Need help deciding how low on E30.

[korky]

Hi guys.

So I got stock springs on my E30 and it's just way too high to my liking, especially the rear. Decided to lower it. I got in contact with a local shop that has Bilstein & Einbach material. He's told me that I shouldn't go lower as 40mm (1,5") out of performance and handling sake. I asked him for more details and he went on a rant about the driving not being smooth anymore, especially in turns, and basically told me that any ride lower than 40mm(1,5") doesn't drive anything close to even remotely comfortable. He made it sound pretty bad and even dangerous.

But I'm not sure I will be satisfied with 40mm. It doesn't seem like much of a difference to me; I originally wanted 60mm, which is max here due to laws. (2,3")

So I'm wondering here, not being an expert and never having been behind the wheel of a slammed car. Is this guy full of shit (he operates mainly on tracking cars) or does this hold some truth? I'm a bit skeptical at the fact that all hell is supposed to break loose if I lower it down to 60mm (2,3").

Thanks, sorry if I posted this in the wrong place.

[4ABHGE]

Youre asking on the wrong forum lol


Depends on your spring rates, shocks and your roll centres...

But regardless of geometery issues, there are gains to be had in other areas. you just have to make compromises in certain things, and yes that includes ride comfort BUT its not as bad as this guy is making it out to be...

General rule of thumb is that the lower you go, the stiffer you go.

Also why did they run the touring cars so low

[korky]

Where's the good forum?

[themandillon]

Basically whats stated above. Generally you get what you pay for when it comes to suspension. Spring rates, dampening, and height all are major factors in ride quality. With a decent set of coilovers, the ride will be stiff but totally ok, even when your real low.

[Ant]

if you get fully adjustable coilovers for your E30 you can adjust the ride height as you please. Spring rates will depend, if you go real low you obviously cant have soft springs cause you will bottom out on things. that said, if you get some middle of the road sort of rates it should be fine. like 5k / 7k or something

[germanclassics]

Hi.... In the 90 i got a adjustable kW . That was nice. But think about you oiltub! I know what im Talking about ;-) i lost 5 l Oil in the Street ! To low ;-) Cut my Oiltub ;-)