Choice suspension set ?

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@ntoine
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My E21(s): '80 320/6

Choice suspension set ?

Post by @ntoine »

Hello everyone, my 320/6 is in restoration, I hesitate a lot about setting suspension. I have Melber wheels (15x7 ET12) and I really do not know what to choose, Bilstein B6 or B8 ? Eibach or H & R or brand more "exotic" (Ta tecnix, etc.) I just want something effective and durable, without the tires touch in the wings in the corners and maybe find the configuration so that it does not give the impression that behind the back lower than front ... I do not want to coilover, it's very expensive.
Sorry for my English and I guess the question is recurring but is not 100% clear explanation of the way I want.
If you have pictures of your configuration and critical, it would be great!

Thank you in advance


@ntoine
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by @ntoine »

After extensive research on the forum, not easy on smartphone, I decided to shock absorbers, front B8, B6 behind! I still have to choose the springs, help me?
steed
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by steed »

let us know how this setup feels to drive!
'79 316 (sepiabraun, awesome!)
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uwbuurman
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by uwbuurman »

Eibach springs. B8, will you get second hand ones than?
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
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e-einundzwanzig
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by e-einundzwanzig »

I had H&R springs and 15x7 wheels with 205/50/15 tires up front. When I fast cornered, the tires touched the wings sometimes.
I took the corner at high speed, came in the ditch, drove straight through a garden, flipped over 4 times and then I lost control of my steering-wheel!
ruh
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by ruh »

I´d keep to the known brands like HR, Koni, SPAX, Eibach, Bilstein etc. I cannot reccomend TA Technix and those very very cheap sets, they are so incredible bad that it´s almost impossible to believe.

I myself are using a modded Vogtland adjustable coilover setup from a E39 (plug and play on the rear, need a bit of fiddling to get on the front). Vogtland are on the softer side but in a car that weigh in at almost 50% that of a E39 M5 they are pretty firm.

I have had great experiences with SPAX (adjustable hardness) in the past, and KAW springs.
With best regards
RUH
@ntoine
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by @ntoine »

Hello ! Thank you very much for your response! Clearly it is for sports use, the 320/6 is my self pleasure for the weekend! Actually I "fear" of the effectiveness of some lesser known brands ... Now there is a choice or eibach H & R, H & R lowers slightly more than I think? The front tires will be 195/55 and 195/55 or 205/50 in arrears so I hope not damaged my front wing ... And the choice B8 front and rear B6 apparently seems sensible in sports use, the back being lighter it is not really necessary either "hard", which could therefore save no comfort I immagine that this is not what is wanted! Do you have pictures comparison Eibach H & R and 15 inches?
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e-einundzwanzig
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by e-einundzwanzig »

H&R springs and Bilstein, 205/50/25 front + rear.
195/50/15 up front should be fine for your fenders.
Image
I took the corner at high speed, came in the ditch, drove straight through a garden, flipped over 4 times and then I lost control of my steering-wheel!
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uwbuurman
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by uwbuurman »

Image

Bilstein B8, rear eibach, front Spax
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
2016 BMW 420dA Gran Coupé
ruh
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by ruh »

You could beef up the anti roll bar in the front for that extra rigidity and remove the rear one completely. Old BM´s don´t need those on the rear :D

2002 Heidegger no rear rollbar :thumbsup :thumbsup

Image
With best regards
RUH
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Peter V.
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by Peter V. »

Image

Four times Bilstein B6 and Eibach springs.
Gr Peter V.

.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.

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@ntoine
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by @ntoine »

e-einundzwanzig wrote:H&R springs and Bilstein, 205/50/25 front + rear.
195/50/15 up front should be fine for your fenders.
Image


Great !! I love when the nose plunges like that but I do not understand, I see regularly e21 with the back "down"? and combo spax hr demeans really top! eibach and also in the original wheel is really nice! thank you to comfort me for my choice, surely H & R.
Dammizi
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by Dammizi »

ruh wrote:I´d keep to the known brands like HR, Koni, SPAX, Eibach, Bilstein etc. I cannot reccomend TA Technix and those very very cheap sets, they are so incredible bad that it´s almost impossible to believe.

I myself are using a modded Vogtland adjustable coilover setup from a E39 (plug and play on the rear, need a bit of fiddling to get on the front). Vogtland are on the softer side but in a car that weigh in at almost 50% that of a E39 M5 they are pretty firm.

I have had great experiences with SPAX (adjustable hardness) in the past, and KAW springs.

have you got some details on how you got them to fit the front? really insterested in this setup but not sure how to go ahead and install e39 shocks on the e21 up front
ruh
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by ruh »

Seems i have misplaced the folder with my suspension pic´s. Will need to take some new ones ASAP.

It require a bit of modifications to the actual shock absorber as the E39 ones are normally held in place by a clamp. The shock absorber tube on the E21 strut needs modifying also.. It´s not a walk in the park, but on the other hand its very rewarding especially (i would guess) when you drive a 6 cylinder E21.

You will need to use a coil over DIY kit (available many places) with the threaded weld on part for the adjustable part of the coilover.

Will end up looking a bit like this:

Image
With best regards
RUH
Dammizi
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Re: Choice suspension set ?

Post by Dammizi »

so whats the reason behind using e39 coilovers if youre still having to use the weld on coilover diy kit? is it to be able to use the harder dampening properties off the e39 struts? if you can get some pics on how you installed your front coilovers that would be great RUH! cheers :)
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