1986 BMW 528e

[theitchybeard]

I've gotten to thinking tonight, and the idea of doing DIY coilovers managed to pop up in my head.

I know, I know, it was recommended by sam a few pages back but I feared that this route wouldn't get me low enough. After putting some thought into it i realized even some of the nicer e28s on here are running DIY coils.

According to jrcranes55's thread it seems to me like bilsteins would be the best option as far as availability and capability go, but i know nothing about how springs and perches work so that has me lost. Ideally, i'd like to be able to have my car a little higher than where i want to end up so i can get used to driving a low car, and then lower it more later on.

So basically what i'm asking is, how much will i be looking to spend on DIY coils? I originally planned on going for catuned coils but when talking to my dad about cutting springs he said it would be a good idea to replace the front inserts with bilstiens, and i realized how possible doing a DIY setup is. Any input is appreciated

A friend of mine made coils for his e28. I think he spent like $500 total on it. Said it wasnt too hard, but he welded in his perches a little too low, so his car is slammed with the coils spun all the way to the top.

Before you do your welding, just make sure to measure everything. I measured everything like a million times before i cut and welded my bags on the e28. I didnt want to have to redo it.

[Dale Doeback]

Also, I was in the same boat with my e39. I wasn't sure whether to build coilovers or maybe just get springs or adjustable spring seats. I finally bit the bullet and bought some bc racings and they are the best thing in the world. The adjust-ability is so easy and precise, I can not recommend coilovers enough, especially bcracing.

[Dale Doeback]

Awesome build thread! I love to see kids learning about their car and understanding how they work. I swear kids these days have no idea how anything works and have no respect for their vehicle (I should know, I'm only 19). It makes me so very happy that you put some work into this car and have an attachment to it. Recently I helped my buddy purchase his first car: '84 533i with a m50/zf 5 spd swap





If you ever have any interesting parts for sale or need some advice hit me up. We changed the rear subframe bushings in the parking lot of our college (DONT DO THIS)last year and have finagled with almost every part on his e28. Keep up the good work!

[fackinsteve]

It seems with a lot of DIY setups it ends up costing about the same if not more than you're normal weld in style. Suspension isn't that difficult to figure out I knew nothing about suspension til I started working on my S10. Now o have a pretty good idea of how things work. The one thing that makes DIY setups better is that you can piece them together over time because not everyone can drop 1k on coils

[egben92]

BC racing coilovers is what I have on my car and I love them. you can go high, low, they will do it all.

[Robitussin]

I've gotten to thinking tonight, and the idea of doing DIY coilovers managed to pop up in my head.

I know, I know, it was recommended by sam a few pages back but I feared that this route wouldn't get me low enough. After putting some thought into it i realized even some of the nicer e28s on here are running DIY coils.

According to jrcranes55's thread it seems to me like bilsteins would be the best option as far as availability and capability go, but i know nothing about how springs and perches work so that has me lost. Ideally, i'd like to be able to have my car a little higher than where i want to end up so i can get used to driving a low car, and then lower it more later on.

So basically what i'm asking is, how much will i be looking to spend on DIY coils? I originally planned on going for catuned coils but when talking to my dad about cutting springs he said it would be a good idea to replace the front inserts with bilstiens, and i realized how possible doing a DIY setup is. Any input is appreciated

[Robitussin]

I'm glad you're making progress on this, my biggest problem with E28s is the god damn bumpers lol. The iS airdam is a good solution though. Also lower it

I'm hoping to soon, just need to find time to cut the springs.

[fackinsteve]

I'm glad you're making progress on this, my biggest problem with E28s is the god damn bumpers lol. The iS airdam is a good solution though. Also lower it

[Robitussin]

Nice progress man.

Thanks, means a lot Most of the stuff getting done now should have been done a long time ago but finding the motivation to wet sand my wheels honestly took way longer than it should have and delayed everything else. I'm hoping the the car will come together within the next few months though.

[rightfullrudder]

Nice progress man.

[Robitussin]

Glad you got an IS airdam. I think im one of the few that actually like US bumpers more.

Yeah, when i first bought my car i ***** the bumpers but after I realized euro bumpers aren't exactly the cheapest things ever, I started looking at cars with air dams and they really grew on me. I like the way euro bumpers look way better than non IS US spec e28s, but US spec e28s with air dams look so much more aggressive than ones with euro bumpers.

[BrandonMcKiernan]

Glad you got an IS airdam. I think im one of the few that actually like US bumpers more.

[Robitussin]

tuck ur bumpers pls

I already did, but it might not be in these pictures because the bumper shocks are a bitch to put on without the bumper being extended all the way. All i know is the bumper can't be tucked in too far or else it won't cover up the top of the air dam.

[SnazzyQ]

tuck ur bumpers pls

[Robitussin]

Hey guys, I have actually been making some progress on my car lately, just haven't felt like making a post. A few weeks ago me and my dad tore down the front of the engine, replacing the timing belt, water pump, cam seal, o ring, accessory belts, rotor, and cap all in one go. A few days after that the spark plugs were replaced and the oil was changed. Recently, the SI board was replaced and the Gauge cluster is working now. The odometer isn't working so i'd assume the next thing to do is replace the odometer gears. I didn't get pictures of any of this as the timing belt job wasn't insanely involved even though it took all day. Now all i really need to do to be able to drive the car is get my driver's license. All of the front grilles, bumper trim, and mirrors got painted and re-installed and the car is looking better than ever.











Other than all that, the only other thing that will be going on soon is getting a set of rear bumper trim painted up, cleaning up the 535is fogs I got for 60$, and hopefully cutting the springs. I'm still a little unsure about it but as long my bushings are still usable i'm sure all will be fine.

I'm hoping the car will be on coils with the 535is air dam and taurus skirts installed,with something like 25mm spacers by WBTB next year. Maybe a couple people will enjoy my car.

Also, i wish nitto made 195 or 185/45 r17 neo gens.

That is all.