combination? I wanna be sure the 17" rims I bought with 215/45/17 tires will not have any problems. How much did the shock/spring combo lower the car, any rubbing?

Originally Posted by graphik

yeah i got mine done this weekend, it was my first suspension install. good experience, i installed the bav auto spring and bilstein sports.

alex

[tiPilot]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

What size wheels and tires are you using with this spring and shock combination? I wanna be sure the 17" rims I bought with 215/45/17 tires will not have any problems. How much did the shock/spring combo lower the car, any rubbing?

I don't have the lowering springs but I do have the bilstein sports. It handles so well but not so tight that I am bounced around either. My tires and rims are 225 45 17's I think I might just stay with stock height.

[KIRASIR]

If you are not planning to auto-x or track driving consider getting the following:

BMW 318ti Sport Package springs
Bilstein Sports
and 17 wheels

The springs can be found for 50-100USD(used on ebay or this forum).

The wheel rubbing will only occur if you get rims with an improper offset. My rear is 2"+ lower than stock and my front used to be the same. I never had any rubbing with 225/45/17 wheels. As long as the offset is around 40mm you should be fine.

Keep in mind that the lower you go the more pain in the A$$ driving on the street will become.

Once you have the springs/shocks/wheels combo installed and some more budget, get either sport sway bars or aftermarket adjustable ones like Eibach.
Then you'll be all set with a ride that handles better than the Sport package, and can still take daily potholes and speed bumps.

SL

Originally Posted by mikep

Following your thread, it appears that you can have an interference problem following the installation of new springs (lowering the car 1.5").

The local BMW speciality shop and I have been discussing the installation of sport performance Bilstein struts, shocks and springs package. Lowers the car approx 1.5".

I have alloy 15" wheels, with the std suspension and was looking to improve the hadling in order to mimic the BMW's M-tec package. The speciality shop recommended the bilstein sport upgrade and said that it would handle better then the M-tec.

I am curious what results other owners have had with this type of upgrade:
Is there an interference problem with the std alloy 15" wheels?
Is the car prone to striking the curb when parking?
Was the price (approx $700 for parts) worth the handling improvement ( Irregardless, I am in need of shocks and struts).
Is adviseable to go for the optional 16" wheels?

The goal is to get a handling characteristics similar to the M-tec package. I do not plan to auto cross or take the car to the track; I enjoy spirited driving and BMW handling.

Any advice- recommendations will be appreciated.

R/ Mike P
1995, 318ti, a/t, 88,400mi