New Shocks! - BMW Forum

JoeMadoo · 02-05-2006, 12:33 AM

Hello. I just bought some Lowering Springs and while I'm at it i want to get some new shocks. I have an 86 325es, original suspension. I'm lookin for a stiffer ride but I dont want a headache when I go on dirt roads. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Starmavin · 02-05-2006, 04:33 PM

Any stiffer race shock than the stock ones will rattle the fillings out of your teeth on a dirt road. Trust me. Been there, done that. Just buy good brand of shocks from your local parts house or you can order KYB, boge,or bilstein struts are good. If you want better cornering you can allways upgrade your sway bar. Not a bad idea if you are lowering the car much.

P.S. Don't for get you need to know your housing diameter when ordering. BTW Are you using eibach lowering springs?

Torque · 02-05-2006, 10:29 PM

Koni yellows.

JoeMadoo · 02-05-2006, 11:24 PM

I have B + G Springs (1.6 drop). I am looking at KYB shocks for pretty cheap, alot cheaper than Bilstein HDs or Boge Turbo's. How much do shocks help handeling anyway?

nukeduster · 02-05-2006, 11:38 PM

shocks are more important then springs IMO.. i usually only upgrade shocks and leave springs stock, and upgrade sway bars if needs be. springs for most intents and purposes effect stance and center of gravity, more then actual handling.

ive used KYB's in my z3 and my old 533i and liked them, they are a bit harsh though. tokico blues are on my 325i and they are a pretty good medium between sporty and supple.

JoeMadoo · 02-06-2006, 09:27 AM

Those are the tokico HPs right? I got lowering springs mainly just to lower. So tokicos will reduce body roll alittle more than stock but not to harsh? I'm looking for the happy medium between stiff and stock.

nukeduster · 02-06-2006, 11:24 AM

if you want to reduce bodyroll upgrade your swaybars.. shock absorbers affect rebound and compression of the springs and their ability to cope with bumps.

JoeMadoo · 02-06-2006, 02:49 PM

OK... So if you had to pick between Tokico HPs, KYBs, Boges, or Bilstien Twin Tubes, what would you get? Looking for sportier than stock but not harsh.

BMWJNKY · 02-06-2006, 03:18 PM

Since you are lowering the car you need to get a shock/strut designed to work with a lowered suspension. I would recomend some Bilstein Sports or Konis. I ran KYB's on my E21 with lowering springs and they blew out in about 6 weeks. I have Bilstein Sports on my E30 and they work great. They are firm but not bouncy like the cheep Tokicos are. If you don't want to spend the money on the Bilstein Sports or Konis get some BOGE Turbos. Otherwise running an OEM style shock/strut on lowering springs you have a really high chance of wearing out the shock/strut in a short ammount of time. And as far as springs not changing how the car handles, thats a lie, do some reading on spring rates you will amazed.

ldsbeaker · 02-06-2006, 06:09 PM

Bilstein Sports + IE Stage 3 springs + upgrades sway bars = about $1000

JoeMadoo · 02-06-2006, 10:10 PM

Well I'm 17, no job. I'm kinda lookin for the Ebay approach.

gotKRAUT · 02-06-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMadoo

Well I'm 17, no job. I'm kinda lookin for the Ebay approach.

there is no such thing that is worth the time or money...just tough it out...do it once and do it right..Tokicos are the joke of the tuning community...i cant tell you how many sets of tokico's and KYB's i have been through in my life lol

true story:

I was broke and ordered some tokico HPs for my lowered CRX and killed them in 2 months...on sport springs...properly installed with all propper hardware..

Ground Control Sent me the wrong top hats for the bilsteins for my Scirocco...thus the bilsteins were bottomed out 24/7 drove like that for almot 4 months...finally realized what happened...figured them for dead, ordered koni sports, pulled out the old bilstein struts and they were working perfectly still...

Moral:

wait, save, be happy

JoeMadoo · 02-07-2006, 12:27 AM

Thanks for the advice... I've been gettin mixxed answers from guys here, but here is what i've come up with.
Tokico = Cheap, Dont last long
KYB = Cheap, Dont last long
Boge Turbo = Imposible to find, but a nice compromise.
Bilstein Sport = Nice, Little Harsh, Expensive.
Konis = The Best? Where the hell do i find them for an E30?
Also whats the difference between Bilstein Sports and Heavy Duties?

nukeduster · 02-07-2006, 03:12 PM

tokico are good. european car gives them great reviews, and my e30 has been running on them for over a year now and love them. granted its been parked 8 of the 14 months theyve been on, but i still think they are great! =P

BMWJNKY · 02-07-2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMadoo

Thanks for the advice... I've been gettin mixxed answers from guys here, but here is what i've come up with.
Tokico = Cheap, Dont last long
KYB = Cheap, Dont last long
Boge Turbo = Imposible to find, but a nice compromise.
Bilstein Sport = Nice, Little Harsh, Expensive.
Konis = The Best? Where the hell do i find them for an E30?
Also whats the difference between Bilstein Sports and Heavy Duties?

The difference between the sports and the heavy duties is the sports are designed for cars with lowering springs. The reason most OEM type shocks/struts fail when they are used with lowering springs is the valving inside the shock is always maxed out. They are also more prone to bottoming out which damages the piston in the shock/strut. The bilstein sports and koni sport shocks/struts are built with a different length piston in the housing so they sit in what would be considered a "normal" spot and not maxed out. This is why it is highly recomended to use shocks/struts designed for lowered cars when you install lowering springs. Otherwise the shock/strut isn't going to dampen properly and fail a lot sooner than it would on a regular height car. Like Kyle said, just save up and do it right once. It was almost a year before I could afford my Bilstein BTS kit but it was well worth the wait.