Should I Or Not? New Springs

[Karma Supra]

As I have mentioned before, the stock E46 springs tend to fail (which is *****).

Saying as I am fitting new polybushes all round and new lower wishbones and ball joints I was wondering if I should go for a set of Eibach springs, which seem to be the standard issue upgrade with the M3 crowd. I'll be taking the springs/shocks off anyway and will have to pay for an alignment anyway?

I didn't really want to change the ride height, (the car is low as it is) but they only claim to drop the car by 20mm front and 10mm rear, people have commented that they haven't noticed much of a difference in height. Most report the ride to be good, less "crashy" over bumps only a couple have said it felt harsher, but it’s a major consideration as the ride is already bordering on too hard for where I live, plus I'm already adding the harder compound bushes!

The stock springs are really anally rated depending on the spec of your car (more toys = stiffer springs, mine are the stiffest) I have cleared any speed bumps I have encountered and I know they are a "safe" bet, Plus BMW M are kind of known for making cars that are pretty good to drive

- so is putting on a "one rate for all cars" spring on that alters the BMW M chosen ride height going to be an upgrade or make things worse? Will it upset the fantastic balance when powering though bends?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M3-E46-3-2-EI ... 7C294%3A50

They are cheap enough.

I am also conscious that that a M3 is bordering chavvy enough as it is these days without it being lowered; I don't want to "cheapen" it.

Before anyone says it I have asked on BMW forums!

[Bizarra]

As I have mentioned before, the stock E46 springs tend to fail (which is *****).

Saying as I am fitting new polybushes all round and new lower wishbones and ball joints I was wondering if I should go for a set of Eibach springs, which seem to be the standard issue upgrade with the M3 crowd. I'll be taking the springs/shocks off anyway and will have to pay for an alignment anyway?

I didn't really want to change the ride height, (the car is low as it is) but they only claim to drop the car by 20mm front and 10mm rear, people have commented that they haven't noticed much of a difference in height. Most report the ride to be good, less "crashy" over bumps only a couple have said it felt harsher, but it’s a major consideration as the ride is already bordering on too hard for where I live, plus I'm already adding the harder compound bushes!

The stock springs are really anally rated depending on the spec of your car (more toys = stiffer springs, mine are the stiffest) I have cleared any speed bumps I have encountered and I know they are a "safe" bet, Plus BMW M are kind of known for making cars that are pretty good to drive

- so is putting on a "one rate for all cars" spring on that alters the BMW M chosen ride height going to be an upgrade or make things worse? Will it upset the fantastic balance when powering though bends?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M3-E46-3-2-EI ... 7C294%3A50

They are cheap enough.

I am also conscious that that a M3 is bordering chavvy enough as it is these days without it being lowered; I don't want to "cheapen" it.

Before anyone says it I have asked on BMW forums!

& their opinions were ? :D

[Karma Supra]

Conflicting and unconclusive!

[-T- Sport]

Just sell it and buy another Supra. Job done.

Anyway... I didn't look at the link, I don't trust BMW drivers. xD

If they're not going to break the bank, why not buy them - try them, if you don't like them.. Sell them on eBay! eBay FTW...

That's if you can change them yourself and don';t have to pay someone a fortune to do it for you..

[Karma Supra]

I can change them myself, but the geometry will need re aligning which I can't DIY!

[Red diesel]

My advice would be to see if you can get a test drive or test ride in a BMW the same type as yours that has already been fitted with the same suspension set up your thinking of having fitted to yours.

Bear in mind too that wheel size makes a difference too ie a 17 inch wheel will ride better normally then an 18 inch wheel (because normally the bigger the wheel the lower the profile on the tyres - the lower the profile the harder the ride is going to be).

Another thing - could you maybe look at getting the suspension custom made by someone like Gaz/Spax i believe that those two companys do custom made suspension set ups but im not sure sorry - one of the photographers on one of the ford specific magazines has an Escort estate with a Zetec engine (it was one of the 1980s ones) as a daily driver and the standard springs were not up to the job - so he got some new suspension made by spax - which according to him worked very well (how much this has to do with escort suspension being :censor: useless as standard or spax suspensions being very good i don't know - on a car like the BMW the benefits might be less then on an escort 1.4L - thats what the photographers car was orginally).

Best wishes anyway

Red diesel