Suspension recommendations?

[CharlesAFerg]

Ok guys, heres the scoop...

I need to overhaul my suspension.
I need new bushings and crap, but i don't know what I need.

I need new shocks and springs which I want to upgrade to a sport suspension while I'm at it, but I'm looking for something fairly affordable. I figured it could be lower and handle better if I'm at it anyways.
Also, I need front & rear done, like dogbones and such.
I know there are kits on eBay, but if you guys could give me some links/suggestions - that would be awesome.

Is this a good kit from Meyle?
http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-E34-530-525-535-540-Control-Arm-Arms-16pcs-MEYLE_W0QQitemZ250082224953QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3358 3QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Or do you think this cheaper, $400 kit would suffice? (I am trying to save, but still have reliable quality.)
http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-E34-530-525-535-540-Control-Arm-Arms-16-Piece-Kit_W0QQitemZ250177193455QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33583Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

I will be ordering brakes from here, if you ould get links from fcp groton that would be easier, because they could combine shipping.
http://search.stores.ebay.com/FCP-Groton_e34_W0QQfciZ14QQfclZ4QQfsnZFCPQ20GrotonQQfs ooZ2QQfsopZ3QQsaselZ13397707QQsofpZ0

If you have a better place, let me know.

I'm also getting front brake pads/rotors, but I've got some stuff from eBay already lined up to buy from the site mentioned above.
They have a set with all 4 and sensors, but I figured just the front akebono will be better, and buy the sensor seperately, if it is not included.
Heres the link to wha I will most likely purchase-
http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-E34-E36-E32-E46-FRONT-BRAKE-PADS-EUR394_W0QQitemZ250055343995QQihZ015QQcategoryZ335 67QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
&
http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-E34-E32-E31-E28-E24-BRAKE-PAD-WEAR-SENSORS-PAIR_W0QQitemZ250053832775QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33569 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem


SO overall, if those are the right items, I just need some info on some affordable sport suspension.
Again, if anyone knows of a place to get quality parts for cheap and can link me to what I need, I would be extremely grateful! I don't necessarily need to be bound by a single distributor.

[Sam-Son]

Eibach springs from bavauto $250 or so and IMO the best springs there are. I wouldn't buy anything else. Also maybe check out bilstein shocks

[uscharalph]

I replaced all the parts in that Meyle kit, except I went with Lemfoerder on all the parts. I got them from BMA. I paid more, but in my opinion it was more than worth it.

I put in the Sachs Performance kit, which included Eibach springs and Sachs struts. I bought the kit @ bavauto, although Patrick @ BMA later said he would match their price. The kit lowered my car around an 1" all around.

[Tiger]

I'd probably would spring for the Meyle kit... I know the $360 kit is tempting... but I'd probably skip that one.

Brake... Akebono is the right way to go.

Spring... Eibach... the only way to go... along with Bilsteing monotube sport shocks. That's what I have and the ride is good.

[Turbo Ready]

Eibach Springs, Koni Single Adjustable. Just did it for a buddy, nice handling, almost no compromise where ride comfort is concerned.

Look up my posts you will see the e34 535i Eibach kit with specific part numbers and other tech info.

[CharlesAFerg]

Thanks guys!

What about front rotors? I don't want slotted or cross drilled, I don't need it and I want to be able to flip em. Any info would again be helpful!

[Turbo Ready]

Thanks guys!

What about front rotors? I don't want slotted or cross drilled, I don't need it and I want to be able to flip em. Any info would again be helpful!

OEM

[Iwo]

I say Sachs kit is the best for city driving. I had it on my previous car and now I bought a second 525i with Bilstein and I don't like it....
To stiff and not better in cornering.

[Turbo Ready]

To stiff and not better in cornering.

That's why Koni SA are great, you can dial them in for cornering and handling and then dial them out for comfy city driving.

They are also close to the cost of the Sachs kit and with life time warranty.

[CharlesAFerg]

OEM

Well where to buy? I'm assuming the dealer sells these for ultra expensive, yea? ...or am I wrong?

[Brandon J]

Have you tried www.bmaparts.com? Since Bruno has talked to them and set his e34 site, BMA has given the e34 crowd on bimmer.info great deals. Talk to Patrick or Ives. They will give a lower price just tell them you are from the e34 bimmer.info board.

Good luck with your search.

[Turbo Ready]

^^^^ Yea for the US, Patrick at BMA is about the best guy to deal with, here it's me :D

[uscharalph]

Thanks guys!

What about front rotors? I don't want slotted or cross drilled, I don't need it and I want to be able to flip em. Any info would again be helpful!
I use Bremo rotors. Flip them??

[Denton]

Please only use Lemforder suspension bushings. You'll hate yourself if you don't.

[Tiger]

Any brand of solid rotor is fine... don't waste your money on OEM.

[Turbo Ready]

Any brand of solid rotor is fine... don't waste your money on OEM.


??????? WHAT??????? I hope for your sake and this guy's sake you are 100% joking.

ANY brand of solid rotor is fine?????? I would like to send you some $ 12 solid rotors for you to try on your car and let me know if they are fine.

A customer brought these in for us to install on his car, they were not even worth the cost of the box they came in. ALL of them had defects and would not last 2 weeks, and to a worse degree risking the safety of himself and innocent road users.


Who says OEM has to be expensive?

Bud, please consult BMA for proper brake rotors, DO NOT go cheap on your brakes.

A good thread to follow http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=35616

[CharlesAFerg]

No way would I go cheap on brakes!
lol @ dealer price of 80 each for OEM rotors.

What do you guys think about Meyle?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E34-530-525-535-540-Control-Arm-Arms-16pcs-MEYLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33583QQihZ015QQit emZ250177193439QQtcZphoto

[DaveVoorhis]

^^^^ Yea for the US, Patrick at BMA is about the best guy to deal with, here it's me :D
Where's "here"?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

No way would I go cheap on brakes!
lol @ dealer price of 80 each for OEM rotors.

What do you guys think about Meyle?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E34-530-525-535-540-Control-Arm-Arms-16pcs-MEYLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33583QQihZ015QQit emZ250177193439QQtcZphoto


Did you try BMA?

I did mine front end earlier this year, all Lemforder and threw in a set of Eibachs for all @ $800.00 shipping to Hawaii

[bimmerd00d]

BMAparts.com, get ATE or Balo rotors.

[ThoreauHD]

Turbo, are you Patrick? I confused.

And I concur, OE is not expensive and it's OE on BMW because it doesn't suck. Can't go wrong with eibach springs, sachs/koni, Lemforder, and OE rotors. It's nothin new really. bimmerworld.com, bmaparts.com, bavauto.com are all helpful.

[Turbo Ready]

Where's "here"?

Ontario, Canada.

I supply and install BMW and after market parts.

[Turbo Ready]

Turbo, are you Patrick? I confused.

And I concur, OE is not expensive and it's OE on BMW because it doesn't suck. Can't go wrong with eibach springs, sachs/koni, Lemforder, and OE rotors. It's nothin new really. bimmerworld.com, bmaparts.com, bavauto.com are all helpful.

I am not Patrick. Just call BMA and ask for Patrick, he is very verse in BMW components. I supply and install parts too but I am in Canada. We do some business with Patrick as well.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Good to see so many sensible opimions! Eibach/Koni/bilstein/meyle/lemforder/OEM/Zimmerman and it`ll transform the car.Pay peanuts get monkeys.

[uscharalph]

Good to see so many sensible opimions! Eibach/Koni/bilstein/meyle/lemforder/OEM/Zimmerman and it`ll transform the car.Pay peanuts get monkeys.
Well stated!

[CharlesAFerg]

is the sachs sport kit worth the $$ ??
I just ordered it, but I could remove it from my order, because it's not shipping for a week. It was $710. If there is a cheaper, yet just as high quality option I'd totally do that.

[CharlesAFerg]

Did you try BMA?

I did mine front end earlier this year, all Lemforder and threw in a set of Eibachs for all @ $800.00 shipping to Hawaii

anyone got a full list of front end and rear end stuff, basically the full 1 piece shebang, because BMA doesn't have kits.

EDIT
oops sry 4 double post X-o!

[uscharalph]

I paid almost $60 cheaper and yes it was well worth it. I was still running on the original springs and struts, so i was eventually going to have to change them. I like that it lowered the car enough, but not too much and the ride is smooth. The sachs kit plus 17 x 8 BBS Style 5's and I am in heaven.

[uscharalph]

anyone got a full list of front end and rear end stuff, basically the full 1 piece shebang, because BMA doesn't have kits.

EDIT
oops sry 4 double post X-o!
BMA doesn't have kits, but they sell all the Lemfoerder parts. I got all mine individually from them. I replaced everything one by one in about 3 passes.

[CharlesAFerg]

I bought the big meyle 16 piece kit, and also the sachs sport kit - I'm curious if it is a good idea to purchase new strut mounts?

like these
http://www.bmaparts.com/item.wws?mfr...132270MY%2Ejpg
BMA
BMW075123 MEYLE Rear Strut Mount
SHOCK SUPPORT Available 0.00 34.74

Ebay
http://motors.search.ebay.com/?from=...34+meyle+mount

[uscharalph]

I bought the big meyle 16 piece kit, and also the sachs sport kit - I'm curious if it is a good idea to purchase new strut mounts?
I had to replace the front mounts, the rears were OK.

[timandbim]

wish i had known... i just placed an order with BMA, got any contact info?

[CharlesAFerg]

wish i had known... i just placed an order with BMA, got any contact info?

wha?

[uscharalph]

wha?
He's talking to Turbo ready in Ontario, Canada

[repenttokyo]

i need to replace my shocks and springs this month too. I am going with eibach lowering springs, but I am undecided re: shocks. I have read the threads on this board that talk about the bilsteins not being well suited for our cars because of the bumpstop situation. Are koni's that much more expensive, and will they work well with a lowered car?

[uscharalph]

i need to replace my shocks and springs this month too. I am going with eibach lowering springs, but I am undecided re: shocks. I have read the threads on this board that talk about the bilsteins not being well suited for our cars because of the bumpstop situation. Are koni's that much more expensive, and will they work well with a lowered car?
I'd go with the Sachs Performance Kit, it includes Eibach springs.

[repenttokyo]

I'd go with the Sachs Performance Kit, it includes Eibach springs.


i've narrowed it down to either koni or bilstein. but i appreciate the suggestion.

[uscharalph]

I don't know about Koni, but my past experience, is that Bilstein's were too harsh. I wanted a smoother ride that felt more like a new BMW.

[Turbo Ready]

I don't know about Koni, but my past experience, is that Bilstein's were too harsh. I wanted a smoother ride that felt more like a new BMW.

You would be surprised how comfortable the Koni SA shocks are. Being adjustable you can tweak them to suit your ride comfort or corner handling, which ever is of more importance to you.

[repenttokyo]

bilstein and eibach.

[repenttokyo]

Found these on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300199613503&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

Bilstien HD Shocks with ACS Springs.


Used shocks and springs? Why not go new?

[cammo]

dont know what combo to go for
koni adj and eibach springs
or
Bilstein and Vogtland springs
the b + v combo looks to good to be true
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BILSTEIN-SHOCKS-SPRINGS-BMW-E34-525i-535i-540i-90-95_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ010QQitemZ 200199352941QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[repenttokyo]

dont know what combo to go for
koni adj and eibach springs
or
Bilstein and Vogtland springs
the b + v combo looks to good to be true
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BILSTEIN-SHOCKS-SPRINGS-BMW-E34-525i-535i-540i-90-95_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ010QQitemZ 200199352941QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW


doesn't say if they are sport shocks or not.

[bad_manners_god]

dont know what combo to go for
koni adj and eibach springs
or
Bilstein and Vogtland springs
the b + v combo looks to good to be true
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BILSTEIN-SHOCKS-SPRINGS-BMW-E34-525i-535i-540i-90-95_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ010QQitemZ 200199352941QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I've seen those too many times but they're just regualr shocks, not sport or HD for that matter, but it's still very good value for the price, invest another 150ish into top shock mounts and it's a brand new suspension.

[repenttokyo]

I've seen those too many times but they're just regualr shocks, not sport or HD for that matter, but it's still very good value for the price, invest another 150ish into top shock mounts and it's a brand new suspension.


lowering springs + bilstein non-Sport shocks = a bad idea.

[pundit]

dont know what combo to go for
koni adj and eibach springs
or
Bilstein and Vogtland springs
the b + v combo looks to good to be true
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BILSTEIN-SHOCKS-SPRINGS-BMW-E34-525i-535i-540i-90-95_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ010QQitemZ 200199352941QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
It appears that anybody who has experience with Konis & Bilsteins tend to prefer Konis.
I've got Konis with Eibachs on my E34 and they provide a controlled taut ride without being harsh.
I've had Bilsteins in the past and they are not as nice in the ride department as the Konis.
I also have 17" T-Star wheels which of course won't ride as plush as standard 15" but even so the ride is more than acceptable considering the improvement in handling.

Suspension modifications are always going to be a compromise when it comes to balancing ride comfort with handling.
If someone can come up with a better compromise than the Koni/Eibach combo for an E34 then let me know.

[bad_manners_god]

What's a good setup for less than 800 including top plates?

[repenttokyo]

Because I still haven't found a good setup for less than 800 including top mounts.

For 800, I can get N.E.X. Coil-Over's front and rear and adjustible sway bars.


what does BMA want for the top shock mounts? I assume that is what you are talking about.

[bad_manners_god]

Found these on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300199613503&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

Bilstien HD Shocks with ACS Springs.

[bad_manners_god]

Used shocks and springs? Why not go new?

Because I still haven't found a good setup for less than 800 including top mounts.

For 800, I can get N.E.X. Coil-Over's front and rear and adjustible sway bars.

[bad_manners_god]

what does BMA want for the top shock mounts? I assume that is what you are talking about.

These are Meyle from ebay.