Tokiko suspension experience? - BMW Forum

DIRTE30 · 06-26-2006, 08:37 AM

Looking to completely rebuild my suspension soon and I'm looking for an affordable set of springs and dampers to complete my parts stash before I begin. Billies are too pricey for me... although I would prefer them and a nice set of H&R's! I found a comlete setup of Tokiko sport springs and Blue struts and shocks on E-bay for $325.00 shipped! Sounds like a great deal to me but I don't really have much experience with Tokiko stuff on German cars. So anyone out there have any reservations or does this sound good to you guys too? Oh and I'm not racing it or anything, just want a better stance and a little improvement on the handling side.

nukeduster · 06-26-2006, 11:20 AM

Thats what I have on my e30 and I like how the spring/dampeners feel together. Stock bushings/sways.

Hasn't yet sagged or anything, had them on for a year and a half now.

Im going with eibach/bilstein for my e34, but the tokicos work well for a very tight feel, if it isnt just a tiny bit harsh.

One caveat though: you WILL pop your oil pan going over speed bumps unless very careful. E30's oil pans are just so exposed that when lowered they are just asking to be destroyed. I'd recommend havin some sort of oil pan protection made.

DIRTE30 · 06-26-2006, 08:24 PM

Sounds like a good deal then! I take it you've had some experience with the oil pan issue before? I wouldn't think that an 1.25" drop would interfere that much... I'd hate to have found out the hard way though! I really appreciate your info! Anyone else with any insight?

egk2 · 06-26-2006, 10:03 PM

The previous owner had Tokicos installed on the car when I bought
it, although it handled ok at best, eventually the fronts blew out and pissed
all over my front wheels, I've since then went with Bilstein sports and Kw springs, what a huge improvement in handling, so much tighter and solid,
I say find a low miles set of Bilsteins and some better springs instead, do it right the first time, whenever I try to save money and go cheap I usually end up kicking myself in the ass for it later.

ldsbeaker · 06-27-2006, 07:38 AM

^^ and now look at you.

:

DIRTE30 · 06-27-2006, 07:41 AM

Anybody out there got any good used billies for sale? How about some nice Vogtlands or H&R's? I'd like to go that direction but can't fit it into the budget for new ones!

d:\program · 06-27-2006, 04:45 PM

I have the Tokico/Eibach setup which lowers it 1.25". I knew the ride was going to be harsh but it is rough. It could be the fact that I live in the dirty south and the Memphis Mayor is too busy getting kickbacks to ensure we have nice streets. How hard is it to "blow out" your shocks? I have yet to scrape the oil pan though... I always wondered if was possible to fabricate another oilpan...

egk2 · 06-27-2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d:\program

I have the Tokico/Eibach setup which lowers it 1.25". I knew the ride was going to be harsh but it is rough. It could be the fact that I live in the dirty south and the Memphis Mayor is too busy getting kickbacks to ensure we have nice streets. How hard is it to "blow out" your shocks? I have yet to scrape the oil pan though... I always wondered if was possible to fabricate another oilpan...

I guess it's all subjective, eibachs are probably the softest lowering springs
out there. I used to have the same set up and felt that the car was too
soft and floaty, the drop was nice though. I blew out the fronts from normal
daily driving. The oil pans on e30's are dangerously low and exposed but there is an oem skid plate that can be installed to guard it. Fabricate another oil pan? Easier to buy a new one.

///M Power · 06-27-2006, 07:03 PM

Tokico's =

triggrhaapi · 06-27-2006, 07:38 PM

Koni > Tokico. Bilstien > koni. Tein EDFC > *

Too bad they only have it for E36/46 so far.

///M Power · 06-27-2006, 10:18 PM

For sho

EDFC > *

ldsbeaker · 06-28-2006, 07:28 AM

I read about them in Sport Compact Car, or maybe it was European Car, whatever, are they as nice as they say?

///M Power · 06-28-2006, 01:11 PM

It's the mere convenience of using EDFC. Dampening control electronically from inside your car. Noone else can offer than, but like Jason said, it's only on te e36 and e46 and not compatible with their Tein Basic coilovers.

Skatebline · 06-28-2006, 07:28 PM

how would the bilstein bts sport shock and spring set be for sporty feel? or are the bilstein springs sh*ty? or is the set not worth $640 and i should just get the shock set and keep the eibach srings or buy diff/better springs???

Rfitz25 · 07-05-2006, 04:27 PM

My BMW mechanic said Tokicos are the worst KYB's the second worst.
Bilsteins rule (sp?)
Koni's are good too.
Boge/Sachs OK for stock replacements

He recommended the HD's for stock sports with new springs.

I got Bilstein sports and Suspension Tecniques springs and love it
1.3" lower front and rear.
got new shock mounts front and back
got off camber front mounts so I get a little more camber on the front shocks. nice (about same cost)

Coil overs would be nice too. ask StarMavin a few more $$s

I'd go even lower if I could do it over but you have to watch out for the steering geometry.
too low and steering goes past flat and sends you off the track into the kitty litter. LOL
But this can be corrected too. I'm told

I'm told a big factor in keepiing the car flat is bigger stiffer sway bars and bushings, I'm running stock right now.
Seems OK.
Maybe when I get finished with the motor etc..

Oh well thats my 2 cents

Get the Eibach Pro Kit...