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Arborguy

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Posts posted by Arborguy


  1. Although this topic has been covered many times i would like to voice my current situations and options.

    I have recently purchased a manual 328i e36 msport coupe. After changing springs i found that all but one shocks are pretty much poked :(

    My original plan was to buy Bilstein B8 shocks and purchase springs down the line to end up with a quality suspension setup and not require a LVV cert and will great on the road and the occasional track day.

    Since i have discovered that my car is actually not factory manual transmission. After checking the VIN online and having a look under the shift boot there appears to be wiring for what i presume to be the automatic trans controls.

    As far as i understand the car would require a LVV certification for the manual conversion (even through the car just passed a WOF last week). My car also seems to have a lean to the drivers side at the front and rear which i would presume be caused by softening springs ( not dead shocks as far as i am aware?).

    Having weighed up my options i would like some advice from those who have personal experience with the setups i am considering.

    I currently have jamex springs in the car (I presume they are of the super low flavor) and a spare set of what i believe are Msport springs.

    • Bilstein B8 shocks. $250 each for rears and $370 each per front strut = $1240 for the set from speed factor
    • Second hand bilstein shocks of a Bimmersport member that i may be able to be rebuilt and re-valved + unknown at this stage
    • Koni sports. Was quoted over $500 each per front strut so a lot more than i am willing to spend on shocks alone! $1600+
    • Brand new BC Gold Coilovers for $1250-$1500.
    • Brand new D2 Coilovers. 9kg front 9.5kg rear for $1000 Brand new.

    Presuming i go down the cheaper coilover route i will being getting a certification that i believe i would anyway as the car has been manual converted. Having driven plenty of cars on similar suspension the ride is something i can manage but i don't want to completely ruin my ride as i intend on doing less than 5 track days a year. keeping in mind this car is only driven after work and on weekend. Plenty of spirited windy roads!

    I was originally intent on bilstiens but then i would would likely have to buy EWibach springs to have the suspension i desire ending up costing about $1750 for the B8 shocks and springs.... This still leaves me with no certification. I also fear that the end result may be either too low or not low enough!

    I did also run re-valved Bilstein shocks and Neuspeed race springs in my old Integra type R and loved it!

    Coilovers seem to offer the adjustable ride hide and adjustable damping that i would be after however i don't want my ride to be ruined.

    By current setup is standard shocks with Jamex Springs (i have msport springs in my garage), Style 66 wheels (17x8 +20 and 17x9 +26) 225/45 on the front and the same on the rear however i do want to run 245/45 one the rear (i would hate to buy bilstien shocks and Eibach springs only for my tyres to rub around corners i i have to change my wheel and tyre setup to suit whereas coilvers i could adjust the height and rebound.

    I'm sure there is wealth of knoledge, opinions and experience so please offer any advise you can before i fork out for a new setup, the the cheaper D2's mean i would be able to spend extra money replacing a few bushes that are worn or on their way out.


  2. Well I've recently purchased my e36 328i manual coupe. After having a great time with Japanese cars (previously an interface type r and a series 1 rx7) I've made the switch to my first European car and loving it!

    Work in progress for my coupe is restoring leather m sport interior to replace my current M sport half leather interior, new suspension setup and making my style 66 wheels fit perfectly :).

    • Like 1

  3. This build is amazing!

    Really along the lines of what I'd love to do with 328i E36 coupe. Really good to see this colour on one as it has been a dream of painting a car "audi nimbus grey" from some time but i haven't really owned a car in recent years that i have been willing to commit until recently when i bought my BM.

    Very tasteful parts that really compliment the car, nothing seems over the top.

    On a side note did you consider running a rocket bunny style rear ducktail wing?

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