Possible e90 purchase, suspension question

[jdmdohcpower]

Hey guys, Im currently looking to replace my s2000 for something I can get more use out of and have narrowed it down to 2 e90's. One has 18k and standard suspension and the other has 48k and competition with edc. My question is regarding the standard suspension. I have done some research and from what I understand just adding lowering springs to stock struts such as H&R or Eibach is not recommend. My goal is a street driven car that may be track once or twice so I simply want to give a more aggressive stance by lowering it .5-1 inch, nothing crazy and improve handling, however I don't want a $hitty ride. Is there a good set up for this goal without going crazy? I don't want to deal with adjustable coil overs but is there a spring that can achieve this on stock struts without bumpstop issues or is there a strut and spring combo that wont break the bank and can do what Im looking for?

Thanks for helping me make the decision.

[dparm]

The Competition Package lowers the car by about a half inch and looks just about perfect, especially with the 19" wheels. Your aftermarket suspension choices will be a bit more limited since it has the EDC, but the factory suspension is fairly dialed-in from the factory and you might be perfectly happy with it.

You may decide to add camber plates once you get more serious with your track excursions, but for once or twice a year I wouldn't bother.


Here's my E90 with the Competition Package so you get a sense of what it looks like.

[jdmdohcpower]

I was asking about the non competition as that's the one Im leaning towards. The questions were about standard suspension but thanks for the info. I do know the comp pack is lower but the cars are both 11's and almost the same price so 30k less miles seems like the right pick.

[RoundelObsession]

Take a look at the H&R coilovers, They are very nice for the money!

[jdmdohcpower]

Have H&R sport springs over stock shocks on my s2000 and I love them but I read H&R springs over stock shocks on the M was not great. Can you comment on the ride quality for the coilovers?

[RoundelObsession]

Originally Posted by jdmdohcpower

Have H&R sport springs over stock shocks on my s2000 and I love them but I read H&R springs over stock shocks on the M was not great. Can you comment on the ride quality for the coilovers?

I have not heard that the H&R springs with factory shocks and struts are uncomfortable. Most are using different bump stops with the springs. I know two people that wanted the same things as you and are very pleased with the stance and ride quality of the H&R coilovers.

[jdmdohcpower]

To clarify, they are pleased with stock struts, e36 bumps and H&R springs, or the H&R coilover system?

[RoundelObsession]

Originally Posted by jdmdohcpower

To clarify, they are pleased with stock struts, e36 bumps and H&R springs, or the H&R coilover system?

The H&R coilovers.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by jdmdohcpower

I was asking about the non competition as that's the one Im leaning towards. The questions were about standard suspension but thanks for the info. I do know the comp pack is lower but the cars are both 11's and almost the same price so 30k less miles seems like the right pick.

Only 18k on a 2011? That makes me kinda nervous. Sounds like it was just a weekend car. Is it up-to-date on maintenance? A lot of owners are stupid and just think "oh I never drive it, I don't need to do anything" -- which is totally false, because a lot of maintenance needs to be performed based upon age OR mileage, not one or the other.

I'd say that even 48k on a 2011 is pretty low. Even if you assume it was sold as a 2011.5 (meaning inservice date of early 2011), that's <10k a year, well below average.

[jdmdohcpower]

bearing concerns?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by jdmdohcpower

bearing concerns?

That'll be nearly impossible to tell unless the motor is literally on its last legs and making lots of funny noises. It's a very small percentage that ever see the issue so the best you can do is just make sure it was well-maintained.

My concern with that low mileage one would be that it saw a lot of very short trips (e.g. drove 2 miles to the grocery store) meaning nothing really ever heated up properly, causing excess wear on pretty much everything. Unless you can talk to the owner and ask them why the mileage was so low, it's going to be a guessing game.

[admranger]

I have 34k miles on my 2011 M3 (includes a trip to Austin, TX and back!). I have 3 cars and 2 drivers and my wife works from home.

While your concerns are valid about short trips (killer, especially in the winter), maybe the owner just had a lot of cars and no where to go?

[pbonsalb]

I put the mild H&R springs on my 08E90M3 without edc or comp. To minimize loss of the already short suspension travel, I cut down the upper strut bearing guide tubes and used E36M3 bump stops. Malek has a thread on this. 3-4 years later, I hit a bad bump on the highway taking my wife to the airport and after that experienced intermittent suspension noise on one side that I eventually diagnosed as a bad upper strut bearing. Perhaps due to short guide tubes perhaps not. I am now running a used set of Bilstein B8 shocks and struts and new upper strut mounts. These are designed for slightly shorter springs so no need to mess with cutting guide tubes or changing bump stops.

A 5+ year old performance car probably has worn shocks. Just plan on buying aftermarket. The B8 are fine for a daily driver. I have been trying not to compromise this car too much. It is my comfy cruiser. I have another car that is more of a toy.

[Denk]

I've tried a few spring setups on my previous "civic" M3's. Dinan makes a nice spring kit that'll give you a competition drop, comfortable ride, slightly firmer...pricey package though. H&R's were too firm, couldn't wait to get them off. Eibach's were nice, OEM ride quality and a nice non-slammed drop. Shorter e36 bump stops highly recommended with any lowering spring. I've heard nothing but good things about Swift springs but have no experience with them. Here are some pics. SG is on Eibachs/e36 bumps, SSII on Dinan kit.

[jdmdohcpower]

thanks for the info. The eibachs may be the way to go with the bump stops

[FogCityM3]

For your purposes, would get the Dinan kit (with or without EDC). Really only slightly stiffer springs that are very road-friendly but can adjust ride height and will work together in harmony. Also you do not give up on suspension travel. It is really geared more for street use and is designed with quietness in mind while improving the handling.

[jdmdohcpower]

Don't believe Dinan springs are height adjustable.. Not talking about coil over systems here.

Also I have a questions about the e36 bump stops. Only on front or rear also?

[Denk]

Originally Posted by jdmdohcpower

Don't believe Dinan springs are height adjustable.. Not talking about coil over systems here.

Also I have a questions about the e36 bump stops. Only on front or rear also?

Just the front, the rear has enough travel.