Running a suspension idea by you guys - BMW Forum

thekid · 06-20-2004, 04:24 PM

I posted earlier about just putting the springs on the car, but no one seemed excited about his as a good idea. However, I talked to the local BMW dealer and also to my mechanic, they both said it could be done no problem. But the front may sit a little high. So, my mechanic said that we could still do it. Put the springs on, and drive the car to let them settle. And then Compress the front springs while they are still on the car and cut off maybe a fourth of a coil to lower the front the rest of the way. I don't see this being a problem, because even though the spring is designed with it's current hieght in mind, there is less of a load on it, so that small missing piece shouldn't be all that big of a deal right? So any way, let me know what yall think about this. If I'm gonna get the springs it's gonna be tommorow. So any thoughts I can get before then would be great.

CiscoKid · 06-20-2004, 04:36 PM

dont do it... cutting coils are very bad. it would make your car bounce alot and look to ricey. i dont know what you are looking to spend... but i would just go for lowering springs instead ($200). Or maybe even a full coilover

thekid · 06-20-2004, 04:40 PM

it would make the car bounce a lot if It was either A) a lot of the spring, or B) a spring designed for the 318. However, because the car is lighter and the spring stiffer it shouldn't make the car bouncey. Also, it will make the car look normal, because if I don't then the car will sit too high in the front, besides not looking right it also messes up the weight distribution. And for $50 I'm thinking it's worth a try instead of a couple hundred for Eibach or H&Rs. Car should also ride better with M3 springs.

Autotechnica · 06-20-2004, 05:47 PM

I don't know if you read my reply in your other thread. However, I said you needed the M3 front struts and struts hats inorder to fit the front M3 springs. Also, you should notice how much stiffer the M3 dampers are comapred to the 318. They are much beefier, so what your mechanic is telling you is fudge. The front will be higher, but cutting your springs will in no way balance out the handling, just the appearance perhaps. It's up to you, but if this is what you want to do, I don't understand the point of getting M3 springs. If you somehow get the springs to fit without getting other M3 suspension components (doubtful) you won't have a better handling car without everything else you need, especially if you decide to cut a coil.

Bry

thekid · 06-20-2004, 06:02 PM

I have bilstien struts already installed, so they should be able to handle the shorter spring. Also, when I called the dealership asking if they knew the spring rate ect about the springs, the guy went ahead and talked to the most experianced tech there, and he said that the springs would go right on no problem, except for what I mentioned before. I'm gonna check the parts numbers for the hat tommorow.

dport · 06-20-2004, 06:32 PM

Never cut a coil spring. It will not react the same afterwards. If you are on a budget look into B&G springs. They are a good European company and you could get a set of springs designed for your car that will lower the stance and improve handling. Don't get wunderlust over M3. The car is designed as a package and the pieces don't add up.

Autotechnica · 06-20-2004, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dport@Jun 20 2004, 06:12 PM
Never cut a coil spring. It will not react the same afterwards. If you are on a budget look into B&G springs. They are a good European company and you could get a set of springs designed for your car that will lower the stance and improve handling. Don't get wunderlust over M3. The car is designed as a package and the pieces don't add up.

I agree, the M3 springs were designed to work with the M3 "strut" mounted sway bar, the offset bushing, beefier dampers, stiffer rear sub-frame and added weight. But there's no harm in trying it out. Just don't expect to much. It just seems like you're going through quite a bit to get these installed. My opinion is just that it isn't worth it.

Bry

thekid · 06-20-2004, 11:38 PM

Yeah, I wasn't too wild about the idea, but I've just about been talked into it. Its $50 for the springs, and it might not end up too bad. I don't think it will end up worse than stock.

BTW Do you have any idea how much higher it will sit? I've thought about it and checked with a few physics people. And if coil springs follow Hooks law. Then the height difference will be exactly proportional to the weight difference. So if the M3 is 5% heavier then the front will sit 5% higher. Plus with cutting the spring it would only be 1/4-1/2 of a coil. And if I do this I'll also get the M3 sway bars so that should work together. And I know that they mount different.

El Presidente · 06-20-2004, 11:40 PM

If you need springs on a budget, look into FK springs. Good, reputioble company from my research, and also quite reasonably priced.

Autotechnica · 06-20-2004, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thekid@Jun 20 2004, 11:18 PM
Yeah, I wasn't too wild about the idea, but I've just about been talked into it. Its $50 for the springs, and it might not end up too bad. I don't think it will end up worse than stock.

BTW Do you have any idea how much higher it will sit? I've thought about it and checked with a few physics people. And if coil springs follow Hooks law. Then the height difference will be exactly proportional to the weight difference. So if the M3 is 5% heavier then the front will sit 5% higher. Plus with cutting the spring it would only be 1/4-1/2 of a coil. And if I do this I'll also get the M3 sway bars so that should work together. And I know that they mount different.

That only applies if the spring's coils are even all the way through, which they are not. They are narrower at the ends.

Bry

thekid · 06-20-2004, 11:48 PM

hmmm... well its sounding like this isn't that great of an idea. But, I guess I'll try it out anyway and post pics. Cuz it doesn't sound like anyone has actually tried this out. It'll either give us something to be in awe over, or something for us all to laugh at! :wink

CiscoKid · 06-21-2004, 08:32 AM

thekid · 06-21-2004, 12:31 PM

its mostly because I'm really really bored and want something to do...thats really sad, but it'll give me something to do for a day.

El Presidente · 06-21-2004, 12:38 PM

good luck then.

thekid · 06-21-2004, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Presidente@Jun 20 2004, 11:20 PM
If you need springs on a budget, look into FK springs. Good, reputioble company from my research, and also quite reasonably priced.

I'm looking into them now, I've only found one place that is selling them for BMWs its http://www.amimotorsports.com/main.htm The site says they start at $165. I'm waiting on them to call me back with an exact price for me. From what I have read they (FK) seems to be a good company. I've been through about 20 pages of google, with different search ciriteria and always have gotten good things back, even from other forums. If shippings not gonna kill me I might be able to do this instead.