bmwe21.net forums

Hi

New owner and have a list of things to work through but the most expensive by far is the suspension and therefore I want to get it right. I read the FAQs on the buyers guide and need a bit more detail please.

I think a small lower of no more than 40mm will be OK but don't want to lose the original look too much. As it looks now - its a bit high ! Apex seem popular but is 40mm too radical ?

Next question is what shocks ? Thinking of Bilstein B6 but then saw Bilstein OEMs, as I'm not looking for a stiff road racer but smothing in between I thought the B6 was ideal ? Any opinions really welcome... Handles like a barge right now rolling round bends.

Is there anything else to buy whlile doing this job ?

Should I get the geometry reset after ?

Anyway enough questions for now, here are some pics of our new arrival and its Ford garage partner (also 1981 )



URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2968293 ... 1398DCKiRv][/URL]

Sweet car, defo deserves to be in a quite original condition. So yeah I'd say lower her 30-40mm that's what all the manufacturers offer and combine that with Bilstein shocks. B6 or the more comfortable B4 will do fine giving you a much better ride without ruining comfort, especially if you keep the car on 13" wheels.

wow, that looks nice.
the fact original car like this are still around makes me happy!

Very nice. -45mm should be just about right.

Thanks all for compliments and advice.
Thinking ofgoing for Apex Springs (40mm) and B4.

What else do I need ? I read somewhere that there is something at the top of the front struts to replace ? I believe the rears are straight forward.

Anything else to order while replacing suspension ? Bushes ?

Thanks
John

Hi

W&N do a good set of progressive springs

http://www.wallothnesch.com/e/ange/fram ... loffer.htm

Billes are a good call along with replacing all the rubber bushes in the car.

You might want the bigger 323i arbs and one if the best things is 15 wheels and good quality rubber.

The only geometry you can alter as stock is the front toe

Jason

Struts front and rear have bushes on top, and added bearings at the front to enable steering . Rears are cheap and easy to replace but the front ones are likely to show some freeplay as well. Sadly they are expensive but otherwise you will end up with a knocking suspension and steering.

go for Gaz coilovers. fully adjustable then

I just had some -35mm spax springs installed, and tbh I can't really tell the difference when looking. The fact that the rears had collapsed anyway might be why..

Anyway, I got a pair of front strut mounts from Ebay USA for £50 inc. two day international delivery. Everywhere I tried over here wanted about £50 EACH. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E21- ... ccessories They fit fine..

[edit] Literally last week I had all new bushes and new suspension. Much of it is covered in these threads;

http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15548
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15615