Infestus 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 (edited) Hey I just have afew quick questions about lowering my 1984 318i E30. 1) First off, is it ok to just have new lowering springs such as Kings or Jamex with stock shocks? Ive heard its not very good as it blows your shocks but I just want to confirm. 2) Also what price would I be looking at for springs and shocks (low budget) ? I dont have the money atm but just so I know what to aim for. 4) Where would I get them from? 3) Would there be anything else I need such as camber adjusters ect? 4) Is there anything else I should know? Thanks in Advance. Sorry if these are stupid questions. Oliver Edited May 23, 2007 by Oliver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m_power 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 Dont get jamex, i dont like them at all. I found that the kings i had in my prevous e30 were way better than my jamex but iv only experimented with them. Others on this form will have used varous different ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 The best suggestion I can give is to get along to a meet (although you dont say where you are) and see if you can blag a ride in a few cars with different shocks/springs. Most people on here have differing view on spings especially and ultimately you will need to have a ride in a car to know what you do and dont like. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Infestus 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 The best suggestion I can give is to get along to a meet (although you dont say where you are) and see if you can blag a ride in a few cars with different shocks/springs. Most people on here have differing view on spings especially and ultimately you will need to have a ride in a car to know what you do and dont like. Thanks good idea, Im near wellington so ill have to get along to one some time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 1 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 Most disagree with me but I'm running lowered springs on stock shocks, I've had this setup for about 3 years now and the front shocks are starting to show their age a little bit now. Handles good enough for me. Camber should be fine if you stay don't drop more than 30mm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshnz 2 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 Yeah, don't go Jamex ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Infestus 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 Most disagree with me but I'm running lowered springs on stock shocks, I've had this setup for about 3 years now and the front shocks are starting to show their age a little bit now. Handles good enough for me. Camber should be fine if you stay don't drop more than 30mmWhat Brand of springs are you on? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 1 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 Whitelines up front and dobis in the back, I've gone 60mm drop in the front and 40mm rear. All captive and fully legal. With a sub in the boot and the rear arches being lower it has a real nice stance. Both brands are around 30% stiffer than standard. I'm also running camber/toe adjusters in the rear but some people don't bother or need them for a 40mm drop in the rear. Obviously getting decent shocks such as bilsteins or konis will be hugely beneficial but at over $1000 for the set its just not worth it for me at the moment. Also get yourself a rear swaybar out of a 325i, nice improvement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bumpstop325 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2007 Go for a nice spring like B+G. Im sure others will suggest some others. Not kings. I got kings in at the momoent, i hate them to the death. I should be getting some new ones in about a month or so. I had superlow B+G springs in my 325. Best mod ever. I picked up a second hand set for $250 ages ago. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tibbs.james 1 Report post Posted May 24, 2007 Not trying to hijack But why exactly are the kings or the Jamex springs rubbish? I know they are rubbish because everybody says they are but Im keen on hearing actual reasons why Are they too stiff, or not stiff enough ? is the spring rate linear when its meant to be progressive or what? Or are they just harsh for some reason or something like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dc2r 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2007 (edited) Not trying to hijack But why exactly are the kings or the Jamex springs rubbish? I know they are rubbish because everybody says they are but Im keen on hearing actual reasons why Are they too stiff, or not stiff enough ? is the spring rate linear when its meant to be progressive or what? Or are they just harsh for some reason or something like that. Main reasons i think is because they have soft spring rates, and have a tendency to sag over time... Ive had kings and jamex's, after going full adjustable coilovers, ill never go back to springs again they will be all good for my e30 though, as i just want it lowered, and its my daily Edited May 24, 2007 by dc2r Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshnz 2 Report post Posted May 24, 2007 I'm sure my Jamex springs started sagging as soon as they were put it, they were just too damn soft, you could put a couple of doz on the back seat on the rears would start rubbing at normal speeds ... H&Rs soon dealt to that Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m_power 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2007 (edited) I'm sure my Jamex springs started sagging as soon as they were put it, they were just too damn soft, you could put a couple of doz on the back seat on the rears would start rubbing at normal speeds ... H&Rs soon dealt to that Exatly my problem, with the jamex. Edited May 24, 2007 by Bavarian Boy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*sic 1 Report post Posted May 24, 2007 jamex = sag Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED1RTY 2 Report post Posted May 24, 2007 Makita one way adjustables. Basically, as with anything. You pay for quality. B&G ftw. Ill be buying some for my rear as soon as my driveline hassles have been sorted. Then its time to save for GC front coilovers and camber tops Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m325i 709 Report post Posted May 25, 2007 I had Jamex and i was happy with them. Do the job, and maintain a resonable soft ride. You can obviously go for more extreme setups, but i had no issues with rubbing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jammasterjames 0 Report post Posted May 25, 2007 I had Jamex and i was happy with them. Do the job, and maintain a resonable soft ride. You can obviously go for more extreme setups, but i had no issues with rubbing. Word. But I'm not a racer.... I'm ridin a Jamex and Bilstein combo.... works fine wit loads of bitches in the back seat, gettin all jiggy wit it..nahmean :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
antony 0 Report post Posted May 25, 2007 Word. But I'm not a racer.... I'm ridin a Jamex and Bilstein combo.... works fine wit loads of bitches in the back seat, gettin all jiggy wit it..nahmean :-) same......but haven't ever had anything else to compare with. no problems tho. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gus 5 Report post Posted May 25, 2007 cant be assed reading all of it jamex = lose H&R, some decent spring (eibach, MAYBE kings, have not driven em yet) or leave it stock and put some decent shocks in. that is of course if you want your car to handle good and be nice to drive..if you just want it sacked put whatever in Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silver Fox 43 Report post Posted May 25, 2007 cant be assed reading all of it jamex = lose H&R, some decent spring (eibach, MAYBE kings, have not driven em yet) or leave it stock and put some decent shocks in. that is of course if you want your car to handle good and be nice to drive..if you just want it sacked put whatever in Didn't you drive someones series car at Taupo Gus? If so you have driven a car on Kings, we all are. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted May 27, 2007 Most disagree with me but I'm running lowered springs on stock shocks, I've had this setup for about 3 years now and the front shocks are starting to show their age a little bit now. Handles good enough for me. Camber should be fine if you stay don't drop more than 30mm I ran lowered springs on stock shocks for about a year, i then removed them due to selling the vehicle and found out the rear shocks were routed and the front shocks had shortened themselves which made it very difficult to get the stock springs back in place, moral of story is get descent shocks before putting springs on the vehicle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bravo 35 Report post Posted May 27, 2007 My setup is 40mm drop in front and 60mm drop in rear - would prefer 40-50mm all round. On bilstein shocks out of a msport. The bilsteins are 20 years old and been with low springs for 3 years or more and they still pass a shock test and have no leaks etc. However, when funds allow I will be ripping the whole lot out for soething new and properly thought out. With a sub in the boot, my rear camber is the pits and I go through tyres like "insert jammaterjames quote here". As far as price goes, depends on what you get and whether you go new or secondhand. I can't remember what I paid for mine but I think it was $800???? for shocks and springs secondhand. I just sold some king lows and four near new monroe stock shocks for $600 to a guy I knew. so there are bargains to be had. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Infestus 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 My setup is 40mm drop in front and 60mm drop in rear - would prefer 40-50mm all round. On bilstein shocks out of a msport. The bilsteins are 20 years old and been with low springs for 3 years or more and they still pass a shock test and have no leaks etc. However, when funds allow I will be ripping the whole lot out for soething new and properly thought out. With a sub in the boot, my rear camber is the pits and I go through tyres like "insert jammaterjames quote here". As far as price goes, depends on what you get and whether you go new or secondhand. I can't remember what I paid for mine but I think it was $800???? for shocks and springs secondhand. I just sold some king lows and four near new monroe stock shocks for $600 to a guy I knew. so there are bargains to be had. Oh thanks, Ill have to start looking around while I save up some money. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jammasterjames 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 With a sub in the boot, my rear camber is the pits and I go through tyres like ....my wife's vagin....after many times through, looks like the wizard sleeve !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites