jonoe30

Nice car... looks very tidy! I know you haven't had it long, but how do you find the H&R Bilstein setup? Not too crashy? (thinking about this setup for my own car) Is it LHD?

Thanks for that John, I thought it didn't look right and I get occasional clunking when reversing out of drive way and have checked everything else is tight. I'll replace them when I deal with the rest of the suspension...

Is this gap between the top of the rear subframe bushing and the chassis normal? It is the same on both sides.

I’m wanting to change the springs/shocks on my ’91 E30 325i Convertible. A PO has fitted aftermarket springs that have lowered the car ~45mm (currently 310mm front, 320mm rear – height from centre of wheel to top or arch). It is still on standard Sachs shocks, so needless to say the ride is terrible. I have become very diligent at avoiding minor road imperfections to avoid hitting the bump stops constantly. I don’t want to go back to stock springs and have the massive stock fender gap at the front. It’s my daily driver and won’t see any track use. I don’t mind/like firm suspension, I just want to avoid having an overly jarring ride/hit bump stops regularly. I’m currently thinking about one of two options: Option 1: M Technic spring set (apparently still available according to Pelican Parts) and Bilstein HD (B6) shocks, with 3mm spring seat at front and 5mm at rear. (Lowering height over stock anyone? I read in US forums anything between nothing and 15mm) Option 2: H&R sport springs and Bilstein Sport (B8) shocks, with 9mm spring seat at front and 10mm spring seat at rear (I’m only specifying these as I don’t want to go too low). (H&R springs lowering apparently 1.4” at front .75” at rear) (Both of the above options are with the convertible specific springs to carry extra weight at rear) My question is, does anyone happen to run a similar setup on their E30 and how do they find this on NZ roads (subjective I know), or any other suggested setups? Also if anyone runs either kit, how much did they find it actually lowered the car?

A very long shot, but looking to purchase a E30 convertible removable hardtop... I doubt anyone has one lying around, but nonetheless thought I'd ask on the off chance. Will pay $2000 give or take depending on condition.

Thanks Jeff, same to you... Just off P' Road... I need to give the car a clean before you'll notice me about... basket weaves are black with dust :S a bit harder to clean than your lovely M parallels...

You're right Mark, the guy I brought it off was very difficult to deal with and dodgy, he was also a mechanic... Interestingly the garage he owned had just issued it a warrant, which it should clearly have failed with the wheels fouling the body (as above with tie rods) and the ABS not working (he'd removed the light, it was just one of the sensors), broken tail light lense, bulbs out etc. In hindsight I should have raked him over the coals for it with Land Transport but didn't. My first experience buying a car sight unseen and it's not for the faint hearted flying one way to Christchurch to pick up a 20 yo car from a guy who basically wouldn't talk over the phone. I've solved most the little leaks now, rocker gasket, cam shaft seal, oil return tube seals and a big power steering fluid leak (just the hose clamp on the bottom of the reservoir - again he was a mechanic, ridiculous he didn't fix this). The electro-mechanical roof mechanism is a work in progress as who ever disabled it when the top motor broke just removed the connecting rods (it works fine manually) which are proving difficult to source. Clearly it was a bit unloved, but thankfully with a bit of TLC I have avoided any major issues so far.

Thanks for the feedback Jon, I'll get in touch with Ethirty_Andy and see what he's planning...

Hi guys/girls, Jono here, new to forums, taking my time to look through the topics (love jeffbebe's E31 who must live locally to me as I see it about all the time) and introduce my ride.... Brought this NZ new '91 E30 facelift 325i convertible manual done 165,000kms two years ago sight unseen from Rangiora ... Drove back to Auckland with the heater on full as temp gauge didn't work and some funky steering thanks to the tie rods being wound all the way in one direction (1 turn to lock left, 3 to lock right haha)... I'm pretty handy (and particular) so replaced ALL fluids, cambelt, waterpump, all water hoses, thermostat (old one was fine), temp gauge and adjusted valve clearances soon after getting back. Since then I've replaced the roof canvas and seals (last month, including stripping frame back to metal and repainting; b**** of a job getting the frame re-aligned after removing it) and various bits of trim and assorted suspension bushings... it's a labour of love, still plenty of things I'd like to do... PS: Always on the look out for the removable hard top on the slim chance anyone has one they want to sell...